Bill Thigpen, writer producer of the No.1  daytime TV drama was so busy watching his career soar  that he never noticed his marriage collapse. Now,  nine years later, living alone in Hollywood, even without his wife  and kids, his life and success are still reasonably sweet. Top-of-the-chart  ratings, good-natured casual affairs, and special  vacations with his two young sons. His life is in  perfect balance, he thinks. Adrian Townshed thought she had  everything: a job she liked as a TV production  assistant and a handsome husband who was a rising star  in his own field. In as enviable life they'd  worked hard for -- the American Dream. Until she got  pregnant. Suddenly all she had was chaos. And  Steven's ultimatum. Him or the baby. The question  was: did he mean it? He did. Bill Thigpen and Adrian  Townshed collided in a supermarket. And the very sight  of her suddenly makes him want more in his  life.... a woman he really loves, a real family again.  But does he need the heartache of another man's  baby, another wife? Neither does. But  they couldn't help it. Danielle Steel touches the  Heartbeat of two wonderful people as their friendship deepens into love, as they meet the obstacles  that life presents with humor, humanity, and  courage.