You'd better get some sleep, Blaire warned, as Allegra roamed around the house, looking restless.

I'm not tired, she said, sounding like a little kid, and her mother smiled.

You will be tomorrow.

In the end, there was nothing else for her to do, and she went upstairs to her old room, got undressed and into bed, and lay there. She called Jeff, he had just gotten home, and they talked about what a nice evening it had been, how funny some of their friends were, and how excited they were about the wedding. I love you so much, he said, and meant every word of it. It was the happiest time he could remember.

I love you too, she answered him, and after they hung up, she lay awake for hours, thinking of him, and how lucky she was. She had found exactly the man she wanted. More importantly, he was the man she needed. And just as she had dreamed, in some ways, he reminded her of Simon.

She slept peacefully that night, and there were no dreams. She had taken care of everything. Her work, her life, her past, her future, and her father.

Chapter 23

On Saturday, September fifth, the weather in Los Angeles was brilliantly sunny. There was no haze, no smog. There was the smallest breeze, and a bright blue sky, and at five o'clock, it was still beautiful and the sun was shining.

Allegra was standing in her bedroom then. The dress fit her exquisitely, the hat was spectacular, and the long, full veil swept over it, and made her look like a fairy princess. Her hair was gently upswept under her hat, and she looked incredible with the lace skirt at her knees in front and long in the back, and her mother handed her the fragrant bouquet David Jones had designed for her.

Oh, my God, Allegra ‘ her mother said, as tears filled her eyes. She'd never seen a bride as lovely as her daughter. She looked absolutely regal in the dress Gianfranco Ferre had designed for Dior, and when Simon saw her walking down the stairs to him, tears filled his eyes too. There was no way to stop them.

Oh, sweetheart, he said. There was absolutely no doubt in either of their minds that she was his daughter. And he knew, as he looked at her, that neither of them would ever forget this.

The music was playing softly outside; the guests were waiting for them. And Delilah was napping around the living room like an ostrich, rounding up her chickens. The bridesmaids were already lined up, and everything was ready to go as Simon came up to Allegra.

I did something yesterday, Allie. I talked to Charles. I had an idea’ . Now, don't get mad at me, he said, and she started to get nervous. It's sort of a compromise. He whispered in her ear, she considered for a moment, then smiled at him and nodded. And almost as soon as she did, Charles Stanton appeared in his morning coat and striped pants. He looked very distinguished and somewhat stiff. But Simon looked absolutely movie-star gorgeous.

All right, ladies, let's go quietly, Delilah said, pretending to clap her hands silently, and suddenly Allegra giggled. It was all so silly. They had spent months on this, and it was all a big show, with a thousand ridiculous details. Quietly and slowly! ‘ quietly and slowly! Delilah was whispering, demonstrating the solemn pace to them.

Nancy went first, having spent an unforgettable night with Scott in her room at the Bel Air, and Jess came right after her, looking extremely ladylike in her beige lace dress and beige organza picture hat. She winked at Allegra just before she stepped out into the garden, and the bride laughed irreverently. It was the happiest day of her life, and in ten minutes she would be married to Jeff ‘ forever.

Carmen was the next in line. They had purposely placed her third so she wouldn't steal the show, but even with her expanded waistline it was hard for her not to. She had the kind of looks that took people's breath away, and there were lots of whispers as she glided down the aisle to the flowered altar. And then came Sam, so young, so pure, so striking with her tall, lithe figure that was so like Blaire's and Allegra's. Jimmy was an usher, and he was up ahead waiting for her with the others at the altar.

Then there was a long pause as everyone waited for the bride, and at last she came, every bit as beautiful as everyone had hoped she would be. She came toward them on her father's arm, with measured steps, and eyes cast down beneath her veil, and she could feel him tremble beside her. He had come back to her at just the right time in her life, time for her to leave him this time, and not be left. And this time, they would sail on, neither of them abandoned.

And as they came halfway down the aisle, Charles Stanton stopped, and turned to look at her with a small smile. He lifted her hand to his lips and kissed it, as he gave her his blessing.

Godspeed, my child ‘ I love you, he whispered, and she looked at him in amazement. He'd said it. He stepped aside just as Simon stepped smoothly beside her, tucked her hand in his arm, and guided her toward the altar, just as he had through life. They had led her as they had through her nearly thirty years, Charles Stanton through her very early years, and Simon after. And then, holding tightly to her, Simon looked down at his first child, the little girl Blaire had brought to him, so hungry for love, so frightened. I love you, he said through tears, and she stood on tiptoe to kiss him. And then she left him, as she had all others, forsaking them in just the way she had loved them before, and taking on a new role as Jeff's wife. As Simon went to sit beside Blaire, Allegra turned wide, trusting eyes filled with love to her husband. She had come far for him, and together they would go farther. They had each waited a long time for the other.

You look so beautiful, Jeff whispered as she squeezed his hand.

I love you so much, she whispered back, and he looked down at her, so proud, so young, so tall, so hopeful, as the people who had loved her cried, wishing her a peaceful future.

