~*~Singer & The Soldier~*~ By: Ree

CHAPTER 13….BELLA &B’FAST

The visit to BELLA had been like a homecoming, all the artisans happy to see her and to delve into the two small bags of gem-stones she had brought for them to “play’ with. It was the habit of everyone who worked behind the scenes here to arrive very early, getting some of the noisier work done before the shop opened at the fashionably late hour of 11 am, the rationale being that those who could afford to buy the items they offered didn’t leave their posh suites or residences much before noon.

Trudi’s sister, Sondra {her name really was Sue but she used the more unique Sondra when working} was, like her sister, the chief designer and at the moment was dressed in her work attire of jeans and old as the hills tee, her smart 5th Avenue suit hanging in the change room ready for the clientele to see her wearing later.

After hugs and exclamations of surprise at the unannounced visit Sondra showed Izzy the latest creations, blushing prettily at the praise she was given and remarking that Izzy didn’t look sick, was she faking it to get some time off…in fact she seemed to be glowing with health and happiness.

“There’s a man in your life! That’s what it is,” she exclaimed with the comfortable bluntness of a long friendship.

“Actually I have met someone…but it isn’t anything serious…he travels a lot too,” Izzy answered but the hint of sadness in her voice was a dead give away that she wished there could be more.

They moved into the tidy office and went over the books, dropping the subject since it seemed to be rather sensitive.

By just after 8 Izzy was glancing at her watch frequently and Sondra flipped the ledgers closed, resigned to the fact that her friend’s attention was wandering.

“Go…you’re meeting him aren’t you? You haven’t heard a word I’ve said for the past 10 minutes.”

Isabella laughed and stood to give her friend and store manager a hug.

“Yes…and you’re right…I can’t stop thinking about him…we’re meeting for breakfast with his friends…thank goodness it isn’t far…I won’t have to try to flag a cab…you know how difficult it is during morning rush.”

She hurried through the show room, very similar in design to the one in Toronto, elegant, uncluttered, with the addition of private show rooms off to one side. Sondra locked up behind her and went back to the work room after watching Izzy jogging through the increasing crowds in the direction of Rockefeller Centre.

‘It’s no wonder she makes such a good negotiator…she fits right in wherever she is…today looking so …so NY in her tailored jeans, high leather boots with the Cuban heel, that black pea jacket and the lilac and silver scarf and the huge silver leather bag slung over her shoulder….and I think those dangling ear rings are the ones she made last spring from Ontario Amethysts...whoever this guy is sure is making her happy…it’s great to see…I wish I could look that good without a session in front of the makeup mirror….’

**

Izzy was just a little breathless when she arrived at the stage entrance and flashed her ID at the security guard on duty.

Urs had left her a pass, as promised and she wound her way through the corridors, just in time to see the guys coming from the sound stage and chatting quietly as they rehashed the interview.

He spotted her immediately and broke away from the others, his face dimpling as he smiled and quickly moved to take her hands and pull her into an embrace.

“You came!! I wasn’t sure if you would…”

“You promised to feed me…” she said with a teasing grin.

“So I did…smart wasn’t I? I knew you could be bribed with food.” He slipped his arm around her shoulders, wanting to kiss her, to feel her pressed against his chest but not yet willing to do so in front of the guys…and Alicia, who of course popped up constantly, even when she wasn’t needed.

The guys had no such inhibitions however and greeted her with hugs and kisses on the cheeks, asking if she had seen the interview, telling her that she looked different without her uniform…and Alicia interrupted, speaking loud enough to break into the conversation and trying to take over.

“I’ve made reservations for the four of you for breakfast with Sam and I…a nice place just off Broadway where performers are treated with respect…and for dinner at Le Chantillon at 8…Armani please…Tomorrow…”

“Mas non, Cherie…we are free for the entire weekend…” Sebastien began and she cut into his protest.

“Nonsense…you don’t know your way around New York…I’ll arrange everything…”

“Are you forgetting that I worked and lived here?” David said, putting his arm around her shoulder and pressing, forcing her to walk with him or be seen resisting.

‘But…”

“We’ve all made plans already…we know how hard you work, ‘Licia…it’s time you were shed of us for a few days…go…enjoy yourself…we’ll be fine.”

Urs shepherded Izzy into the dressing room, followed by Seb and Carlos who were having trouble trying not to laugh at the adroit way the tall American was handling the pushy assistant.

“Sorry about that…she tends to think we’re little boys who need watching constantly. Baby, there’s coffee on that side table if you’d like some…I’ll only be a few minutes getting changed.”

Carlos and Seb had vanished into cubicles so Urs took advantage of their solitude by kissing her lightly and crushing her against his chest, just for a moment…then he sighed, brushed his hand gently down her cheek and went to find his own street clothes.

A few minutes later David came in, smirking at a mission successfully accomplished, waved at Izzy and went to change too.

**
Everyone was famished so they walked along until a large, busy restaurant caught their eyes and trouped in, finding an unoccupied table easily since most of the customers were of the grab and go variety, office workers hurrying to their employment mostly, with a few people coming off of the midnight shift who wanted only a quick meal before going home to crash.

Because of the rapid turnover, the coffee was fresh and tasty, the first one nearly finished when they placed their orders from the menus and sat back to wait.

“So, Izzy, what do you have planned for our young tenor today? Is this the surprise day?”

She grinned at David and shook her head.

“No, and it won’t do you any good trying to trick it out of me…I’ve been trained by the master…my brother, Cody is the world’s best at springing things you don’t expect and I’ve NEVER been able to tease anything out of him, not since we were kids.”

“He is in the military too, Si?” Carlos asked with an inquisitive look.

“Yes…he’s in a different branch and I never know where he is…sometimes not even after he’s back…although he leaves me little clues…like this time he brought me back a lovely piece of raw Lapis Lazuli, one I’m fairly sure came from Afghanistan…the color of Afghani Lapis is more vibrant than any other and once you get used to the differences it’s easy to pick up on it. Like a good Lapidarist can tell where Emerald Quartz comes from by the color and the purity of the stone…the best comes from Brazil or Columbia.”

“Urs showed us the stones he got from Ontario…and he told us about your store in Toronto…I didn’t know that you had such beautiful gems in your country.” Seb remarked remembering the specimen stone Urs had shown them with the Spinel fragments.

“These came from Ontario…and from our store,” she said fingering the Amethyst drops hanging from her ear lobes.

Instead of a single polished stone they were fashioned from a cluster of shards still attached to the dark grey/green host, the back lined with a thin veneer of polished silver in an oval shape and one single stud of silver that separated like cobwebs across the face piercing her ear lobe…the actual stones were a dark purple that played red glints as her head moved and reflected in a rainbow off the silver.

“Your design?” Urs asked reaching out to touch one and making the arc of red/purple and blue splash across the water glass in front of her.

She nodded, blushing slightly and he smiled at her discomfort.

“Don’t be embarrassed…you’re very talented….that’s why I’m trusting you to make my ring.”

Of course they all had to know about Urs’ other find and the ring that she had promised to make and were still discussing jewelry, what everyone liked and what their own personal styles were, when their meals arrived.

**

“Do you mind if we walk a bit, Urs? I think I ate too much and I haven’t done much exercising lately to burn it off.”

They had left the guys each to their individual plans and donned jackets to exit the restaurant, standing for a minute outside of Rockefeller Center while Urs adjusted the scarf around her neck and they absorbed the bustle of the city.

It was cool, very windy on the street and humming with the noise from the people, the sounds of taxiis tooting or people calling out for one, usually futilely. Music wafted from a busker across the street and a news vendor called out the headlines, the neon of Times Square was visible even from this distance, tourists gawked, pedestrians hurried along the sidewalk, not making eye contact, hustling through the throngs on secret errands, stopping at red lights and moving forward again as one entity on the green.…a typical autumn day in the vibrant city of New York.

He chuckled and smiled down at her.

“I thought we did pretty well in the ‘exercise’ department last night…and again this morning…you really are very…agile.”

She laughed and threaded her arm through his.

“Just following your lead…and I don’t remember any complaints.”

“Never happen!! But yes, lets walk…is today a secret too or are you going to tell me where we’re going?”

“A bookstore…a very special one, called the Strand…it’s huge and there should be something for both of us…then after, we can grab lunch from a street vendor and I thought you might enjoy the free concert at Juilliard…I scanned the morning paper and apparently they’re doing a Rossini aria among other things.”

She was pleased to see his face break into a grin and his eyes light up at this news and gave herself a mental pat on the back for choosing wisely.

‘He’s so easy to please…none of this star mentality about him…it seems the simple things like a free concert make him happy…don’t ever change, Urs…don’t let your fame, and I’m sure you are going to be very famous and incredibly successful…don’t let it change you from the lovely person that you are….’

‘How does she know just what to do to please me? Is she really interested in going to this concert too or is it just for my sake? Okay the bookstore…that’s alright to pass the time but I’m sure I’ll be bored in a few minutes…unless…maybe it’s as amazing as she thinks and will have a large motorcycle section …or a good collection of Music Bios…or something on Opera…or maybe even a section on identifying gemstones….it may not be so bad after all…and I don’t really care…just so long as we’re together…’

Izzy asked him about shopping in Geneva. Though she had been there many times because of the large UN European headquarters in that city, her trips had always been too brief to really look around, consisting always of just report and leave, catching the next military transport into the base in Germany.

He told her about the many duty free stores and waxed eloquent over the shoe boutiques, admitting to a passion for boots, all kinds of boots but especially ones that were unique…some called them gaudy but he managed to carry off the more outlandish ones quite nicely with a confidence that defied anyone to laugh at him.

“I even have a pair of brogues that are completely covered in sequins…I’m going to wear them on our tour next year.”

She raised one arced eyebrow even higher at this information, smiling but restraining herself from laughing as she said that she could hardly wait to see the shoes with his tailored Armani tux.

He reached down and took her hand, needing for some reason to feel skin against skin and they continued, their joined hands swinging gently between them.

They walked briskly for nearly an hour, stopping now and then to look in shop windows or to listen to the various buskers plying their trade.

Urs told her about living in Amsterdam while he was studying music, his stint of teaching piano to make ends meet and the famous [or infamous, depending on your point of view] red light district, carefully avoiding admitting whether he had indulged or not by just saying he was a starving student and it was an expensive place to shop for ‘entertainment’.

They argued about Thailand and the sex trade district there that so many North Americans visited and for the first time he couldn’t understand her attitude when she said she liked the people.

“How can you approve of the way the people sell their children into the sex trade? I find it appalling!”

“I don’t approve…it’s not something I condone but it’s something I can’t do anything more about….I support several programs at the UN which help out the poor, providing fresh drinking water and assistance in their farming, livestock, schools…” she said heatedly when he voiced his loathing for the way children were sold into what amounted to slavery .

“But how can you say you like the people when they sell their daughters or sons into such a life? It doesn’t make sense, Izzy!” In his agitation he found himself repeating his earlier argument, suddenly aware that he knew very little, by choice, about conditions in that country.

“Not everyone does it, only the really poor…most of the people are sweet and gentle, kind and very religious….and if it wasn’t for the demand from the tourists it would peter out…blame the tourists, not the people!”

“Why doesn’t the government step in and do something about it? I find it revolting…just thinking about it makes me ill so I try not to.”

She glared at him.

“You’re just like all the other do-gooders! You don’t want to think about it or do anything because it makes you uncomfortable…what would you like to see happen? A ban on tourism? That would just mean more poverty since tourism is one of the major sources of revenue…and the government does what it can…raids, regulations to try to prevent abuse, health programs, assisted education…many cities have managed to close down all the underage businesses…it takes time, Urs.”

They walked on in silence, both stony faced, both not willing to continue the conversation since there was no way they would agree.

Gradually anger abated.

Izzy snuck a quick peek at him and he noticed, his lips curving in an apologetic smile as he stopped walking and cupped her cheek with one long fingered hand.

“I think we better agree not to talk about this anymore today…but later will you tell me about the aid programs? If things go the way management thinks it will, I should have the funds to do some good…I wouldn’t want it to get moldy sitting in some bank vault.”

She smiled and turned her head to kiss his fingers.

“Deal! Sorry…. I tend to get passionate about some of my pet projects and you hit me on a sensitive spot.”

He grinned and leaned down to kiss her lightly, forgetting for a moment that they were on a very public street in a huge city, until a passing man called out ‘GET A ROOM!!!’.

Even then he merely grinned at the departing back of the obviously jealous man and took her hand again as they continued their walk.

**

CHAPTER 14…BOOKS AND MUSIC

Ahead of them there was a sign at the entrance to the trains that carried a large map of the underground routes and noted which one went to the Metropolitan Opera House. Urs pointed it out to her.

“I’d like to sing there one day…it’s a goal I’ve had for years.”

“We’ll actually be in the complex today when we go to the Peter Jay Sharp Theater for the concert…and you met one of the ushers yesterday…A friend of mine is head of Security at the Met and gave Chickie a job there…I could call him tonight and see about getting a private tour if you’d like to see inside.”

“You’re just full of surprises aren’t you? How do you manage to have a friend at the Met?”

He was grinning now, his eyes crinkled and dimples deep in his cheeks, back to holding hands again, their argument all but forgotten.

“Retired military are always in demand, especially those who have had UN clearance….Frank was a friend of my Dad and married an American woman, a soprano in the chorus at the Met, so it made sense for them to live here when he retired.”

The bookstore was just in front of them, a massive structure with a steady stream of customers entering the large main doors.

Izzy had obviously been here many times and knew just where to go, leading him past the already busy checkouts and into the racks with the signs hanging overhead denoting each specific area. Urs noticed that they were heading for a section labeled ‘Automotive’ and quickened his pace, grinning when she stopped at the end of a rack with a smaller sign that said ‘Motorcycles’.

“I think this might be of interest to you…these four racks are specifically about motorbikes…history, maintenance, coffee table books…if it’s been published at any time in the past century it should be here.”

“I’ve been refurbishing an old Truimph for the past couple of years but haven’t been able to find a copy of the manual…maybe here…”

“Just key the make and year into the computer terminal there in the aisle and it will tell you where to look.”

He looked a bit dismayed and hesitated.

“Uh, Izzy…I’m not very good with computers.”

She grinned and took his hand to lead him to a round stand with several computers on it.

“They also have an excellent section full of ‘Computers for Dummies’ books…but for now, I’ll help you.”

He chose to laugh off the dig about his lack of computer skills and told her all the information she needed. Quickly she found and opened the file, jotted down the relevant rack numbers on a pad of paper conveniently nearby, closed the screen and showed him how to search on the end rows for the right section.

Within minutes he was browsing through a copy of the manual he needed, so totally engrossed that she had to speak several times to him before he heard her.

“You can park your long frame in one of the chairs at the end of the row and scan through the manual or look for something else of interest and read that later at home…I need to look for a new publication that came out in May on the Stockholm Syndrome…I was in Darfur at the time and missed it.”

He closed the manual and smiled.

“Do they have a section on gemstones? I really would like to upgrade my limited knowledge…to keep up with you, even a little bit.”

She laughed and nodded.

“Yes, quite a good one actually…here put your manual in this and I’ll show you.”

She pulled a red cloth bag out of a stack under the computers and handed it to him, explaining that they would receive a green one when they had paid for their choices. They moved on to another section and began browsing through the racks of Mineralology books.

The time flew…and they had started on the second bag when they realized that they had to leave or miss the concert at Juilliard. Quickly they went to the cash and paid, received their green bags and headed to the exit marked ‘Trains’ to catch the #1 Train to 66th.


Izzy dropped the smaller bag into her shoulder bag and leaned against Urs chest as they stood in the swaying train with the crowd of passengers. He decided he quite liked riding the train since it gave him an opportunity to cuddle and he grinned down at her, resting one hand on her waist while the other firmly held the rail over his head.

“How do you manage when I’m not here to hold you up? You’re too short to reach the handrail…”

“I just let some total stranger take your place…it’s surprising who you can meet that way,” she said straight-faced and giggled when he frowned at her, making him grin as he realized that she was teasing.

It didn’t take long until the announcement came over the speakers that 66th was the next stop and they inched their way to the doors, stumbling out laughing past people who wouldn’t…or couldn’t, move out of the way.

Once up at street level again they walked the half block to the next street and turned to walk along 65th, entered the Plaza, then the maze of buildings, following the signs to the Theater.

Young people, some carrying instruments, moved quickly through the wide corridors, laughing, chatting with friends, off to class or performances in the numerous venues. The occasional snatch of music wafted from opened doors, cut off when they closed again, the walls of necessity, sound proofed. It was like stepping into another world, a world of music of all kinds, instrumental, vocal, even the cadence once of an instructor counting out a dance beat that could be heard over some very nice modern jazz.

The Peter Jay Sharp Theater was a medium sized venue, partly full when they arrived and scanned the sloped half circle seating for a vantage point. Urs spotted two seats together on the center aisle about half way down and they made their way to them, only now remembering that they had been so busy looking at the city sights that they forgot about lunch.

“I have a couple of tetras of juice if you can’t wait,” she said, patting her voluminous silver bag and he shook his head, helping her remove her jacket and drape it over the seat.

“After that massive breakfast I can wait…it looks like some of the audience came here to eat lunch,” he whispered and nodded in the direction of a couple in the next row who were feasting on wrapped sandwiches as they waited.

“A lot of New Yorkers do that…it’s expensive to eat out everyday in the city and cold outside…what better place than in here to keep warm, entertained, to see and listen to artists who may soon be household names?”

He grinned at her and accused her of hiding the fact that she had Swiss ancestors, had to have since she was so logical.

The lighting in the auditorium dimmed and the performers filed onto the stage, filling the tiered seating for the small orchestra, the Maestro following moments later to bow to the audience and assume her position on the podium.

Without any further delay they began their first piece, a medley of Beethoven pieces written for orchestra and Urs attention was immediately captured and held.

Izzy watched him, his eager expression, the way he leaned slightly forward in his seat, his gaze fixed on the musicians, a half smile on his face…she loved the music but even more was thrilled with how happy being there made him.

She reached out to gently take his hand and was rewarded with a quick smile and glance as he clasped her fingers firmly, resuming his attention on the stage at once but stroking his thumb over the back of her hand, sometimes in tempo with the cadence of the piece being offered.

A young man took the seat at the grand piano near the front of the stage and after a brief segue joined the orchestra in a lovely rendition of Beethoven’s concerto in G Major, even to Isabella’s untrained ear delivering the composition with panache and daring.

There was a brief pause while the pianist left, replaced by a young woman who stood center stage and brought her breathing under control during the intro for Puccini’s ‘E Lucevan le Stella’ from Tosca.

Izzy became a little concerned for Urs who seemed not to breathe as he silently mouthed the lyrics along with the soaring tones of the soprano. He sighed and leaned back in his seat as if exhausted when she took her bows and left the stage, turning to Izzy with a grin and mouthing ‘Thank you!’ while his fingers squeezed her hand.

Another piano interlude followed with two young women playing a Chopin concerto as a duet, a lovely Mahler work done by a trio, then the operatic soprano was back to favor the audience with her Rossini number, ‘Una voce Poco fa’.

The finale was a medley of Andrew Lloyd Weber show tunes, done by the orchestra or by a Lyric tenor and a soprano, something to lighten the mood and to please the non classical members of the audience.

It was a foregone conclusion that there would be a standing ovation after the finale, unfortunately not followed by encores as the performers took their bows and left the stage, the house lights came up and people scurried from the theater, going back to work or about their other activities.

Urs and Izzy left slowly, waiting until most of the crowd had surged out of their seats and donned jackets, picked up belongings and hurried through the long halls.

“That was amazing! Thank you so much for thinking of this, Bella!” he said as he hefted the large bag of books and slid his free arm around her waist.

“I try to catch at least one concert whenever I’m in the city…I really like the way they mix the genres…some days they even have dance as well.”

“Well I’m definitely going to try to come again whenever we’re in New York,” he said as they traversed the hall to the exit onto the Plaza.

It was colder out now and raining lightly, plus the book bags seemed to have become heavier, so they opted for the Train into Tribeca and sandwiches from the local deli with a quiet afternoon of browsing through their new books as a passtime.

They stopped very briefly to say hello to Tonio and Rosa since the deli was right next door, both of whom were thrilled to meet the amante of the Piccolo Dottore…Tonio reminded Izzy about the strawberries and Urs wondered what that was about when she blushed prettily and laughed. It didn’t take long for him to understand when she produced them as a dessert course after they finished their hearty sandwiches…he reminded himself to thank Tonio when the dipping in the thick chocolate and feeding each other produced the desired effect.

She had turned the heater on after extending the roof over the patio and they snuggled in the hammock, cozy and content, enjoying the closeness and the afterglow, intending to read but both falling asleep, just the motion of breathing making the netting sway gently.

Somehow they had managed to not fall out of the hammock while they slept Urs found when he woke to find Isabella laying mostly on him, her torso on his with her head held by his right hand in the curve of his neck, one bare leg bent and laying over his hips and her arms bent, clasped tightly to his sides…it felt wonderful! He flexed his fingers in her hair, enjoying the silky sensation of her curls against his palm and stroked his left hand up her side under her tee shirt, gently, trying not to wake her.

It was warm in their little shelter, which made it logical that they hadn’t re-donned much of their clothing after the strawberry/chocolate inspired loving…they would have to try that again, he thought, with a smile, easing one long leg off the netting to touch his foot to the floor and push, making the hammock sway.

‘I could stay just like this until we have to leave for the UK…actually longer if it were possible…if only there were some way to have her come too…or at least meet me and spend some time together…I wonder what she does for Christmas? Does she spend it with Cody or will she be working again by then? She would love Switzerland at that time of year…and I should have a whole week there before getting ready for the tour…maybe…Looli!!...don’t get your hopes up, Buhler…we agreed, ‘No Strings’…but that was before I got to know her, to know how complete she makes me feel…’

Her sixth sense was working and woke her, perhaps since he had tensed, perhaps just the connection they had mentally. She stirred, snuggling closer and kissing his neck then raising her head to look up at his smiling face.

“Nice nap?”

“Perfect!” he said, giving her a hug and a quick kiss on the brow, then tightening his arms and rolling, ending up with her pressed against him as his feet found purchase on the floor.

“There’s really an art to getting out of those things un-injured, isn’t there,” he said with a laugh as she grasped his shoulders and wrapped her legs around his butt.

“Cody has never figured it out…he always just rolls and ends up on hands and knees on the floor, usually with one foot caught in the netting.”

“I’d like to meet him…and I was wondering…what do you two do for Christmas?”

She laughed and brushed his hair back behind his ears, just the way he liked it.

“It’s only late September, Urs…too soon to know where we’ll be then.”

“I know, but I have time off then and plan to spend it at home in Willisau…I thought, if you didn’t have other plans maybe you both would like to spend it with my family.”

For a moment she looked happy then her smile vanished and she let her feet slip to the floor.

“Urs, I may be back at work then…if I can I’d love to spend Christmas with you but I just don’t know yet…and Cody…in a small town, with skiing on offer or skating or snow-mobiling?…I don’t think so…he likes the heat…if he’s off, he’ll be baking on a beach somewhere with a bunch of scantily clad women attending his every need.”

“Would you want to join him?”

“And cramp his style? He would never speak to me again…anyway I don’t like swimming in the ocean all that much, or the hot weather…it takes me a couple of days to adjust to the heat before I can function normally, so hot climates are wasted on me…it’s hard enough having to so often work in them….”

“…but you do swim?”

“Like a fish, but I prefer nice crystal clear lakes…though it’s getting hard to find clean ones anymore.” She moved away, picking up their empty bottles, both having indulged in a beer during lunch and before ‘exercise’.

“The next time we go up north I’ll take you to Catchacoma…it’s a lovely lake and a friend has a cottage there I can use, complete with a rope swing that arcs out into the water…it’s a little slice of Paradise in the summer.”

He looked sad as he picked up their books and followed her into the apartment, clicking off the heater and pulling the door closed to the patio.

“It may be a while before we can do that…my schedule is crammed tight over the next year. But it’s something to look forward to.”

He watched her straightening the room, noting how sensuous she looked moving about with just her tee shirt on and her lacy green panties peeking out from the bottom as she walked or stretched to pick something up.

She looked up and caught him staring, laughing as she walked towards him and admiring his Adonis-like looks…he was after all a very striking man at any time but standing in her apartment wearing only tight Calvin Klein underwear, he was irresistible.

“You better slip those jeans back on Mein Subspeisen Prinz if you want to go for Chinese food like we planned…you look good enough to eat the way you are.”

He laughed and reached for her, crushing her against his chest in a bear hug.

“That’s one of the things I like about you…your insatiable appetite…Okay…my turn to be the adult…now just where did my jeans end up?”

CHAPTER FIFTEEN…MOONLIGHT & MUGGERS

They walked the other way this time, passing the Duane Street Hotel and cutting through the park to Chinatown on Mott Street.

“Tomorrow night I’m going to cook dinner,” he said as they ambled along, neither in a hurry to get anywhere.

“You can cook? You’re just so full of little surprises, Swiss.”

“Mami felt that all men should be able to cook the basics before they left home…at least that was her excuse for getting my brother and I into the kitchen to help out…I can’t do fancy, but filling is easy…and there’s lots of places in the neighborhood to get supplies. If you’re a very good girl, I’ll get you a beginner’s cookbook for Christmas.”

“My problem is that I get distracted and burn everything….if I could cook all our meals over a camp-fire it wouldn’t be a problem…I’m great at outdoor meals since you can’t leave the fire unless you want to burn down the camp…I can even make biscuits in a home-made oven.”

“I’ll remember that when we get a chance to go camping…you’ll be in charge of the meals,” he said with a grin.

“So, Swiss, are you a real camper or do you cart along the sink and portable frig, the Coleman stove, or the very worst, a Winnebago?”

He shuddered and she laughed.

“Good…there’s nothing like having to scrounge for firewood, especially if it rains…I actually do like it though…it’s a challenge…me against the ravages of Mother Nature.”

“Poor Mother Nature…she wouldn’t stand a chance,” he teased and earned himself a giggle and a tight squeeze.

They found a nice little restaurant that wasn’t jammed with diners and ordered platters to share, sipping on Chinese tea and reading the loose tea leaves in their cups, neither of them knowing how so they made up ridiculous fortunes, each trying to top the other …then as a mini dessert they munched on fortune cookies and read the messages inside…those were suddenly sobering in their accurateness.

Urs looked at his and glanced up at Izzy, unsure if he should read it but then daring to.

“ ‘True love comes to you from unexpected quarters’. ”

Izzy folded hers to slip in her pocket but he reached across the table and took her hand.

“I read mine…it’s only fair that you share too…”

“ ‘Seize the moment…it is fleeting but the memory will make you strong’.”

They locked eyes for a long minute, holding hands on the plastic table cloth, neither quite sure what to say, both aware that what they felt was too precious to be temporary.

“Confucius was a wise fellow…but it had to be co-incidence, right?” Urs finally broke the silence, speaking softly.

Izzy shuddered and turned her hand under his to lace their fingers.

“I don’t know…I can’t think straight when I’m around you…”

His eyes darkened and a look she was beginning to recognize came over his curving lips.

“Let’s go…I need to get you under the trees in the park so I can kiss you in the moonlight.”

Her heart thudded, pulse quickened and she watched him avidly as he paid the bill and rose to place her jacket around her shoulders, leaving his hands on her neck just a heartbeat longer than necessary.

Ahead of them as they crossed the street in the semi quiet of after midnight traffic, the park loomed dark and inviting, sprinkled with globes of light along the paths that made the large trees tower like black sentinels.

It was pleasant walking along in the early morning cool air, the paths quiet with most people either afraid to walk alone through the park or already home in safety.

For some reason Isabella felt safe being there with Urs, his strong body tall and sturdy beside her, one arm around her waist, just as hers was around his.

“Izzy do you have anything planned for the next few weeks…anything you absolutely have to do?”

She glanced up at him and smiled, knowing exactly what he was going to say and not sure how she would answer…though she had already thought about it.

“Not really…there’s a ring I should make, back in Toronto, but there really isn’t any hurry for it…why are you asking me Urs?”

He hesitated then blurted out what he wanted to say, figuring that it was best to just get it out…no hinting around.

“I thought if you weren’t busy maybe you might like to come with me…we have to go to Stockholm for a while, some tweaking on the album, then back to the UK for a couple of weeks promos, then Paris ….December we are back here in New York for a few days then Washington, then off for Christmas…our last time off until we get together for the tour start in January….Anyway I would love to have you come with me…if you can…and if you want to.”

He ran out of breath, only now aware that he had said everything in a rush and forgot to pause for a breath. He grinned at her as she smiled at him and pulled her to a stop, off the path and under one of the shadowed trees, to wrap his arms around her and nestle his face against her neck.

“I just don’t know, Urs…I can tell you better after the committee meeting on Monday…sometimes even on sick leave they have things they need me to do…but if I have your schedule and we keep in touch, maybe I can join you on those few days you have off.”

He raised his head and a smile spread across his face, even in the dark making his eyes sparkle.

“I think I promised to make love to you in the moonlight,” he said as his mouth came closer to hers.

“What you promised was a kiss…” she said with a catch in her voice as the warmth of his breath caressed her lips.

“That too,” he said and made all other conversation impossible.

It was back again, the glorious, drowning feeling of being consumed by him, of giving herself up to the feelings he woke in her mind and body…she was a willing victim to his desires, and hers, both giving and taking, touching, seeking skin to skin contact, close, closer, never close enough, two raging fires that fed off each other to become one flame…..

Somehow the sound of running footsteps penetrated the drugged- with-loving senses of the couple as they leaned against the back of the tree, absorbed in the sensations coursing through their bodies.

Urs raised his head from the searing kiss they had been sharing and tried to refocus his eyes on the path. The footsteps were fast drawing closer, not the even cadence of a jogger but the full out thudding of shoes hitting the pavement in a panicked race.

“Trouble…” he said and pushed Izzy further into the dark shadows, himself stepping further out into the edge of the glow from a light standard. Of course his act of chivalry did no good as she was quickly by his side, just as ready to investigate and intercede if necessary.

“Get back!” he growled but received only a grim smile in response just as a small, fleeing figure appeared from beyond the last circle of light.

A small young woman was speeding towards them, coat flapping over what appeared to be a waitress uniform, her shoulder-bag bouncing at her side as she panted with the effort to go fast, faster.

Other thudding footsteps could be heard now behind her, one, maybe two people but there was still no sign of who was chasing her as Urs and Izzy stepped fully into the light.

“I know her,” Izzy said softly then with more volume called out… “Jeni…over here Jeni…”

She ran right into Izzy’s open arms and broke into sobs as she tried to catch her breath.

“How many, Jeni?”

“Two…” she gasped as Izzy put the girl behind her and stood beside Urs watching down the path. Two forms raced into the light, saw them and hesitated.

Izzy took a step back to the tree quickly and picked up a thick, long branch that had fallen, moving back into the light and standing with Urs facing the would-be attackers.

The sight of more people, one of them a well built man who appeared ready to resist them and the pursuers skidded to a halt, typically not willing to face someone who could, and seemed willing to, give them a fight. In typical cowardly fashion they eyed the man facing them, balanced on the balls of his feet, his body tensed and ready, his face a dark scowl. One more look, a few muttered comments to each other and the young men, wearing red gang jackets, turned and fled, their running footsteps fading as they got further away.

Izzy turned to Jeni now and dropped the branch, taking her shaking hands and frowning at her.

“You know better than to come in the park alone at night, Jeni… what were you thinking?”

The girl was shaking visibly and Urs, who had been watching the path to see if the boys returned, came towards them and gently put his long arms around each of them.

“I think she’s had enough of a scare, Liebe…let’s get her home.”

Introductions were made as they walked quickly from the park, all breathing a sigh of relief when they found Duane Street again, then turned down the side street that the girl lived on.

It was possible to see her now in the better lighting: a small girl, her neatly plaited hair done blonde and an oval face lightly made up to enhance a natural beauty, her age possibly around 19. She had recovered partially from her fright, chatting with them and laughing nervously as they walked along the street, 3 abreast since there was little other traffic.

Once they were back in safety Jeni explained that she had worked a double shift at the restaurant since it was her day off from the course she was taking at the local college. By the time she finished she was so tired she thought she would take a chance on walking home through the park…it did cut a good half hour off the journey.

“You know that Dante would provide you with an escort if you asked…promise me that next time you either go the long way or ask for someone to meet you.”

The girl laughed wryly.

“Don’t worry…Mr. Buhler is right…one scare is enough to make me smarter….you have no idea how happy I was to see you two on the path…what were you doing there?”

Urs smirked…Izzy blushed…and Jeni laughed.

“Good for you, Doc!!”

She waved at the neatly kept doorstep of a house they were approaching.

“This is me,” she said with the first genuine, relaxed smile they had seen.

She stood as tall as her young body would allow, her slender figure stretched to the limit and pulled his dark head down to her bleached blonde one to give him a kiss on the cheek.

“Grazie!! Tu fare nostro Piccolo Signora Dottore felice!!” and sped up the steps into a brownstone, pausing at the doorway to wave before going into the safety of her home.

They back tracked towards the apartment, holding hands again and quiet until Izzy looked up at Urs and saw that he was smugly smiling.

“What?”

He laughed and slid his hand out of her grasp to fold her against him, tight to his side.

“I was thinking about you standing beside me with that branch in your hands, ready to defend one of your cubs…there’s just something about seeing you all fierce and ready for battle that I find very sexy…and the fact that I sort of rescued a damsel in distress helps too.”

She laughed and told him that he had looked about 8 feet tall as he stood there, glaring and balanced for battle, silently defying the boys to come closer.

“My hero!!” she purred and snuggled her head against his arm, at the same time slipping one icy cold hand under his jacket and tee shirt to touch his bare back.

He yelped and tried to move away but she clung, limpet like, laughing until they both heard an upper window in a nearby house being opened and a voice called out for quiet.

They raced down the street and escaped, laughing, into the apartment, removing jackets and shoes…and suddenly remembering that they had been interrupted.

Urs opened his arms and she came to him, nestling against his chest as he murmured… ‘Let’s see if I can remember where we were.’

She was only too willing to remind him.

**

Though they indulged in intense kissing and caressing they ended up just snuggling, finding the intimacy of closeness fulfilled their needs tonight. It was somehow even more endearing to just snuggle, to talk intermittently and share feelings verbally than to actually make love.

“Did you understand what Jeni said to you when she kissed you good night?” she asked, her fingers playing lightly in the curls on his chest.

“My Italian isn’t that good yet…I know we sing in it often but that’s done phonetically with a loose translation of the meaning of the words.”

“I’ve picked up a fair bit living now and then in this neighborhood…she said ‘You make our little doctor happy’…and you do, Urs…happier then I’ve been since I was a carefree child.”

“Do you suppose our relationship has reached a new level?” Urs asked softly as they curled up together in the soft bed. “I think we have to admit that we DO have a relationship, this isn’t just a one night kind of thing for us in spite of what we said back in the cottage. I love to share my body with you but even more I just love to watch you, to talk or be like we are now, touching both physically and mentally…Izzy, am I reading too much into what we have? Do you feel the same?”

Her mouth was against his neck, making him shudder with the vibrations when she answered.

“Men aren’t supposed to be as sensitive to such deep feelings… you really are unique, my Swiss lover…this last few days I’ve had to throw out all my good intentions, all the pre-conceived notions I had of no attachments. I want more too, Urs…more time with you, more awareness of what makes you the special person you are…of all that we have shared over the past few days, these moments of closeness will stay with me the longest, something to treasure when we are apart and the world seems too dark to endure.”

He sighed with pleasure, sinking deeper into the softness of the bed, taking her words into his heart and her body tighter to his, as they drifted into the realm of contented sleep.

**
A quick glass of the homemade pineapple juice and they both were off to enjoy the crispness of the morning with a jog, through the park twice and back along the filling streets to have a shower before breakfast. Urs shortened his stride to accommodate her shorter legs and twice was caught off guard when she suddenly called out for them to sprint and surged ahead…the third time he was ready for her and left her far behind, jogging back to her as she leaned against a park bench, laughing since her sneak attack hadn’t worked again.

“Beating me twice is my limit, Woman…I was ready for you that time,” he teased as he circled her, not wanting to stop cold and suffer muscle cramps.

“I had to try….ouch!!...I shouldn’t have stopped but I was out of breath…guess I’m still not as recovered as I thought.”

“A feeble excuse but I’ll let it go this one time only…here put your leg up on the bench.”

He massaged her right leg, then the left, working the cramps out and they went on at a more civilized pace.

“So what do I have to do for this surprise today?” he asked as they made the turn and headed for home.

“Sturdy, casual clothes and the hiking boots with a good tread that I asked you to bring…I’ll take care of the rest…I glanced at the weather in the paper just before we left the apartment and it’s supposed to be clear and cool, perfect for our climb.”

“Climb? What are we going to climb? As far as I know there are no mountains in the city…are we going to an indoor rock wall venue?”

She laughed and grinned at him.

“No…not even close…you’ll see.”

Coaxing, teasing and sulking didn’t work and they arrived back at the house with him none the wiser.

CHAPTER SIXTEEN…SURPRISES!!!!

Izzy had an errand to run so Urs showered alone then helped himself to a breakfast of toast and cereal with fruit when she returned and took over the bathroom. She came out to find that he had everything ready for her, including coffee, and rewarded him with a grin and a kiss.

“You really are a handy man in the kitchen…maybe I will get a cookbook and learn how to do more than make coffee.”

“You’re a quick study…you won’t have any problem…Baby throw me the Entertainment Section of the paper would you? I want to see if there’s anything on our interview.”

He found it easily enough and was pleased with the report, even though the columnist said he came from Germany rather than Switzerland and a stock photo had been used, one that he didn’t much like.

“It makes me look too cold,” he complained.

“Let me see…no it doesn’t…you look mysterious…and slightly dangerous…I like it….but not as much as how you look when you smile…your eyes get even more slanted and crinkle at the corners and you have those adorable dimples in your cheeks…and all those lovely pearly whites….Yummy!!!”

She giggled at his discomfort and the way his cheeks reddened.

“You aren’t used to compliments are you? Get over it, Swiss…the women are going to love you…Urs, why do you wear sunglasses so much of the time?…it’s autumn, the sun isn’t that strong anymore.”

He sighed and poured them each another coffee.

“I had laser surgery on my eyes…I used to wear glasses but management wanted them gone and that would have meant I couldn’t see half the time…my right eye still becomes rather painful if it’s exposed too much so I use the glasses for protection…they say I eventually will be able to do without except in really strong light….and…” he grinned at her then continued… “…and because it makes me look mysterious and slightly dangerous.”

She laughed and came over to give him a hug and soft kiss on his closed eyes.

“If only they knew…private, yes, but an open book with that expressive face, and romantic rather than dangerous…absolutely perfect!!”

He tried to hold her there but she eluded him and ran off to tidy the kitchen area, offering him first turn in the bathroom to brush his teeth while she did the few dishes.

**

She was just putting down her cell phone when he came back. He raised his brows in question but she just gave him that secretive smile and suggested he get dressed to go out…their transportation would be here in 20 minutes.

They shared the bedroom to get dressed, a fact that had Izzy nearly in tears of laughter from his persistent questions and her terse answers.

“Will we be back here for lunch?”

“No.”

“Dinner…remember I offered to cook.”

“We’ll be back.”

“So it isn’t far then?”

“No.”

“Will there be music?”

“Yes,” she said and held up her I.Pod with the extra set of head-phones.

“Who is driving us there, can you at least tell me that?”

“You are.”

“You rented a car?”

“No.”

“Borrowed?”

“Sort of…”

He paled and froze for a moment.

“The kids stole one for us to drive!”

“Absolutely not!! Urs how could you even think that?”

“Sorry but I’m desperate…aha!!...Maybe I’m not licensed to drive in the US, did you think of that?”

“I happen to know you are.”

He was silent for a moment, bent over to tighten the laces in his boots and thinking…..

‘Scheisse!! She’s good!...I’ve run out of questions and still don’t have the faintest idea… not a roof top restaurant or something simple like the Empire State building…not the UN since we’re going there Monday and anyway we wouldn’t go there dressed so casually…she told me old jeans and old but leather jacket, leather gloves, heavy boots with a good tread, sunglasses but of course I always have them with me…Leibe you have me stumped!!’

“Ready?” she said, grinning as she shrugged into an old leather jacket and stuffed her gloves in the pocket.

**

Their outfits matched…ragged jeans with a few mended rips and faded places on the knees and seat, boots that had scuff marks that no amount of polish would ever bring back to a shine, jackets that showed wear marks on the elbows and trim.

They left the apartment, locking up securely and Urs stepped onto the sidewalk, looking both ways for a car that should be waiting but seeing nothing that looked right.

Izzy started walking, going to the curb and beginning to cross towards the deli so he jogged after her, catching up and was about to voice yet another question when he saw it.

Parked in front of the deli was 2004 Honda Gold Wing motorcycle, Pearl White, exuding power and shining with polished chrome, a few people standing on the sidewalk admiring the machine and a tall slender woman in black leathers leaning against the light standard with two helmets dangling from her hands. She waved and smiled at them as they approached but Urs only had eyes for the bike and missed her grin, almost missed the introduction as they got closer.

“Sally, this is my friend, Urs Buhler…and yes he’s the one on the CD…Urs, this is…Urs?...Hello, Izzy to Urs!!!”

“Sorry,” he said, tearing his eyes away from the sleek machine, his hands quivering with the urge to touch it, to start the motor and feel it throbbing between his legs.

“Urs this is Sally, the nurse from my team…she’s kindly consented to let you use her Baby today.”

He grinned at the woman and shook her hand, chuckling as he said…”I don’t know if I could have been as generous if she were mine…she’s a beauty….2004?”

Sally laughed as she shook his hand.

“Anything for Doc…we’ve covered a lot of miles together over the past few years…and if I had known it was for a Divo…well, I do get an autograph out of this I hope?”

“Absolutely…actually I’ll be happy to get you tickets to one of the concerts in 2006 if you just let Izzy know when and where you want to attend….and a backstage pass if you like.”

“I like…that means I get to meet David, right?”

“Aha…a Diva…I’m hurt…” he back tracked quickly when he saw the embarrassed look on her face.

“Just joking…everyone has their favorites…and David has an incredible voice…as well as a killer sense of humor. He’s the unofficial King of practical jokes.”

The look of relief was almost comical, swiftly replaced with a sly grin as she posed her next question.

“You must know all the secrets…tell me…does David really go commando?”

Urs threw his head back and roared with laughter at her brazenness.

“That, my dear Sally, can be your first question for Stretch when you meet him.”

“I hate to rush you two but if we don’t get underway we’ll be late…and Freddie can’t wait…Sal, everything is in the panniers?”

“You bet…you still haven’t told him what you’re doing?”

Izzy grinned at her friend and reached for the helmet she was holding out while Urs donned the other one.

“How are you getting home, Sally?” Urs asked and she said something about a ‘shanks mare’ that left him confused.

“That’s ‘walking’, Urs, not on a horse,” Izzy said with a laugh. “Sally has a flat about 2 blocks away.”

“Sorry…sometimes the local slang catches me off guard…shanks mare…good one.”

He took the offered keys and swung his leg over the saddle, easing the bike off the stand and inserting the key to start the powerful motor.

“Gott…she sounds so good,” he said with almost a sensual moan as Izzy stepped onto the higher seat behind him, grasping him around the ribs.

“Plug in your helmet, Urs…the GPS is already programmed,” Sally called out. He did and seconds later they were on their way.

In spite of the early morning traffic he felt a surge of happiness to be riding again. The bike was in top shape, well maintained, as it would have been if it were his, the throaty rumble of the motor purring like a very big cat as they wove through the poor mortals confined in their metal boxes on four wheels.

Izzy was a good passenger, accustomed, he assumed, to riding pillion behind her brother…he reminded himself to ask if she could actually take control or was always a passenger…he would lay odds on the former…she wasn’t the sort of woman to always let someone else be in charge.

Half an hour later they had followed the directions fed to him through the speaker in his helmet and he eased into a parking spot in a large fenced lot, disconnecting his helmet and removing it before turning off the bike.

“So, Bella…now where?…we could just ride around all day on the bike…that would make me happy.”

She swung her leg over and stood beside him, removing her helmet and grinning.

“Maybe later…we’re there.”

Urs looked around…the only building was a long, low, red brick edifice that looked like maintenance sheds and offices and beyond that, rising majestically into the clear autumn sky…the miles of cables and pylons, the roadways, the towers of…the Brooklyn Bridge.

**
“We’re going to climb THAT?” Urs said softly, in awe now that all had finally been revealed to him.

‘I can just see the headlines… ‘ idiot tenor of the rising group IL Divo falls to his death from the Brooklyn Bridge’…. or worse still ‘tenor from the group Il Divo arrested for being stupid and trying to climb the Brooklyn Bridge…an unknown female accomplice, who reportedly works for the UN, hospitalized with fits of hysterical laughter’….she must be joking!!’

“A friend of Cody’s is manager of maintenance and said that since I didn’t fall and break anything the first few times I did it, I can do it again…we’ll put on crew harnesses and go up the thick guide cables…it’s fun…and since you claim that heights don’t bother you…”

He shaded his eyes and looked at the arching wires and cables, gulping when he saw that they were swaying slightly in the light breeze.

“THICK? I don’t see anything thicker than a strand of spaghetti! This is a joke…Right?”

She laughed and opened the panniers, pulling out two large full cloth bags of something that wafted delicious aromas from each one.

“C’mon…it’ll be fun…or you could wait here but your lunch is going to be on top of the tower…” She faced him, her face trying to maintain a serious look but the sparkle in her eyes giving away her inner laughter. “Not scared are you?”

‘Verdammt!! She knows just the right buttons to push…’

“Of course not!!...just surprised! Let’s go.”

‘Mein Gott, I hope I live to regret this…’

They walked for what seemed to Urs like hours, the bridge getting larger…. and higher…. the closer they came. Up a long flight of stairs with him now carrying the stuffed bags, then they stopped at a small building at the base of the beginning of the bridge, a discrete sign on the door which proclaimed that it belonged to Maintenance and there was no unauthorized admittance… ‘maybe we won’t be allowed in’…the thought was fleeting and futile as the door opened and a muscular man grinned at them as he motioned for them to come inside.

“Freddie, this is my friend Urs Buhler…Urs, Freddie de Marco, a friend of Cody’s and mine…he’s going to send our food up and get us outfitted.”

“You get prettier every time I see you, Doc. When are you going to quit this running around and make me a happy man?”

“When your wife gives us permission to have an affair, you old lech…How are the kids? Your eldest should be nearly finished high school now I think?”

He took the bags and placed them in a large, square canvas bucket, setting the whole thing to one side.

“It’s his last year…he’s doing real well…he’s actually thinking of enlisting, taking some computer tech courses with the Army and then maybe OT…he likes to be in control…would make a good officer. Our little princess hasn’t decided which direction she’s going in yet…but she’s only 14…there’s lots of time.” He switched his attention to Urs, chatting with him about the bridge and asking if he had done much climbing.

Urs chuckled.

“Some but not on bridges…there’s lots of mountains at home in Switzerland so nearly everyone over 10 has done some climbing.”

“Well you’ll like this then…and it’s really safe with the harness on and once you get used to the sway. Today shouldn’t be bad…not much wind and even better, not too many pedestrians…it’s real bad when there’s lots of people walking…the bridge sways worse then.”

Without any more preparation Freddie suited them up with harnesses, a complicated affair that had thick straps going between the legs, on Urs part carefully avoiding his ‘package’, connecting to a shoulder harness, the whole affair meeting center chest in a heavy metal clip with cords that ran to more clips at the hips and center back, creating sort of a saddle of the strapping with a bib to support the back and upper torso. He gave them each hard hats, these ones a little different since they had a cup for the chin and a strap that fixed it securely to the head.

“Now don’t take off your gloves…that wire is braided but there’s always little ends sticking out that could rip your hands to shreds…and if you dangle, just pull yourself back up, hand over hand…you’ll get the hang of it….or not…”

The evil laugh that followed this statement did nothing to ease Urs’ nerves.

Before he had time to think about it any further they were on a scaffold and being lifted by some hidden motor up to the cable looming 30 feet over their heads.

‘Well I guess we’re committed…or maybe we should BE committed…to an asylum!!’ he thought as they slowly rose and he tried to keep his trepidation from showing.

CHAPTER 17… THE VIEW


Izzy stepped off and clipped her harness onto a thin cable hanging just below the main guide cable, locked it and made sure Urs had done the same.

He could feel the bounce of the heavy cable under foot as traffic raced over the bridge, the side to side motion from the wind and something else, almost a drum beat of vibration that he soon realized was from pedestrians on the raised walkway over the 6 lanes of traffic. The guide cable was much thicker than he had anticipated, about 10 inches wide and nearly twice as thick…the wire they were attached to looked thin but sturdy and as his eyes followed it he saw that every 100 yards or so it was attached to the main thicker cable…a fact that would necessitate unclipping and re-attaching past the connection.

“Ready?” Izzy said with a reassuring smile and he nodded, not really ready but willing to get it over with.

Walking on the cable demanded a new kind of traveling since every time you lifted your foot the cable moved, was not where you expected it to be when your foot came back down. It was kind of like dancing on an undulating floor but impossible to really get the rhythm since it kept changing as the traffic below them varied, ebbing and flowing with the change of vehicles or amount of pedestrians.

The first 100 yards was a learning experience…he knew by then to transfer his weight entirely to the ‘down’ foot and leg, setting the ‘up’ foot firmly before transferring to it, a slow process at first but one he would get the hang of…or slide off into the ever increasing space to the side and below. His first slither sideways happened on his third step, necessitating a panicked grab for the guide cable, some deep breathing and great care to go slowly for the next few yards.

At first the fumes from the automobiles were chokingly thick, mixed with the sharp metal tang of the bridge and the cables but as they went higher the light breeze wafted the thick air away and it became much pleasanter to take in a lungful of the refreshing scent of the river far below. Now and then he relaxed enough to glance below at the ever changing vista: boats on the river, both big and small, like toys that bobbed in a very large bathtub, sea birds that floated and dove, using the air currents as they watched for handouts, tiny vehicles on the snaking roadways, even people on the roofs of the buildings, moving antlike as they worked or just viewed the city from aloft like he was. He felt himself slipping sideways again and gripped the connecting cables firmly to stop the motion, pausing for a moment and watching as Izzy did too, a throng of people from the near shore flocking onto the bridge walkway and causing erratic vibrations until they seemed to get in cadence and the motion settled.

“You alright?” she called back, smiling encouragingly and he grinned back, nodding.

By the time they reached the second connection he had adjusted to the constant motion of the bridge and was quite enjoying himself…the view even this far down the curve was amazing, the challenge even more so. Izzy was just ahead of him, keeping up an encouraging conversation when the movement was gentle, slowing when the sudden burst of wind made the climb more difficult. Even the semi-dangerous transfer of the clips over the connections was easily done…the trick was to remember to hang on to the cable with the free hand, something he had no problem doing after the first one when a gust of wind pushed him and he had to clutch at the wire or slide sideways.

He learned that the bridge had been built over a 13 year period, opening in 1883 and at the time, the towers had been the tallest structures in the Western Hemisphere…also that the bridge and approach spanned a length of 5,989 feet from side to side and had actually been finished by a woman, Emily Roebling, after the death of her father-in-law, John Roebling, the architect, and the next year of her husband Washington, John’s son. She had been the first person to cross the finished bridge on May 24th, 1883.

The towers poked skyward in front of them, gothic structures that had loomed over the East River for over 100 years, defining the beauty and strength of the city, helping to support the walkways and motorways, even housing a bunker that had secretly been built during the Cold War and not discovered again until very recently, still equipped with food and medical supplies in case of an invasion.

They stopped to rest about half way up, straddling the wire, still hooked up of course and sitting face to face.

“So, you disappointed?” she asked with her brow furrowed.

He grinned.

“I was…in fact I was sure you had totally lost it….but now I feel better…it’s so different from what I expected…I like the challenge, the view is spectacular…and I feel kind of like an explorer, doing something that few other people ever get a chance to do…and as a bonus, when I tell Sam what we did he’ll have a stroke!”

Just the thought of the manager turning beet red and at a loss for words made him laugh until his eyes streamed.

“You guys!! You’re like naughty little boys, always trying to wind your poor manager up.”

A series of large trucks went across the bridge below them, making the cables undulate and they rode it out before standing again to continue on up to the towers.

**

“I thought I was in good shape until we did this climb,” Urs said as they let their bodies adjust to the relative stability of the towers after stepping off the top of the cable. “That last incline and then crabbing up the face of the tower had me breathing hard and my legs now feel like rubber.”

“Mine too…I think it’s sort of like when a sailor gets back on shore…he needs to get his land legs again. Not bad for a first attempt though…I thought you were going to go over the edge once but you pulled yourself back just in time.”

He laughed at the memory, funny now but not so much at the time.

“I knew the harness wouldn’t let me go far but I really didn’t want to be dangling above the river…and I didn’t think those chicken wings of yours would have been able to pull me back up.”

She bristled at the comment on her slender arms.

“Chicken wings!!! I’ll have you know that I’m really fairly strong for a woman!”

He just ****ed an eyebrow at her and smiled, refusing to spoil the pleasure of finally being on something that didn’t sway by arguing.

She started to unhook her harness, laughing when Urs offered to help her, especially since it was very snug around her upper thighs from the tension put on the wide bands during the climb.

“You can help but then I get to free your ‘guys’ from their prison…I mean it’s only fair.”

“Deal,” he said with a cheeky grin, far too eager to accept her offer of assistance, then paused before unclipping the chest buckle.

“Do you know how to get these back on correctly? I’m not sure I remember how Freddie did it?”

“We won’t need them on the way down…Gravity will help.”

He might have known she was teasing when she didn’t look at him, in fact turned so he couldn’t see her face.

“GRAVITY? Are we going to bungee jump? I’ve done it before but there’s a lot of stuff in the way here…turn around so I can see your eyes, Woman…I knew it!!” he exclaimed with a roar of laughter when she faced him and was grinning.

“Oh Urs…you’re just so easy…I’ll bet David makes you the target of his jokes a lot of the time….actually, Swiss, I thought in deference to our aching legs we should take the elevator.”

He looked around and noticed a wrought iron railing around a set of stairs, obviously going down into the tower and surmised that the elevator she spoke of was there. Beside the top of the stairs the two bags from the panniers waited in the square canvas tub, brought up in the elevator, no doubt, by Freddie or one of the others on his crew.

Urs collected the bags and brought them over to where Izzy had parked herself on a large, square raised area that looked to have a vent in the center.

“I don’t care what time it is…I’m starving…I just hope you brought enough food…how about you?”

“Famished,” she admitted. “We can eat here…the view is amazing…and I asked Fabrizio to throw in a blanket to sit on.”

“When did you arrange all this?”

“Well, the bike I asked Sally about yesterday and the rest, this morning while you were in the shower…Sneaky is my middle name.”

“Wrong…Sexy is!! Do you realize that I haven’t had a kiss since…since before we left the apartment…I’m getting withdrawal symptoms.”

“Lucky you have a doctor handy, isn’t it?” she said and scooted over to cure his malady.

When they came up for air several intense moments later she nestled against him, vising her legs against his thighs and kissing his neck in between phrases.

“You really are very sure footed…I felt myself sliding a couple of times from the pedestrian sway and glanced back to see how you were handling it…you just seemed to adjust without even thinking about it…I was very impressed.”

He chuckled and the sound of it rumbled through her body, making her shiver.

“I was too busy watching that cute little butt ahead of me to fall off…did you notice the people on the ferry waving at us?...At least I assume it was us they waved at…anyway I waved back…and way down the river I’m sure I saw a cruise ship with a couple of tugs nudging it along.”

“The Circle Ferry…you catch it at Pier 17…and yes it was a cruise ship…likely heading on the NY to Bahamas run…here help me spread the blanket out and we’ll eat.”

They sat cross-legged on the vent and feasted on chicken, cheese, cut up fruit, some delicious cold meat pies, paper wrapped tiny brownies with gooey icing and a veggie bowl with two different dipping sauces, even some slices of baguette that still felt slightly warm since it was wrapped in foil. Insulated containers when opened revealed icy cold beer with twist tops as well as another which held thick, creamy hot chocolate…just in case the wind this high up was chilly.

Izzy pointed out various vistas to him as they ate ravenously, totally demolishing the chicken in record time and wiping their sticky hands on the Wet-Naps that had been provided.

The financial district with the tall glistening buildings cut into the skyline in the distance, the windows glowing golden in the late morning sunlight, the Brooklyn Naval yard with an assortment of military vessels moored at the long, grey docks was closer at hand…ships of all sizes plied their trade back and forth along the silty river far below, some of the larger ones pushed by tugs that tooted in signal as they maneuvered, while small craft closer to shores paddled, sailed or motored slowly through the frothy wakes. Overhead there was a constant arching of airborne traffic, jets heading to far off places, local helicopters doing commuter runs or from the local police and television stations. It was fascinating to watch them landing on the heli-pads of the lofty buildings or on the brightly painted circles on the piers.

Izzy pointed out the usual tourist sites: the upraised torch of the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island just a bit nearer, the shores of New Jersey, the treed green of the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens, China- town evident with banners and the unique street lights and just barely discernible, Ground Zero where the ill-fated Twin Towers had proudly stood.

Beneath them, now that they were accustomed to the solid feel of the towers, they could feel a faint vibration as traffic built up and slowed on the bridge, this main artery connecting the two shores heavily used during the day by both pedestrians and motorized travelers. It was quiet this high up, the noise of cars, trucks, of the city, not reaching them except as a muffled murmur…almost like being alone in this sea of millions of people.

“I’m glad we came,” Urs said as they finished lunch and packed up the empty containers.

Izzy smiled and nodded.

“I come here sometimes to think…there’s just so much background noise in the city…it seems you can never find time to just sit quietly and work things out…you asked me once how I cope with the stress…well, this is one of the ways…Freddie is very sympathetic about my quirky habits and leaves me alone to get my head around things.”

Urs nodded, totally understanding.

“You have some very good friends…I hope you realize how fortunate you are…the more I learn about you the more I want to learn, my Isabella…you aren’t as cold and unfeeling as the impression you tried to project to me when we met…and I like what I’m learning…now if there was just somewhere private up here…”

She laughed and patted the blanket they were sitting on.

“Well, we do have a blanket…”

For the next while the voyeurs in the planes and choppers drifting on the air overhead were treated to a mound of grey blanket that undulated on the top of the tower, a strange phenomenon to be sure...if only they had known!!

**

The trip back down was considerably easier, even loaded down with the harnesses, hardhats and now lighter food bags. Freddie was near the exit when they arrived back at the little office and grinned at them, excusing himself to his crew mate and coming over to hug Izzy.

“Well, good climb? You sure took your time coming back down.”

“It was great…and Urs did well…not one dangle.”

Izzy excused herself and went in the office, leaving Urs and Freddie chatting on the pavement. Freddie seemed genuinely interested in what Urs did for a living, admitting a liking of some opera, but speaking so that none of the nearby crew could hear.

“These guys wouldn’t understand…they’re all young enough to be into that hip-hop stuff.”

Urs grinned and informed the older man that he actually liked Heavy Metal as well as classical and laughed at the amazed shake of the head this news received.

Izzy came back out and reached her hand out to Urs jacket, doing something to the lapel…when she removed her hand he looked down and saw a small gold pin depicting the Brooklyn Bridge affixed to his jacket, identical to the one now on hers.

Freddie leaned closer, inspecting the pin and grinned, standing erect once more and pumping the air in the sign of victory.

“YES!!! Welcome to the Club!!”

While Urs was still looking on, confused at the way Izzy was blushing and the silly grin on Freddie’s face, the Manager’s cell phone beeped and he answered, waving at them as he disconnected and scurried away.

“Gotta go, Kids…don’t be strangers!!”

It wasn’t until they reached the bike that he asked her what the little gold Brooklyn Bridge pin meant.

“Is this something that means you climbed the cables?”

Again she blushed and reached for her helmet, avoiding his eyes as she shook her head.

“Then what does ….” He stopped, his hands frozen in place as he touched his helmet, preparing to pick it up. “It doesn’t?...Bella, it couldn’t?....Does it?...kind of like the Mile High Club for aeroplanes?”

She nodded, her face now flaming, deciding to brazen it out and watch his reaction.

“Freddie started it years ago…he proposed to Tammy up there and since then he’s kept a little wooden box of the lapel pins on his desk…we should feel honored…not many belong to the club.”

“HONORED?...Actually I’m speechless!” he gasped then started to laugh, wrapping his arms around her and lifting her off her feet in a bear hug, both of them ending up sitting in a heap on the pavement, laughing hysterically and wiping the tears from each others’ faces.

“You mad at me?” she asked when she could form sentences again.

“Never!...You certainly make my life interesting. Any more surprises up your sleeve for today? I don’t know if my poor old heart can take much more.”

“Only one…but I think you’ll like it…and tomorrow I promise a quiet, relaxing day…sort of.”

He rose, taking her hands to pull her up with him, muttering just barely loud enough for her to hear… ‘it’s the ‘sort of’ that makes me nervous….’

**

CHAPTER 18

Once again the GPS was pre-programmed with the destination and he followed the directions without much effort, arriving at an underground parking lot beneath Lincoln Center and assuming that they were going to Juilliard once more.

The hallways they passed through this time didn’t look familiar, but he followed without any hesitation, holding her hand as she grinned and pointed out the way to yet another door marked ‘Private…Staff Only’. Izzy identified herself to the Security Guard there and they were passed through.

The halls here were very narrow and barren, painted stark white and windowless, only a few unmarked doors opening off on each side. Izzy moved down the hall with assurance and stopped at the last door on the right, opening it and gesturing to Urs to follow her into a large area that he recognized instantly as being under a stage.

“Where are we?” he asked.

Before she could answer a figure materialized as if from vapors…Chickie, one of the boys who had greeted him so aggressively on his arrival at the apartment.

“Hi, Doc…and Sir…welcome to the Met,” the uniformed boy said, his name tag proudly identifying him as Charles. “The orchestra has just finished sound check and are leaving…if you follow me I’ll take you up top.”

He motioned them onto a portion of flooring that appeared to have metal bracing underneath, pressed a button on an adjacent post and the movable section of stage slowly rose towards the retracting roof /floor above them. Smoothly it filled the gap until it was even with the stage and the retracting side panels had disappeared, then locked in place with a barely audible click.

Urs stood beside Izzy as if shell shocked, looking out at the half moon tiers of plush seating, the ornate carvings on the molding and pillars, the heavy drapes curtaining off the exclusive box seats. Even in the subdued lighting the seating seemed to go on forever, row after row, each positioned for an unobstructed view, the brass rail at the back which would cordon off those in SRO positions gleaming dully, the carpet a river of red plush that arrowed upward past the armrests and tiny lights of tier after tier.

He could just imagine the space filled with eager faces, waiting for the music to begin, waiting to share the splendor of works created so many years ago by talents that knew no limits….waiting for HIS voice to give them the gift of melody, of storytelling, …of music.

“Sing for me Urs,” he heard as if from a distance and without more than a deep breath of preparation he dropped his chin, opened his mouth…and music flowed into the auditorium….melodious, heart-aching, beautiful music that reached the furthest corners, music from deep inside his soul that had been waiting for this moment to spring forth.

He wasn’t aware when Izzy and Chickie left his side and quietly went down the stairs, under the railing and sat center stage to watch and listen…nor did he really notice when the musicians, a few at a time, then almost all of them, drawn by the purity of his voice, drifted back to their seats and professionally accompanied his rendition of Donazetti’s Una Furtiva Lagrimas…the thrall of performing here in this epitome of a young opera singer’s dreams was on him, calling forth every ounce of passion and skill he had to caress the notes, to swell that crescendo, to voice the pathos, to reach the back of the house without deafening those in the front rows.

Still in his professional trance when the Donazetti piece came to a thrilling finish, his Muse switched paces, following the intro that the now almost complete orchestra segued into, a piece from Pucinni’s Tosca, E Lucevan le Stelle, immersing himself in the role, in the character, in the music until the final notes, standing with head bowed….. the orchestra finished the last bars and as a single entity rose to bow to him, ignoring the ragged, slightly dirty clothing, the long hair, drawn back to the pit by his talent and now acknowledging his skill with their respect.

It was as if this was a signal, as if he was now allowed back into the personality of Urs, the interloper who shouldn’t be here on this magnificent stage….but magically was. He felt disoriented even as he bowed to the musicians, all of whom were smiling and quietly chatting among themselves…not until Izzy raced up onto the stage, her cheeks wet with tears and a smile wreathing her flushed face and Chickie/Charles following behind, did he finally give himself a shake and let the elation of the moment course through him.

“Man, that’s some set of pipes you have,” Chickie said when he joined them.

Izzy peeled herself from Urs’ chest where she had been doing her limpet imitation. He grinned, from practice switching back into just Urs without difficulty, and wiped the tears from her face with gentle fingers.

“Was it that bad? I didn’t mean to make you cry…Actually I didn’t mean to sing but suddenly…it just kind of flowed out.”

“It was incredible!...and these are happy tears, my Swiss…and what a treat…the orchestra coming back like that to accompany you…they couldn’t resist either.”

Chickie took them on a mini tour, interesting, but not anywhere near the thrill of standing on that stage and actually singing. Urs kept her hand in his, raising it to his lips for a kiss as he thought about the acoustics, the truly great singers who had gone before him, the feeling of being there, of letting the grandeur of the venue enhance and carry his voice to every corner and he knew that some day!!…it was no longer an impossible dream…he had done it…and he would do it again!!

** He was quiet on the return trip to the apartment and she had enough instinct to leave him be, to revel in the feelings she had seen on his expressive countenance. She had known that he would be pleased to see the stage and the amphitheatre…the unexpected bonus of being able to actually sing had really been his undoing, setting off a chain of emotions that he needed to savor for a while…when he was ready to talk about it, she knew he would.

They dropped the bike off at Sally’s leaving the keys with her neighbor as well as a handwritten note of thanks and a reminder of the tickets that would be available when she had time to attend a concert.

The walk from there was short and they ambled along, holding hands again, stopping once when Urs pulled her into a little cul-de-sac and hugged her until she could hardly breathe. He kissed the top of her curly head and whispered a simple, heartfelt ‘Thank you, Liebe!’ then they went on, both happy and smiling as they entered a grocery only a block from the apartment for supplies for the dinner he had promised to make.

The discussion in the store revolved around food preferences… easily solved since they both liked almost anything concerning chocolate or fruit and the deli department had a lovely un-iced cake that Urs claimed would be wonderful cut in squares and dipped in the remainder of the chocolate sauce from Tonio. The potatoes, onion and wurst he intended to turn into a Swiss dish called Rosti, something he said he craved whenever he had been away from home and Mami’s cooking too long.

Once the groceries were unpacked they showered, leisurely, talking and taking so long the water cooled and they were forced to exit and dry off, lolling on the bed and Izzy listened while he told her of his long held dream of singing in the Met.

“When I was in senior school, not quite decided on what I wanted to do with my life but leaning more and more towards music, I heard the music from Carmen Burana…and that was it…HOOKED!! I was front man for a group of heavy metal rockers and not really comfortable with it…not enough rasp or edge to my voice…one of my instructors encouraged me to study classical in more depth and I found so much satisfaction in it that my path became clear to me…I used to scour the entertainment news for articles about tenors, since that was clearly the way my voice had gone and it seemed that when you really MADE IT you knew because you were invited to sing at the Met…so it became my lodestone, my goal…even this seemingly oblique shift with Il Divo is part of that. I’m learning so much, developing so much from being with the guys, learning how to manage my career efficiently….it won’t always be such a circus for us…there will come a time when we can continue with Il Divo if the fan’s want us to but still have enough time for other projects…it’s just a question of being steadfast in our goals and never losing sight of what we want to achieve…I felt so at home on that stage today…I WILL sing there again and next time it will be to a full house…” he snuggled her attentive form closer and kissed her cheeks, the corner of her mouth, the throbbing spot on the side of her soft neck. “But no audience will ever be as special to me as the one today, the caring, sweet face that listened and wept as I sang for her…you made me so very happy today…thank you, my Isabella.”

There was no thought of sex as they snuggled, pulling the fluffy duvet up over tired but content bodies for a nap before dinner…somehow it wasn’t necessary to actually perform the act of making love…what they felt between them at that moment was even more intimate.

**

“I’m a very good teacher,” Urs vowed as he dragged her into the kitchen, grinning as she whined that he had promised to cook, why did she have to help him? “You need to learn the basics for times when I’m not around.”

“I could always find another boyfriend who likes to cook for those times.”

“All the more reason to learn how so you won’t be tempted! I don’t like to share treasured things….” He stopped abruptly and turned to look in her eyes. “You were joking…weren’t you?”

Her smile was soft when she quietly answered.

“Yes.”

He leaned down to kiss her gently then tugged her hand again and grinned.

“Good…lesson one…peel potatoes…”

She sighed and took the offered tool.

“I already know how to do this…”

“Practice never killed anyone…” was his muffled retort as he reached in the cupboard for the onions. “I could have made you do the onions…see how kind I’m being? Now get busy!”

He chose to ignore the mumbled ‘BULLY!’ as he peeled the onions and placed them on a cutting board, taking down a French Knife from the magnetized bar and getting ready to weep. No matter how many tricks Mami had shown him of how to avoid watery eyes from working with onions he had never got the hang of it and just forged ahead, putting up with the few minutes of discomfort.

“What do you do with your free time…other than rent a bike and go for a ride? You said you don’t like the club scene much…do you read or have a hobby?”

He chuckled, wanting to wipe his eyes but at least knowing enough not to.

“I’m too impatient to read much…unless the plot line really grabs my attention. Mostly I read motorcycle magazines or sometimes a magazine from the Opera world…if there’s a guitar shop nearby I go to that to browse…I guess my biggest pass-time is the gym or trying to sleep off the jet-lag…if we go someplace hot I usually go to the pool then find a shady spot to hide in….boring life isn’t it?”

“Well now you can study Lapidary. It must be difficult for someone who enjoys being active to suddenly be thrust into a semi-sedentary life style…if you were home or even had a house of your own to retreat to what would you do?”

“Wood-work, gardening, working on my bikes, skiing, hiking…writing.”

“Writing?”

“Music…I like composing…there’s all this music in my head just itching to get out…I’d like to spend some uninterrupted time putting it on paper. Seb composes too, more than I do ackshully…he’s wery good…we sometimes work on a piece together…I’m in awe of his talent, especially since I know he had never, ever had a lesson before the group got together.”

“Does that mean he has now? I would have thought that lessons and practicing were long behind all of you.”

“Never happen,” he said with a laugh as he scraped the finely diced onion into a bowl and took the board to the sink to wash. “If you want to keep improving and keep your instrument honed you HAVE to practice almost everyday…there’s always an improvement you can make….better range, longer breath control, new scores to learn, new harmonies…”

She had stopped peeling and was watching him with awe.

“I didn’t realize that there was so much involved…I kind of thought you just opened your mouth and the music came out…after years of training of course.”

He looked at her with amazement then laughed…

“I’ll bet that you keep up with new things in your field too, Baby…it isn’t any different in mine…except that we don’t make a difference in peoples lives.”

She smiled and went back to peeling.

“Not true…I think you’ll find that the music that you guys create affects lives more than you realize…I’ve gone on line and read the comments on the Forum…so many people have come back to life after listening to your music…you do make a difference, Urs, a big difference. Go on the Forum and read some of the comments …you don’t have to sign in and let people know it’s you.”

He was quiet for a while, working on the Rosti, partly cooking the wurst and dicing it, then since she didn’t have a rasp, using the mandolin to dice the potatoes thinly.

Izzy’s next job was to cut the cake in squares and pour the chocolate sauce into a bowl to be heated, a fun job since she got to lick the spatula that she had used…for about 5 seconds until he noticed and stole it away to savor it himself.

They worked together to prepare the fruit, then he wrapped his arms around her and they snuggled while the Rosti was cooking.

“Maybe after dinner you could show me how to go on this forum thing and look around…I’ve avoided it most of the time…David helped me go on a couple of times and say thanks to the fans but I’m not comfortable doing it by myself.”

She laughed against his chest and looked up at him.

“You’re such a virgin!!”

He smiled.

“That’s not what you called me up on the Bridge!!!”

Izzy laughed.

“I plead insanity! Now let me go so I can make the salad…THAT I can do!”

**

Somehow they managed to find the energy to do dishes after gorging on the delicious meal, then, putting their coffee on the long coffee table, collected reading material and retired to the comfy couch and chair in the Lounge with some of their new books from the Strand, classical piano pieces from the stereo adding a soft background accompaniment to page turning.

Urs had beat her to the couch by the sneaky maneuver of vaulting over the padded back and stretching full length but she didn’t really care since her shorter legs could curl up nicely in the big chair.

Izzy was deeply into a current medical journal and jumped when he was suddenly behind her, leaning down to kiss the top of her curly head.

“Sorry…didn’t mean to spook you…I’m going for more coffee…can I get you some?” He caught sight of some graphic photos in the journal and made a gagging sound. “Yuck!! How can you look at that on a full stomach?”

Izzy laughed and turned the page to save his tender sensibilities.

“Quite easily actually…it’s an article on a new treatment for Leprosy…fascinating…well to me anyway. And yes I’d love more coffee.

He wandered into the kitchen, keeping up a conversation as he rinsed the Bodum and put the kettle on.

“You don’t have to treat it do you? I thought Leprosy was very contagious.”

“So far I haven’t had to but if I ever do at least I’ll be aware of all the new discoveries…and it isn’t really contagious if you’re careful, at least most strains aren’t…and it is treatable…they can reverse the effects if it’s caught in time with a simple course of medications that cost less per month than a couple going to a movie.”

He came back, waiting for the kettle to boil and leaned over the back of her chair.

“I couldn’t be a doctor…I just find some things really gross me out and I’d be so busy vomiting that my patient would likely die. How do you do it?”

“We all aren’t meant to do the same things Urs…and all it takes is practice…most first and second year students actually pass out at their first autopsy…of course the medical examiner is usually nasty and presents the cadaver in such a way that they get a shock…it’s kind of to weed out the ones who won’t cut it, pardon the pun.”

“Did you?”

“Afraid so…it was like suddenly the lights went out…the second time it was better and then I got fascinated with how things work and since then I’ve been fine.”

“You were great fixing the cut on my leg at the cottage.”

She tilted her head back and smiled at him.

“That was hardly major surgery, Urs…I did it hoping I might catch a glimpse of something interesting…and then you obliged by dropping the blanket on your way up the ladder…very thoughtful of you, I thought…definitely worth the peek.”

She laughed when he colored a bit, protesting that it had been an accident.

“Right…and only a couple of hours later you volunteered a closer inspection…”

The kettle began to whistle and he escaped to the kitchen, smiling and muttering ‘you peeked BEFORE my Little Soldier stood at attention!’ and grinned back at her when she cracked up laughing.

**

CHAPTER NINETEEN…PRAISES & PONE

Old habits are hard to break so in spite of a rather late night and the muscle strain of climbing the bridge they were both awake early, gulped down quick glasses of juice for instant energy and were out of the apartment for a jog, joining other joggers in the park for a refreshing circuit before the sun had cleared the tall buildings downtown.

On the way home they stopped at the bakers, the aroma of fresh baked bread too much to resist, bought still warm rolls and hustled home to indulge even before taking much needed showers.

The edge off their appetites, they showered, shaved and chatted about the day ahead of them, Izzy finally admitting that the only thing she had planned for the day was going to church, though she grinned and told him it would be something totally different to any church he had ever attended.

Even tickling her until she begged for Mercy didn’t elicit the location of this ‘different’ church and eventually he gave up, resigned to yet another of her surprises.

**

Dressed appropriately for attending a religious venue they left the apartment and took the Number 2 train to Harlem. Urs surmised that they would be attending one of the Negro churches and was quite looking forward to this outing, though he hoped that wearing good black pants, a stylish black silk shirt and his dressy leather jacket would be enough…he hadn’t brought a tie or suit with him but Izzy insisted that there would be all sorts of attire evident since many tourists liked to attend the services and they weren’t very clothes conscious. She actually wore a black pencil skirt, heels, and a flaming red silk blouse under her knee length black suede coat, yet another set of her own designed ear rings, this time garnets with silver dangling from her dainty ears, looking very feminine and not at all like a soldier.

They walked a couple of blocks from the train station, inhaling the delicious aromas coming from the local restaurants that featured African dishes, making the decision as they walked that lunch would be the next priority after the service was over.

The Abysinnian Baptist church was just past 7th and Lennox on a crowded street called Odell Clark Place, a steady stream of parishioners in colorful outfits happily wandering into the huge, ornate building to find seats.

There was a buzz of anticipation as people greeted friends and relatives, coats were removed, children darted between adult bodies to talk to other children until some unseen signal was given and a hush fell over the now silently seated throng. The choir filed in, gowned in bright red and yellow robes with gold trim, the choirmaster took his place and without further ado the choir began to sing, a capella, wasting no time warming up, just entering into a rousing hymn with gusto.

It was amazing, the music invigorating the congregation who kept time, just as the choir was doing, swaying side to side, clapping rhythmically, adding their voices to the mix in a glorious harmony, the hymn so familiar that few regulars used hymnals.

Urs and Izzy found themselves caught up in the magic of the music, keeping time, on their feet just as everyone else was. A hand came over Urs shoulder with a hymnal, opened at the appropriate page. He turned to look at the thoughtful man, grinning his thanks and joining in the singing, letting his own voice mingle with all the others, enjoying the freedom of expressing his joy in this new and exciting way.

The next hour and a half was mostly about the music, the melodious offering to the Creator for the joys of being alive, of appreciating the life He had given so freely. The sermon was inspired, loud and short and they were back to singing, some people almost dancing in place as they showed their love and joy.

When it was over the congregation left slowly, still filled with the euphoria of worship in this unique way, every face wreathed with smiles, including the young couple who had so enjoyed the experience.

They paused on the sidewalk to adjust coats and scarves and exchange a hug.

“Thank you…I’ve never experienced anything quite like this…it certainly wasn’t the usual boring service …what an expression of the joy of life!”

“I thought you might like it…I come here or to one of the other churches in Harlem whenever I really feel down…it’s so incredibly up-lifting.”

“Now if you would just point me at a restaurant ….I’m starving after all that singing.”

Time had flown and they found that it was well after one in the afternoon so most of the local places were still full from the lunch crowd.

They passed the stunning statue done in memory of the great Duke Ellington, stopping for a moment to admire it and talk about his amazing repertoire of music and the change he had made in appreciation for what had once been labeled ‘Colored’ music.

“What he created crossed all the barriers of race or color…he was really a genius and the world was fortunate to have him.”

“Like almost everyone I have a selection of CD’s of his music…even people who profess to not like Jazz, love the Duke,” Izyy said agreeing with him.

Hunger pangs drove them on and they left reluctantly to search for food.

Only a few blocks on they were lured in by the enticing aromas coming from a small place and after being seated at the table by a tall slender woman in a colorful long skirt and short, midriff baring top, her hair bound in an intricate matching turban, they put themselves in her hands and waited for lunch, sipping on an excellent Mukulu Merlot that Urs said he was familiar with.

“Seb is a bit of an oenophile and introduced me to this…he prefers French wine of course, but gave this one a good reference and I found I liked it.”

“I really must do a bit more experimenting with wine,” she admitted. “Beer is easier and there’s always lots of that around where-ever Cody and his buds are.”

“What time is the thing at the UN tomorrow? I should phone the guys when we get back to give them a heads up on when and where to meet.”

“It’s at 10 in the morning…I thought, if you don’t mind that I should arrive at around 9 – 9:30 so I can talk with my team and go over our notes…If you guys can manage to pick up your passes before 10 and find seating…security will show you where the conference hall is…then when it’s over I’ll join you and give you a tour…I’m always so nervous when we have to do this…public appearances are really not my thing…gawd!! I can feel my stomach tightening up just talking about it.”

“That’s how I feel before a performance…I think all of us do…but once you get out there and actually get committed to doing it, the butterflies disappear and everything is great.”

Izzy laughed.

“I wish I could say that…my mouth always feels like I’ve been to the dentist and it’s still frozen…I really don’t know how you do it and in front of thousands…I only have to face about a dozen and some of them in uniform.”

“I guess it wouldn’t help if I sat where you could see me…and made faces at you.”

“Don’t you dare, Swiss!! That’s just what I would need, to crack up in front of all those tight a**ed generals and delegates.” She laughed at the thought of it and the censure she would get later from her commanding officer.

He grinned and promised to behave…maybe.

“We have a meeting at Sony late in the afternoon and then Tuesday have to leave for the UK so tomorrow night is our last night in the city….is there anything special you would like to do?”

A look of sadness came into her eyes and he reached across the table to take her hand, caressing the back of it with his thumb as he held it.

“Can we just stay home? I know it’s kind of dull and selfish but I really don’t want to share you with anyone, not on our last night.”

He smiled and she shivered at the tender look and the feeling it gave her.

“Time spent with you is NEVER dull, Liebe…no matter what we’re doing you make me feel fulfilled, alive…I’d like that too…and we can talk about how to keep in touch, when we can get together again…or just be together now for whatever time we have…Izzy, I’m so glad it rained that day up at the Chute.”

The waitress came to the table just then with a tray of succulent dishes, placing them on the table and explaining what each one was: Sweet Potato Pone, gloriously orange and light with a crunchy top, Collards and Cabbage seasoned with cumin and ginger and something she called Jolloff Rice with chicken pieces piled in the center, the spices and finely diced greens dotted on the fluffy rice and the chicken dripping with a tangy sauce. Dessert came now too, in the traditional manner of Liberian meals, all the food coming to the table at the same time, a bowl of Stewed Mango with Cloves, still hot and juicy.

For a while the topic of course was the food as they tasted, then enjoyed, eating more than they should have but the food was too good to waste.

An hour later they wandered from the establishment, sated, opting to walk for a while to help digestion and enjoy the sights of this new area.

Urs was first to claim that he needed a nap, wiggling his brows in his best Carlos imitation and he flagged a cab for the ride back to the apartment. Izzy snuggled against him in the cab, thinking about their conversation that had touched on the future.

‘He really seems to want us to keep in touch…and to meet up again…I want it too, desperately…damn!!...I knew this would happen…it’s going to be so painful to be parted…he fills my life …my heart…I want more…and it’s impossible!!’

She felt close to tears and struggled to think of something else…the meeting and report, the neighborhood kids, rock hounding…but everything morphed into thinking about Urs, what his reaction would be to the report, how he had faced the thugs trying to catch Jeni, how he had embraced looking for his own treasures. Fortunately the cab driver had a near miss and when he slammed the brakes on it threw her forward into the seat back, momentarily distracting her.

“Baby, you all right?” Urs said, concern written on his expressive face as he examined where her cheek had hit the head rest on the front seat.

“Surprised, that’s all…I didn’t see it coming.”

“It wasn’t the driver’s fault…I saw that bike messenger cut in front of him and grabbed for you but it happened too fast.”

They made the rest of the trip in relative safety, stopping at the deli for fresh bread and cheese for a snack later, at Tonio’s for fruit and finally into the apartment to kick off shoes and change into casual clothing.

Urs came out of the bedroom, barefoot, and flopped over the back of the sofa, laying on his side with his arms held out, inviting Izzy to join him.

She put on the stereo, soft music that wouldn’t be intrusive, pulled the throw up over them and lay spooned with him, both drifting off to contented sleep within minutes.

**

She had down-played her nervousness the day before when she mentioned it. Today it was fully evident as she refused breakfast, even the birchermuesli that he offered to make and knew she loved, made the mistake of drinking several cups of fresh coffee then losing them in the toilet when her stomach recoiled from the caffeine. Three times she checked her dress uniform to be sure it was presentable, adjusting the required ribbons and medals an infinitesimal amount until he took the hanger from her and replaced it on the hook behind the bedroom door.

“You have to calm down, Baby or you’ll be a nervous wreck by the time we leave for the UN. Come here, lie on the bed, face down.”

Gently he stripped her torso of the tee shirt she had been wearing all morning and lay his warm hands on her back, massaging the tense muscles, crooning softly to her with his melodious voice, pleased when he felt the tension easing. Still he kept it up, moving to her shoulders and neck, soothing her with his voice and strong fingers until she felt boneless and completely at peace.

“If you stop I may have to kill you…if I can get up off this bed…this is pure heaven, Urs,” she murmured, her voice thick and velvety with languor.

He smiled though she couldn’t see it, just knew that he was from the sound of his voice.

“Not stopping…I love the feeling of you under my hands, so soft and smooth, like satin or warm velvet…ease your hips up, Liebe so I can slip your panties off….NO! not for that…so I can massage the rest of you.”

By the time his good intentions went out the window she was pliant and relaxed from her tiny toes to the tips of her curly hair…the massage morphed into something more, still gentle, still slow and thorough, but like frosting on a tasty chocolate cake, the crowning touch that pleased ALL the senses.

“I feel like I can tackle anything now,” she whispered from the region of his matted chest, her smaller body still completely engulfed by his.

He raised on his braced arms and dropped his face to kiss her mouth gently, smiling down at her love hazed eyes as he raised back up again.

“All part of my plan, Liebling…you have just enough time to shower before you have to slip into that sexy uniform.”

“Join me?”

He laughed and rolled away, coming to his feet in one smooth movement.

“Not a chance…It wouldn’t do for you to be late…I have time since I don’t have to leave quite as early.”

‘This will be the calmest I’ve ever done a report…he really is amazing!...I’m so lucky he came to the cottage that day….’ she thought as she shampooed, conditioned and slathered herself with fragrant body-wash. ‘Where is it he has to go this afternoon?...Sony I think…I hope we can have some quiet time to just talk later, try to work out how to keep in touch and get together again….I don’t want to seem pushy but I do long to be with him, as much as our schedules allow…he’s just so special, so important in my life after only these few days….after all these years of superficial relationships is this LOVE? …OMG !!!...am I falling in love with this man?....I want to make him happy, to see him smile, to hear his laughter…does he want that too?...’

She was still bouncing her jumbled emotions around in her mind when she exited the shower to find him waiting patiently in the bathroom doorway with her robe and a freshly made bowl of birchermuesli on the vanity.

“You can’t tackle all those generals on an empty stomach…slip your robe on so you don’t mess your pretty uniform…I’ll get you a glass of juice,” he said with a grin and a quick kiss on her still wet brow.

He went into the kitchen again while she dried, robed and went through to the bedroom with her bowl of Swiss cereal, finding that now she had an appetite.

They each finished their portable breakfasts, sitting on the edge of the bed and talking between spoonfuls.

“Tonight, can we just go for a nice long walk, maybe through the park or around the neighborhood and talk?…I don’t want to share you, not tonight…we need to try to work out how to meet again…I’m not ready to give this up…maybe not for a long, long time…does that upset you?”

She put her spoon down and leaned against him.

“I feel the same, Urs…I didn’t want to say anything because we promised ‘NO Strings’…but it isn’t really asking so much…I don’t want to tie you down, just to be with you whenever we can…we just have to make a promise to always be honest with each other…”

The apprehension she had seen in his eyes seconds before vanished and he grinned at her.

“You make me wery happy, Piccolo Dottore….now go brush your teeth and get dressed…you have 23 minutes before your transport arrives.”

**

CHAPTER TWENTY …THE UN

The four handsome, Armani clad men crossed the rotunda of the UN reception area, in total awe at their surroundings and the variety of nationalities represented even here in the entrance to the halls where monumental decisions were made.

There were the usual tourists, clad in slightly more formal attire than when strolling down the avenues on shopping sprees or wandering with camera in hand at the base of the statue of Liberty.

But what caught the eyes of these men, even though they were becoming accustomed to traveling the world, was the national pride shown in the colorful ethnic costumes: women clad head to toe in burkhas, men in rough homespun robes with turbans twisted around their heads, honey skinned men in tunics of silk with embroidery on the cuffs and front closing, accompanied by women in flowing silk saris, fairly dripping with beaten gold jewelry on ear lobes, neck, ankles and fingers, women in slender silk cheong-sams, their partners in almost military suits that looked to have been tailor made….suits, dresses, and everywhere, uniforms, the branch, country and designation worn proudly, though confusing to those not in the know.

Their passes were waiting and they were duly pinned with the labels and escorted down the lush halls, trying to appear as if this was an everyday occurrence to them.

After a confusing journey of lifts, corridors, an escalator, then another corridor they approached a polished double door and were ushered into a surprisingly small theater, the floor slanted down to a level area with high backed seats in front of a table which had an array of microphones in front of name plaques and facing another smaller row of long wooden tables, again with mics, and smaller wooden chairs, some occupied by uniformed men and women who shuffled papers and waited for the delegates to enter. A gallery ran along the upper level with a few tourists standing by the glass partition gazing down.

The stands where they sat were sparsely occupied with a few military types and only 2 bored men with notepads, probably reporters on the international beat, relegated to the old fashioned method of keeping notes in this place where recorders and cameras were not allowed.

A door at the side opened and a small group of uniformed people marched in…not really a march but with their military bearing it almost appeared to be….Izzy and her team, accompanied by a civilian with his left arm in a cast and leaning heavily on a cane as he limped quickly to keep up.

“There she is,” Seb whispered, nudging Urs in the arm and beginning to point until Urs caught his arm and thrust it down.

“Shh…we don’t want to embarrass her…but doesn’t she look amazing.”

Indeed she did…her dress uniform had been tailored to fit her perfectly, much as their Armani suits had, the difference being that her chest was adorned with an array of brightly colored ribbons, each with a medal hanging from it, gold, silver, one multi colored which indicated some medical emergency handled above and beyond the call of duty. The narrow ribbon that passed for a tie was crossed evenly and stuck in place with a small silver and gold Canadian emblem at her throat, the Cadeuses on her shoulders gleamed, the gold and red stripes on her sleeves stood out against the army khaki serge and the blue beret with the UN and Canadian emblems was a perfect counterfoil. She even looked taller with her erect posture and the smart black leather pumps with the Cuban heel on her little feet…in spite of the fact that they had steel toes, something that of the four men only Urs was privy to.

It was clear that she was in charge, her team deferring to her as to seating, waiting until she gave permission to pull out chairs and sit, still rigidly at attention.

Urs recognized Sally even though she was formally dressed as well. He watched as she asked Izzy a question and received a curt nod, rose and went to an aide who was standing at the barrier between the audience and the floor, handed him something and returned to her seat.

A door behind the dais opened and the generals and delegates filed in, some accompanied by aides who carried briefcases and when they had placed the folders from within on the long table, stood at ease behind their charges. Some of the delegates donned headphones, translation devices they assumed.

All of the personnel at the smaller table had risen to their feet at the entrance of their superiors and now at a nod from one of the generals resumed their seats, waiting for the proceedings to begin.

