“Where is Paul now?” I asked, curious suddenly. It was hard to believe he hadn't been with me all night … the clothes … the things he had said … the iguana … Peter had been terrifyingly convincing.
“He's in the shop, and he's going to stay there. With his head off. After Christmas, you're coming to California with me. From now on, when I travel, we'll get a sitter for the kids and you'll come with me.” He pulled me just a little closer, as I snuggled beside him, unable to believe what I was hearing. This was the dream. Everything that had come before it had been the nightmare.
“Why didn't we think of that from the beginning?”
“I thought you'd have more fun with him, and you wouldn't want to leave the kids, so I activated him for you. I thought you'd like him.”
“I did. But it just got too crazy. I'd rather get a sitter, and go with you.”
“The kids won't mind too much if you leave them?”
“They're old enough to manage without me from time to time.” And then I thought of something that worried me considerably, as I looked up at Peter. “What about the iguana?”
“Consider it a last gift from Paul.”
“Do I have to?” This was not the best news of the evening, but I didn't want to hurt his feelings, or break Sam's heart. I just didn't want to have to see the beast at breakfast, staring into my cornflakes. Maybe we could make a cage for him, or rent him his own apartment.
“You'll grow to love him,” Peter promised, blowing out the candle, and pulling me closer again as we cuddled under the covers.
“The last time you said that, you turned my life into a shambles. Or Paul did.” Just looking back at his exploits now seemed beyond belief as Peter held me.
“I plan to do that myself from now on … turn your life into a shambles. Maybe I should keep the gold lame disco pants as a souvenir,” he said softly, drifting off to sleep as I looked at him, wondering how all this had happened. I knew I would never completely understand it. I couldn't help wondering if it was all a figment of my imagination. It was hard to believe it had happened. “I love you, Steph…. I'm here now,” he whispered, and indeed he was, as he fell asleep in my arms, and I drifted off beside him. He was there, as I was. And I was his now. It all seemed so simple in the end. I thought of Paul for a millisecond as I fell asleep, and I knew that, in spite of everything, I wouldn't miss him. It was over. We didn't need him anymore. We had each other. Forever. The two of us from now on, and no more Klone. Just Peter and I.
a cognizant original v5 release october 06 2010
Published by
Dell Publishing
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Random House, Inc.
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New York, New York 10036
This novel is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.
Copyright © 1998 by Danielle Steel
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without the written permission of the Publisher, except where permitted by law. For information address: Delacorte Press, New York, New York.
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eISBN: 978-0-307-56694-2
v3.0
Table of Contents
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten