Finally, Cindy appeared, escorted by her parents. She was a vision of elegance and grace, beaming at her husband-to-be. It looked like his dark eyes and big smile were drawing her toward him.
The wedding ceremony was formal and meaningful. The priest was long-winded. Cisco had to help Debbie to a seat a couple of times, and by the end of the service, she needed a rest.
***
The reception was held in the formal ballroom of the Monchsberg Hotel. Despite the problems of Thursday night, all the guests were accommodated in grand style. An attentive staff served the finest food and drink. The flowers and décor were perfect down to the last detail, and the orchestra was phenomenal. Everyone was up dancing. We made a big deal of getting Cin and Raphael to dance the tango—that brought up some good memories for them and some funny stories for me to tell.
Cindy and Raphael seemed to float through the day—always together, always touching. They shared a special intimacy in the midst of a thousand people.
Since Ellen was still recovering from her bullet wound and Debbie was weak from everything, family and friends came to them. We all stood in a sociable group around them, chatting away.
I called their attention to Jimmy and Aubrey on the dance floor. She stood on tip toes and planted a sweet kiss on his cheek—and he took the opportunity to kiss her lips. Then they left the room.
Eduardo smirked. “Yeah, it’s that old adage—a guy chases a girl until she catches him.”
Nita tweaked his cheek. “You’re so right, my love.”
Everyone burst into laughter. Nita sauntered out the door, all eyes glued on her tall, elegant self. Joe Harris took a seat beside Eduardo, fingering his unlit cigar.
Eduardo’s grin widened into a smile, his eyes still focused on the doorway where his wife had disappeared. “Ya know, I may have this ring on my finger, but I’m still chasin’ her.”
Joe’s cackling voice rose above the group. “And you better not stop, cuz there’s a line behind you.”
***
Sunshine and moderate temperatures lured many of the revelers out into the colorful gardens of the courtyard. Drawn by Cindy’s giggling nieces, it was here Eduardo located his little brother.
The photographer snapped continuously, as Ellen frolicked in the fountain. Though she tried to keep her violet silk gown dry, she couldn’t gather it up enough to avoid soaking the hem. Paulo reached to assist her and stole a passionate kiss.
Cindy’s nieces tattled in sing-song voices. “They were kissing and she fell in the water. And she splashed him. Now he’s kissing her again.” So I was updated, as I watched the scene with a growing crowd.
Eduardo tried to look serious, but it was impossible not to smile. He ran over and pulled Paulo by the shirtsleeve. “What are you two up to now? Can’t you stay dressed and clean and out of trouble for five minutes?” He extended his hand to red-faced Ellen and helped her from the water.
Her smile was brighter than I’d ever seen it. She giggled and leapt into Paulo’s arms.
While Eduardo dismissed the photographer, and encouraged the guests to find some new entertainment, Paulo resumed kissing his girlfriend.
My smile must have prompted Eduardo to turn around. “Paulo!”
Paulo came up for air. “She said yes, Eduardo.”
“What?”
“We’re going to be married next August. Right here at the cathedral.”
The expression on their faces was priceless.
***
Cindy and Raphael honeymooned in the Greek Islands. They returned to Austria in time to host an American Thanksgiving feast in their new home.
It was the Friday evening before the big holiday, and the whole family was excited to join the newlyweds for dinner in their new home. Maria and Camellia insisted on doing all the cooking—which was a good thing from my point of view. They were incredible cooks.
The younger women gathered in a comfortable alcove at the table, fussing over Debbie. Now coming on six months along, she was easily exhausted and her tummy was huge. But Debbie was radiant. Truly radiant—and who’d have thought I’d use that word with “exhaustion” and “huge tummy”? I guess her marriage was working out—they were more in love every day.
Since Alain had gone downstairs with the men, I took the opportunity to go out to the terrace to have a cigarette. One of these days, I really would quit altogether. For Alain. He nagged me about all the ill effects of the habit every time he saw me smoking, every time someone even mentioned the subject.