They pledged their love, and troth, and promised to forsake all others, and then at last Jeff kissed her for a long, long time, as the assembled guests applauded.

The minister pronounced them man and wife, and they hurried down the aisle hand in hand, while the guests threw rose petals at them. It was a happy time, a happy day; it was the culmination of a lifetime.

The guests swore she was the prettiest bride they'd ever seen, and she and Jeff greeted everyone, and at last Peter Duchin played Fascination for them, and they began a slow waltz around the dance floor. Everyone stood in rapt admiration. They were the best-looking couple they'd ever seen. And then Allegra dutifully danced with Charles, who seemed quite overcome by emotion, and at last with Simon, who guided her easily around the dance floor, making her laugh at all the absurdities, and the fun of her wedding, just as always. He had a light touch, and a heart that had engulfed hers long since. And after her father, she danced with Alan, and then her brother, and her new brother-in-law, then Tony, Art, and their friends, and Jeff again. She danced for hours, and at last they finally had dinner. And she danced some more, and thanked her mother and Simon for the splendid wedding, and she told them they'd been right all along. They had two hundred and fifty guests and it was perfect. And even Mary Hamilton seemed to be having a good time. Charles Stanton hadn't left her side all evening.

Then, at last, while Allegra changed into a white silk Valentino suit, Simon danced slowly with Blaire, savoring the last moments of the wedding. Jimmy and Sam were dancing nearby, and as Blaire looked at them she suddenly felt terrible and looked up at Simon.

Do you realize the poor thing has had a baby and gotten married in the last month and a half, and she never even had a wedding? Maybe we should do something for them after we put the kitchen back, Blaire mused, looking up at him. Suddenly it all seemed so simple, but he was laughing and shaking his head.

Don't you dare. I'd rather give them a check and send them on a honeymoon. Don't you dare plan another wedding, he said firmly, and then looked at his youngest child, so happy in her husband's arms, and then back at his wife. Sam still looked so innocent and so trusting. Unless she really wants one. Maybe you should ask her’ . He hated to cheat her out of a wedding after all she'd been through.

We could do something for her at Christmastime ‘ or next spring ‘ Blaire was already planning: a Christmas party for Sam ‘ a renewal of their vows ‘ little Christmas trees all over the garden ‘ a tent ‘ a younger band than Peter's, something the kids would like’ .

Stop, Simon said, laughing at her. Why don't we get married again? That might really be fun. And in their case, perhaps appropriate. Since Matthew had been born, they had had a renewal of their marriage. I love you, you silly girl’ . Stop planning Sam's wedding for five minutes. I just want you to know I think you're terrific.

I think you are too. I thought that was a stroke of genius, what you did about Allegra coming down the aisle with Charles. It gave everyone a chance, and in some ways, it was so symbolic’ .

It comes from working with actors for forty years ‘ compromise and creativity. It works every time.

I'll have to remember that when I come to work with you next week, she teased, as they danced to New York, New York. And then Allegra appeared in her white Valentino. She stood on the stage with the band, and turned her back to the crowd, and threw her bouquet high above and behind her, and it flew through the air and landed in Jess's arms, who shook her head and tossed it away again like a hand grenade ready to go off, and this time Samantha caught it. Sam and her sister laughed over it, and as Allegra kissed her good-bye, she whispered to her that their mother wanted to give her a wedding over Christmas.

Oh, no, Sam squealed, like a kid facing spinach. I couldn't’ . Jimmy would kill me’ . I'd die’ . She meant it sincerely. Allegra's wedding had been beautiful, but in Sam's opinion, way too much trouble.

Tell Mom, Allegra said, waving at everyone as they got into the car to leave for the hotel. It had been the perfect wedding.

Blaire and Simon watched her go. She had come to kiss them good-bye and thank them, and Jeff had thanked them too. They'd be back in three weeks from Europe, and as they drove away, Jimmy pulled Sam onto the dance floor to dance with him, Scott disappeared to his room with Nancy, and Simon pulled his wife tightly into his arms and kissed her.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

DANIELLE STEEL has been hailed as one of the world's most popular authors, with over 440 million copies of her novels sold. Her many international bestsellers include Irresistible Forces, Granny Dan, Bittersweet, Mirror Image, The Klone and I, The Long Road Home, The Ghost, Special Delivery, The Ranch, Silent Honor, Journey, The House on Hope Street, and other highly acclaimed novels. She is also the author of His Bright Light, the story of her son Nick Traina's life and death.

A Dell BookPublished byDell Publishinga division of Random House, Inc.1540 BroadwayNew York, New York 10036

This novel is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents eitherare the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Anyresemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

For information address: Delacorte Press, New York, New York.

Copyright -¬ 2000 by Danielle Steel

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced ortransmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical,including photocopying, recording, or by any information storageand retrieval system, without the written permission of the Publisher,except where permitted by law. For information, address Dell Publishing,New York, New York.

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eISBN: 978-0-307-56699-7

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