A Captain at the side of the room rose and rambled off an unintelligible opening to the proceedings, most of which was hard to decipher but the sparse audience and few allowed press did catch the odd phrase: unofficial action…negotiations for the release of hostages…report presided over by General Nhame Ogama of Nigeria.

The General spoke to the Captain and he called for Major Santores to identify herself and offer her report.

“Thank you Captain Loughlin…. General Ogama, members of the board…my name is Major Isabella Santores, Canadian Medical Corps, attached to the United Nations Force Three and commanding officer of Team Zeta. On July 9th of this year we were given the mission in Columbia to accompany Senor Alejandro Garcia Rodriguez D’Angeles to inspect the camp of the rebel F.A.R.C. forces and if possible, administer medical aid to the hostages who had been taken 87 days prior from their legitimate employment with Han**** Trusses and held by F.A.R.C. while negotiations continued.

“We arrived in Bogota, Columbia on July 11th and met Senor D’Angeles at the UN offices, privately, to make arrangements for the meeting with FARC. Our departure was cancelled three times for unknown reasons but on July 17th we were given permission to proceed.

“We traveled by Columbian military helicopter to a landing site which, of necessity has to remain secret, then by UN military jeep, which we had been instructed to bring, into the jungle, following a truck of FARC rebels who had been sent to guide us….I believe my driver clocked it at 81 kilometers though it was a very circuitous route, done purposely to avoid pinpointing the location. We attempted to photograph the journey and the arrival but were threatened with immediate retaliation, so desisted…we do however have footage shot with our beret cams, taken shortly after arrival, that you may see if you so wish.”

She paused while the translators caught up and at a nod from the General glanced to the side at the aide and nodded her head. The monitors in front of each seat blinked on as well as the large screen behind the dais. The picture was jumpy, caused by the movement of the person wearing the beret but it was possible to see fairly well: The camp was makeshift, huts and tents fashioned out of anything available, all the men and some of the women armed with semi automatic weapons and deadly razor sharp machetes, grim unsmiling faces, skinny dogs darting about, small cooking fires in front of the shelters, rude gestures and threatening glances from all sides as they walked through the paths cut into the sheltering trees and undergrowth. The cameraman caught the rest of the team on tape, walking with a short, tubby civilian dressed in shorts, sandals and a guyabara shirt liberally stained with nervous sweat… the 4 members from the UN that were caught on camera were in camo gear, pants with many pockets, short sleeved tunic, flak jacket, thick soled, heavy boots that tied at the ankles and a white sleeve around their upper arms with the red cross prominent…of the UN assemblage, only Izzy was visibly armed, her sidearm in it’s leather holster attached to the wide leather belt around her waist…Sally and the other techs carried heavy medical bags, not assisted in any way by the cadre of rebels who accompanied them on the outer fringes, laughing and making rude gestures at the women, sometimes even waving their rifles or machetes at them in mock menace… which the team ignored.

“The lean to just in front of us now is where the hostages were kept. Senor Garcia was overcome at this point and refused to enter.”

On the film they saw the short tubby man retching into an open pit that was likely the lavatory. Sally, Cilla, the other tech and Izzy bent down to enter the shelter while the following rebels laughed hysterically ….the camera man followed.



Izzy pulled out a flashlight and shone it around the small interior…in the far corner a man dressed in filthy, tattered rags lay stretched out, wearing a metal collar around his throat and secured by a loop of chain to a stake in the floor…one of the mangy dogs gnawed at his arm until Izzy kicked it in the ribs and it ran off yelping…she knelt beside the man for a moment then her hand came out to push the camera away when she realized he was still filming and they heard her clearly.

“He’s dead…turn the camera away, Corporal…no one needs to see what the dog was doing.”

The camera panned to the other chained man, weak but alive and weeping when he saw their uniforms.

The rest of the tape showed the medical attention that was given, skimmed over the cleaning of the quarters by the medical team and concentrated on the negotiations which began with the leaders.

“It may seem from the tape that negotiations began immediately…not so…it was a week before the leaders of F.A.R.C. would talk with Senor Garcia…during that time myself and my team gave medical aid to most of the camp for a variety of ailments from lice to gunshot wounds, sprains, to delivering a baby for one of the rebel women. I requested that we be allowed to quarter with the sole surviving hostage, Robert Laidlaw, an engineer with Han**** Trusses, the company which had been contracted to build a dam on the Ochino River. Senor Garcia was given his own ‘quarters’ but after the first night opted to stay with us. We also received permission from F.A.R.C. to cremate the remains of Simon Hennessy, the only sensible course of action in such a tropical climate. Mr. Laidlaw is present today if the panel would like to question him.”

The film detailed portions of the negotiations, snippets of daily life in the camp, treating the rebels, skimpy meals…Izzy explained in response to a question from one of the delegates that it was never a good idea to refuse food in the camps or to supplement them with their travel packs since that would be considered an insult.

Negotiations were discussed, again and again ending in a stalemate or anger from the rebel leaders or once even from Senor Garcia. Izzy, in her role as Un negotiator was patient but firm, quiet and persistent though Urs could detect an undercurrent of frustration in her voice when she spoke to the leaders. They hammered out a tentative agreement but still there was hesitation until finally a decision was reached.

She quickly outlined the bottom line to the panel: release from government prisons of 6 ‘political’ prisoners, a substantial amount of American dollars to be paid by the company and to sweeten the pot, medical supplies which would come from the UN in return for 5 Columbian police officers who had been prisoners for over 5 years and were in ill health.

One final segment of tape was aired showing the transfer of the sole American and ailing Columbian survivors into UN custody at a small airfield.

“These rebels have many factions, some not quite as willing to deal as others…unfortunately they do not always adhere to the agreements made by other factions as you will see in this last segment of tape. We were escorted to the airfield, again by a very long and confusing route, actually changing guards at one point when another faction took over as we crossed their territory. The arrival at the airport went well and the transfer was almost complete when the leader of this faction took offense at some imagined insult, possibly wanting something more from us that he wouldn’t have to share with the main camp. There were a few tense moments then for some reason, known only to him the man thought it was funny and we were able to leave without resorting to weapons.”

They could see a stretcher disappearing into the military airplane and the last prisoner being led by Sally to the open cargo bay, then suddenly one of the rebels pointed his machete at the Corporal and began yelling. The corporal began backing away with his hands out to show he was unarmed but the man advanced, began a slashing motion and connected with Izzy who had thrown herself between the two men, knocking her to the ground.

She scrambled to her feet and stood, her feet braced, motioning her corporal into the plane. As the only armed member of the team, she unclipped the cover on her holster, ready to draw her sidearm and kept her other hand and arm clamped against her chest…the rebel began to laugh, spun on his heel and vaulted into the back of the nearby truck, waving his dripping machete at them as they watched the vehicle roar away and fade into the distance. The tape ended.

“Were you injured, Major?”

“With all due respect, that has little importance, Sir…our mandate called for us to do our duty and make every effort not to resort to gun fire…’Zeta’ is a very good team…we did that.”

The civilian was on his feet and waved his cane at the General.

“Seventeen stitches, your worship, sliced that flak jacket like it was butter…and not one yelp when the pretty little nurse here sewed her up…and I ain’t never been so happy to see anyone in my life as I was to see these angels.”

The staid panel tried in vain to suppress smiles and chuckles…Izzy merely shot Sally a venomous look that made her shiver as she tried to get the man to sit again.

Up in the stands Urs felt dizzy….Suddenly realizing that he had stopped breathing, he took a deep breath and unclenched his hands from the arms of his seat.

‘That scar on her chest…she avoided telling me how she got it…and now I wish I hadn’t seen it happen…how can she go back and do this again and again?....was there so little in her life before that she is willing to live so dangerously? I can’t bear the thought of her being attacked …maybe killed…I care so much for her…how can I live with this hanging over our heads?’

The rest of the discussion was not nearly as interesting…cost of the operation, recommendations for future operations, finally commendations for the team on a well executed mission and it was over. The panel filed out, the team members gathered their papers, retrieved the tape and talked quietly for a few moments then shook hands once more with the civilian and separated.

For the first time since the meeting started Izzy looked up into the seating, meeting Urs eyes and trying to read his reaction to what he had witnessed.

‘Sheisse!! He looks shell shocked!...I hope this isn’t going to affect how he feels about me, about being with me…that’s part of my other life Urs…it has nothing to do with us!’

She replaced her beret on her curls and squared her shoulders, hoping for the best but prepared for the worst as she slowly climbed the steps to join the four men who were now standing and waiting for her.

“Isabella…you really are a soldier…bravissima, querida! I had no idea!” Carlos hugged her, not aware or caring that she shouldn’t be so intimate while in uniform.

“Did you think it was just a costume, mijo? All good soldiers are part chameleon…we can switch it off just like you guys do with your stage personae.”

“Does this mean another medal?” David asked.

“No, just a comment in my record…medals are not so easy to come by, especially when the missions aren’t ‘Official business’.”

“I could not do what you do…to see that dead man, and go on to do your job…I could not do it.” Seb was still a bit pale at the thought of what had been on the tape and she patted his arm in sympathy.

“And I couldn’t get up in front of thousands and sing…we each have our own forte, Sebbie.”

Urs said nothing at first, just took her hands and smiled sadly.

“You might have warned me…it was hard, watching him attack you.”

“It’s part of my job…and we have had so much fun the last few days that I forgot about that scene on the tape….it isn’t important, Urs.”

“We’ll talk later. I think you promised us a tour.”


For the next hour and a half Izzy played tour guide, though the topic of their ‘talking’ later was never far from her mind. The Assembly wasn’t in session at the moment so they saw everything: the booths where the translators sat and relayed the words of the delegates instantly in many languages, the huge Assembly room, the private delegates offices, the massive library, everything from the square with the flags of all the nations flapping in the stiff breeze to the secure parking areas and the bomb and bullet proof bunkers in case of emergency and the media center, which fortunately today was empty.

All exited the structure with a new understanding of the complexities of uniting so many countries in one common goal…somehow hammering out contracts with Sony BMG seemed like small potatoes after their tour…but they went anyway.

**

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE…PLANNING

Izzy waited for them in the posh reception area of the Sony offices in mid-town Manhattan. She had spent some time shopping, a little more at BELLA and now was absently thumbing through the magazines on offer as she waited.

‘At least the magazines here are current, not last years…I hope he’s had time to calm down…maybe it was a mistake letting him come to listen and watch the report…sometimes I forget how insulated civilians are from the realities of life…he likely could have handled it all if he hadn’t seen how I got the scar on my chest…thank god he didn’t see it last month when it was only partly healed…at least now it’s fading….and I might have expected him to react poorly…even Cody was appalled…actually I thought he would have a stroke when he saw it while the stitches were still in…for a big man my brother has an unusually wide soft streak…I wish he could meet Urs…he would like him…well, after the initial distrust he would…he never thinks any guy is good enough for me…and he’s been right up to now.’

She was still smiling as she thought about the reaction Cody would have to Urs if they ever got a chance to meet face to face, when the guys came out of the office, laughing and chatting as they strode across the carpet to where she had risen to her feet.

“If we can find our coats we can get out of here,” David said with a grin, laughing as the receptionist came toward them with their coats and scarves over her arms.

“Gracias, Querida,” Carlos said with an eyebrow wiggle at the blushing young woman while the older receptionist still behind the polished desk shook her head in wonder at the girl’s naivete…she had seen it all and was no longer impressed by these stars who filed past her desk daily….although, perhaps the four men in the room at the moment were rather special. She reminded herself to get tickets for their concerts in the new year and tried to concentrate on her work.

Urs helped Izzy with her coat, leaving his hands on her shoulders for just a moment longer than necessary, then handing her the black leather shoulder bag that was part of her uniform. She donned her beret and they trouped out to the elevator, all cramming noisily into one and discussing where they were going now.

“We’re going to walk a bit then catch the Underground…the Train to Tribeca,” Urs announced and Izzy smiled in agreement. Like him she was overloaded with being in a crowd and wanted some space now…and they still had to have their talk.

**

They stopped for take out coffees at one of the many cafes along the broad avenue, then wandered quietly, looking in shop windows, not talking much, both mulling over what needed to be said, what feelings the events of the day had created.

Urs sighed and tossed his empty container in a nearby trash can, laughing quietly when Izzy followed suit, hers missing and needing to be retrieved.

When she rejoined him he took her in his arms and hugged her tenderly to his chest, murmuring against the top of her head.

“It was hard to watch…I stopped breathing for a few minutes…but I can’t give you up. I dread the thoughts that will go through my head when you are away on a mission and I have no control over your safety. Is it always like that, Liebe?”

She leaned back so she could look in his eyes as she answered.

“I could lie and say it was a one time thing but I don’t want to lie to you…it happens, not always, and sometimes it’s only threats…it isn’t much more dangerous than when you take a commercial jet…you have no idea what crazies are on board with you…or when you cross those teeming streets in London…how many close calls have you had then?...or when you ride your bike and some driver takes offense at sharing the road with a biker and cuts you off?....we have to seize the day, live in the moment, Urs…life is too fleeting to let it pass us by because we are afraid.”

Urs must have looked like he was about to kiss her…a couple of passersby hesitated and smiled at each other, calling out ‘Go for it!’ and making him laugh.

“He’s right!!...and so are you…I can’t keep you cushioned in bubble wrap and tied to the kitchen where you might be safe…although it would be futile since you don’t cook much. But you have become wery important to me in such a short span of time…. I’m just out of my zone of experience…I hardly know how to deal with what you do…can you promise me that you will be careful, that you will try to remain in one piece?”

She went deeper into his arms and in spite of the uniform and the rules she was about to break, offered her mouth for a tender kiss.

“That, I can promise…”

**
They caught the Train to Tribeca but got off a few stops early when a couple of women who had managed to snag the seats in front of them kept staring at Urs then whispering to each other and giggling…even though they hadn’t done any touring yet, appearing in his Armani in public had given him away…he had been recognized.

He didn’t feel like dealing with it, not now, not when his free time and the days spent with Izzy were so close to an end so he nudged her towards the doors as they approached a station and she picked up on his mood instantly, not resisting when he wanted them to get off.

“Sorry, my little Major…I didn’t want to deal with fans right now. Do you mind walking some more or would you like to grab a cab?”

“I noticed them…think what it’s going to be like after you tour…you might as well be prepared to handle it Urs…you guys are going to be BIG!!...and you know I don’t mind walking. Tribeca is quite pretty at this time of day.”

Indeed it was.

The sun had set and the street lights were on, making the harshness of the city streets look softer, more attractive. Most of the shops were still open, wafting scents on the evening air from the bakeries and restaurants, a mixture of perfumes from a shop that specialized in blending scents keyed to individual body chemistry, the occasional whiff of laundry supplies from the Coin Laundry that was empty now and the laughter of people sitting on their front steps talking to neighbors, sharing a coffee or a beer before the evening chill or hunger drove them inside.

There was a line-up at the local movie house, one of the old fashioned ones, the last of a dying breed since most had been replaced by multi-plexes.

“It’s still a Mom and Pop operation,” Izzy said as they passed by, threading their way through the lineup with apologies that were met with smiles. “At Christmas time they have a special matinee for the kids, free admission and free popcorn…it’s a tradition they’ve been doing for years and gives the parents a chance to do some shopping without the kids tagging along….and once a month on a Friday night, they play the Rocky Horror Show at midnight…have you ever done that?”

Urs shook his head.

“I’ve seen it though…David had the video and played it a few times.”

Izzy chuckled.

“Not the same thing at all…at the theater a lot of the audience will be in costume and they sing along, boo and cheer, throw toast…it’s a riot but lots of fun. I’ll take you some time.”

“I’ve lived a very sheltered life, it seems…and I think hanging out with you that’s about to change.”

“You bet…just wait until Holi…traditionally it’s a Hindu celebration of spring and renewal that’s held the day after the full moon in March…but in Toronto since it’s cold then, the local chapter hold it in August…have you heard of it?”

He shook his head, smiling silently, knowing he was about to hear her version.

“Well, the story is that it was a Hindu festival in India that kind of got carried away. There used to be a very rigid caste system in India…if your skin was too pale or even too dark you were not considered pure and were shunned by the purists…the people got tired of it, so during the Spring festival to celebrate renewal and create good luck for the crops, someone started a tradition of tossing colored powder on everyone, sometimes colored water, to express the joy of the season and so everyone was multicolored and looked the same. Now it’s a day of relaxing inhibitions, of coloring everything and everyone, of dancing and singing and eating good food…total strangers will come up to you and wipe their wet, colored hands over your face and arms, sprinkle colored powder, made with corn starch and herbs on your clothes and everyone is covered green, blue, pink, yellow, a rainbow of colors… Everyone has a wonderful time, not a frown in sight…I’ve been I don’t know how many times and always laugh until my face aches…..my very streaked face…and hair and clothes…even Flossie gets her share. Would you go with me or does it sound too wild for you?”

“It sounds free and crazy and I’d love to go with you….no one likes to be laughed AT, most particularly the logical, staid Swiss…but to have the chance to laugh at yourself and everyone else sounds very liberating…we should probably all laugh at ourselves more often…next August we should try to go together.”

“Will your tour be over then?”

“Yes…it ends just after my birthday, in July.”

“And then what?”

“Work on another album and anything else that management lines up for us, and I’m sure they’ll be wanting to get their moneys worth… but first a couple of months off….we’ll need some time to rest for a bit after such a hectic tour.”

“Just think of all the Air Miles you’ll have accumulated…of course you won’t actually see much of the places you go…I know what that’s like.”

“It’s make or break time…if this tour doesn’t pull the fans in we won’t likely have the success that we need to continue…that’s why we’re all prepared to give it everything we’ve got.”

She slipped her arm around his waist and squeezed.

“It will be …I’ve heard your music, read the fan site…and I know how dedicated you all are….and I’ll be cheering you on whether I’m there in person or thousands of miles away.”

“From your mouth to Gott’s ear,” he said with a smile and leaned down to steal a kiss.

**

After a take away dinner of hearty Canneloni stuffed with 4 cheeses and a side of mixed salad from the same Italian place they had visited on their first night out, they sat at the kitchen table going over itineraries and trying to figure out where and when they could get together again. Neither had been very hungry, the impending separation weighing heavily on them though they tried to keep the mood upbeat, each for the other’s sake.

Urs schedule was crammed tight: Dublin rather than Stockholm to finish the tweaking of the CD, so they had been told today, then London for promotions and for a mini tour of TV morning shows throughout the UK, Paris for the same, then late November back to the USA for Christmas tree lightings and a mall concert in Washington, D,C.

Izzy had received orders during her visit to the UN and had a great deal more free time, with a few exceptions. She was needed for a seminar on Hostage Negotiations, had booked a medical conference that she really needed to attend and had one other appointment, this one in Brasilia, the capital of Brazil, with a gem dealer for a special order of gemstones. She would not officially be back to her ‘unofficial’ job until the doctor signed off on her recovery, probably sometime in early January.

“We have a nice window in November…could you join me in the UK and go on the mini tour with me? Then you could come back to the US with us and go on to your conference…that way we could have nearly 3 weeks together.”

He looked so hopeful that she wanted to hug him till he burst but resisted, merely taking his long fingered hand and squeezing.

“I think I can last until mid November…but it won’t be easy! Will you let me show you how to access your Messenger so we can talk on line?”

He grinned and nodded, warning her that he seemed to have a mental block when it came to using the computer.

She brought her lap-top to the table and sat beside him, walking him through the steps as he sent his mother an e.mail, then sent her a query asking to add her as an IM contact…it was very early morning in Switzerland but he received a reply instantly, in Schweizer of course which Izzy only understood portions of, but she got the gist of it…Mami was amazed and happy that her son was actually entering the Cyber Age.

“You will have to do the same thing on your own lap-top but now you know how…and I believe you said that both Seb and David are whizzes at computer stuff…I’m sure they would help you.”

She yelped when he suddenly pulled her from her chair and onto his lap, nuzzling her chest with the stubble he had decided not to remove until morning.

“Urs…that’s an awkward place to have a whisker burn,” she murmured but without much resistance since it did feel good…so long as it was gentle.

He raised his head and blinky winked at her, smiling and consulting his watch.

“We only have…9 hours and 23 minutes before I have to be at the airport…let’s see how many memories we can create between now and then…”

She grinned at him then tried to look serious.

“Sounds appealing but I have dishes to do.”

“Throw them out…I’ll buy you new ones…” He was already working on the rest of the buttons down the front of her shirt.

“I might not be in the mood, did you think of that?”

He merely grinned since she was busily slipping his belt through the loops to drop it on the floor and returning to begin on the buttons of his jeans.

“I think I could get you in the mood…” he replied with a soft, almost purring tone to his voice.

He slipped her shirt from her shoulders and began tracing the outline of lace on her pale blue bra with his eager mouth.

She grasped his tee and whipped it up over his head, tossing it in the direction of the sofa and sighing at the skin to skin contact as her hands toyed with the mat of hair on his chest.

“Clever design,” he murmured as he found and unhooked the front closure of her bra and slipped the straps off her shoulders.

She shivered as he filled his hands, arching her back and tugging at his jeans.

“You’re being difficult…stop sitting on your jeans, Swiss!! I want something to play with too!!”

His laughter was contagious as he rose to give her access, the offending garment sliding to his ankles, with a little help, taking his Calvins with them…she rearranged her legs to straddle his body and sighed….

“Well so much for the dishes,” but that was the last mundane thought spoken as he devoured her mouth…and they began building exquisite memories.

**

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO…SEPARATION

‘Oh god…is it going to be so hard every time we part?...I can’t let him see how upset I am…but it hurts so much!!...suck it up, girl!!...only a couple of weeks and then you should be able to spend almost 3 weeks with him…and maybe even Christmas…I’ll have Trudi go to Brasilia for me, she’ll like that…but what about his family?...how will they feel about a soldier with their ‘fair haired boy’?...don’t be silly…they must be nice…how could they have a man like Urs in the family without being good people?... this morning when we said our private good byes he was very careful not to say anything about being exclusive to each other…does that mean he doesn’t care if I see other men?...AS IF I could or would want to…will he date or something more with other women? I can’t bear the thought of him being with another woman…I’d want to hurt her!!!...Grow up!!!...you knew the score right from day one….you’ll get through this…somehow…’

She tried to smile when he looked down at her beside him and reached out to take her hand.

‘Where are you my sweet Bella? That’s not a real smile on those lovely lips…do you feel as torn as I do?...should I say something…Mein gott I want to ask her not to date anyone else, to promise her that I will wait until we are together again…surely she must know that no other woman can take her place…all I’m sure of at the moment is there are going to be a lot of cold showers in my immediate future until we’re together again…David, my friend, you are going to be busy showing me how to reach her on the computer…we have to keep in touch!! I can’t go all that time without some kind of contact…what if she cries…Scheisse, what if I do?’

