~*~ Urs & The Kissing Hand~*~ BY: Sue

Chapter 120
Riding the Walkway

“Next, please. Ahem, Miss, you’re next.”

Susanna gave a little jerk and refocused on the scene in front of her where a rather impatient customs inspector drummed his fingers on the counter, waiting for her to step up.

“Oh, I am so sorry.” Susanna gave a blanket apology, turning around to include the people in line behind her and she quickly handed him her passport.

Who could blame her for a little woolgathering anyway since she’d been in line at least 20 minutes and besides they were such sweet reveries.

What she would have given to see the look on his face when she’d
casually dropped her surprise in his lap at the end of one of their IMs.



Then came his even better surprise yesterday at school. Just thinking about it still made her turn to a pile of mush.

She knew it was coming, or at least hoped and prayed that was it. Twice he’d mentioned a planned interview on Thursday and that he hoped she’d get a chance to see it, very un Urs-like of him. If he talked about them at all it was in passing and usually after the fact. So Friday lunchtime found her scouring the Forum for a download and sure enough some kind soul had put one up.

There they were in all their casual black-suited glory on “A Current Affair”. She almost couldn’t look when THE QUESTION came up. “Are any of you men married, engaged, girlfriends?” Right down the line, Carlos, married, David, girlfriend, Seb, same answer, Urs….Urs spoke, not a nod, not a ‘no comment’, a whole sentence actually flowed from his mouth. “Yes I have a girlfriend ….” here he turned to look full face into the camera, eyes crinkling, mouth smiling “and she is magical.”

At that moment she knew her heart couldn’t hold any more happiness, just as her eyes couldn’t hold back the happy tears. Urs had taken that scary un-private step and he couldn’t have chosen a better way to show how much he loved her.

And now here she was in Melbourne, only a short plane ride away from him. Susanna took the passport thrust at her, gathered her carryon bag and purse and headed to the gate.

*****************************

Urs of the Magical Girlfriend checked the arrival board showing Susanna’s plane had landed. Anxiously he paced. Just how many minutes did it take to taxi to the gate? Such gross inefficiency would not be tolerated in the land of his birth. Oh, it had only been five minutes? Surely not. It seemed even the minutes here were longer than normal. What kind of place was this?

Susanna walked as quickly as possible down the ramp into the main gate area. Originally she had planned a bounce/run entrance however she left her bounce in the vicinity of Singapore and it was rather difficult to run when your legs were numb from the knees down. She needn’t have worried because Urs had enough energy for both of them.

There he was, sunglasses perched on his pony-tailed head, craning his neck and then….eyes squinched almost shut and grinning to his ears. Maybe she could run after all.

Somehow they closed the gap and then there was only the warm, safe, solid feel of his arms around her and his wonderful kiss which though brief was definitely not hidden.

“Houdini I thought you’d never get here. I’ve missed you so much.” Urs whispered into her hair as he held her.

“Not more than I’ve missed you, Bag Boy,” replied Susanna raising up for a second kiss.

“Wanna bet, Houdini?” and with that Urs pulled her even closer.

“Oops! I think you’d better get us home then, Bag Boy” she blushed into his chest.

“I don’t know if I can wait that long!” Urs gritted.

“Bag Boy, behave yourself! What will people think?” Susanna fretted but in the sea of travelers meeting, greeting, leaving and arriving, they just blended in.

With her carryon in one arm and her in the other he began his half-speed frog march to the baggage claim. Urs looked up and groaned in frustration, Gate 75.

Susanna couldn’t keep a soppy grin off her face as she remembered the last time he’d had that look in his eye. The night he, better make it they, could hardly keep their hands off each other on the way home. When he had half dragged her out of the car and through the garage.

Her soppy grin dissolved into a very eager one as she looked over at Urs. At this rate she’d give him till about Gate 60. Urs the Almost Under Control surprised her. He lasted till Gate 50 when he took a sudden detour into the empty waiting area behind the check-in counter where they were semi-hidden from the main concourse.

Their kisses began even before he had plunked them down in the chairs and dropped her bag. They were kisses of the heart stopping, bone melting, stomach clenching kind that left them both shaken by the sudden intensity of their emotions. It was as if Urs’ validation of her yesterday in the interview was a declaration of a new level in their relationship. Now there must be an immediate physical and emotional ratification to acknowledge this commitment.

“Looks like we have a full flight tonight” a woman’s voice and the sound of a phone at the counter behind them brought them back to their surroundings. Susanna regained control first and took hold of Urs’ straying hands as he took a deep breath and broke away from her, making a valiant effort to rein in his overactive libido.

“I…” he began.

“I know, me too.” she finished.

Once more they joined the rushing flow of humanity streaming through the huge terminal and allowed themselves to be carried onto the moving walkway at Gate 34. Urs set Susanna’s bag down and moved closer behind her, allowing his hands freedom to roam over her back and shoulders and bend his head to kiss her neck.

“Houdini, I need you to convince me why it wouldn’t be a good idea to lay you down right here and make love.” he whispered wickedly into her ear as he took a little nibble.

“Well, Bag Boy, much as I would love it, first of all, black rubber stripe marks on my pink track suit would not make a good fashion statement and second, we’re running out of walkway…” suddenly she was stepping off and walking on the carpet toward the next walkway as Urs scooped up her bag and tripped off behind her.

This time she pushed him in front of her and stood behind him. “….and third, I’m so tired that the first chance I get to be horizontal I’ll be unconscious, not uninhibited.” and with that she gave her favorite buns a stuffing testing squeeze.

Susanna, Urs and his libido got off the last walkway at Gate 16. Suddenly his eyes lit up as if he’d seen a Boozy Worchester Apple around the next corner. To Urs’ way of thinking it was even better. He saw the letter H in big letters and it didn’t stand for Hospital.

“Turn right.” he directed.

“Here?” Susanna squawked. “No Urs, we can’t, can we?” she giggled as Urs the Secret Agent casually looked to see if anyone was watching. The coast was clear. Grabbing the handle he pushed them both inside and closed and locked the door below the sign that read ‘Handicapped Toilet”.

Urs leaned back on the door, set her bag down carefully, and as flying fingers fumbled with buttons and zippers, he hummed into her mouth, “Welcome to Australia, Houdini.”

*************************

“Bag Boy, do you see a pattern here?” chuckled Susanna, into Urs’ slightly damp tee shirt.

“Well it was sort of an emergency stop.” he replied as way of explanation.

“And a very creative one at that, Bag boy. Are you sure you haven’t been watching any videos?”

“No, I just kinda made it up.” he grinned.

Susanna’s lone pink suitcase circled endlessly on the baggage carousel like a long forgotten child as Urs rescued it and they headed to the hotel in the warm March sunshine.

Chapter 121
Jet-lagged

Susanna’s eyes were glazed over by the time they reached the hotel. Who knew remaining vertical was an extreme sport?

Urs opened the door to the room. It was probably a very lovely room but all Susanna wanted was a bed. She was wise enough to realize that if she dared to pause it would be her final resting spot for the next several hours. So she dropped her bag and like a modern day Moses continued her search of the promised land, a land flowing with soft pillows and crisp smelling sheets.

Having been there, done that, Urs knew better as he propelled Moses past the promised bed and on to the river flowing with hot water and fragrant soap. Though not his most romantic undressing of a woman in his life, it was one of the most tender and loving, and definitely the most challenging. He kept up a constant patter in several languages, little snatches of songs, mini one-sided conversations, anything to keep her awake just a few more minutes.

Once she was in the shower she started to revive a little, in other words she didn’t need propping up. Quickly he stripped off his clothes and joined her, gently washing her as if she were a child. He patted her dry with fluffy towels, carried her to bed and tucked her under the cool, crisp sheets and blanket. Moses had found the promised land at last.

******************************

“Zonked?” David asked, flipping his sunglasses up to look at Urs.

“Out like a light.” Urs confirmed. “We barely had time to get out of the shower before she fell asleep.”

“You must be losing your touch there Urs.” Seb grinned as he pulled out a chair and sat down at the poolside table.

“Very funny, Froggy. It wasn’t like that. I just thought she’d feel better if….”

“Of course Urs, we understand.” interrupted David with a chuckle.

Down came the sunglasses. Discussion closed, but there was a hint of the Cheshire cat lurking on his lips as he pictured Susanna’s lone pink suitcase.

The last of the group arrived as Carlos came dripping from the pool, wiping himself on a striped towel.

“Hola Urs. So Susanna had arrived? Gerry has been asking to know when she gets here.”

This time Urs thought before he spoke, quickly amending his first response, “Yes, I just left her sleeping in bed. She was exhausted.” to “Yes, she was exhausted so she decided to take a nap. I’m sure she’ll call Gerry as soon as she gets up.”

“Where are the girls? Shopping?” Urs decided a change of subject would be a welcome relief.

A trio of voices responded in unison, “Spa.”

“They all decided they needed to look extra special for the party after the concert. Does Susanna know?” Seb always seemed to worry that someone would be left out.

“Well, akshully we didn’t talk about it today, but I’m sure I mentioned it.” At least I think I did. Maybe I’d better go check.

“Think I’ll go for a swim. See you in the lobby at 4:00 for the soundcheck.”

David watched Urs cutting smoothy through the water in effortless laps. “I just love winding him up don’t you Seb? We’ll have to use the shower one again sometime.”

