Page 59 of After the Red Carpet
“Yes, lights of my life.”
Ella’s eyes began to well up, but she used all her might to hold it in.
Bruce reached his hand across the table and put it over hers. She flinched a little but didn’t pull away. “Look, Ella, I know I wasn’t there for you when you were growing up. I’m sorry you didn’t have a proper father figure and for the pain that must have caused. I’d like to be in your life now. I was hoping we could get to know each other, maybe become friends, if you’re willing to give me a chance. I could even try to be a father to you if that’s something you’d like.” She took a breath. “How far along are you?” he asked.
“About thirty weeks,” she replied, rubbing her belly. “We’re having a girl. Her name is Georgia. She was conceived when my husband was working outside of Atlanta, so when we found out I was pregnant, we started calling the baby our little Georgia peach. When we learned she’s a girl, the name Georgia was the natural choice. Our daughter Betty is two and three-quarters. She’s very specific about her age. She’s excited to be a big sister.”
“That’s a great age. My oldest couldn’t wait for her little brother, but then she got jealous once he came.” Ella smiled half-heartedly. “Do you have a picture of Betty?” he asked.
“Sure,” she replied, reaching for her cell phone. She opened an album of family photos, and he zipped through them.
“She’s beautiful. She has curls just like you and your mother, but so blonde,” he said. “Tell me about her.”
“She’s a lot like her father. She’s a romantic, obsessed with fairy tales and make believe, and she loves art. They’re both very thoughtful about things too, whereas I’m more spontaneous. It’s funny because I was in labor with her forever. Now that I know her, I’m convinced she was just taking her time. I can already tell that Georgia has a different personality. Sometimes when I get the hiccups, she gets them too, totally out of sync with mine. Something tells me she’s got a good sense of humor. I’m wondering whether she’ll be more like me,” she said, touching her belly. “But if they both take after their father, I won’t complain.”
“He’s a terrific actor. I’ve seen many of his films.”
“He loves performing, storytelling.”
“I’d love to meet him sometime. Actually, I have a business venture he might be interested in. I’m investing in a chain of modern karaoke bars throughout Asia. We’ve been looking for another investor, and a spokesperson.”
Ella’s heart sank. She couldn’t move and could hardly breathe.
The waitress returned and asked, “Are you two ready to order?”
“My daughter first. Ella, what are you having?” Bruce said.
FINN AND BETTY WERE SITTING ON THEfloor playing when Ella walked through the front door. “Mommy’s home!” Betty said.
Finn looked up and saw the anguish in Ella’s eyes. She looked at them both and then quickly scurried upstairs without a word.
A few minutes later, after setting Betty up to watch a cartoon, Finn went upstairs, letting himself into their bedroom. Ella was lying in bed, crying softly. He crawled behind her and draped his arm over her. “I’m here, baby,” he whispered, kissing the back of her head.
“You were right,” she whimpered.
“I’m so sorry, sweetheart. I’m so sorry.”
“He doesn’t care about me at all,” she sputtered in between her cries. “He hasn’t thought about me in all these years, probably not even once. He was only interested in getting to you, to use your celebrity for some stupid business venture.”
Finn inhaled deeply. “I’m so sorry.”
Ella sniffled and said, “It was so humiliating. Worst of all, I just sat there like a fool. I didn’t want him to see how hurt I was. And I was too embarrassed to come home and face you.”
“Oh, baby. You have nothing to be embarrassed about. I’m so sorry I made you feel that way. Please, let me see your face.” She turned toward him, and he used his thumbs to gently wipe away the wetness under her eyes. “Ella, I was wrong. What you did today was incredibly courageous. I’min awe of you. There’s nothing to regret now because you were brave enough to lead with an open heart. I hope our girls are just like you.”
“Wow, you really are a good actor.”
“Oh, sweetheart,” he said, cradling her in his embrace.
Ella was lying on the couch in her office, staring at the ceiling, when there was a knock on the door.
“Come in,” she said despondently.
“Hey, hey, hey!” Marni said, sauntering in with a brown paper bag in hand.
“Hey. I’m surprised to see you,” Ella said, sitting up.
“Finn let me in. He and Betty are watching some fairy-tale movie. It looked brutal. The best part is that she’s dressed up in a princess costume, complete with wand, and your husband is wearing a tiara that looks like it was made out of aluminum foil. Poor bastard.”