They pulled into the unloading zone just as the last of the IL Divo luggage was being unloaded from the large van from the Hotel, the other 3 singers standing on the sidewalk sorting out tickets, passports and carry-on bags. Poor Seb was loaded down with Urs’ extra bags as well as Urs’ guitar case and his own and looked relieved to see his friend arrive.

It was fortunate, in a way, that there were so many people around. The tension they both had felt abated somewhat, neither willing to make a scene in front of so many others.

Izzy was kissed and hugged until she laughingly complained that her ribs would be bruised. Promises were made to be good, to keep healthy and get lots of sleep, to knock the socks off of audiences and for Isabella to get well and join them as soon as she was able.

Suddenly the reality was upon them and the others moved slightly away, trying to give the parting lovers a moment of semi privacy.

Urs leaned his guitar case against a litter bin and gathered her into his arms, burying his face in her hair and inhaling her scent for a memory to cherish.

“Bella…Mein Leibling!...Gott how I want to stay with you!...The time can’t pass quickly enough…”

She could feel the tears, so close to the surface, and bit her lip, trying to give herself something else to concentrate on.

“But it will pass, Urs…keep busy…and I’ll talk to you on IM…don’t look so apprehensive…David has promised to help you get it sorted.”

He cupped her face with his warm hands and searched her eyes, looking for some sign that she felt as he did, heartened when he saw the glint of tears she was trying to hold back.

“I know we said no strings and I’m not asking for a commitment from you…but just know there will be no-one else for me…I will think of you every day, talk to you when possible and keep myself only for you….”

Not looking around and not caring who saw them he gently kissed her, a tender joining of mouths that was a promise…she felt the tears coursing down her cheeks and did nothing to stop them, living in that moment of purity and savoring it to keep herself sane over the next few weeks.

“There is no room for another man in my arms or my heart…or my bed my Schweitzer Prinz…only you! Remember me!!”

“BUHLER!!”

Sam’s annoyed voice cut through the exhaust filled air of the loading zone and he crushed her tight then let her go, not able to steady her when she wobbled or he would have refused to leave.

Quickly he grabbed his guitar and carryon and jogged after the others, pausing at the automatic doors to look back at her tiny figure looking so abandoned and lost on the sidewalk beside the waiting taxi. One more wave ….. the insistent jabbing of Alicia’s
carryon in the small of his back moved him inside the terminal, the doors swished shut and he could no longer see her.

He looked back at Alicia and fairly snarled at her, an act so uncharacteristic for the normally collected Swiss that she stepped back in shock.

“Don’t EVER do that again!”

Again he jogged to catch up to the others then walked silently with them to the departure gate.

**

The apartment seemed to echo when she returned, the emptiness too much to bear and she quickly changed into sweats and went for a jog, trying desperately to keep occupied and not think of him winging away across the Atlantic, away from her.

She sprinted, going so hard and so far that she was winded and had to stop, lightly jogging in place to keep the cramps to a minimum since there was no willing Swiss masseuse around to massage her twitching legs.

Even the weather was gloomy today…after a lovely weekend it had now turned bitter cold and grey clouds scudded across the skies, darkening the day until the street light sensors became confused and turned on the power to pierce the gloom. Rain, or perhaps something more was a perfect counterfoil as far as she was concerned to this day of sadness.

She laughed at herself, wallowing in her despair like a lovesick teen.

‘Face it you fool…you love the man!!! You promised not to get serious and then just blithely went ahead and fell head over heels in love with him…of course I did…he isn’t like any man I’ve ever known…the way his face lights up when he’s happy, his gentleness, intelligence, that gorgeous body and voice…and he’s game for anything, yet not fool hardy…I love the way he cares about people and things, how he becomes so immersed in what he’s listening to, whether it’s a conversation or some new experience that someone is explaining…and he’s accustomed to posh surrounding now but right at home in our rustic cottage or here in this tiny apartment…and he can cook!!...What more could a woman ask for?’

Far above she could hear the muffled roar of a jet climbing to get above the cloud cover and wondered if it was his. She raised her hand to wave, dropping it to her hair self consciously in case some passing jogger saw what she was doing…childish acts were not something she did easily, at least not where she could get caught.

She smiled sadly and turned for home, somehow not as eager as usual to enter the cozy confines that seemed so empty without him.

**

In the first class section of the huge British Airways jet, Urs reclined the seat the moment the seat belt sign went out, leaning his head back and closing his eyes, not to sleep but to shut out the chat from his friends.

Was this what it felt like to have a heart attack, this tightness in the chest that radiated up into the tense muscles of his neck…tense because he wanted to scream, yell, run down the aisle and demand to be let off the plane, to stay with her just one more day…or year…or forever….but of course he couldn’t.

“It’s a week today, that’s all…we met a week ago in the rain…how appropriate that it looks like rain today too…Mein gott we’ve packed so much into these few days…I feel like I’ve known her forever and yet…everyday there was more to learn, more little pieces of the puzzle, the things that make her the unique person she is…I’ve never bonded with anyone like I have with Isabella…my Isabella!...we’re so suited for each other…well except for her job and the danger she keeps going into…but even that she does so well because she cares about people…our timing sucks though…I want so much to spend time with her, like a normal man and woman when they get to know each other…at least she understands how I have to work hard right now to help get this new project running smoothly…Gott our schedule doesn’t leave much personal time over the next 9 months…we’ll just have to steal what moments we can…Trudi should have that favor done by the time she comes over to the UK…I must remember to call her and have it sent to the UK…I hope she’ll like it…of course she will…she’s so easy to please…little things like that seem to make her happy…I should have asked David to take a photograph of us together, something I could carry in my wallet or frame to put beside my bed…that lovely face…how I’m going to miss seeing that smile in the morning…when she comes to the UK I’ll get him to take some…and then there’s Christmas…if only our schedules mesh for that…Mami will love her….’

The drone of the mighty engines lulled him to sleep…but it was memories of the time spent with a curly headed, freckled doctor that put the soft smile on his lips as he dreamt of their days…and nights… together.

**
The Chelsea flat was just as he had left it…with the addition of the dust covers the weekly cleaning company had put over the furniture and a stale smell from being closed up so long.

In spite of the cold air and the dampness outside he opened the balcony door to freshen the room and carefully removed the covers from his teak cabinets, sofa and chairs, the polished teak dining table and chairs…then took the covers into the bedroom to drop into the empty laundry hamper.

Unpacking didn’t appeal to him at the moment but he did it anyway, preferring to have shirts and suits that had the wrinkles shaken out, placing his shaving gear in the bathroom on the vanity and glancing with a grimace in the large mirror at his shaggy appearance. His face was shadowed with stubble, something he could easily take care of, but later…the shadows under his eyes were from travel, this much he was accustomed to now but the look of sadness was from already missing his Bella…that he couldn’t do much about…except try to IM her.

He went through into the Lounge, carting the folded up orange Mac laptop and flipping the lid open, bouncing his fingers on his knees impatiently as it booted up.

‘I can do this…she showed me how and made it look so easy…first click on the little picture…icon she called it…YES!!! …now…now what?...right…click on the thing that says Open Messenger….IT WORKED!!!...is she on?...what time is it there?...Early evening…please be on, Baby…’

His fingers seemed awkward as he typed in a query…this was harder than performing. He licked his dry lips, realizing that he had bitten the lower in his intensity when it began to sting as he clicked on ‘Send’ and watched the screen with unblinking eyes waiting for the hoped for response.

‘Looli says: Hi, mein Schatz…u there?’

He waited…

And waited…

Then cheered when words jumped out at him from the blank whiteness of the screen.

‘Major Medic says: And where else would I be but waiting to hear from you?

‘Looli says: I dreamt about you all the way across the Atlantic…I’ve been here all of 5 minutes…and got through on the first try…U R a great teacher…and I MISS YOU!!!!

‘Major Medic says: I couldn’t stand the apartment without you here…had to go for a run to keep from screaming…now that I’m back I keep looking at the sofa and picturing you stretched out reading…you have left a big hole in my life, my Swiss

‘Looli says: I have to go out for a while…get in some supplies…there’s not a crumb to eat in the whole place…except for some chocolate in one of the drawers…I never, ever run out of chocolate….when you come over I’ll make us a nice fondue… actually I’ll teach you how to make one…and if you look in the cutlery drawer in the kitchen I left you instructions for making Rosti…I do expect you to practice, Woman!

‘Major Medic says: You may make a cook out of me yet…I had the most terrible urge to go out and buy a cookbook right after I left the airport, you know, so I can practice…maybe I’ll surprise you…I mean how hard can it be?

‘Looli says: I’m willing to be your taster…of cooking as well as anything else on offer.

‘Major Medic says: Cheeky man!! Gott how I want to snuggle with you right now…it’s so cold today…I may even bring the hammock in to store for the winter…somehow it doesn’t have the same appeal without a long lean body to keep me warm.

‘Looli says: And I can’t wait to show you the UK…it’s cold and damp but has a beauty that shouldn’t be missed…we all have flats in Chelsea, kind of like Tribeca in a way…it’s a nice neighborhood with good people and bunches of little parks, great shopping in small markets…I know you’ve never had much chance to tour around the UK so we’ll do a bit of that…I thought if the weather is good we might take the bike on some of the trips….that way I won’t have to share you with the guys.

‘Major Medic says: There’s only one member of Il Divo that I want to share anything with…except friendship…you have changed my life, Subspeisen Eidgenosse *…making love was never important to me before since I had never experienced what you and I shared…now the next few weeks seem to stretch out before me in emptiness…don’t plan anything for when I first arrive…I have a feeling we are going to be rather busy.

*Translation: Sweet Swiss

‘Looli says: Mein gott what have I created? Do something for me, Baby… pretend I’m there with you…paint a word picture for me so I can be there in my mind, loving you….’

And they painted pictures for each other over the miles between them, pictures that heated bodies separated by distance but not by passion, words that told of feelings understood and enjoyed by lovers the world over.

**

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE B

Toronto…Two weeks later

‘Major Medic says: Guten Abend, SS. I finished my first seminar at Camp Borden…had forgotten how tiring talking to a bunch of students can be…but it was well received and I don’t have to do another until Friday so I have two whole days to play in the workshop….was surprised to see you online…thought you would already be in bed.

‘Looli says: Can’t go to sleep without a ‘Good Night’ from my favorite Doctor…the guys all say HI!!! …we are back from Dublin and in London still but tomorrow we load into buses for a jaunt to Cardiff for two days…I’m getting quite good at this computer stuff…actually posted a little thank you on the forum without sending it to myself!!

‘Major Medic says: I never doubted you for a minute!! I’m sure the fans will be very happy…they really do look forward to any little bit of contact they can get with you guys…the same as I do with you…we should up-grade to Skype so we can actually see each other…ask David and see if he knows about it and can give you help…I do long to see that cheeky grin …

‘Looli says: I’m not sure what that is but if it allows me to see you then I’m all for it…I’ll ask…what a lovely surprise to get my mail today and find the photo of you in that envelope…you must have read my mind…I was kicking myself that I didn’t have one to set beside my bed…my lonely bed!!!

‘Major Medic says: only 11 more days and it won’t be so lonely anymore…at least for a couple of weeks…we had our first snow of the winter this morning…nothing much and it didn’t stay on the ground but for a while on the drive up to Borden the fields looked so pretty with a covering of white…for some reason Flossie runs better when it’s cold, though her heater has seen better days…thought I would have frost bite in my toes by the time I arrived.

‘Looli says: Flossie and I will get along just fine…I function better in a cool climate too…I’m not looking forward to the southern states on the tour…I’ve heard that the weather even in winter can be brutal

‘Major Medic says: Poor Baby!! It sure will be tough in those air-conditioned posh hotels with the lovely swimming pools….though the venues with all those stage lights may be kind of hard to take… you guys may have to remove your jackets and have all the fans swooning at the acres of manly chests peeking out of undone shirts…just don’t you dare wax your chest hair or anything dumb…I love that curly mat!!!

‘Looli says: OUCH!!! Don’t worry, I will fight management if they suggest it…BTW I’m really fond of the freckles on yours…LOL…Are you going to work on my ring while you’re in the work shop?

‘Major Medic says: Yes, it’s my first priority…I saw Trudi yesterday and she gave me a small package for you…wouldn’t tell me what it was but said I should take it to you when I come over…don’t suppose you would care to let me in on the secret?

‘Looli says: You guessed right…NO!! It’s a surprise…my turn, Piccolo Dottore…’

Major Medic says: Argh!!! I hate it when you do that!! It’s impossible to get anything out of you… you are even more frustrating than Cody….’

‘Looli says: speaking of big brother…have you heard from him lately?’

Major Medic says: He’s back…in NY at the apartment and may be going to the cottage this week-end…if he does I may drop in before I fly out to the UK…so don’t be surprised if you get vetted…he’s very protective of me and no matter how many times I’ve warned him to butt out he doesn’t listen…unfortunately he has also always been right when he warned me off of some-one…he will like you though, once he gets over the ‘Singer’ profession

Looli says: And what’s the matter with a career as a singer…I think I’m hurt!!

Major Medic says: Urs you know full well that a lot of popular singers have bad reps…lots of girls, partying, and all that…just because you guys are all so ‘Normal’ doesn’t mean all singers are…like your music and your voices, you guys are exceptions to the usual lifestyles….and you know it!!

Looli says: Actually I’m glad he cares enough about you to want what’s best for you…so long as it’s a certain Swiss tenor who adores you!!

The screen remained ominously blank for a few moments as she tried to think how to respond to this declaration.

‘OMG!! He almost said he loves me…does he? Should I try to make light of what he said or get serious?...this isn’t something that we can talk about seriously in cyberspace…best I make a joke out of it….but I so wish that I knew how he really feels…he’s so practical, logical…it’s too early for him to commit…even telling me at the airport that there would be no other women for him was a breakthrough…face it girl, just because you already know that you love him beyond reason, doesn’t mean he loves you the same…but I wish he did!!’

Major Medic says: Well I guess you’re stuck with me then since you are the only Swiss tenor I know…but if he comes to the UK with me it will be because he has found out about your sordid past and the stable of women you keep on call.

Looli says: LOL…my past is clean as the proverbial whistle…and my stable has been emptied…sent them all e.mails and told them they have been replaced by someone perfect….seriously Liebe, I’ve never really been a player and now that I’ve found you I don’t want anyone else in my life…you are all the woman I can handle or want to…and I miss you so much!! It rained last night and I fell asleep thinking about that first night, at the cottage…it was so out of character for me to be so bold but I wanted to be close to you so much that I ached…the words kind of slipped out without thinking

Major Medic says: for me too…you wouldn’t believe how much I wanted to let my hands wander when I dressed that cut on your leg…it was only that I was in shock at the feelings I had that kept me from doing something rash….you brought me to life that night, Urs…and if we keep talking like this I’m going to resign my commission and hop on the next flight to you.

Looli says: Works for me…We could run away together, live in a hut somewhere and just make love 24 hours a day…or maybe wait another 10 days and let the anticipation build….I want to take you on the bike, show you the countryside of the UK, teach you how to cook, plan Christmas with you, sing for you when I’m on stage….and love you until you beg for more….

Major Medic says: well so much for our ‘No commitment’ pledge…I’ve never felt like this about anyone before…you have so quickly become the center of my universe…I think about you every waking moment, dream about you when I sleep…not just the mind boggling sex, but all the little things…the way you smile, the scent of your body laying next to mine, your wicked sense of humor, the quick way you have of understanding anything new and the way your eyes light up when you are happy…Urs…I need you…NOW!!

She could see that he was typing something but it went on for several minutes before he sent the message, his typing skills much slower than hers…but worth waiting for as the message, and the ones to follow, told her how he felt, describing what he would do to make her happy if he were there….Much later they reluctantly signed off, Urs to contentedly sleep and dream of the cottage again, Izzy to put in time before sleeping by reading the same page of a medical journal many, many times, smiling and thinking of her Swiss lover, thousands of miles away, but so close in her heart.

The day had gone remarkably well: first the two and a half hour drive after they got out of the congestion of London, then the posh Hotel over looking Cardiff Bay where they had lunch and got ready for the appearance at the Mall for a meet and greet, signing autographs and the copies of their CD that fans had purchased. After a break for dinner they all relaxed, nothing more on the agenda for the evening so each of the guys spent their time in their own pursuits.

Urs skipped dinner and went to the Hotel gym to workout, preferring that to jogging in the chill of the evening air, the dampness of this coastal city not conducive to keeping his voice in shape. Anyway, he preferred working on the treadmill and the Universal, a mindless occupation that allowed him plenty of time to think.

As so often happened lately, his thoughts centered on his feelings for Isabella and the anticipation of her visit in just 10, no 9 more days.

‘I can’t believe how much I care about her, so quickly and so deeply…I’m not a teen who should have these almost instant crushes…Gott knows I’ve had more than my share of relationships…well maybe not that many but at least ones that lasted for long periods, and always with someone that I knew well, a kind of escalating thing that grew over time as we got to know each other….there was just something about her, right from the moment she opened the door…why now? Why now when there is so little time for us to be together? …how do Carlos and David make their long distance relationships work so well?....it doesn’t seem to have an effect on their performances but for me…Gott, I missed that cue during RAM, almost got the words messed up because I was thinking about her….I have to find some way of getting back my focus, like I could before….would it be better if she were here, with me?...I guess we’ll see while she tours around with us….get your brain back in your head where it belongs, Buhler and out of your jeans!!!...that’s not fair…I miss more than just the incredible sex…her smile, that funny little laugh, the way she has of rubbing her thumb across the back of my hand when we hold hands, the teasing when I go back for an extra dessert, the sparkle in her eyes when she has some surprise planned….and that satin smooth skin when we make love and she presses against me, uninhibited, matching my passion with her own…..with Izzy there’s never an ‘I don’t do that’ or ‘sorry not tonight, I’m tired’ or ‘good grief Urs don’t you ever get enough?’…. and she likes to just snuggle sometimes too, not expecting me to perform constantly…though we were pretty active those days in NY…honeymoon stage I suppose…will she be different now?....not likely, judging by the talks we have enjoyed online…..I’ll bet she bought at least one cookbook!!! She’s so willing to learn new things…and so intelligent…I love the discussions we have, even when we disagree…this dangerous work bothers me, though I am proud of her…and she looks so good in her uniform…I try not to let her see how much it does…I know she’s careful and her work is important…it just tears me apart thinking of her being injured…or worse….I suppose in time I’ll get used to it….in time…even subconsciously I tend to think of us being together for a long time….I can’t even think about a time when she isn’t with me….WHOA!!!! …..slow down!!...this isn’t part of the master plan: get this adventure with the guys up and running until we are successful enough to begin calling the shots…THEN it will be time to make any life altering decisions of a personal nature….Izzy knows that and understands…doesn’t she?’

He left the gym and stripped in the locker room to his swim trunks, dove in the pool and did lap after lap, pushing himself so he wouldn’t do any more serious thinking. When he could feel the burn in his arms, back and legs he went for a quick, soapless shower to rinse off the chlorine, checked his watch as he was getting dressed and decided to venture into the Hotel restaurant for a late dinner.

He looked around to see if anyone he knew was in the comfortable room…it wasn’t likely since the guys had dined earlier…David had mentioned a new video game…Seb and Carlos had decided to check out the night life and would likely still be bar hopping. He always found that amusing since Carlos drank nothing stronger than diet Coke and Seb’s usual drink of choice was a nice red wine that he would sip at slowly over the course of the evening.

He chose a table to the side of the room when the hostess offered him his choice. The dining room wasn’t very busy, most people already having dined and gone on to other pursuits. He ordered a beer and was scanning through the menu when he sensed someone standing beside the table….Alicia.

They hadn’t spoken much since leaving NY, not something that had been planned, just circumstances…she was busy with her work and he with his…the nudge in the back was all but forgotten though she seemed a bit timid as if she remember how he had snarled at her.

“Urs, I never apologized for pushing at you at the airport…I was having a very bad day and took it out on you…I’m so sorry.”

He smiled, prepared to at the very least be civil.

“It’s forgotten, ‘Licia….I was a bit touchy that day too…have you had dinner?”

She smiled back, a friendly look with no hidden meanings that he could discern.

“No…I had some paperwork to fax for Sam and got tied up…I just came in now to grab something.”

Good manners made him ask, that was the only excuse he could find for the next words out of his mouth.

“Me too…Join me…I haven’t even ordered yet.”

‘It’s just dinner…then why do I feel like I’m cheating?’

They were quiet for a few moments, checking out the menus. Urs signaled the waitress and ordered a white wine for Alicia, her usual beverage, then they both ordered dinner and sat back to wait for the appetizers to arrive, staving off hunger by nibbling on the bread sticks already on the table.

“So have you made plans for the Christmas break yet?” he asked, wanting to keep the conversation light.

“Yes…going home to visit Mom and Dad…it will be quiet…my brother and his family are going to his wife’s parents this year so no kids racing around underfoot.”

“That’s right…he has 3 or 4 little ones doesn’t he?”

“Five…all under 10 years…little hellions…you wouldn’t believe how much noise they can make.”

Urs grinned at her, noting the look of distaste that had come over her face. She was a pretty woman, blonde hair, admittedly from a bottle but nicely kept up, fine features, brown eyes that unfortunately didn’t match the hair and a tall slender body that she seemed to keep in shape with little effort. A flash of memory flitted across his mind, memory of that one night when he had used bad judgment, of Alicia naked, in his bed. It didn’t take any great will power to shut the memory down…it had not been memorable.

“I get the feeling you don’t like children,” he commented, not as an accusation just a statement of fact.

“Not much…if I accidentally have any, I’d better have enough money for a good nanny to raise them…I really don’t see why I should like them just because they’re younger than me.”

He laughed and shook his head in wonder.

“You may change your mind if you meet the right man….personally, I want a family…maybe 5 or 6 kids…I’m really looking forward to the day that particular dream comes true.”

She shivered her shoulders as if the thought was abhorrent to her.

“Well you’re a man …you won’t have to go through all that messy, painful part…and the way things are looking with Il Divo you’ll be rolling in money…you can have a nanny for each of them.”

He was saved from commenting further by the arrival of the appetizers and when they had begun on them the conversation changed, as it so often did over dinner, to food.

**

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE B….TOGETHER AGAIN

David was in the laundry room of the Chelsea building when he heard the thuds as someone came barreling down the stairs. Instinctively he knew who it was and moved away from the door.

It was a smart defensive move as Urs barreled in, his arms full of a wicker laundry hamper, box of soap powder and a large bottle of softener.

“Hey man, slow down! You’re going to burn out before she gets here!!”

Urs grinned at him, dumping the pre-sorted darks in one machine and the lights in another then flipping the hamper to the floor as he fished in his pocket for change.

“I want everything to be perfect…I still have to run to the market and pick up some cut flowers…what do you think, should I take some to the airport too? And Seb promised to choose some wine for me but he hasn’t come around yet…I should phone him again….”

David cracked up laughing, holding his stomach and leaning back against one of the throbbing machines.