“Oui, but I think he’s taking it much better these days. Did you see that little grin just after those glasses came down?”

************************************

Susanna was still dead to the world when Urs came back from the pool. He quickly threw on a pair of jeans, button fly of course, and decided to unpack for her. If he had mentioned the party and if she had brought a special dress he could have it pressed and ready for her.

The Cheshire Cat was beaming by the time Susanna’s clothes were neatly put away in drawers and hung in the closet. Not only had she packed two dresses, knockouts if he was any judge, but she’d also included another present for him to unwrap. Oh happy day!

With that blissful thought in mind he carefully replaced her makeshift BB Jr. she must have made in her sleep, and replaced it will the real live one. Susanna sighed contentedly as her body became aware of the switch and burrowed deeper into the real Bag Boy’s warmth. Kissing her hair, Urs closed his eyes and also slept in the fragrant warmth of his Susanna.

Gerry’s call woke Susanna at 5:00. She was at the soundcheck. Urs had planned on waking her when he got back about six but she thought Susanna might need a little more time to get ready.
After a brief chat and a heartfelt thank you, Susanna began to get ready for her first concert of the Tour.

Urs appeared a little after six. Susanna appeared from the bathroom ready to go except for dress and shoes. Without a word Urs handed her a hotel robe…. before he was ready to go.

“Hi Bag Boy. Was it the stockings?” Susanna guessed noticing where his eyes were focused.

“Susanna, you arouse such a hunger in me that sometimes I’m not sure I can control myself.” Urs admitted simply.

Susanna walked to him as she tightened the robe snugly around her and reached up to give him a brief tender kiss.

“I don’t ever want that to change between us…either of us, Urs. Now get that cute little hunkus of yours in there and get ready. Oh and don’t forget to call me so I can watch you shave!” she said as she pointed him in the direction of the bathroom.

He went. Then he came back, “hunkus?”

Susanna demonstrated by giving his buns a little squeeze. “You’re magical, Houdini, crazy, but magical.” Urs returned to the bathroom with a head shake/eye roll and a chuckle.

************************************

“Don’t you think it ‘s about time we left?” Urs whispered in Susanna’s ear as he handed her a glass of champagne and his eyes took in the daring cut of her black strapless dress.

“What? We just got here, Urs. And besides we all came together. We can’t be the first to leave.” she reasoned.

“C’mon, you need to mingle.” she said as she grabbed his hand and looked to see where the other Divos and their ladies had gone. Urs did not seem inclined to mingle.

“We’ll be able to mingle soon, Urs. Strike that. We’ll mingle as soon as we get back to our room.” After the airport interlude she thought it best to be more specific just in case. “Now put on your party face.”

***************************

Susanna leaned toward the mirror in the ladies and applied her lipstick. “Hey Sus, are you and Urs coming with us?” Susanna turned and looked up into the friendly blue eyes of Sandy, David’s girlfriend. What a perfect match, tall, willowy, with long slightly curling dark brown hair. Here they’d just met a few hours ago and already it was Sus and it felt good. Her easy laid-back manner was a winner from the start.

“I think we’ll pass tonight. I’m still feeling a little jet-lagged and….”

“No problem. David and I spent a LOT of time getting over my jet lag.” she laughed knowingly. “We’re all so happy you’re here. Poor Urs! I bet if you check his thighs you’ll find black and blue marks from all that finger-drumming. He really missed you.”

“Well, the same goes for me. When I get nervous I relax by baking. You should see my freezer. I bet I’ve given care packages to every teacher in the school with the overflow. Which reminds me I brought some to share. Hopefully Urs hasn’t had time to eat all of them yet!”

*********************

Susanna sat snuggled in the circle of Urs’ arm, playing with his hand in the cab.

“Thank you for such a perfect evening Urs. I loved every minute.” she reached over and kissed him lightly.

“What was your favorite part?” he smiled, knowing the answer already.

“The song you sang for me. It was so special I thought I would die of happiness right there in the front row. All that would be left is a little puddle of smiling mush in the seat. When you introduced the song with the bit about Celine Dion and then David did his silly hair flip, that was so cute. But then when you added, ‘I would like to dedicate this song to someone special’ and you looked right at me….my heart about thudded out of my chest. Did you see my happy tears? I love you so much Urs and I am so blessed to have you.” she squeezed his hand and bobbed up and gave him a kiss.

“I just wanted you to know that I am so proud of you, of what you’ve overcome, how much you’ve changed, and I do believe in you and most of all I believe in us.” Urs said raising her hand to his lips for a kiss.

***********************

“One hour shoes?” Urs guessed motioning to the strappy rhinestone sandals Susanna had just taken off.

“Nope. I’m just getting ready to be jet-lagged.” Susanna explained as she walked over the Urs and turned around for him to unzip her dress.

“Oh, sure. I’m sorry. I couldn’t be dumber if they cut my head off. What was I thinking dragging you to that party tonight after your long trip? You must be exhausted.!” Urs was the picture of concern as he carefully unzipped her dress.

“No, just jet-lagged. Here I’ll show you.” Susanna stepped out of her dress that had pooled at her feet and turned around. Her busy fingers made short work of his shirt buttons. As she often told her class: you need to practice to improve your skills. When his shirt was pulled it out of his pants Urs thought he got it and by the time his chest and fuzzy wuzzy were attacked by exploring fingers and lips he was sure he got it.

“Jet-lagged! Horny! Right?” Susanna nodded. Urs was elated. He was becoming fluent in Susannaese.

“But why….?”

“I told Sandy I was jet-lagged and that’s why were weren’t going clubbing after the party. Pretty clever eh?”

“Yeah right. Now they’ll all know. We’ll never hear the last of it.” Urs could imagine tomorrow morning at breakfast. He’d need to wear sunglasses 24/7 from now on.

“Don’t flatter yourself, Bag Boy. They are grown-ups after all, well except for David sometimes but he won’t dare say a thing. Sandy said it took them several days to get over her jet-lag.”

“Do you think we could break their record, Houdini?” Urs asked in his Isabel voice.

“Without a doubt, Bag Boy, we’re magical together.”

Chapter 122
Drinks Anyone?

“And here they are, Il Divo, on their third stop on the Australian leg of their first World Tour. They’ll be at the Sydney State Theater tonight and then it’s on to Melbourne and Perth.” with that Alan Jones enthusiastically introduced the four men.

While the four men were baring their souls, as long as they kept to the bio information, their four women were baring their bodies, lounging around the pool. Both the clubbers and the jet-laggers were extremely thankful the radio interview was scheduled for the afternoon so they could sleep in.

The girls lunched by the pool and the longer Susanna spent with them the more she liked them. Juliana, Seb’s girlfriend was definitely the drama queen of the foursome. ‘Cherie’ was her nickname for everyone and Susanna would bet she led Seb on a merry chase. With her tousled gamin cut and those sparkling black eyes and hair she looked, and acted, like a mischievous pixie.
Seeing Gerry again was always a treat and then of course Sandy’s easy-going personality seemed to keep the fun rolling right along.

“Everybody in the water” David announced the arrival of the guys. The girls barely had enough time to tie the straps of their tops before they were unceremoniously thrown in the pool. After much chasing, dunking, splashing, and a few underwater kisses, David suggested having a chicken fight.

“Won’t that hurt your sunburn?” Susanna asked, seeing how red his back was. It looks like you forgot to cook the other side.” she joked, seeing that he wasn’t sunburned on his front.

“Naw! I can take it!” he said toughly ducking down in the water, but wincing as Sandy climbed on his shoulders.

It started out with teams, Urs and Seb vs. David and Carlos but quickly disintegrated into a free-for-all as the girls perched on their men’s shoulders and tried to push each other off into the water. Finally Urs and David were the last two standing. This was one time when being tall was not an advantage as Susanna’s lower center of gravity managed to finally topple Sandy and David.

Urs vaulted out of the pool and pulled Susanna up after him. Not to be outdone, David did the same but when he bent down to give Sandy a hand up his suit slipped down a little below his waist. His sunburn just kept on going. Susanna made a mental note to ask Urs if there were any nude beaches around. If David went commando well then maybe…

“Winner buys!” David announced with a flourish and grabbed the drink menu.

“Who made up that rule?” Urs muttered looking around the table for help but receiving none.

David shared a look with Seb and began. “Let’s see now. Urs, here’s one I think you might enjoy it’s called ‘Sex in the Shower’.”

Urs the Unfortunate took the bait and ran with it. “I told you nothing ha…” suddenly he realized what he’d done. Down came the sunglasses but even they wouldn’t save him from the questioning look Susanna gave him.

“What?” he sputtered at her as the whole table erupted in gales of laughter, carrying Susanna and Urs along with it.

“Jealousy is such a petty thing.” Urs laughed as he wagged his finger at them.

“Here let me see that list.” Susanna demanded as she snatched it from David and began to read.

“Ah, here’s one for you. ‘Sex on the Beach’. Just a little tender when you sit David?” Susanna asked sweetly.

Again everyone had a good-natured laugh, this time at David’s expense.

David held his hands up in surrender. “Alright, alright, I’ve met my match. We’re all even now. What do you really want to drink?” Suddenly the drink menu was in great demand.

And much later, after the concert, Susanna and Urs felt compelled to live up to their reputation, whether or nor they deserved it.

