Danielle Steel - the Wedding (2000)

Tell Mom. She's driving me nuts over this. She keeps asking if I called him. And I told her, I'm not going to.

What does Simon say?

I haven't asked him, but he's always so obsessed with being fair. That's why I invited my father to my graduation. Simon kept saying that it wasn't fair not to invite him, that he would be so proud of me. But he didn't give a damn. He just came and was rude to everyone, even Sam, and she was only ten years old then. Scott hated him on sight. He never understood who he was. I wouldn't let Mom and Simon tell him. They just said he was an old friend. They know now, but I never used to admit to them that Simon wasn't my father. I was always afraid that it would make me a second-class citizen and they wouldn't love me as much, but the truth is, Simon never treated me any differently than the others. If anything, he treated me better. She smiled, and then sighed, poking at her fish again. And then she looked back at Jeff. I've been very lucky, except for the early days. But they had obviously traumatized her, and it had taken years to recover. So what do you think I should do? she asked Jeff fairly.

Whatever you like, he stressed again, this is our wedding. You do what you want, not what your mother thinks you should do.

I think she still feels guilty for leaving him sometimes, so she wants to throw him a bone to make him feel better. But I don't owe him that, Jeff. Not with my life. He's never, ever been decent to me.

You don't owe him anything. I think I'd tell your mother to keep him off the invitations, Jeff said firmly.

I agree with you, she said, relieved that he at least understood. And I don't care if it is proper to put him on. How proper has he been to me for the last twenty-four years?

He never remarried? Jeff was curious. It was, in its own way, for all concerned a tragic story. And her brother dying must have devastated them all, to the point that they could no longer recover.

He never remarried, Allegra confirmed. Who would want him?

He may not be as disturbed as he was then, you know. That all sounds pretty traumatic.

So was my early childhood. She sat back in her chair with a sigh, relieved that it was all out in the open. Anyway, now you know all my ugly secrets. I'm really Allegra Charlotte Stanton, except if you ever call me that, I'll kill you. Steinberg suits me just fine, she said bluntly.

Me too, he said, still thinking about her story. And he came around the table to kiss her.

Neither of them finished their dinner that night, and they went for a long walk on the beach to talk about her father. Allegra felt as though a thousand-pound weight had been lifted from her. She was glad that Jeff knew about her childhood. And, somehow, talking about her father now, as angry as she still was at him in some ways, she didn't really care anymore. She had Jeff, and her own life. At last she was healing.

She sat on his deck afterward for a long time, and it was a beautiful night. She lay against him, as they drank a little wine, and relaxed, and it was after midnight when the phone rang.

Don't answer it, Jeff begged, but she just couldn't. Someone's either got hemorrhoids or they're in jail. And either way, they're going to expect you to solve it.

I can't help it. It's my job, and maybe they really need me. But it wasn't a client, it was Sam, and she asked if the next day she and Allegra could spend some time together.

Allegra was surprised by the call, but not completely. Every now and then, Sam reached out to her, usually when she needed Allegra to convince their parents of something. Did you have a fight with Mom? Allegra couldn't help asking with a smile.

No, she's too busy screaming at everybody about the garden and the kitchen. It's a wonder she doesn't have a heart attack, Sam said, unamused. Her mother had been very difficult lately.

Not to mention the wedding, Allegra added.

Yeah, I know, Sam said, sounding more serious again. Where shall I meet you?

What's this about? Allegra wanted to know ahead of time. A modeling contract or something?

Yeah ‘ Sam said cryptically, sort of.

I'll pick you up at twelve o'clock. Jeff is having lunch with Tony Jacobson, his coproducer. We'll go someplace fun like The Ivy, or Nate N Al's.

Let's go somewhere and talk, Sam said quietly, and Allegra smiled at her younger sister.

Okay. This sounds serious. It must be love.

It is, Sam agreed glumly.

Well, I'm getting better at that, but actually I think I just got lucky. I'll do what I can.

Thanks, Al, her sister said, and Allegra reiterated her promise to pick her up at noon on Sunday. She was touched that Sam had called her.

Doesn't anyone call us at normal hours? Jeff complained, as Allegra told him about Sam's call.

She sounded upset. She must have a new boyfriend.

At least she's family, he conceded. That made sense to him at least, a lot more than Malachi O'Donovan calling from some drunk tank.

Do you mind my having lunch with her tomorrow? Allegra asked as they went to bed a few minutes later. He had wanted her to join him with Tony. And she liked Tony a lot. He was very Eastern and very smart. He was from New York, and his father was one of the biggest investment bankers on Wall Street. He'd helped them get backers for the film, and given them some great advice. Tony was very different from Jeff, but Allegra genuinely liked him.

Not at all. I'll meet you afterward. Maybe we can all play some tennis. I understand, and so will Tony. He'll love Sam, he teased, and his fianc+¬e gave him the disapproving look of a much older sister.

My dad will love that. She glared at him, and then chuckled. Everything was working out fine. And he was right. She didn't need to invite Charles Stan-ton to their wedding. All she had to do now was tell her mother. And she could do that the next day, after she had lunch with Samantha. She smiled to herself, thinking of Sam's call, and wondered what advice she needed about the new boyfriend. Allegra was certainly no expert, but she was nattered anyway that Sam had called her. Their relationship meant a lot to both of them, although Sam was a brat at times, but even when she was, Allegra loved her.

Chapter 14

As promised, Allegra picked her sister up on Sunday on schedule. She thought it might be fun if she took her to lunch at the Ivy. They could cruise through the secondhand shops on North Robertson after that, relax with each other, and have some fun. Lately Sam had been acting fairly bratty, and Allegra was anxious to spend some quality time with her.

But there was nothing bratty about the way she acted today. In fact, she had barely spoken by the time Allegra pulled out of the driveway. Allegra couldn't help wondering what was bothering her. But Sam made it all the way through lunch almost without speaking.

So what's the deal? Allegra finally asked, wondering what had prompted her to ask Allegra to come and see her. A new guy giving you a problem? She had always had dates in the last two years, but she had never had a steady boyfriend. Unlike Allegra, who, at her age, had always been madly in love with someone.

Sort of. Sam shrugged noncommittally, and then as her eyes filled with tears, she said, Not really.

So what is it then? Allegra pressed her a little bit as the waiter brought their cappuccinos. Lunch had been delicious, as usual. But Sam had hardly eaten. Come on, Sam ‘ cough it up’ . Whatever it is, it won't be so bad once you share it. But apparently it was, because she dropped her head in her hands and started crying softly. Oh, Sam ‘ Allegra rubbed a hand across her shoulders. Come on, baby, tell me, she whispered. But when her sister raised her face to hers again, Allegra could see the bottomless despair that had overwhelmed her. Sam, please ‘