I pleasured myself with a drag. Thoughts of quitting disappeared. The night air had a bite to it—we’d already had snow. I pulled my sweater tight around me.
Cindy soon appeared, pulling her coat on as she came through the door. “I’ve been dying to ask you about Henry Korn and that Weekly World Gossip story. Did you find out any more about it? What did Alain say?”
I savored a puff of the cigarette and chuckled. “Ya know Cin, it’s just like always. Alain’s gotta be the most tight-lipped guy I ever met. He got back here just before your wedding with a bucket of cash—every dime I ever paid to Henry Korn.”
“You’re kidding.” Cindy smiled.
“Yeah, the money and a huge envelope with every last negative of every last picture he had of me.”
“What a relief.” Cindy exhaled a sigh that I could see in the cold night air.
“Yeah, and there’s more, Cin. I called Becky after she got back to L.A. after your wedding. I figured she might’ve heard something. She said she heard Dallas Cummings—the porn star—she has some jealous boyfriend that beat Henry to a pulp.”
“No!”
“Yeah, she said the guy was a mess. Got beaten within an inch of his life, is what she said.” I paused watching Cin gulp in amazement. “And I checked, Cin. I called everyone I know, checked every way I could think of, ya know, without telling them anything. And Dallas Cummings doesn’t have a boyfriend that’s as jealous as all that, if you know what I mean.”
“Oh, wow.”
“Yeah, Cin, it had to be Alain that beat the guy like that. Alain’s the jealous boyfriend all right. And how do you suppose Dallas Cummings ended up on video with Henry Korn in the first place? It just makes you wonder.” I carefully twisted the cigarette butt the way Alain always did so efficiently after extracting it from my lips.
Eduardo
Raphael had a well-equipped shop downstairs where the men gathered to work on their new skis and bindings.
Eduardo poured a beer and handed it to Raphael. “You know Cookie’s gonna take us up next Saturday. You’re comin’ with us, right?”
“Next Saturday? Sure. I didn’t know Tony Cooke was staying in Salzburg.”
“Yeah. He jumped at the chance to work together again. Pearson really likes him. Even David likes him—as long as he’s not talking.”
Raphael laughed. “Which is when? When he’s sleeping?”
Jimmy changed the subject. “So what about this concert in Salzburg tomorrow night? Is everything all set for that?”
Eduardo put his beer down. “Yeah. Thank God it’s gonna be relatively small. Mostly press. Joe’s just looking for ways to get them out there without touring. He’s got a great deal on all the TV rights all over the world. Security should be fine. And no new paintings from Debbie—right?” He hardly dared to look David in the eye.
“Only pretty paintings. Lots of pretty snow scenes, and holiday greeting card pictures.” David smirked.
Eduardo winked. “And how many babies in those pretty paintings? Still just three?”
David gave him a warning look that inspired laughter from his friends. “Three babies. That’s it. That’s enough. Three babies.”
Jimmy had to push. “That’s not what Cat said—and we all know Cat’s never wrong.”
More laughter left David to focus on his skis, shaking his head.
Jimmy let up his teasing. “So anyway, Aubrey called me. She was kind of mad Joe didn’t sign her up for this concert. I gu
ess it’s gonna generate a lot of publicity. Not to mention the money. But she’s got a tight schedule in the U.S. so she won’t be able to get away.”
Eduardo grinned. “Yeah, with the way she was hangin’ on you at he wedding—she’ll be back here.”
“Yeah, right.” Jimmy deftly turned to Alain. “So how’s your surprise house comin’ along?”
Alain looked up from his work. “It looks great to me. It’s a much smaller project than he usually tackles.”
Raphael smiled. “It’ll be ready on Thanksgiving Day.”
Jimmy took a gulp of his beer. “And Glori still has no idea?”
Alain shook his head.
“So how does she not know there’s this new house being built right down the street?”
Alain joined in the laughter. “Glori isn’t much of an explorer when it comes to the great outdoors. It’s another matter if it’s a shopping expedition. But she would never bother to investigate this. The house is pretty much buried in the woods right now. And with all the construction that’s been going on, she wouldn’t question the men and equipment being here.”
Glori
Saturday night’s concert was awesome, and just the right-sized venue. Joe was doing a fantastic job of keeping the momentum going for the band. He planned a series of relatively small concerts in Salzburg that would be televised throughout the world. The next one would be a Christmas concert in mid-December.
Celebrities flocked to participate, knowing the publicity would pay off for all concerned. In turn, Joe arranged for them to sing Paulo’s songs, which only made Paulo and Cat more money and fame. Joe also made deals with Hollywood producers to have Paulo and Cat write songs and soundtracks for upcoming movies. The media frenzy went on, and Joe rode it like a rocket ship.
He allowed only a few key journalists and television personalities to have access to Paulo and his family. They kept the band’s music and videos in the public eye. Interest in our personal lives continued, and Gossamer Magazine featured us every single month. Amanda James kept in regular contact, and treated us with respect. She created a number of segments for her show around our band and families.
Our secret agents always tried to stay in the background, but they were stars. Their relationships were fodder for the tabloids. Every interview given by one of the band would involve questions on the world’s most popular secret agents.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Glori
After only a couple weeks at home in Beverly Hills, George and Marion Aldridge arrived in Salzburg to celebrate a traditional American Thanksgiving with the family. I think most of us were hoping they’d had enough of the cold weather and now routine explosions at Cindy’s wedding. But no. Fortunately, they stayed with Frederick and Maria.
Despite the inconvenience of the Aldridges, we did have a lot to be thankful for. After a sumptuous dinner, we sat by a roaring fire in the Dominguez parlor, looking out on the Austrian Alps. The view could take your breath away.
Raphael clutched his wife. “Now we’re going to follow another great American tradition.”
Cin looked up at him with a curious smile.
“We’re going to go out to cut our Christmas trees.”
His idea met with giddy enthusiasm—from everyone but George and Marion, of course.
Nita teased me. “I imagine you have quite a time out there every year chopping down your Christmas tree in spike heel boots.”
I stretched into the boot. “Well, honey, I don’t do much chopping, but I sure could have fun with my lumberjack.” Ceremoniously, I placed my leg over Alain’s lap so he could zip my boot.
Debbie was practically hyperventilating she was so excited to go.
Marion raised her voice. “Debbie! Don’t be silly. It’s freezing cold out there. You’ll catch your death of cold. Think of your children.”
George wagged his finger at her, and David didn’t give him the chance to wind up. He carried her out, and bundled her up so you could hardly see her under everything.
We set off in horse-drawn sleighs, and I felt like I was in one of Debbie’s Christmas cards. I know that sounds scary, but I was actually feeling like I was at home here now. Weird.
“Hey? I thought you people were such environmentalists. How come we’re cutting down trees, huh?”
Alain just laughed at me.
Raphael said, “There are some trees we need to thin out for the construction. So we’ll put them to good use.”
When we came to the stand of trees Raphael had mentioned, I narrowed my eyes and peered through the forest. “I never saw that house before. Who lives there?”
Before I could say I was perfectly comfortable under the blanket where I was, Alain lifted me out of the sled. “Let’s go see.”
As we came up to a sunroom at the back of the house, I tugged at his arm. “Maybe you like this secret agent spy stuff—but we can’t just go in there. It’s someone’s house.”
It didn’t even register that everyone else was cracking up laughing. Alain whisked me through the door and a huge smile spread across his face. The gang outside was yelling “Surprise!” and I squealed as I leapt into his arms.
A flood of visitors came through the door, and as Maria prepared hot chocolate, we took a tour. Later, I settled with my friends in the sunroom. We sipped hot cocoa and admired the view from floor-to-ceiling windows.
I was feeling more than the warmth of the hot beverage. “Alain asked me to live here with him. He wants me to decorate it. Isn’t it great?” Everyone agreed.