********************************

Susanna carefully moved the motorcycle magazine from Urs’ sleeping chest to her bag and covered her exhausted Bag Boy with a blanket. This last week had flown by but they were all quickly learning what a grueling schedule they’d set for themselves. Three back to back Melbourne concerts, one day off then two in Perth and now flying home with five glorious non-concert days before Dublin.

Susanna was so thankful she’d been able to be here. Of course being with Urs was like having her life back again, whole and complete, but also it would serve them well in the days to come. Having been given this glimpse of his life on Tour she felt better able to accept their separations and provide him with the calm, loving support he needed.

Whenever and wherever they were together she would make certain it was a haven of peace, carefree and laid back, full of cheerfulness and humor, allowing him to return relaxed and rested to the rigors of his profession. Already her creative mind was planning little rituals, reminders, celebrations and ways to stay in touch to strengthen their feeling of connectedness when they were apart. And most of all there would always be little surprises.

Talk about surprises! Susanna gave a little chuckle as she thought of the first night in Melbourne. How she wished she’d had her camera. As they sat on the stage only one lady was brave enough to come up to meet them, but she surely made up for the ones who didn’t. The look on Urs’ face was priceless as she handed him the loudest, ugliest, frilliest red bloomers. He’d immediately handed them to Seb, the one they were meant for in the first place, but the poor dear couldn’t get rid of them fast enough.

Then there was the Thud Cushion. Urs almost lost it, barely composing himself in time to sing his lines but still kept looking at it and giggling. When David showed the audience they just howled.

While they were in Sydney Urs had been able to take her to see the koalas and have her picture taken, but the Blue Mountains would have to wait until next trip. On concert nights Urs would usually return to the room tired yet often keyed up. Remembering the lovely foot massages she’d received from him, she started massaging his neck and shoulders. It seemed to do wonders to help him relax and get to sleep and of course they both reaped the benefits as Susanna became the spokesperson for getting up early, compliments of Mr. Rise and Shine.

*****************************************

“Ooooo! Where are we?” a sleepy-eyed Urs groaned as he sat up and stretched muscles too long in the same position.

“Somewhere between Egypt and Greece I think.” Susanna smiled as she helped him untangle himself from the blanket.

“You been up long?” he asked as he fished around on the floor beside his seat for his shaving kit.

“Only about 10 minutes, I just got back from the lav.” Susanna said as she stood up in the aisle so he could get out more easily, but still close enough to accidentally give his hunkus a little pat.
She’d wondered idly if she was turning into a butt woman and just how that equated to being a boob man. Was this another sign they were a perfect match?

The sight of him, clean shaven, smiling at her with his neat pony tail and almost too tight shirt, not to mention the button jeans made her breath hitch. The rest of her body however remained firmly seated in his recently vacated window seat.

Urs raised his eyebrows. Susanna smiled sweetly. “Taking turns is a good thing, Bag Boy. It’s only fair.”

Urs swung into his seat and leaned over to look out the window. “Absolutely!” Urs replied as Susanna grabbed his wandering hands.

“You took tomorrow off, right?” Urs asked.

“Right. I go back on Friday.”

“Your place or mine?”

“Mine, definitely, Bag Boy. Hot, sweaty sex, AND a meal plan.”

“Good thinking, Houdini.”

Chapter 123
Same Yet Better

“Urs, you are so bad!” Susanna leaned against a pillar, held her stomach and tried to control her laughter as she wiped her eyes.
As they rolled their suitcases past the Handicapped Toilet they’d shared a look and then lost it completely.

”Shhhh! Here come the others. If they see us like this David will start wondering. Get a grip woman!” Urs hiss didn’t quite have the warning tone he wanted since he was still laughing himself.

“What are you two on about?” David inquired as they caught up with them.

“Oh just a little joke Susanna told me.” Urs answered innocently as he received a sharp jab in the ribs and an irate mouthed ‘Me?!’ as soon as David and Sandy passed them.

As they all met up at the baggage claim, Urs and Susanna shared their brilliant idea: an early dinner at Susanna’s on Saturday, strictly casual and Italian at Urs’ insistance. Since Sandy, Juliana, and Gerry were all leaving either Sunday or Monday they didn’t want to cut into their couple time so they could feel free to leave as early as they wanted. Gerry had already mentioned a club Carlos was eager to visit. So it was settled. Urs and Susanna were giving their first dinner party as a couple.

*************************************

“Be it ever so humble…”Susanna sighed and dropped her bag and purse on the nearest chair.

“there’s no place like home with you in it, Houdini.” Urs finished her sentence and began their welcome home kiss.

“Oh that was good, Bag Boy. Do you think we could go out and come in again?” Susanna asked focusing on Urs lips.

“We’ll just pretend, OK? Houdini?” Urs asked as his mouth captured hers again and their kiss deepened.

************************************************

”Thank goodness for microwaves.” breathed Susanna as she stirred the bowl of homemade vegetable soup she’d found in the freezer, buried under mountains of cookies. She really should start making some healthy main dishes when she was nervous she supposed, but cookies were much more fun and certainly more in demand.

Urs had sent himself on an emergency milk and bread run as soon as he checked the fridge. By the time they’d finished their simple supper, it was almost 9 and they were running down, rather like wind-up toys on their last turn. The tuckered-out twosome made very few romantic detours through the shower on their way to bed. So with a soft kiss they wrapped themselves in each other and dreamt of being jet-lagged in the morning.

********************************************

Susanna quietly and carefully slid back into bed, not wanting to disturb a still sleeping Urs.

“It’s about time you got back. What took you so long? I’ve been awake for hours.” he mumbled with still shut eyes.

“You tricker you! And you have not. For your information you were snoring like a tenor a few minutes ago.” Susanna accused, smiling as she snuggled closer.

Urs rolled her toward him and caressed her face gently then ended by tracing her lips with his fingers as his lips settled feathery kisses, exploring, then deepening as he let his tongue slip between her parted lips. Susanna made one of those little sounds of approval that always seemed to drive him wild.

“Good morning, Houdini,” he whispered raggedly while his mouth began traveling down her exposed throat. His voice had a low, sensual rumble to it. She smiled as she pulled him closer. Urs didn’t just have bedroom eyes. He had a bedroom voice.

He paused, raising his lashes to look in her eyes. Susanna held her breath. There was a seriousness about him. Suddenly he captured her with a hungry urgency.

“What do you do to me Houdini? Cast a spell? I’m not always this horny. Only when I look at you.” He stared at her with an almond-shaped intensity.

He could feel her tremble. “Kiss me. Kiss me now, Urs.” Her voice caught as she said his name.

His lips teased, his tongue stroked, his teeth nipped as he sealed her mouth with his, blending them.

Susanna lay draped across Urs chest, her breathing still quick and shallow as he ran his hand caressingly over her hair. She braced her palms against his chest amd slowly raised herself up to look him in the eye.

“What I do to you?! I had no idea I could be so jet-lagged, Bag Boy!” she gasped.

Urs chuckled. “Horny, Houdini. You were definitely horny, with a capital H.”

“Capital H?…… I was that good?” Susanna grinned.

“Oh yes, Houdini. You were magical.”

*****************************************

Urs didn’t allow Susanna to rest very long on her laurels. An hour later she was greeted to his brand of puppy dog kisses which was rather like twin bear cubs galumphing all over her, a definite eye-opener.

He’d been a busy boy: showered, shaved, and dressed, to kill. He’d also come bearing two cups of coffee and a shopping list. Susanna just hoped he remembered that he was still the Bag Boy.

They sat together sipping their coffee, enjoying the quiet morning peace of a human ‘being’ before their day began and they changed into a human ‘doing’.

“Uh….Susanna I started some laundry.” Urs began hesitantly.

Oh no! Is he trying to say he mixed the dark with the light?
Did he accidentally bleach the darks?

He reached for her hand and absently stroked her wrist as he went on. “I was wondering if it would be alright….if you would mind if I kept a few of my clothes here so when….

Susanna answered with a hidden kiss to each corner of his mouth and a strong, gentle hug that went on as she spoke.
“What a perfect idea. I love it, Urs. It’s so logical. Of course. And maybe I could…”

“you could bring some of your things to my apartment too. I would like that wery much, Susanna.” Urs finished her sentence with a squinchy smile and a face-framing kiss.

“But I do have one rule here.” Susanna said in her stern teacher voice.

“What is that?” Urs asked with raised eyebrows.

“You have to leave my favorite red ones here.”

In one fluid motion Urs was off the bed and prowling over to her top dresser drawer. As he pointed, Susanna walked over to check but she knew already they were there.

“Am I getting that predictable, Bag Boy?” Susanna complained.

“Never, Houdini, but I was hoping.” Urs blinky-winked.

******************************************

’’Only two Urs, a large and a small. We won’t use any more.”
Susanna instructed as Urs’ face lit up with delight at the wood working tools. Right now he held four different sizes of wood rasps in his hands.
“Even Martha only had one.”

Reluctantly Urs put two back with an exaggerated sigh, still looking back at them as they walked to the check out counter.

The shopping for groceries went much faster until…the cheese display. So many cheeses, so little time. Susanna left Urs the Goatherd with the basket as she picked up the last few items. It seemed Urs had a photographic memory when it came to reading cheese labels.