“You’re acting like a young guy on his first date…I couldn’t believe it when I came by earlier and you were vacuuming…that’s what we have a housekeeping service for, Buddy.”

“Well, that was yesterday she was here…and I needed to polish the cabinets… there were fingerprints on them…guess I am a bit jazzed…it just seems such a long time since I could actually touch her…only 7 hours and 13 minutes to go.”

He fed coins into the slot and depressed the plunger, checked the settings and leaned against the machine with a sigh.

“Do you feel like this when Trish is joining you? ….this anxiety, the way the hours seem to slow down, wanting everything to be just right, perfect for her…I even made ice cubes since North Americans have this thing about putting them in their drinks…and I need to shave again before I go to the airport…”

David was still laughing and leaned closer to inspect Urs’ clean shaven face.

“You need to shave what? How many times have you shaved already today? Your face is like a baby’s bum it’s so smooth!”

“Twice…well ackshully three times…I don’t want her to get whisker burn….Mein gott I’m so nervous, happy but nervous…what if she’s changed?...do you think I have?”

“Definitely!!” David answered with an evil grin. “You’re more outgoing, happier than I’ve ever seen you …and completely out of control!!!...Urs if her feelings for you had changed you would have got an e.mail saying she wasn’t coming…and…”

“Mein gott!!! I should check my messages!”

He was out the door and taking the stairs 3 at a time before David could stop laughing long enough to curb his panic.

David followed behind, slowly, reaching the open flat door just as Urs sat back in his rolling chair with a sigh.

“The last one is just before she left for the airport…she’s on the way…I know, I know…CALM DOWN!!...”

He sat back in the chair and forced himself to take some deep cleansing breaths, looked up at David and began laughing.

When they both could speak again, Urs tossed David a box of tissues, keeping a few to wipe his streaming eyes and went semi-calmly to the kitchen to fetch them each a beer.

“Okay…I’m calm now…but seriously how do you handle it? Everyday the pressure kept getting stronger and I felt myself on the verge of panic…a lot of what ifs, even more scenarios of disaster…she would hate the flat, she changed her mind, she found someone else, someone better looking, stronger, able to give more of himself…”

“You have a habit of over thinking a situation, my friend…just enjoy the fact that this gorgeous woman is flying across the entire ocean just to be with you…not some other guy…YOU!!!...have a little faith, in Izzy, in yourself.”

Urs sat in one of the comfortable lounge chairs and nursed his beer, running the cold bottle over his sweaty brow then taking a long pull of the cooling liquid.

“She’s wery…very… special to me, Davey…I’ve never felt like this about anyone before…I thought it would be difficult to be celibate while we were apart but it hasn’t been…well not completely celibate thanks to the wonders of cyberspace but no other women....Alicia even made a blatant attempt to creep into my bed and I turned her down…she just doesn’t get the message…I don’t understand why she’s so persistent.”

The smile disappeared from David’s face and he leaned forward, speaking firmly.

“You have no idea do you? Alicia is predatory, Urs…she wants to be attached to a rising star, someone with money or who will soon have both fame and money… it helps that you have this mysterious aura and a drop dead body, that voice, your cheeky smile…you, my friend, are a prime target…she isn’t the only one interested, just the only one who really, really wants to have a trophy rich guy as her ‘catch’. Tell Izzy about her approaching you…I’ve learned to NEVER, EVER keep stuff like that from Trish…they always find out and then they’re ticked that you kept it a secret.”



While Urs was still processing what David had said, Sebastien appeared in the still open doorway, loaded down with bags from the local vintners.

“’Allo…’ave you calmed down yet, my friend? I found some perfect vin for you…I put it on your card and will leave town the day you get your bill…good wine is not in-expensive but so worth the price.”

He carried the bags through into the kitchen, coming back out a few minutes later to put some of the bottles in the wrought iron wine rack.

“When I passed the flower stalls they were just getting a fresh supply of blossoms…you should go now before they are picked over.”

Urs was out the door almost before Seb had returned to the kitchen to pour himself a glass of red wine from the bottle waiting on the counter. The two singers laughed and settled down to wait for his return, laying a bet on the number of bundles of flowers he would return with.

“I really don’t care if I win or not,” Seb said with a smile. “It is good to see our young Swiss so happy.”

“Did he take his keys? I have laundry in…so does Urs…”

“I will wait for his return…I see his keys hanging on the rack by the door…you know the housekeeper would do your laundry if you asked?”

David rose from the sofa and grinned.

“I’ve been doing my own since I was about 12…I’m too old to change now….”

He waved as he left and Seb eased back in the chair, smiling as he thought about how keyed up Urs was, sure he had never seen him so happy in the months they had been working together.

**

Even though she had slept little the night before, sleep was impossible for Izzy as she fidgeted in her seat, slipping her shoes off and wiggling her toes in the plush carpeting that covered the raised foot rest.

First class beat H**l out of military transpo, that was a given…..strangely she had always been able to zone out enough to sleep on the narrow benches of the noisy military carriers, leaning against the vibrating thin metal walls…no amenities, not even a decent head and the only food, whatever she had remembered to pack in her duffle.

She smiled at the flight attendant who came by offering anything she desired from the drinks cart, declining anything alcoholic and accepting the cold juice with pleasure.

Urs had booked the flight for her, insisting that she fly first class, claiming that with all the points he had amassed lately it would cost next to nothing. Somehow she was sure that he would have insisted even if he hadn’t had points to use.

She wondered if he was excited too. Her stomach was full of butterflies that had nothing to do with flying…no, it was the thought of actually seeing him again, of being able to touch his warm skin, of watching those amazing eyes light up with pleasure…

‘They will light up when he sees me, won’t they?...Oh I hope he hasn’t changed how he feels about me, about us!!....I couldn’t bear it if he has…silly girl…he would have found some way to get out of this time we plan to be together…I should have dressed up more…this outfit is comfortable for sitting so long but it isn’t very dressy for meeting someone so important in your life…oh Urs, you could do so much better than me…you need someone who is classy, who can be there for you all the time, not just when our schedules allow…and I’m not exactly a glamour girl…this damned curly mop of hair…freckles for gawds sake…no one classy has freckles…why don’t they?…do they have them removed? OUCH!! That sounds painful….’

She laughed aloud at her mind’s foolish wanderings then looked around guiltily, meeting the gaze of the woman across the aisle who smiled at her, not understanding her laughter but willing to share it.

She decided to replay the memory of climbing the Bridge, leaning back in the roomy seat, her eyes closing as she smiled, thinking of him so intent on keeping his footing as the cable swayed, of his smile as he stared out over the expanding vista of the East River and the city spread below them….and the next thing she knew the Flight Attendant was pressing on her shoulder, offering lunch,…only another 2 hours and 17 minutes till touch down.

**

He was early…well, not surprising since he was after all, Swiss.

He scanned the arrivals board and found her flight…ETA unchanged, on time, so that meant he had at least half an hour before the flight landed…then at least another half hour while she waited for luggage…it would be the longest hour of his life.

The concourse with its crowd of people held no interest but he wandered through it, even passing by the sweet smelling candy kiosk that beckoned with racks of Toblerone and Lindt chocolate. A shoe store caught his eye but he couldn’t settle to inspecting the boots on display and wandered off again, stopping to purchase a coffee and sipping at it as he strolled, resisting the urge to check his watch more than once every 4 or 5 minutes.

‘OMG!!...I’m going to taste like coffee…what a great first impression when she comes through the gate…’

He looked around, in an irrational panic, spotted the store he wanted and raced inside, apologizing to a lady he nearly knocked off her feet in his haste. Toothpaste, a brush and a small mouthwash, pay for them and then a search for a lavatory. Five minutes later, the offending coffee long gone in the rubbish, the used one-time-only teeth-cleaning products as well, he emerged and went to check the arrivals board once more…just in case she had landed, de-planed, collected her luggage and gone through customs, all in the five minutes he was becoming fresh and tasty again.

This time he decided to just wait, finding a spot near the front of the waiting throng and watching the automatic doors avidly, not even leaving when he remembered the small bouquet of roses he had left in the Lavatory…he wasn’t leaving again until his Bella was in his arms.

As always the military stamp on her passport was enough to speed her through the red tape of passport control…but it hadn’t helped when it came to waiting for her pre-cleared luggage. She was good at traveling light, under normal circumstances, but for this trip, since she would be in civies the whole time she had a large suitcase as well as the carryon and her lap-top…which of course meant waiting for the luggage with the flaming red wool pom-pom tied to the handle to appear on the carousel.

A very well meaning young man had tried to strike up a conversation with her, offering to pull her luggage off the belt since ‘you’re such a tiny little thing…it might just pull you off your feet’. She was polite but icy, looking at him with steely eyes that made him back off immediately and switch his attentions to a young blonde who was over-joyed to accept his help.

Finally!!!

Izzy leaned onto the belt and grasped the handle of her suitcase, using momentum to swing it off the belt and directly onto the cart she had waiting. She smirked at the gaping mouth of the pesty young man as she sailed on by, almost running to the double doors that opened automatically.

The moment was surreal, as if someone had aimed a spotlight directly on the grinning, dimpled face of the man who waved madly then ducked under the polished metal railing and took long strides to engulf her in his arms. She had spotted him instantly, even without his ‘back of the house’ roar of her name, without the smile that stretched his face and made his eyes crinkle at the corners…Security made a feeble attempt to stop him from approaching but he was too swift, his warm arms clutching her to his chest before the guard could intercede.

All her doubts and questions evaporated as he nestled his face into her neck, whispering love words in German, his lips brushing against her skin, then trailing over her face, pausing while his moist eyes drank in the sight of the tears streaming down her cheeks…their lips met in a tender dance…and the weeks of separation were over, forgotten in the passion that was so close to the surface that breathing was difficult.

“Welcome home, my Piccolo Dottore.”

She laughed and squeezed his arm as he began to maneuver the luggage cart through the people still waiting for their loved ones.

“How did you know that’s how I feel? The minute your arms went around me I felt like I had come home. Oh Urs, I’ve missed you so much.”

“Me too…Bella, I had flowers for you but I left them in the washroom when I brushed my teeth…I’m sorry.”

She smiled up at him.

“So that’s why you taste so minty fresh…never mind…it’s the thought that counts…and maybe some other guy will find them and give them to his girl, so they won’t be wasted. Did you drive or are we cabbing it?”

“Cab…the guys convinced me that I was too jazzed to drive…I have apparently been a bit hyper today, making them crazy… Baby, I’m so happy you’re here.”

He stopped, leaned over and kissed her again, his hand cupping her head while her arms circled his waist. They made an endearing couple, both in jeans and short leather jackets, Izzy with half boots with a stacked Cuban heel and Urs in a pair of his trademark high boots, this pair of red and grey snakeskin, both with riotous curly hair and both so oblivious to the rest of the world that anyone watching had to smile.


It took a great deal of effort to wait patiently in the queue for a cab but at last they had loaded in her luggage, given the address and were seated in the back,

Isabella leaned her head on his shoulder, inching her hand into the opening of his jacket to squirm under his shirt and rest gently against his stomach. He hissed through his teeth when her fingers began making circles in the vee of hair that arrowed down his body and leaned his head into the crook of her neck, turning slightly to face her, their chests almost touching.

“Don’t tease!” His voice was raspy even though he only whispered.

“I’m not…I’m very serious!” she answered in a strained whisper and wiggled her mouth closer to his neck, tilting just enough to nip at his earlobe with her strong teeth.

Time for retaliation…he pinned her against the seat and devoured her, feasting off her mouth, her slender, sensitive neck, the opening he nudged aside of her cotton shirt, crushing her torso against his, swinging one leg over hers to scissor her closer, to let her feel what kissing her was doing to his body.

With reluctance he assumed control for both of them, slowing his kisses, gentling his touch…she was incapable of movement, limp and euphoric in his arms, her eyes closed, a dreamy smile on her bruised lips.

“I get the feeling you’re happy to see me…” she murmured as he rested his head beside hers on the seat back.

“I’m glad you noticed…by the way, great planning…button shirts are so much easier than tees.”

She raised her head enough to glance down at the expanse of skin and lacy bra poking out of her undone shirt and groaned, quickly pulling the edges together and stealing a peek at the driver. He seemed to have his eyes strictly on the road, in fact had turned his rear view mirror so it viewed merely the ceiling of the cab, not the back seat….. Seems this was not the first time he had transported over-eager lovers from the airport.

“Urs, do we have to join the others for dinner tonight…I mean I like them but…”

“Not a chance…the fear of bodily harm has been impressed on them, so unless one of them suddenly has a death wish we won’t see them until tomorrow. Tonight you are mine!!”

He curled his arm around her and nestled her against his side, pointing out various points of interest as they entered the Metropolitan area. It was dark now, night having fallen completely while they were in the airport and the street lights were on, illuminating the well kept properties. The streets were busy but not crammed, the odd double decker bus swooshing by stirring the damp air, every third vehicle a taxi-cab it seemed and many people on bicycles or motor bikes.

Izzy had been to London before but, as was common on her trips to major cities, they were just fleeting official trips, no time for sightseeing. She was always amazed at the size of the vehicles here, even the trucks looking like toys compared to the gas-guzzling behemoths of North America. London itself was a surprise…it was so clean compared to many of the places she went to and so well maintained, the black of the wrought iron railings freshly painted, the gilt or paint on the buildings shining and clean, the streets relatively free of debris…and everywhere, parks, small pocket sized, larger with mature trees sheltering the animals and humans, little or large slices of green oases to refresh the spirit and create breathable air.

They went through an area that reminded her of Tribeca and the cab slowed, coming to a stop in front of a 4 storey building with small balconies on the upper floors, little pocket gardens on the main floor and lights shining behind the draperies of many of the windows.

Home.

**

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR…PICNIC, WITH ANTS

Suddenly there was tension between them as they entered the building, Izzy carrying her computer and shoulder bag, Urs pulling the suitcase with her carryon looped over his shoulder. He held the door for her and indicated to the right for the elevator, the lift he called it, and the use of the English term made her smile.

It was the last apartment on the right on the third floor, at the end of the hall, chosen, he said as he unlocked the door, since it had a wrap around balcony.

She went in and he reached to the wall to click on the lights, the master switch turning on lamps in the Lounge as well as the sconces in the hallway.

“Oh…this is lovely!! Urs, you have a flair for decorating…OMG are those cabinets teak? They’re beautiful!...and the flowers…you must have bought out a flower store.”

He had come back earlier with several armfuls of blossoms, so many that the florist’s son had to help carry them home….exotic blooms, Roses, Alstromeria, Orchids, the heady scented Carnations, long stemmed Streilitzia in individual splendor in tall slender vases…

“Do you like it? I wanted to be sure you know how special it is to me to have you here.”

She turned to him, smiling but her eyes glistening as if she might cry any moment.

“I was so nervous…I thought you might have changed… might not really want me…”

He was only an arms length away suddenly, reaching out and holding his hands out to her. She stepped into his embrace and all the tension drained away.

“Not want you? How could you think that? All I’ve thought about for days is that you were coming…I drove the guys nuts counting down the days, then the hours, the minutes, getting the place perfect for your arrival…. Bella…do you need to unpack? I want…I need…Ach! Herfahren! Lasse mich Liebe Sie!”
{Come here! Let me love you!}

Control went out the window, patience ended, only passion was left, passion too long denied…he lead…she followed…she took control…he complied eagerly…they were perfectly in tune in an intricate dance with only one goal…to become one.

**

Izzy nestled closer to his warm chest, not yet ready to give up the lovely feeling of laying in his arms. He muttered in his sleep, his breath warm against her brow, the arm he had flung across her tightening briefly before he slipped back into the realm of dreams.

‘Well so much for all my silly worries that he had changed…you are such a tender, loving man, Urs Buhler…and gott help you, you seem to want me in your life….I feel so… so…cherished when he shares love with me….what do you see in my eyes when you touch me, Urs?...do you see the joy you bring to me, the longing I have to make you happy, to bring you the same feelings you offer me so freely…that was so cute, wanting to leave the light on…actually it was more than cute…I love to watch how his eyes change, the way they become hooded and dark with passion, the way his muscles ripple when he moves….and when he hums as he’s loving me I feel it right to the ends of my hair, to my toes…’

She felt the ripples as he moved his arm and glanced at his face to see that his eyes were open and watching her.

“You’re quiet…you alright?”

She smiled then dropped her gaze to his chest.

“Just taking inventory…you’ll be happy to know that all the parts are in the proper places.”

He laughed and rolled them over so she was stretched full length on top of him.

“Good…I’d hate to have to go searching for any missing bits…Izzy I have something to confess.”

‘NO!! He’s going to tell me that there was someone else while we were separated…Urs you promised!!...Calm down oh ye of little faith!....he did promise and I shouldn’t doubt him…I can’t doubt him…it would destroy me!’

“I haven’t eaten all day…just couldn’t while I was waiting…I’m starving!”

She braced her torso on her arms and bent back, looking down at him in consternation.

“That’s it? That’s the confession? You scared the beejezus out of me, Urs…I thought you were going to say there was someone else or you robbed a bank or joined a cult…”

She rolled off and took a double handful of hair, pulling as hard as she could, making him laugh and yelp at the same time.

“Owwww!!...Mercy!!...Sorry I was just trying to wind you up…and now I wish I hadn’t…Izzy, what do you mean someone else? I promised there wouldn’t be and I meant it…you are all the woman I can handle…well sort of handle…Owwwww! Mercy, Baby or I’ll be called the bald tenor ….”

He pinned her hands to the bed and leaned down to kiss her gently, earning himself a nip on his lower lip.

“I mean it, Liebe…no one else….what we share is only with you….there have been offers but I shooed them away….I don’t want any other woman.”

He leaned down to kiss her again, hesitating and wondering if she would nip at him again but this time she leaned into his kiss with a sigh.

“I’m sorry…I’ve been called cold so many times it amazes me that you can make me feel so much passion… I’ll work on my insecurities, I promise…so tell me about these women who were chasing you…do I need to kill anyone?”

He laughed and pulled her up with him to sit on the edge of the bed, reaching for his discarded shorts then going to the wardrobe and getting one of his long sleeved shirts for her to wear.

“Maybe I’d better not give you any names….a couple of the girls in the crew made some moves but I told them politely that there was someone special in my life and they backed off…and there was one from management who was a bit more aggressive, actually came to my room but I told her not to come near me again and shut the door on her…David thinks she’s looking for a wealthy guy to take care of her.”

“Her I should kill!!” she said with a frown and deep voiced growl.

“It’s handled…now come and see what’s in the fridge…I’ve been a very busy boy, planning our first night together after so long.”

He helped her roll the sleeves up so she had access to her hands and did up some of the buttons down the front of the shirt, taking advantage of the proximity and cupping her bosom in his hands, juggling them gently while she squirmed.

“They aren’t toys, Swiss!”

“Yes they are…MY toys!...my favorite toys!...the ones I’ve always wanted and never quite had before…it’s like you were built especially for me.” He grinned and leaned in to kiss the opening of her shirt. “And I’ve found I love freckles too.”

“I thought you were hungry?”

“For food? Well yes, that too.”



Laughing, they went to the kitchen to see what kind of feast they could find.

**

Urs had a smug look on his face as they crossed the Lounge and entered the kitchen. Izzy knew he had some kind of surprise planned and began to tickle his sensitive ribs, trying to find out just what was going on… but to no avail.

The kitchen was small, a galley type with a center aisle, appliances on one side and counters on the other. They washed their hands at the sink and dried them on a crisp white linen towel, an act that took a while since he insisted on kissing her fingers individually to check for dryness…only the growling of his stomach and her little rumble as well drew them back to the current project.

He indicated a wicker basket which was perched on the counter and told Izzy she was in charge of it, that she should see if her ‘chicken wings’ could manage to bring it to the Lounge…then he scooted back out of the room, leaving her leaning on the counter laughing at his departing back.

When she entered the Lounge moments later he was just dropping something on the blanket he had spread on the floor, something that looked suspiciously like….giant chocolate ants!!

“TA DA!!!!!” he crowed with the appropriate arm flourish.

“A picnic…an indoor picnic…and complete with marauding ants!! You are so corny!! I love it!!”

A couple of extra little items completed the scenario…he moved some of the flowers onto nearby tables to create a bower, angled the globe of the chrome lamp that swept in an arc over the black leather sofa so that it shone on the blanket…the sun, he explained, though it was pretty obvious and helped her sit cross legged with the basket between them.

A quick flip of the lid and the contents were spread out for them to feast on: succulent chicken in a cold pack, salads, plates and utensils, fresh bread with spreads, fruit cut into segments, decadent desserts fairly oozing with chocolate and wine {which to be honest he forgot and had to make a hasty foray into the kitchen to get, along with two goblets].

They were both ravenous and filled their plates, talking between mouthfuls, about the meet and greets so far, the sales of the CD, her seminar and the reaction of the students.

During a lull Urs sat watching her as she reached for a second, or was it third, piece of chicken, grinning as she caught him staring and raised her brows in question.

“I like to watch you eat…you enjoy food so much…none of this picking at a salad for you…have you always been a hearty eater?”

“Always…but then I’ve always been very active…Mom used to say she should own a grocery store so she could buy groceries wholesale…but really she loved to feed us…it seemed she was always cooking or baking something…our cookie jar was never empty when I was growing up.”

“She sounds like a woman I would have liked…a lot like my mother…I used to bring my classmates home after school, knowing that she would be happy to feed us and the house would smell of baking…that’s one thing I really miss…the scent of baking when I come in the door.”

Izzy finished the wing she had decimated and put it with the other bones, grabbing a crunchy pickle on the return trip.

“I may have some news about Christmas…Cody IM’d me…he will be back about the time we go to NY for your tree lighting…he has a new girlfriend so will be staying with her and has plans to go to Montreal to be with her for Christmas….and my leave has been extended to January 10th, unless there is an emergency. So it looks like I’m all yours over Christmas.”

“YES!!! We can go skiing, ride in the foothills on some of the trails …a cousin has a couple of Sno Cats…you can meet the family, go with me to the pub and meet old friends…Mein Gott…I’m so happy!!!”

He leaned over the remains of the dinner, catching her shoulders in his hands and raining kisses on her laughing face.

“What about presents, Urs? I’d like to at the very least take something for your Mama.”

He picked up the fruit that his enthusiasm had tipped over onto the blanket and smiled.

“We don’t go overboard, Liebe…there’s just too many of us…something personal for Mami if you like and we can go shopping in NY for an assortment of things for the little ones…anything else, like something from me to the girls or my brother we exchange on Christmas Eve so no one gets embarrassed…mostly it’s about the kinder and getting together for a huge meal.”

“I could make something for your Mama…Mami…do you know, would she like jewelry?”

“If you make it, she’ll love it…she loves hand-crafted things…says they come from the heart.”

Izzy made as if to rise and he looked up, mildly disappointed that she was ending their picnic.

“I’ll be back…I just remembered something I have for you…we can’t end the picnic yet…the sun hasn’t gone down.”

