Secrets (1985)
Page 27
I want to keep it, Zack' She was crying now and he held her tight.
Of course you do. We'll get married right away, and talk to Mel. Hell, he might even think it's good for the show.
She laughed through her tears. Are you sure? I don't want to push you into this.
Don't be an ass. He stood up, feeling taller suddenly and twice the man he had before, and then he looked gently at her. I love you, Jane. Are you sure you want me ' in spite of everything?
There is no in spite of.' I'm the luckiest woman alive.
Jane! Someone was pounding on the door.
I'll be right out. She kissed him, and he held her tight and then she hurried out of her clothes and into her next change, as he watched, trying to imagine her six months hence. He held the door open for her, and watched her lovingly in her next scene, and as she came off the set after four takes, he smiled at her. It was a look meant only for her, and they went back to her dressing room, talking quietly.
Chapter 38
They talked to Mel that night at the Pierre, and he was stunned, but Jane was even more so when he congratulated them.
Was this our idea or yours?
A little of both. Zack laughed, and Jane looked faintly embarrassed as she explained that the baby was due at the end of their shooting schedule.
I wouldn't have to screw anything up' .
That's considerate of you, he teased, but he didn't look furious, just a little bit amazed. Are you sure you'll feel up to working right till the end?
I don't see why not. And then she had to ask him point-blank. She had been worried about it all day, in spite of everything Zack said. You mean you won't fire me, Mel?
I should say not. Besides, to be really crass about it, the publicity people are going to have a ball with this. The viewers are going to fall even more in love with you. Every guy in the country is going to wish he'd knocked you up himself, and the women are going to feel all mushy about you. It's perfect for the show, but much more important than that he looked at them both I suspect it's perfect for both of you. He looked tenderly at them, holding hands like two kids. In fact, I kind of envy you.
Jane looked relieved, and Mel ordered champagne. Zack asked him to be best man. Jane was going to call her kids and tell them only that they were getting married, and they thought they'd do it in the next two weeks. That way no one would be quite sure if she'd been pregnant beforehand. They had thought of everything, and after congratulating them both again, Mel told Sabina that night. And she was amused.
How can she get knocked up at her age, unless she wanted to?
Maybe she did. Mel was touched by the love he'd seen in their eyes.
You know ' I still can't figure Zack out' . She was lying on the couch, relaxing, happy to be back with Mel, and working again. She had called Anthony and he was doing well, and now she had someone to share it with. I could have sworn he was gay.
Guess you were wrong. Mel grinned. I'd say you were.
She shrugged. Guess so. Are you hungry yet?
He was watching her carefully and he smiled.
Yes ' but not for room service ' I had something else in mind first. And she laughed as he approached, she threw back her head with the golden mane and held her arms out to him.
What a good idea, she purred.
Isn't it though ' He picked her up with ease and carried her into the bedroom of his suite, and it was a long time before they called room service that night, and when they did, he ordered champagne and caviar and an omelet for both of them.
Chapter 39
The next morning on the set, Sabina was in grand form, and Jane looked like a Cheshire cat, laughing and whispering with Zack between scenes, so much so that the director had to tell them to be quiet more than once. And Mel stood on the sidelines watching all of them. The ratings were extraordinary, and the show was a bigger success than even he had dreamed.
He was watching Sabina rehearse with two of her legal underlings when Bill walked over to him with a somber air.
Something wrong? Mel hadn't seen him look like that in months, and Bill looked into his eyes with concern.
May I talk to you?
Sure. It looked like trouble on the set, and he saw Gabby watching them. What's up, Bill? Can we talk here? Bill nodded and held his breath as he saw Gabby approach. He had told her to stay away. He wanted to tell Mel himself, and they probably should have told him beforehand. He looked into the older man's eyes and decided to jump in.
I don't know how you'll feel about this '
Some problem with the script? He didn't understand and Bill looked consumed with guilt.
No, sir. He shook his head. Gabby and I got married last night.
Mel looked at him for an instant and then started to laugh. He laughed so hard he cried. They were like children, all of them.
I ' Mel ' we were worried you might be upset' .
Now why would you think that?
Because I know when you hired me, you asked if I was single ' and I lied to you' .
You're not lying to me now, are you?
Bill looked confused. Of course not. We just thought ' we were afraid ' Gabby didn't want the kind of big wedding her parents would have insisted on'
Are you happy? Mel smiled benignly down at him, as Gabby walked up, relieved to see Mel smiling at Bill.
Yes ' I am' He put an arm around his wife, and Mel looked at her.
Are you happy, Gabrielle?
Yes, Mel. She beamed up at him, and it was obvious that she had never been happier.
Then my blessings on both of you ' all of you' . He looked around, seeing Zack and Jane, and Sabina approaching them' . I've never seen a group with more secrets than this ' but may you be happy, always. He leaned over and kissed Gabrielle on the cheek, as Sabina put her hands on her hips and pretended to snarl.
Get your hands off her. She grinned at Mel, and he slapped her behind and they walked away, leaving the newlyweds, as Mel explained, hoping they would somehow influence her. But it didn't really matter to him. He was happy with her as she was ' with who she was ' and as he told her about Gabby and Bill, she laughed and looked over her shoulder at them, with a wink for Gabrielle. And Gabby laughed and waved at her, as the production assistant called out.
Stand-ins, stand-ins ' take your places, please!
Published byDell Publishinga division ofRandom House, Inc.
Copyright -! 1985 by Danielle Steel
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eISBN: 978-0-307-56681-2
August 1989