Under much duress he finally put back the Argentine Sardo and the aged Manchego. Yes, he could keep the Pecorino Romano made from sheep’s milk. I did know that Urs. And I realize we need the Parmigiano-Reggiano for the spaghetti and I’m putting some Mozzarella in the meatballs this time so that’s OK. Urs, we don’t need any Grana Padano, even if it does come from Italy’s Po Valley near where you grandfather was born, maybe another time. Alright the Sbrinz can stay too. No, I didn’t know it’s from Switzerland’s central region. What she did know was he would not be left unsupervised at the cheese counter on their next shopping trip.

Urs had stayed to help put away the groceries, especially the cheeses of course, even rewrapping them just in case the sneaky little devils decided they wanted to share their distinctive aromas. God forbid! Then Susanna dropped him off to check on his apartment, catch up on mail, and just have some down time to himself.

Urs had picked out steaks for tonight so Susanna had the rest of the dinner ready when he came over later. Between work tomorrow and the non-romantic kind of jet-lag they made it an early night, content to bask in the comfort of rocking hugs and tender kisses.

Susanna waved back to Urs as he threw his leg over and started his bike. Then she went to the drawer to check. Yes! The red ones were still on top, along with two black, some socks, a couple of tee shirts, Him was not among them, and one pair of BF jeans.

It felt good to get back to the familiar routines, the wave goodbye as he rode off, dinner together, school, and friends tomorrow. It was the same yet different. It was better now and much more real, like Urs’ clothes here and his admitting there was a special person in his life and now tomorrow they’d be having their first dinner party as a couple. Just how much more real could it get?

Chapter 124
Poor Timing

”Just kill me now!” Marissa rolled her eyes in mock death as Susanna finished telling about Urs’ interview and his dedication of ‘I Believe in You’. “I’ll never listen to that song the same way again. You lucky devil you.”

“YOU won’t? What about me?” I thought stuff like that only happened in the movies.” Susanna exclaimed with an amazed smile.

“Well, we’re all so happy for you, sweetie. You’re just glowing and no one deserves it more.” Rosemary said giving her a hug as Leslie and Joanne added their congratulations.

“So have you talked at all about the future? What concerts are you going to? Are you going to the States with him in June?” Susanna had to laugh at them. They reminded her of Peep Peep Birdie sandwiches, as they clamored for information from Susanna the Mother Bird.

“Whoa, guys! We’ve barely gotten back together. Give us some breathing room here. The only concerts I know for sure about are the ones in London, of course on the 11th and 12th. Are you guys going I hope?”

“Of course. Both of them. Had tickets for months.” answered the trio of friends.

“IF you promise not to start squealing and carrying on, I’ll talk to Urs and see if he can arrange for you to meet the guys backstage.” Susanna cautioned in her strict teacher voice.

Naturally they all promised with only tiny squeals, mini-hugs and chair bounces. At this point they would have probably have been willing to sell their first born. Well at least Marissa would.

*************************************

“Alright we have time for just one more before we have to pack up.” Tony’s hand shot up and he bounced out of his chair and came up to the front of the room. He was ready to recite his poem of the week. As part of their theatre arts grade, Susanna required each child to memorize a poem and recite it in front of the class, to help build their public speaking confidence and also to involve the parents more. The class loved it. They would sit there often mouthing the words along with the child and ‘helping’ in case they stumbled. It was amazing what hams some of them were.

This week they had made an art project to go along with the poem. Two paper plates were stapled back to back with a stick handle at the bottom. One side was decorated with a lamb and the other with a lion. As they recited they would turn the appropriate side toward the audience. Tony began:

I am the wind like a lion I roar,
I make the leaves tremble I make the kites soar.

I am the wind I am but a lamb,
I whisper and whistle so gentle I am.

Susanna gave both Tony and herself an A. Her March had also started out bitterly cold and blustery, with her thinking Urs would never forgive her, but now their love was stronger than ever, tender, gentle, and as joyous as a frolicking lamb….eager to explore the world that lay before them.

*************************************

Susanna opened her door and was greeted by ‘Mr. Crowley’ being performed, she just couldn’t bring herself to say sung, by Ozzy Osbourne. What a strange sensation! She’d totally forgot about giving Urs the key she’d had made at the hardware store yesterday. While he was busy being in lust with the wood rasps and other tools, she’d snuck off and had an extra key made for him.

He was so cute. As she handed it to him at the door he’d looked so happy. Almost like a child who had finally earned the right to have a house key of his own and now considered himself to be a grownup.

Quietly she put her book bag and purse down and followed her nose to the kitchen. There was Urs in all his aproned glory crying as he chopped onions.

“Hi Houdini. I’d give you a hug but I’m a little messy here. I couldn’t find your chopper.” he snuffled and indicated the small neat pile of chopped onions and the not so small pile of grated cheddar. Susanna gave silent thanks that she hadn’t bought a larger hunk of cheese and momentarily toyed with the idea of keeping the wood rasps under lock and key.

“I hope those are happy tears, Bag Boy.” She said as she snuck under his arm to give him a stuffing hug and a kiss. Fortunately he hadn’t been tasting as he chopped.

“So what are you fixing for supper?” she asked as she sat down at the table and stole a few pinches of cheese.

“Breakfast.” Urs the not so Logical answered. “That’s what I’m good at so that’s what I’m fixing. Besides you were all out of fetuccine. That’s the other thing I cook, remember? ” Urs was back to logical again.

“OK. So you’re making….”

“An omelet….” Urs started.

“with cheese and onions” Susanna added.

“and peppers.” Urs finished.

***************************************

“Just a little more to the left, over, over, no back again, just a titch. There, perfect.” Urs was putting the finishing touches to the table setting for dinner tomorrow night. Urs breathed a sigh of relief. Who knew getting the candlesticks centered perfectly was such a big deal. Thank goodness he’d guessed right about what a ‘titch’ was.

“Come over here and sit down.” Urs patted his lap. Susanna smoothed one more imaginary wrinkle out of the tablecloth and came over to sit.

She snuggled into his neck and absently traced the design on his shirt. “I just want it to look nice, that’s all.”

“It looks beautiful, we’ve done all that we can tonight. I promise I’ll help all day tomorrow. It will be perfect and they’ll all love it. They’re our friends coming to have a friendly, relaxed dinner, not the entertaining inspectors coming to see if the knives are lined up perfectly. Why are you obsessing over this?” Urs put his fingers under her chin and tilted it up to look at him.

Her fingers went back to tracing. “I know but it’s the first time we’ve entertained as a couple and I just want you to be proud of me.”

Urs gently caressed her face as he kissed her tenderly, reassuringly, helping to calm her anxiety.

“Aren’t you always the one who says ‘stuff’ doesn’t matter, it’s how people act, what’s on the inside? I’m proud of you because of who you are, what you have become, not how you set the table or cook or whatever. That’s ‘stuff’. I’ll always be proud of you. I love you, you silly-nosed wombat.”

“Thank you, Bag Boy, I think I just needed to hear that. How come you’re always so logical?”

“I just comes naturally. I’m Swiss you know.” he said logically.

“And you’re a silly-nosed wombat too and I love you.” Susanna smiled as her gentle nibbling kiss turned into full fledged tasting. They ended with breathless grins that said ‘Dinner is served.’

Susanna suddenly found herself standing as Urs announced, “I’m feeling very jet-lagged, Houdini.” which sounded kind of muffled as he pulled his shirt off and headed for his buttons only to have his hand batted away by Susanna.

“That’s horny, Bag Boy.” as they traded buttons. What a pair! Their trail of clothes followed them to the shower where it ended abruptly only to be picked up again with a stray towel leading to the bed. Now would Urs let Susanna forget about dessert? You must be joking!

*******************************************

Urs woke up Saturday morning to the smell of coffee and no Susanna. He pulled on his jeans and headed toward the kitchen in search of both. At the doorway he skidded to a stop, with a head shake/eye roll. That’s why she’d gone on and on about the dinner last night. With his here-there-and-everywhere schedule they’d been lucky it hadn’t happened sooner. Susanna stood at the stove making pancakes in THE PINK ROBE.

“Good morning, Houdini. Something smells delicious. Mind if I have a bite?” Urs wrapped his arms around her and began nibbling her neck as she turtled and giggled.

“Urs, stop. It isn’t funny.” she muttered.

“What isn’t funny?” Urs asked as he turned her around and rubbed his hands up and down her arms.

“This.” she spit out as she held the lapels of her robe and began to get flustered.

Urs gathered her into his arms and held her head to his chest as they rocked and hugged. “Well, it was bound to happen one of these days. My timing may be exceptional but it’s not perfect.”

Urs leaned back to look down at her. “And if I remember correctly didn’t you promise me hot, sweaty sex, AND a meal plan? Well I’m starving here woman, so feed me.”

Urs threw his leg over the chair, sat down, folded his arms over his chest and waited. Susanna gave him a grateful smile and fed him.

Chapter 125
The Dinner Party

“Do you need to make a list, Urs?” Susanna asked as she wrapped the herb bread in foil and put it in the cold oven ready to be heated when everyone got there.

Urs gave ‘the look’. “First get some wine and then pick up dessert from Carmine. Come straight home. I think my brain can remember two things.” He held up two fingers to make his point.

“Red wine.” Susanna reminded.

“Yes, red. I remember. Why don’t you go have a nice bubble bath and just relax for a while. Everything is ready to go here. You’ve been chasing about like that running bunny all afternoon. You need to take some time for you.” he said as he kissed the top of her head and waved goodbye.