She laughed and untwined her legs, making him groan and reach for her when she flashed him, her pink bottom peeking from under the edge of the shirt as she rose.

“Down boy!! Later!!!” she teased and hustled into the bedroom to rummage through her carryon.

Urs had packed up most of the main course when she returned, leaving the desserts and fruit on the coffee table which he insisted was a log at the edge of their picnic site….the ants he perched on the edge of the fruit platter….strangely, one of them seemed to have been decapitated during the transfer and Urs had a tiny speck of chocolate on his lower lip.

“Trudi gave me this to give to you,” she said, this time sitting next to him with their knees touching and handing him an oblong package inside a brown envelope. “ And I have this for you…I finished it…”

The second package was obviously a ring box…his ring that he had asked her to make with the gemstone from the quarry.

It was perfect. She had excised most of the flashing red/gold gemstone, leaving a tiny piece of the host stone on one edge and lightly polished the natural facets of the stone, encasing it in an irregular mount of platinum that was slightly raised, the band that would encircle his finger twisted in an uneven pattern that added to the natural element of the design…mounted like this, the stone looked even bigger than it had encased in the host stone and shot shards of gold and red across the room as he moved it under the light.

Urs slipped it onto his finger, remembering that they had decided on his middle finger, left hand, when they had done the measurements and glanced up at her in awe.

“It’s perfect!...absolutely perfect…Izzy I’ve never seen anything so exquisite…you do exceptional work, Liebe! Thank you!”

The kisses in gratitude almost made them forget the other package, the one from Trudi, but Urs suddenly drew back and laughed.

“I have something for you, something that I asked Trudi to make.”

He slid the package out of the envelope and watched eagerly while she opened it.

The Sodalite he had found on the way to Egan’s Chute lay in the velvet interior, gently caged in cobweb thin platinum wire, waiting to dangle from the delicate chain and nestle against her freckles, a memento of their meeting.

“I read up on the medicinal properties…it will give you harmony in your life, aid your courage and help you with communicating …and remind you of our first meeting.”

“Urs, it’s lovely …and such a heartfelt sentiment…I will treasure it always.”

He put the chain around her neck and fastened it, insisting on opening just a few more buttons so he could see it better. Suddenly Izzy was aware that the light of the ‘Sun’ had dimmed and she looked at him in question.

“Every picnic site should have a remote control for the sun,” he smirked, waving the remote control for the lamp.

“What a good idea…you should patent that…” she said and leaned over to push him down on the blanket and cover his chest with hers, laying a trail of fire along his neck and cheeks until she reached her goal…his smiling mouth.

While he was still able to think rationally Urs turned the lamp completely off, giving himself up to the sensations she was creating and opening his eyes a few busy minutes later to the sight of a moonlit goddess sitting astride his hips, facing the large balcony glass doors, arching her back as she removed her borrowed shirt, the glow of lights from the city and the full moon high in the sky creating a silvery glow on her silky skin.

He reached shaking hands for her, his ring flashing in the moonglow and moaned as she filled both cupped palms, firm but soft, swollen with desire. His heart thudded, filled with an emotion so intense that for a moment he couldn’t breathe.

‘MINE… this incredible woman is MINE!’

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

They were both awake early but neither was really ready to leave the warmth and intimacy of the soft bed so they used the facilities, brushed teeth and scurried back to lay twined together, talking.

“You don’t seem to be bothered with jet-lag…it always hits me hard when we travel the other way from east to west…takes me at least a couple of days to adjust.”

Izzy smiled against his shoulder and let her hand wander over his chest, stroking the thick hair and laughing when he pretended to purr.

“I sleep it off…I’ve done so much traveling over the last few years, a lot of really long flights, that I’ve developed the ability to fall asleep in any position…sitting on hard benches, leaning against the metal of the plane walls, sometimes curled up in the seat of a Jeep or laying on lumpy medical supplies…once just standing up and leaning against the outer wall, waiting for the order to jump.”

“JUMP? You mean you parachute into places sometimes?” he said with a fierce note in his voice.

“Well yes…it’s the quickest way sometimes…I don’t mind really now that I’m used to it…first time out, in training, I nearly wet myself,” she said with a laugh as she remembered how she had been more concerned about controlling her bladder than her chute.

“How cool!!...I’ve been bungee jumping but never sky-diving…we’ll have to go sometime.”

“Won’t your manager just love that…if he flips out at riding a bike think what will happen if you casually mention you’re going sky-diving…”

“Poor Sam…I do tend to test his patience at times….maybe we’ll go and tell him after.”

Izzy laughed and snuggled closer, listening to the rumble of his laughter as he thought about Sam’s reaction.

“Other than lots of money and recognition what do you hope to get out of this adventure in Il Divo…I mean do you have a long range goal or are you just taking it one day at a time?”

He chuckled and wiggled into a more comfortable position, on his back, tucking her up onto his shoulder with her head nestled in the crook of his neck.

“At the moment I’m only thinking about how much I love to be on the stage, performing, and how we present the tracks to the fans…of course, I’d like to be financially secure but I don’t stress about it. I figure if what we offer is the very best we are capable of producing then the finances will work out….I don’t need buckets of money to be happy anyway…not having to worry about money will be nice and having a home base is high on my list…not someplace posh, just welcoming…in the countryside with lots of land and trees, have to have trees….I get tired of being around crowds of people so much …if I had a place that was secluded, quiet, someplace that I could escape to now and then and just shut the world out, that would make me happy. I have all this music rattling around in my head but I need peace to get it out, on paper. Does that sound selfish or silly?”

“Not at all…I DO understand, Swiss…sometimes it’s important just to get in touch with yourself again…Cody doesn’t get it…he’s a real people person, always needs someone around, loves the noise and parties…he’s always ragging at me for wanting to go ‘bush’, as he calls it, but I need that space now and then. I noticed that about you when we went to the Skarn…you don’t feel the need to talk all the time…just being nearby is enough and I like that.”

“This thing with Il Divo is going to work…I just feel it…all four of us are perfectionists so there is the occasional friction while we work things out but the end result is worth it. It means that for the next couple of years we will have to work our butts off, not much free time, lots of traveling, a ton of new experiences and things to learn…but it won’t always be that way…once we’re established we can ease off a bit, pursue other interests at the same time…we just have to survive the transition and the pace for…maybe 2 or 3 more years.”

“And steal whatever time you can for yourself along the way…Urs?”

“Ja, Liebe?”

“When you bought the picnic supplies…did you also get supplies to make Birchermuesli? I’m hungry again.”

He laughed and leaned down to kiss her on the top of her curly head.

“Your Mama was right…first thing I should buy is a supermarket…stay here…I think this morning calls for breakfast in bed.”

She was treated to a rear view of his fluid prowl as he swung out onto the carpet and strode from the room, turning at the door to blinky wink at her and laugh when she moaned and fanned her face.

“Not fair!! How can I think about cereal when you do that?”

She listened to him singing as he prepared their breakfast, smiling as she thought of how happy he was…they both were.

‘I love this…hearing him so happy he’s singing, sitting around talking, learning more about him everyday…what a quirky sense of humor he has…those ants for the picnic…where ever did he find them? At least they were made out of chocolate, not real ones covered…though I suppose chocolate would make anything palatable….’

She re-arranged the pillows so they could sit with their backs against the headboard and folded the red velvet duvet down to keep it clean, looking around the bedroom with pleasure at the way he had furnished it…comfortable and neat, everything put away and matching but not in a designer way…no, this was strictly Urs: wardrobes in a dark wood, maybe teak again, that housed his clothes, entertainment centre, storage…a comfortable black leather chair with a footstool beside a tall floor lamp, a spot that fairly begged someone to curl up and read or watch the hidden telly…a collection of photographs on the long wall that backed on the Lounge, all of Nature, matted and framed simply so as not to detract from the subject…a king sized bed with a thick, soft red velvet covered duvet, real feather pillows encased in black satin to match the sheets, dark wood side tables with small silver lamps that could be dimmed if needed…she smiled thinking how he liked to make love with the lights on low and how much she enjoyed watching his expressive face run through a range of emotions when she teased or explored.

He came back in the room, grinning as he balanced a tray with their breakfast on his closed laptop.

“I thought I should let you see how busy we’re going to be…I’ve got our itinerary in a folder on my Desktop…I hope you’re ready for this.”

She grinned and flipped the sheet up, balancing the tray while he slid in beside her and stole a quick kiss.

“I’m so happy you came…”

“Me too,” she said with a grin.

He had that Swiss Lover look in his eyes but sighed.

“I guess we should eat…first…”

Izzy burst into laughter, nearly spilling the freshly squeezed orange juice.

“Is that in the itinerary, oh Logical, Well Planned One?”

“You bet…under Irresistable Urges…I am Swiss you know.”

She laughed again but he had anticipated it and held on to both glasses until she was calm.

Somehow they did manage to get breakfast consumed…..first.

**

Eventually they got around to throwing on a minimum of clothing {snug Calvins for him and his roomy white shirt for her}, deciding to move into the dining area and opening the laptop to go over the schedule for the next 2 weeks.

“Unfortunately this is our last full day of freedom for a while…we have to be up and ready for the bus tomorrow at 5:45…they’ll pick up the band first then come here for the rest of us…I did remember to tell you that we all live in this building, didn’t I?”

“You mentioned it but I was a little preoccupied with what your hands were doing at the time…I remember saying something about whether or not they would be dropping by and you said ‘Only if they have death wishes!’ …..I had such a vivid picture of you defending my honor…it was really quite stimulating!”

“Ah yes…in the taxi…..be warned…we can’t do that on the bus!!!”

She giggled in response and he tried to scowl at her, wanting her to promise but she looked so innocent he began to laugh and turned back to the schedule, willing to take his chances.

The days would be busy, even sometimes into the evening with dinners and meetings, early morning or late night TV shows but Urs had highlighted the free times and Izzy pointed out that they would have lots of ‘cuddle time’ as they drove from venue to venue on the big charter buses.

“They really are quite comfortable…nicer seats than on a regular bus, the kind that are on a swivel so you can turn them and have a little table in between rows for playing cards…or snacking…they always stock them with food and drink too…I wanted to get out on a bike but except for a couple of days we won’t have much chance…and of course for the long hauls we will have to fly. I hope you won’t be bored.”


“I am NEVER bored, Urs…there’s always something to see or to learn or just people-watching or looking at the countryside…and I’ll be with you…that’s the important thing. If we can get out sometimes for a walk, maybe in a park or just to see whatever city we’re in, that will be enough.”

“Usually I go to the gym…all the hotels have one…and management always books a suite with a piano or a rehearsal room so we can keep our voices fluid…we do have to keep the instrument in shape.”

“Don’t you take your guitar with you?”

“Always!!...I’d sooner leave my clothes behind than my guitar!”

She slipped off her chair at the dining table and perched on his lap, smiling and brushing his curly hair back behind his ears…in vain since it sprang back over his ears and twined around her fingers, almost as if it had a life of it’s own.

“I’m looking forward to hearing you play…with clothes on so I don’t get distracted…especially if you do some rock tracks…did you have long hair when you played in Conspiracy?”

He laughed and leaned forward to nibble on her neck, answering a few moments later.

“Very long…and fuzzy…I hadn’t discovered what tons of product can do to keep it in control…when I first joined Il Divo, when we went to Sweden to record the first CD, it was way below my shoulder blades…I looked like a Hippy throw back.”

“And now you just look slightly mysterious and maybe just a little dangerous or shy…although when I saw you on stage you also looked elegant…I think there’s quite a well developed acting streak in your makeup, Urs…your face is so expressive, especially your eyes…when I watched you on the stage it was like you felt the emotions in your words and it made your singing even more endearing.”

“Opera singers have to be actors as well since we are telling a story…and we all like to know what the actual lyrics of a track mean…it helps us with our interpretation of the music…” he chuckled and nuzzled her chest briefly. “We aren’t just pretty faces, you know….we actually put some thought into our performances.”

“And it shows…we all love you for it…”

On the table in the foyer Izzy’s purse began emitting an insistent ring tone. She sighed and went to pull it out of the small side pocket, glanced at the call display and flipped the small instrument open to crisply answer.

“Santores…yes, Captain?”

She listened for a moment then slowly made her way back to Urs at the table, speaking in a dialect he wasn’t familiar with, enunciating and talking slowly as if waiting for someone to record or hand copy what she said.

“Captain Jablonsky,” she said sternly when she finished whatever translation had been requested . “Lieutenant Carruthers speaks fluent Pushtu…you must learn to depend more on your team instead of reaching out to superior officers for help. Your commander would not have sent you into the field without the resources to handle situations like this…we will ignore this call, but if you insist on long distance solutions to problems that could be handled locally, then it will go on your permanent record. Good day.”

She snapped the phone closed, breaking the connection and grinned wryly at Urs.

“A Newbie…a little unsure of himself still…Sally is part of the team and the damn fool didn’t think to ask her how to talk to the head man. He’ll learn…or transfer…some officers are just not ready for isolated command without a boot in the rear a few times. Now where were we?”

“Speaking of acting…did you know that your whole body changes when you assume your military personae? You have great posture but when you become Major Santores you seem taller, straighter, shoulders back, chin up…the smile fades and your eyes snap with determination…and then you slip back into the woman I see now, soft and kind, full of life and so sensuous…I just want to hold you and drink in your sweetness….and right now I think we better get dressed and go out for some air or I’m going to have you back in bed…and not to sleep.”

“Yes Sir, Right away Sir!” she said with a grin and a mock salute, laughing as he chased her across the Lounge into the bedroom to eventually get dressed.

**

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX..MEATBALLS & MOVIE

Both Hyde Park and St. James Park were close by so they flipped a coin and picked one for their outing…St. James Park won and they headed out in the crisp autumn air, well bundled up, enjoying the lack of rain, even if the ominous cloud cover promised that the condition was temporary.

“Its really a nice park to jog or stroll through,” Urs commented as they entered the elegant, wide pathways between winter ready bare trees. “They shoot a lot of movie scenes here…that one with Judi Dench, Mrs. Henderson or something, the James Bond one where the villain arrives by parachute, even the live action 1001 Dalmations…remember the scene where they end up in the lake?”

She grinned at him.

“So, big strong man…you’re admitting that you watched a movie about puppies and evil Cruella DeVille?”

“I was forced into it…David had it playing and I was too tired to move off the sofa…and it was a good movie,” he said with a cheeky grin.

“So what’s your favorite type of movie?”

He took her hand, tucking it with his in his old jean jacket pocket.

“Old musicals…most of them are really corny but I like them…it amazes me how some of those old time stars were so versatile …acting, singing, dancing, sometimes playing various instruments…actors back then really earned their star status.”

“That’s something I meant to ask you but forgot…do you actually play all those instruments you have on the end wall of the Lounge or are they just collectibles?”

He smiled.

“I’ve been playing one thing or another since I could walk I think…yes, I can play them all but I prefer the guitar or piano…I used to teach piano to supplement my income…well to be truthful it was to put food on the table…I think I could play Mozart’s Eine Kleine Nachtmusik with my eyes closed or sleeping, it’s such a standard for beginning pianists.”

“Beethoven is my favorite composer of piano pieces,” she said as they passed the lower end of the lake and the ducks paddled rapidly to the edge, just in case these two legged visitors had brought a treat. “I get such a laugh out of people who love the movies, claim to hate classical music yet go around humming the scores, not realizing that they’re adaptations from the great composers…like Elvira Madigan…great soundtrack.”

He smiled and nodded, totally in sync with her feelings.

“Actually if you study heavy metal, from a strictly professional point of view, you’ll find that it’s very similar to some of the more intense classical pieces…maybe just a little louder.”

They walked on for a while, quietly enjoying the day, chatting about the scenery, politics, anything that came to mind. Finally Urs glanced at his watch and swung them onto a branching path that led towards the edge of the park.

“We need to stop by the market…or go out for dinner…I don’t usually get much in when I know that I’m going to be away…do you want to go out or would you be alright with helping me in the kitchen?”

“Ahhhhh! A cooking lesson…how can I resist? Since it’s our last night of freedom could we stay in? I’ll have to share you with the guys and the public tomorrow…we could watch one of your old musical videos after dinner.”

“Sounds like a plan…tomorrow is soon enough to share with the others.”

**

There is an old saying about the best laid plans… Urs and Izzy should have remembered it.

They arrived back at the block of flats with a bag of groceries from the fruit and vegetable market, another from the butcher shop and proceeded to put together a meal, working together in the galley kitchen, Urs as chef and Izzy as his willing helper.

He put her to work mixing the ground meat, both beef and pork, to make meatballs while he put together the ingredients in a simmering pot to make a home made Italian sauce, one his Oma had taught him on one of her last visits to Willisau.

“You’re lucky…you actually got to know your grandparents… mine passed away early…a car accident when I was less than a year old so I don’t remember them.”

“Both sets?? Both your mother and fathers parents?” Urs said with his brow furrowed and eyes sad in sympathy.

“Yes…they were friends as well as related through my parents…they had gone south like they did every year…we call them Snowbirds in Canada since they go south for the winter months, just like migrating birds…anyway they were heading to Homestead, Florida where they shared a condo and the police think that Grandpa Santores had a heart attack while driving…he swerved into the side of a semi that was passing them and all four were killed in the crash. There were a few cousins and distant relatives but we moved around so much that we lost touch so it became just the four of us.”

“I’ll share with you, Piccolo Dottore…there are so many of us…my Oma is gone now, my mother’s Mami, but I still have so many wonderful memories of her…and Opa Buhler is in his 98th year…still chops his own wood on his little farm…you’ll meet a lot of them at Christmas…Baby, pass me that garlic would you? Can’t make real Italian sauce without fresh garlic.”

“It already smells wonderful, Urs…I didn’t know cooking could be so much fun.”

“Ah, but you’ve never had Master Chef Buhler to orchestrate the kitchen chores before…” he leered at her, making her laugh until he stopped stirring temporarily and placed his spoon on the little saucer he had conveniently placed to catch the drips. “You see, there is method in my madness…your hands are all sticky from making meat balls and now I can take advantage of you.”

He swept her into his arms, keeping well clear of her messy hands and feasted on her neck, pushing her shirt aside to reach her freckled chest, delving lower until she threatened to run her fingers through his hair.

Cooking was becoming more and more interesting…until they both heard the pounding on the flat door and strident voices calling out….

“Open up…we can smell pasta sauce!!!”

Urs grimaced and headed for the door, growling “I’ll get rid of them!”

But it was not to be!!


He threw the door open and was nearly barreled off his feet by three hungry, laughing men who rushed in, ignoring his yelled protest and crowding into the small kitchen, all talking at once, all hoping that with Izzy as witness Urs wouldn’t hurt them…MUCH.

“Is that Oma Buhler’s Putanesca Sauce?”

“I brought wine…can we stay?”

“You can smell it in the hall…Izzy don’t let him throw us out…Querida, it’s so long since Urs cooked for us…”

Urs stood in the doorway, trying not to laugh.

“You can stay for dinner but then I’m throwing you all out!”

“We aren’t doing anything very exciting guys…just watching one of…” Izzy stopped speaking when she saw Urs shaking his head in warning.

“YOU’RE WATCHING ONE OF HIS CORNY MUSICALS …RIGHT?” David howled with a grin.

“Which one?” Seb asked and scurried into the Lounge to pop the DVD player open…..

“IT IS!!! Seven Brides for Seven Brothers…you are so predictable, mon ami…we have to stay…this one is so corny …it’s our favorite.”

Urs sighed and began working his way through the bodies to stir his sauce again, muttering to Izzy as he slid past her…’I think we’ll need more meatballs!’

**

In spite of the uninvited guests, dinner was a riotous success. The sauce was perfect, the spaghetti al dente, the browned then sauced meatballs tender and tasty, the salad and garlic bread {heavy on the garlic and freshly grated parmigiana}wonderful and vanishing rapidly. Seb’s contributed wine flowed in a never ending stream and the predominate sound was that of laughter as they talked, joked, teased and in general relaxed, each just being himself for the last time for a few days.

Urs’ ring and Izzy’s pendant were duly admired, a second time for Seb who was fascinated by the fact that Urs had actually mined the stone for his ring and that Izzy had not only designed it but crafted the ring. He asked if she had a portfolio of her work with her and was disappointed when she said ‘No’, a little happier when she invited him to either of the stores when next in Toronto or New York.

They loaded the dishwasher and retired to the Lounge with yet more bottles of wine, each choosing his favorite spot for movie watching and started the tape.

‘Watching’ a movie with the four men, a flick that they all had seen many, many times, was more like attending a screening of the Rocky Horror Show than watching a video in the comfort of a home.

They knew all the lines, made fun of the cheesy sets, sang along with the tracks, David doing a credible job of the Jane Powell solos, fortunately did NOT attempt to imitate the dance sequences after Seb tripped over the coffee table, cheered when the brothers succeeded in knocking the framework for the barn down in their exuberant contest with the town boys, booed when Howard Keel moved to the cabin in the woods and pretended to cry over the corny happy ending.

“Anyone wanna watch another movie?” David ventured when Urs rose to take the disc out of the player. He turned to glare at his American friend then laughed when he realized that David was kidding, merely trying to wind him up.

“Stay…watch anything you like…Izzy and I will see you in the morning.” He held his hand out to Izzy who bounced up out of the chair she had spent most of the evening in {except for the times when she had portrayed one of the girls in the movie, even attempting to sing a couple of the female roles until laughter got the better of her} laughing at them until she got the hiccups more than once.

She went to each of the guys and kissed their cheeks, giving them gentle nudges towards the door and suddenly the flat was quiet.

Urs wrapped his arms around her and nestled his lips against her hair.

“You have really nice friends, Urs…it’s nice to see them so relaxed and playful.”

“It helps to be a little crazy now and then…relieves the pressure…you surprised me…I thought you might be ticked off but you played along…we’ve seen that movie so many times…it’s cheesy but fun.”

“Incredible dance sequences…”

He moved around the flat turning off lights and watching her graceful movements as she straightened up the pillows on the sofa and chairs…the woman was incredibly sensual though she really had no idea.

“We should pack for the trip tomorrow so we don’t have to waste time in the morning,” he said as they darkened the Lounge and went in the bedroom.

“Good idea…I got the coffee pot ready…we just need to boil the kettle…but first things first…I really need to brush my teeth.”

He laughed. “Me too…love garlic but second hand isn’t pleasant.”

“Why, Herr Buhler…were you planning on sharing your garlic breath with someone?”

“I was hoping….but then maybe my sous chef is tired of my kisses…”

“Never!! Garlic or not…I’ll never get tired of locking lips with you….”

Before they could get carried away they shared the bathroom, laughing at the vision of their foamy mouths, gargling and trying for a new world record of the longest gargle {Urs won}, then testing the success and finding it tasty and minty fresh.

On to the packing, a joint effort that was soon accomplished, then they slid under the duvet to snuggle and talk about the evening… among other interesting subjects that arose.

**