I felt that old mascara giving way again. “Alain said he had Raphael build this so we could add on to it if we want to. But he said we may not want to stay here, ya know, permanently. But we could always keep it as a second home, if we do decide to move on. Or if we decide to stay here, we can make it bigger if we want to. Isn’t that great?”
Cindy said, “Well, I hope you two decide to stay here. It’s a really neat house.”
Debbie started to roll out of her position on the window seat. “You have to stay here! Don’t you love it here?” Cat and Cindy came to her aid, pushing her back into the seat.
I handed Cat another blanket. “Sure honey, I do love it here. But I think Alain is just tryin’ to keep our options open. And we don’t have as much money for big mansions all over the world. He keeps tellin’ me he wants me to see the South of France. And I’m always complaining I miss Beverly Hills. So who knows? Maybe we’ll be world travelers. But I’m never gonna lose track of you. Okay?”
Debbie
December went by in a whirlwind. David saw to it that I kept all my medical appointments, and Dr. Schechter was pleased that the babies were doing so well, and I was healthy. Dr. Raich was impressed with my progress, too. She thought I’d done a good job of coping with my parents’ prolonged holiday visit.
David and I spent a romantic weekend at the Monchsberg Hotel, which was all dressed up for the holidays. We attended Paulo’s Christmas concert in town, and then had a wonderful candlelight dinner. We even danced the waltz.
I knew Christmas wasn’t David’s favorite time of year, because of that terrible plane crash. And this year marked the twentieth anniversary of that horrible occasion. He was very solemn and quiet on December twentieth as we attended church.
We gathered at Maria and Frederick’s home afterwards, and they shared all their happier memories. Cat praised God that we were all together again for the first time in a very long time. Then she told everyone that God was giving us a new gift and a new generation with our triplets.
Then Eduardo started to joke about David getting his penance with three boys just like himself. “And what one doesn’t think of—the other two will.”
Maria smiled and hugged me. “I have a feeling he’s right.” She chuckled. “There won’t be a dull moment.”
David snapped out of his doldrums in the following days with the excitement of our first Christmas together and upcoming anniversary of the day we met.
On
Christmas Eve the family gathered at our home to celebrate. After dinner we snuggled by the warmth of the fire, and I inhaled the scent of our magnificent Christmas tree. Paulo and Ellen couldn’t resist sorting through piles of gifts with Cindy’s nieces and nephew. There were presents everywhere.
Joe stood up to make a statement. “It sure has been one heck of a year. I know we’ve had a huge financial success with Paulo and his band. But I gotta say—at least for me—I never had such a great time in my life. And I never knew such a—a remarkable group of people in my life. I’m truly blessed to know you. And the word ‘blessed’ is one word I sure would never have used before either.” Everyone laughed.
Joe sniffed. “Well, anyway, I just gotta tell you guys, you’re like my family now. And it’s great havin’ such a wonderful family. I know I’m droning on here. Actually, Maria and Camellia asked me to introduce their Christmas present to you guys, which is a world premiere film Doug and I helped them with. So I hope you guys like it.” He clicked on the video.
Paulo’s music accompanied a collage of wedding photos of grandparents and parents. Next came a series of baby pictures of all of their children, side by side with future spouses. Childhood photos from both sides of the Atlantic followed.
Laughter grew as Jimmy, Alain, Glori, and Ellen realized why they’d been asked for family pictures months before. The video traced the lives of the children through their school years and their weddings. By the time it ended, everyone had been touched. We all thanked Maria and Camellia with loud applause, hugs and kisses. They, in turn, thanked Joe and Doug for their assistance and promised an update each year.
David
He opened his eyes on the morning of December twenty-sixth and remembered the most important day of his life. One year ago he’d met his wife. The sweetest woman in the world was completely in love with him, and that had changed everything. She was still sound asleep, and he pulled her closer. He wouldn’t be alive today, if it were not for her.
Fame, Fortune & Secrets (The Redemption Series: Book 2) Page 22