Susanna checked everything one more time just to be sure. The sauce and meatballs for the spaghetti ala Bolognese were perking away in the crockpot. Urs had enjoyed making the meatballs even more this time since Susanna had decided to add shredded mozzarella. With his sense of order and neatness he had created a beautiful antipasto platter, now wrapped and ready in the fridge along side the individual tomato/cucumber salads with Bocconcino cheese. A smaller crockpot, set on warm, held the minestrone ready to serve and the bread was ready in the oven. Whew! Maybe Urs was right. A long hot soak sounded about right.

Susanna was in bath heaven: a few candles, an Il Divo CD on full blast, and lots of bubbles.

“Look what I found!” Urs appeared at the doorway holding up a bottle that read Dôle. “It’s Swiss and red. I bought four bottles. I think I’ll open one now.”

“Mmmmm, good idea.” came from somewhere in the bubbles as Susanna opened her eyes and turned to look at him.

“Here you go, Houdini.” Urs bent down for a kiss as he sat on the edge of the tub and handed her the glass.

“Where’s yours?” Susanna asked, wanting to clink glasses and toast.

“I’ll get some in a minute. I didn’t have enough hands.” Urs explained and he handed her a single pink rose he’d been hiding behind his back.

“I thought you might want to be color-coordinated.” he teased as she did an emergency surface with the top half of her body to give him a damp, bubbly hug, almost toppling him into the tub on top of her.

“Oh Bag Boy, thank you. You’re just too perfect. Wait, where are you going? I didn’t give you a thank you kiss yet!”

Urs stood in the middle of the bathroom, as far away from the tub as possible, laughing as he peeled off his sodden shirt and wagged his finger at her.

“The next time I think I’m going to have to pretend I’m at a concert. I’ll just throw the rose, take a bow and run out of the room. Now behave, Houdini.” Urs warned as he came back to the tub and knelt down for his thank you kiss.

Susanna handed him the soap and sponge and without a word he began to wash her back, sides, front, anywhere his wonderfully long arms could reach as the sponge slowly floated among the bubbles. Yes, Susanna was in bath heaven.

******************************

“Oh Urs, they’re beautiful! What a sweetie you are! The flowers make a perfect centerpiece.” Susanna came up behind Urs to give him a hug as he shaved. He was a quick learner. The minute he heard her he put the razor down. Susanna, a razor and sideburns would not make a good combination.

The next thing she knew the buzzer was ringing, they were greeting Sandy and David, Gerry and Carlos, and Juliana and Seb, and the butterflies were gone. It was as if they were sitting around the pool laughing, teasing, talking, and it was alright. No it was more than alright. It was wonderful.

**********************************************

“Did you see Carlos eyebrows when I brought in the dessert?” Susanna called to Urs as he brushed his teeth.

“I’ve never seen them go in those directions before. He looked really stunned. I think it was the 28 flavors that got him. Or maybe it was that whipped cream in the center with nuts and maraschino cherries.” Urs chuckled as he wiped his mouth on a towel.



“And the wine!” Susanna exclaimed. “It was like the United Nations: your Dôle. Then David with the California Merlot…”

“and Carlos with the Rioja, and then Seb with the Châteauneuf-du-Pape.” Urs said.

“Well we did serve coffee so I think they were all right by the time they left” Susanna said hopefully, “at least Carlos was.”

Urs climbed into bed and pulled her into his chest for a kiss.
“Don’t fret about it. They were fine. I wouldn’t have let them drive if they weren’t. Believe me they’d have no problems letting us know if they weren’t able to drive.”

“I know, Urs, it just reminds me and I get a little scared that’s all.”

“I’m here now, Susanna. I promise I’ll always do everything in my power to protect you and keep you safe. That’s part of loving.” Urs said firmly.

“Urs, you do that and so much more. You know just what to say to make me feel good about myself, like this morning in the kitchen. Everytime you smile at me or speak or touch me I know it’s just for me. That’s what I love about you.”

And as Bag Boy snuggled with Houdini she knew the kisses they shared were also just for her.

****************************************

Urs had gone to church with Susanna in the morning as if it were the most natural thing to do.

“You’d better watch out there Bag Boy. They’ll be asking you to join the choir next.”

“Did I tell you I used to sing in one when I was young?” he asked.

“”I think I overheard you telling Father Mike. Speaking of him, sometime when you’re home he’s expecting us to visit. You know I went to see him after I ran away. He read me the riot act and then in the next sentence practically ordered me to bring you by soon. I always wondered how he was certain it would happen.” Susanna reflected.

“He’s probably related to Mami.” Urs laughed. “She would always let us know in no uncertain terms what the right thing to do was. Then she’d leave it up to us to decide to do it, but she always knew that we would in the end. I can hardly wait till you meet her and the rest of the family. You’d only have to take off one day. The concert is on Sunday but we don’t have a concert on Saturday and I thought maybe, if you’d like to, you could meet them then.”

Susanna smiled as she the faster he talked the thicker his accent became. “I was hoping you’d ask again. You haven’t mentioned it since before Chicago and I wasn’t sure….I would very much like to meet your family. I did check the concert schedule and ask for that Monday off, just in case. See what a good influence you are on me, Bag Boy?” she said as she brushed of some imaginary lint from his coat.

Urs eyebrows shot up. “Really? You already did that? I’m impressed, Houdini.”

“Why, Bag Boy? You know I’m magical.”

“OK Magical Houdini, let’s get going. I need to get back and pack. The car’s picking me up at 5:00 at my place. It’s Dublin tomorrow night.

********************************

Urs paused his packing and looked up with a grin. Susanna looked over at Urs and grinned back across the bed. Each one had an open suitcase.

“This is strange. I’m deciding what to take to your apartment and you’re deciding what to leave in mine.” Susanna said pointing to their clothes on the bed.

“You could just leave your toothbrush and I’d be wery happy.” Urs said as he came round to her side of the bed and hugged her.

How did he seem to know when she needed a hug? Did he sense she was walking in unfamiliar territory and he needed to be her rock, her compass, just as real and solid and true as the one that hung around his neck?

When they arrived at his apartment she found that Urs the Always Prepared had cleared more than enough space for the few things she’d brought. He’d made he use her new key just to be sure it worked and given her the ‘grand tour’ as if she’d never been there before.

As Urs packed, she unpacked.
She had to admit when she saw her clothes hanging next to his in the closet it felt right, another sharing, strengthening their relationship, drawing them closer, an outward sign of their physical and emotional intimacy.

As she hung the last piece in the closet he came up to stand behind her with his arms on her shoulders. “Welcome home.” he whispered into her ear as he nipped her ear lobe and soothed it with his tongue. Then he turned her toward him and lifted her chin with the edge of his hand as he gently kissed her. Susanna threw her arms around his neck, bringing his head down for a deeper kiss. “I’m going to miss you Bag Boy.”

“I’ll be back on Friday.” he promised, kissing her once more before he released her as the horn sounded for his ride.

As she walked him to the door she noticed a wood rasp on the bed.

“What’s this Bag Boy?” She looked at him with a head shake/eye roll. “You are so like my second graders sometimes.” she chuckled as she showed it to him.

“What? There's a little boy in me, want to raise him??” he asked with his best little boy heart melting grin.

Susanna gave him a quick kiss. “I thought I already was.”

“I love you Houdini.”

“Love you too, Bag Boy.”

Chapter 126
Two Busy Spiders

“Here you go Miss. Just call from that phone on the wall when you get back and we’ll have your car to you faster than you can say ‘Bob’s you’re uncle’. The driver from Heathrow Meet and Greet handed Susanna his card as she gave him her car keys. Susanna thanked him and went into the terminal. What a great idea this was. She was so glad Urs had talked her into taking the afternoon off so she could get an early flight and beat the Friday night rush.

As she walked past the Handicapped toilet she smiled and shook her head in wonder. Had it really been six weeks since she and Urs had stood here laughing their heads off?

They had agreed they never wanted to feel so complacent about their relationship that they took each other for granted and became bored, a sure killer of enthusiasm. So with the agility of busy spiders, Urs spun spiral strands from venue to venue on the tour and Susanna fortified the center of their relationship web. They were two master-weavers needing to anchor themselves firmly in their web yet strengthen the fragile silken radials to reconnect with each other. Both worked with passion and dedication to reinforce their common web, making it able to withstand outside forces that might get trapped and shake it…causing distraction, disturbance, or even destruction.

They worked hard to talk, text, email, or IM every day. Urs had managed to get back to London twice and Susanna had accompanied him on two away concerts as well as both of those in London. To help him balance the hard work of the tour, Susanna planned silly surprises to help him loosen up and have fun when they were together both at home and on the road. It was a joy to see him reconnect with his inner child, the one whom she thought just might wind up being an imp. So with the underpinning of Urs dry wit and her free form and self-deprecating brand of humor they were able to cope with the separation, resulting in a relationship that grew stronger every day.

Susanna inched her way through the check-in line, wheeling her two suitcases to be checked. Her pink one was manageable, but the red one would definitely be a test equal to Urs’ gym weights he ‘almost’ kept under the bed. Well, books weighed a lot. What could she say?

She’d been carefully selecting books for all the nieces and nephews plus a few extras of course. To her way of thinking it wouldn’t hurt to win the hearts and minds of the children of the family and besides any legitimate reason to visit a bookstore was a good thing. She had given Urs the third degree about the parents, favorite books he might have remembered reading, what kind of sense of humor they had and of course the ages of the children.

Yes, Urs told her, they learned to read and write English in school. They all had a good sense of humor, with five children as close in age as they were it was either laugh or lose your sanity as Mami would say. They would love whatever she chose. With Susanna’s agile, teasing sense of humor that included a sure grasp of the absurd, he was very thankful they had the good luck to be born Swiss. Even if they didn’t love her gifts, they were much too polite to say anything.

“Thank you Miss Nelson, you’ll be boarding through Gate 21.” Susanna took her passport and travel documents and tucked them into the side pocket of her carryon and walked toward the security checkpoint thinking about papers…

A tiny giggle erupted from Susanna. The shock and disbelief on Urs’ face when he’d woken up the morning of his first trip back to his apartment. All over his chest and any other available places were stickers saying “The teacher is proud of me”. And what fun they’d had removing them.

The only other time he’d been back was for the London concerts, three whole days. Then she’d made him a booklet of reward coupons he could use, although after the first day she’d had to ration how many he could collect on in a day! In his very Swiss practical way he’d held some back to use at a later reunion. I wonder…

On that London weekend Father Mike had about fallen off the altar when he saw them. If he’s eyes twinkled any brighter Urs would have needed his sunglasses! The two charmers were both in rare form over lunch and their hearty laughter echoed through the dining room of the quaint pub where he’d taken them. As they were leaving the hug and wink he gave Susanna said it all, “See I was right.”

Susanna added her body to the queue snaking around toward the inspection table and remembered the concert lines….

At both London concerts, the crowd of fans lined up waiting to see the men as they arrived for the soundcheck and after the concert too…waiting to get an autograph, a picture, say a few words, receive a smile. And the men had been almost as amazed by the heartfelt good wishes and support of these fans, some loyal from the very beginning of Il Divo, other newly created Divas, but all equally appreciated.

Then the four handsome men all lined up to meet her friends from school backstage before the concert. On that night there was no teacher/administrator separation. Il Divo had united them all. Well, you couldn’t very well leave your principal sitting there like a wallflower while Rosemary, Joanne, Leslie, and Marissa traipsed back to meet and greet!

She moved through the metal detector and collected her carryon bags. As she sat on a nearby chair to pull on her boots she thought of another pair of shoes…..

Although she would never let on, the white shoes were to her what THE PINK ROBE was to Urs. She could sympathize with them having to be quick change artists several times during each concert…every night the same clothes. Urs had even mentioned the Velcro on their shirts to speed things along. Imagining the next logical step, she’d threatened to rant and rave to the wardrobe lady if she ever even hinted at Velcro for their trousers. Urs had heartily agreed.

Great! Plenty of time to browse in the newspaper kiosk for a motorcycle magazine for Urs and maybe even a little fun gift….probably not as much fun as the inflatable guitars she’d packed for Pia’s two boys though.

If you thought about it, several of her fun gifts not only tickled his funny bone but exercised his brain and touched his heart as well. Take the set of magnetic letters for example. The first time he’d seen them on the refrigerator door they spelled “Ch'ha Di Gärn”. She could still see the happiness flooding his face and threatening to spill over because she’d chosen his native language for the first “I love you”. She was now working her way through the language alphabet, with a new way to say “I love you” every day he was there. They were now down to Basque, “Maite zaitut”. Bavarian would be next.

Then there were the rubber duckies. She’d been with him at the Cardiff concert and surprised him with the rock start ones. Then the biker ones found their way mysteriously into their bubble-filled tub during the London weekend.

But the piece de resistance was the goggles. Urs had picked her up after school on the Thursday of the London concert weekend. They were in the kitchen fixing supper together when she’d asked him to chop onions, after hiding her chopper. Poor Urs! The tears had started and she’d presented him with…



Naturally she wanted him to try them on. Urs mentioned something about looking for flying pigs and something else in Swiss German that she was positive wasn’t in her dictionary. Porcine pilots were spotted in the vicinity of the kitchen a short while later, however, when she appeared wearing her new “Diva in Training” apron….and nothing else.



She could still see those beautiful eyes peering out at her, magnified by the goggles after she crooned, “You put them on and I’ll take off my apron.” Of course as soon as the apron dropped the goggles did too, faster than you could say K for kitchen. Much later she remembered to check that letter off the list.

“Ah! Nothing like reaching cruising altitude, reclining your seat, and taking a little nap, by the window naturally.

What a hectic schedule! How many places had they been already? Twenty-nine concerts in just over six weeks. All those hours traveling, grabbing some sleep whenever you could, trying to turn your mind off, to relax and let the world slow down for awhile. He’d called to tell her he’d found it hidden in his suitcase, another way that showed she ‘got’ him, and loved him and was thinking of him. Then he’d laughed when she said, ”Now you can say you hold the world in the palm of your hand.” Yes, squeezing the rubber globe to relieve stress had been one of her better ideas.

Susanna closed her eyes and snuggled into the soft blanket the flight attendant had just given her.

Never in a million years would she put them on with Urs around, but they were cute and made her think of snuggling with him. When he wasn’t there it felt wonderful to fall sleep wrapped in the warmth of deliciously soft flannel sheets with little brown teddy bears romping all over them.

“Ding, ding.” Susanna opened her eyes and stretched. The plane was descending. She swallowed to relieve the pressure in her ears, then checked her watch. In just ten minutes the plane would be landing in Zurich and Urs would be waiting. This time she would be sure they made it to the hotel with no bathroom stops, lovely as they were. She wanted Urs to see her, at least for a few minutes, in her latest surprise, a pink teddy, a kind of reward for allowing her to keep him just a little off balance and get in touch with his less serious side.

Urs only felt the need to check his watch once, after all this was Switzerland. Would she notice He was here to meet her? Oh, yes, any chance to lovingly tease him wouldn’t be overlooked and how he had missed that.

When he though about it later he would swear his face saw her before his brain did. He could feel his face muscles rise to squeeze the flesh around his eyes causing the skin on his lips to stretch to their limit, barely able to contain his smile.

He truly meant to say something sweet and romantic at the moment she reached him but all that he could manage was, “You’re here.”

Susanna didn’t do much better. “I missed you.”

Their first kiss was a gentle, warm, welcome bringing them back to the place they were before their separation, back into that loving embrace they missed during their time apart. The smiles they exchanged were soothing and restoring, expressing their relief at seeing each other again. Susanna let her lips brush slowly and sensually against Urs as he responded to her kiss, one that looked forward to the joy of being together.

Chapter 127
Kitchen Conversation

Susanna’s plane had arrived at Gate 10, thank goodness. Urs walked her briskly toward the baggage claim with eyes focused either straight ahead or on her only. There were no frantic sweeping glances searching for a large H. Besides, the hotel was very near the airport.

“So did He miss me too?” Susanna asked as she nodded toward Him.

“Every day, but not as much as I did.” Urs pulled her tighter as they walked.
“I absolutely refuse to have any competition tonight you know, Bag Boy.”
“I know Houdini, He won’t even watch. I promise.”

**************************************

Urs reached for her red suitcase to sling it off the carousel; the pink one had not been exceptionally heavy.

“What have you got in here bricks?” he complained as he rubbed his shoulder.

“Well, books are heavy, Urs, and I brought a few extra along just in case. Don’t be such a wimp. It does have wheels you know. Think of it as a workout.” Susanna explained as she grabbed the handle of her pink suitcase.

“You might have at least warned me. I should have known something was up since you never bring two suitcases and by the way that’s not the kind of workout I had in mind.” he grizzled as he began wheeling it quickly to catch up with Susanna who was already headed towards the exit to look for a cab.

Their conversation continued in the cab. “Really it’s very simple and efficient, Urs. You’re going to like this it’s very organized. Did you notice the red one is smaller than the pink? After I give the books away I’ll just put it inside the pink one when I go home. I think your Swissness is beginning to rub off on me.” she finished with a teasing grin as she unzipped his leather jacket and began rubbing his chest.

Urs stopped her hand with his as he chuckled, “Behave yourself, Houdini,”, then he leaned down to whisper in her ear,” at least till we get to our room.” and punctuated it by gently capturing her ear lobe with his teeth.

She sat up primly and folded her hands in her lap. “OK then tell me about tomorrow. How any lions are you going to throw this Christian to?”

“Ackshully it should be tonight. Mami wanted you to come for supper tonight. I might have exaggerated a bit when I told her you were catching a late flight after school. But the rest of it was true. I said you’d be too tired.” Urs said smugly.

“Oh you think so do you, Bag Boy! And what about you? I suppose you’ll be fresh as a daisy?” Susanna sputtered.

“Well I couldn’t very well say WE’LL be too tired, now could I? After all…”

“OMG! Your mother! And your father! Do you think….You don’t suppose… What would they say?” Susanna the Horror-Stricken fell silent.

Urs the Unperturbed laced his fingers through hers and tried to calm her down. “First of all we’re adults here, Susanna. They know you’re a widow and I’m certain, even Mami, does not believe I’ve taken up monastic life. It’s not as if we’re randy teenagers in the back seat of a car.”

“No just horny. Unless you can get jetlag between London and Zurich.” Susanna interrupted.

“And….after the get together tomorrow I know they plan on you staying with Eva in Luzern and going with them to the concert on Sunday so….I just had to have you to myself tonight.” Urs brought her hand to his lips for a kiss.

“OK Bag Boy I’m trusting you on this.” Susanna sighed.
“Now just how many lions again?”

“Now don’t panic, but probably over forty for the concert, but only Felix and my sisters and their families tomorrow, at least that was all the last time I heard….maybe a few more…..but they’ll love you Susanna. I know they will.” Urs of the Ever-Expanding Family bit his lip nervously as he looked at Susanna.

Susanna shook her head and rolled her eyes. “Okaaaaayyyyy. You can do this Susanna. Just think of it as Back to School Night with all the parents and their children……and aunts….and uncles…. Let’s just not talk about it right now Urs. I’ll be fine when it happens.”

“I know you will. I feel the same way when I step out on the stage and I’ll be with you all the time.” Urs said with a reassuring kiss.

Urs closed the door to their room and lowered his mouth to Susanna’s as his tongue sought hers. She slid her arms around his shoulders and as his kiss lingered she melted against him.

“Urs, I need a minute. I have a surprise…”

“Susanna if it’s…”

Susanna hushed his mouth with her fingers. “Just wait a minute. It’s a grown-up surprise. Trust me you’ll like it. I’m magical.”

Susanna took one more look at herself in the mirror and decided she needed a little dutch courage in the form of her white robe, not tied up but just to make her feel not so ‘out there’ in more ways than one. It was an almost see through dotted Swiss cami, watermelon with pale blue dots and edged in pale blue lace with matching hipster boy shorts also trimmed in lace.

Urs was in her favorite state of undress when he saw her. There he stood, barefoot with one button undone. His expression was a new one though, slack-jawed. So that was what that looked like.

He didn’t move as she came toward him shyly. She thought she heard him start breathing as he reached for her robe and slid it off her shoulders onto the floor and cradled her chin for a hidden kiss in the corner of her mouth. “A hidden kiss….for those who possess it are said to slip in and out of heaven to find the one the kiss belongs to. My Susanna, you are indeed heavenly.”

Urs smiled and feasted his eyes on her, then he took one hand and twirled her slowly around. He had such a way of looking at her that made her feel beautiful inside and out.

Susanna had to smile as his adoring look gradually changed to confusion. His hands made a few false starts as if she were a birthday present he was dying to open but didn’t quite know where to begin.

Urs clean masculine scent filled all her senses, making it impossible to breathe. His body engulfed hers so she could not see anything but him, could not smell anything but him. Urs kissed her temple, then her eyebrow. “I love how your skin responds to my touch. I can feel your heart beating for me.” His hands traced a slow trail down her shoulder. “There is only you and me. Let me show you all the pleasure your body will allow.” Their world tilted out of control with the pleasure of not having to long for each other as they celebrated their reunion.

**************************************************

Urs turned off the alarm and rolled over to kiss Susanna awake but she already was.

“Have you been awake long?” he asked as he nibbled, having decided her arm from wrist to shoulder also needed waking up.

“Just a few minutes, really, my mind wouldn’t let me go back to sleep I guess.” she replied as she put her arms around him for a proper good morning kiss.

“We should leave in about a half hour. We can grab a coffee on the way out.” Urs planned.

Susanna put in her order. “Café mocha and croissants?”

“Of course, Houdini, and if we shower together we can save time…
“and water.” finished Susanna. Let it here be noted they saved neither time nor water but they were very clean…..and happy.

************************************

The house was set back from the winding road with a large yard all around. Susanna could just picture all the grandchildren playing. There were none there yet, since Urs had thoughtfully arrived well before the others to give Susanna a chance to get to meet his parents first before she was bombarded by the rest of the Buhler clan.

As they rode up the driveway Urs reached over to pat the hands she was nervously twisting in her lap and flashed her a reassuring smile. They were so well-matched, he reflected, as he saw her take a deep breath, square her shoulders and put on her best smile as he helped her out of the car.

“Mami!” Urs wrapped his arms around the small, dark-haired woman and said something to her in his own language.Then he greeted his father with a shoulder hug and a huge smile.

Urs put his arm around Susanna and gently brought her forward to meet Mami. Mami of the tilted doe-eyes, reminiscent of Sophia Loren. So that’s where he gets them.

“Gruezi, Frau Buhler.” she smiled and held out her hand. Mami looked at Urs in approval and surprise at Susanna’s attempted Swiss German.

“Gruezi, Susanna and please call me Mami, bitte. I am so happy to meet you at last.” she smiled and Susanna could feel the fists of tension in her stomach relax and change to soothing fingers, calming her nervousness.

“Welcome, Susanna.” Susanna’s hand was lost in Karl Buhler’s warm handshake as his other hand closed over it.“I am Karl. We are happy to have you here.” Susanna looked up at an older version of Urs’ smile in the tall barrel-chested man.

“Ja, ja, we will talk inside. Urs and Karl will bring in your bags.” Mami directed as she took Susanna by the arm, patted her hand, and led her toward the house.

Urs already knew to leave Susanna’s personal suitcase in the car since she’d be staying with Eva tonight so he only had to struggle with the leaden suitcase of books.

Evidently ‘we will talk inside’ meant Urs and his father would make themselves scarce while Mami and Susanna got to know each other better in the kitchen.
Mami’s English was a little more heavily accented than Urs, but very fluent.
Susanna told Mami about her teaching and her family and Mami shared some funny stories about when her children were growing up and a little about when she’d worked as a milliner and a seamstress. Susanna thought it best not to mention that when she’d gone away to college Muz had given her three large packages of safety pins as a sewing kit.

“So you were married, Urs tells me.”

It’s getting real now Susanna. Take a deep breath and step out on that stage, just like Urs said. You can do it. “Yes, for almost two years. He was killed in a car accident. I…. I had a difficult time dealing with it but now thanks mostly to Urs I’m past that. He was so kind and patient and supportive.” Susanna said softly as her eyes filled up and she had to look away for a moment to regain control.

Mami waited until she was composed. “So you are happy now? Does our Urs make you happy?” her eyes searched Susanna’s face as if the answer would be magically written on her forehead.

Susanna’s face positively beamed and she leaned forward, “Oh yes, Mami. I never knew I could be this happy.” Suddenly she sat back, embarrassed that she’d been so emotional in front of someone she’d just met, even though it was Urs’ mother….especially since it was Urs’ mother.

Had she shocked her? Weren’t the Swiss reserved and polite to a fault, building friendships slowly, just as she and Urs had done, and here she was blurting out feelings five minutes after they’d met!

Mami reached over, patted her hand and smiled comfortingly.

[I]Was she feeling pity for this poor overwrought American who could not control her emotions?[/]

“I think our Urs and you are well matched.” she said finally as if pronouncing judgment.

[I]Well matched? Why? Oh, I know now[/].
“You mean with the cookies, Yes, I agree, I love baking them and Urs loves eating them.” Susanna laughed at her little joke. Mami did not.

“No, Susanna, because he loves you as much as you love him. You do love him, ja?”

“Ja, Mami I love him with all my heart.”

“Gut. Now we will talk about the cookies.” Mami smiled her blessing on Susanna as she squeezed her hand.

Chapter 128
Less Than 20

Although the wind was cool, the warm sun made it very comfortable, especially toward the back of the house, protected from the wind, so Urs and his father had set out a few tables and chairs. It would be a perfect spot for the children to eat. Urs had mentioned there was usually an impromptu game of some sort going whenever they got together so ‘spectators’ could also sit out and watch. Susanna suspected if it were anything like back home eventually most of the women would wind up in or around the kitchen visiting.

Karl and Felix would be in charge of grilling the several types of wurst and each family would bring side dishes. Susanna was torn. On the one hand she’d give her eye teeth to watch Mami prepare authentic Rosti, while on the other, she didn’t want to remind Urs of her poor attempt with the frozen potatoes.

When Urs took a break he found Susanna and Mami elbow deep in recipes. He’d come in at the tail end of Susanna’s story about the Boozy Worchester apples and her first magic trick. She had to tell about him sneaking a bite too, didn’t she! Now Mami would know he’d really never grown up, at least not where dessert was concerned. Of course, Mami and Susanna had already known this about the man/child they both loved.

Felix, Inga and their two girls, Anna and Lara were the first to arrive from Zurich. Susanna had copies of The Kissing Hand for each family and special little gifts and books for all the children.

By the time Urs’ sister Pia, Willem and their two boys, Luca and Jakob walked in, the girls were pretending to be Junie B. Jones with their new purses. The boys fell over themselves in their rush to blow up their inflatable guitars and play air guitar along with Uncle Urs when he brought down his old one he’d found in his closet.

Susanna had been a little worried about Pia’s reaction to the Captain Underpants books she brought until Pia started regaling her with tales of the pranks she and Urs had gotten up to when they were younger. The books were child’s play compared to some of their antics.

Irma and her husband Hans and daughter Leonie came next on the heels of Eva, Urs’ unmarried sister whom Susanna would stay with tonight in Luzern. Just as Susanna started reading Wuggie Norple to her, Urs arrived. By the end of the story all the children including Urs were squealing with laughter and trying to say the silly, nonsense repetitive lines along with her. She was like the Pied Piper of foolishness and fun and the children begged for just one more when she finished.

“Let the poor girl rest a minute.” laughed Karl Buhler, “Now who wants to taste these delicious sausages?”

The adults helped the children with their food from the groaning kitchen table and then shooed them outside to Papi and Felix for their sausages. Then it was their turn to fill their plates and settle down to the delicious food. Some preferred the dining room table, while the rest found a comfortable chair either inside or out.
Urs followed Susanna around the table, pointing out his favorites, explaining their names and what they were as she tried a little bit of everything to make sure no one’s feelings were hurt. She figured if she got full or there were any she didn’t care for it didn’t matter. Urs was there and so far all of them seemed to be his favorites. Maybe Urs could help her remember the names of the ones she liked so she could ask the cooks for their recipes before they left.

“So what do you think?” Urs asked as they headed into the house with their empty plates.

“About what?” asked Susanna, as she was stopped momentarily as Leonie came up shyly with another book for her to read.

“In a minute, sweetie, OK? Uncle Urs and I are talking. I’ll come get you when we’re finished.” Susanna smiled and returned her little wave as she skipped back to her parents and hopped up on Han’s lap.

“I mean how do you like everyone?” he asked cautiously.

“They’re all charming, Urs, and so friendly. I couldn’t get over Pia, though. She could be your twin, the eyes, the cheekbones, even down to the smile. I can certainly see how you two were double trouble when you were younger.” she chuckled.

“She’s the one who helped me download the ride through Glaubenburg Pass and put the music into it. She’s good isn’t she?” Urs said proudly.

“Yes, very. You are blessed; Urs to have such a loving family and the children are darling, so polite and smart. I’m impressed. I was a little worried they wouldn’t get some of the funny bits in the story but they caught on very quickly. I guess that’s one of the things I love about humor. No matter where in the world you go, people still find the same things funny. It really brings us together, kind of like your music.”

Susanna offered to help the other women clear off the table to make room for the desserts but Mami begged her to go read instead to keep the children out from underfoot while they worked.

Urs felt his heart overflow with love and pride as he watched her work her magic with the children as she read.

“Now this is one of my very favorite stories. It’s about a Prince. Did you know there are all different kinds of princes? If you’re wery, wery lucky, some day you just might meet one.” she looked over to see Urs looking at her and gave him a special smile. “This Prince is a cowboy and the title of the book is Bubba the Cowboy Prince.

The children clapped at the end of the book and before they could ask for another Susanna was saved by the sound of the dessert bell. Again the adults supervised the little hands attached to the little people with eyes bigger than their stomachs. Unfortunately no one was there to supervise the adults.

Consequently, the next hour was spent in quiet activities and visiting requiring no sudden moves or strenuous exercise. Some of the younger children even succumbed to the sandman.

“Come take a walk with me, Houdini or else I’m going to fall asleep.” Urs whispered in Susanna’s ear as she helped carry the last dish to the kitchen.

So with a blanket tucked under one arm and Susanna under the other they headed up the hill behind the house. Susanna was glad he’d brought the blanket because right now a nap sounded like a wonderful idea. Maybe it was just the tension wearing off…..well that and not getting a whole lot of sleep last night. She grinned at the thought.

They walked on a little way over the brow of the hill before Urs spread the blanket, sat down and made a space for her to sit between his legs. She leaned back into his chest and breathed a contented sigh.

“Don’t even think about it, Houdini.”Urs warned with a grin.

“What?” Susanna turned her head around and gave him her best innocent look.

“I know what you’re thinking and no I will absolutely not yodel. Heidi is not going to magically appear nor will any Brown Swiss cows wearing flowers on their horns. Sorry to disappoint you.”

‘But what happened to Urs the Uber-Romantic? Is he dead and gone?” she whined melodramatically.

“No just comfortably full of strudel and wanting to kiss you properly. Now come here.” he turned her around face him and kissed her---a tantalizingly, slow tasting as if she were richer than any dessert.

“Mmmmmm,” she murmured.

“Mmmmmm,” he acknowledged teasingly as he ended their kiss.

Urs ran his hands up and down her arms as he spoke to the tiny pulse that fluttered at the side of her neck.

“I was watching you today with my nieces and nephews. I don’t know how you did it but you had them eating out of your hand five minutes after they met you. You’re amazing,” he shook his head in bemusement.

“That’s not so surprising really. I love children. It’s as simple as that. Children can sense if you like them or not and they respond.” Susanna said modestly.

“I know you love the children you teach, but what about your own?” Urs lifted her chin with his finger, forcing her to look at him.

“Someday I…I’d love to have a child of my own.” she stammered and then looked down again.

“I thought you said it was nice when they went home at 3:00,” he reminded her.

“Well it is. Especially when there are 20 of them.” she laughed and then became serious again. “When I was pregnant I didn’t want my baby to have a father who didn’t care, a father like Bruce. If I’d have seen him around children, I’d have known better. There’s just this easy way some people connect with children. You know, like you do with your nieces and nephews. They can tell you love them...” she stopped, suddenly feeling embarrassed.

“What would you think of that?”

“What would I think of what?”

“You know…..”

“No I don’t know, Bag Boy……….. Is this going to be like the zoo trip when Jessica asked you about the giraffe and you were embarrassed? Will it help if I take off my shoe so you can talk to my foot?”

Urs heaved a huge sigh. “I meant Houdini, would you like to marry me and have my children?” he asked very slowly and loudly as if he were asking a hard-of-hearing simpleton.

Susanna launched herself at him with a flying hug. “Yes, oh yes, Bag Boy I would love to marry you and have your children!!”
Suddenly a litter of hungry puppies began to attack Urs…….just as suddenly they stopped. ………..”How many are we talking about here, Bag Boy?”

“Less than 20?” he suggested.

“I think that can be arranged. I have my magic hat and you….” Susanna bent over to whisper the rest in Bag Boy’s ear. He just grinned.

Chapter 129
Sharing the News

The most eloquent silence is that of two mouths meeting in a kiss.

Then it was as if a great wild whoosh of excitement flooded over them. They didn’t know whether to laugh, cry, shout, sing, kiss or hug so they celebrated with them all. Finally they ended up just lying on their backs, holding hands, looking up at the bright blue sky and fluffy clouds in wide-eyed amazement and then back at each other to kiss and laugh with joy.

“I hadn’t really planned this, Houdini.” Urs said in wonder.

“I could tell, Bag Boy.”

“I don’t even have a ring.” Urs the Impulsive suddenly remembered.

“If you’re trying to back out, Bag Boy, it’s too late. I’ll put a magic spell on you. You’ll never get away.” Susanna rolled over and pinned him down with a slow, hungry kiss to prove her point.

Urs sat up and pulled Susanna with him. He took both her hands in his and looked at her earnestly. His face was serious.“Susanna …….I want everything to be done properly…..to be perfect. Even though you’ve said yes, I want to ask your father’s permission. I could ask him when we go to Florida for the U.S. concerts in June. Would that be alright with you? Can you wait until then for a ring?” his eyes searched her face anxiously as he spoke.

Susanna caressed his cheek with her hand. “Urs, all I need is you and a wedding ring….nothing else could make me happier. You’re idea is so romantic and old-fashioned and proper. I love it…I love you - those three words have my life in them.”

Urs stood up and held out his hand for Susanna. She bounded up and ran a little way father down the hill, then stopped and looked back at Urs with a wide grin.

“I love you Urs Buhler!” she shouted at the sky and ran laughing back to him, not stopping as he caught her in a flying hug and swung her around and around until they were laughing and breathless.

“I want to tell the whole wide world!” she exclaimed with arms open wide as she twirled around one last time. Then she looked at him with eyes awash with tears. “I love you so much.”

“I love you, too, my Susanna,” he said, his voice deep and silky and lowered his mouth to hers for a kiss that drew her soul into his.

Urs grabbed the blanket and Susanna and with arms around each other they started back to the house.“I think before we tell the whole wide world we should tell Mami and Papa first, ja?” Urs teased.

“Ja, I think they should be the first to know,” she teased back, “but before we get any closer to the house do you think you could….you know…..”

Urs stopped walking and put his hands on her shoulders. “No I don’t know…..now Susanna am I going to have to take MY shoe off so you can talk to my foot?” he said stifling a grin, though not quite in time for it to pass unnoticed.

“You do to know, Bag Boy, I want you to yodel.” Urs yodeled, but it sounded a bit wobbly. It is very difficult to laugh and yodel at the same time you know.

**************************

“There you two are. We were wondering where you were.” Felix gave Urs a hearty slap on the back. Susanna was sure it he had Carlos’ eyebrows he’d have waggled them.

“Susanna and I went for a walk. She wanted to try out for “the Sound of Music”, Urs the Cheshire cat said.

“And Urs wanted to show me how he could yodel.” Susanna the Cheshire cat said as she looked over at Urs.

They both convulsed in laughter as Felix shook his head and walked away grinning.

****************************

Felix and Irma and their families had already left and it was dark when Jan and Ingrid Mueller, Urs’ godparents stopped by. They wouldn’t be able to attend the concert tomorrow so they wanted to be sure to see Urs before he left. Susanna liked their friendly warmth coupled with Swiss politeness and how proud they were of Urs. They positively preened as he told them about the concert tour!

Susanna and Urs had been sitting close together on the sofa listening to Jan tell about his newest grandchild when Urs excused himself. Susanna had felt a little lost in the maze of friendly gossip as Pia, Willem, Eva and the Buhlers talked so when Mami went to the kitchen to get dessert and coffee Susanna offered to help. No sooner had she gotten there when Urs showed up to ‘borrow’ her. Mami’s crinkling eyes said she didn’t believe a word of it as Urs and Susanna disappeared out the back door.

“What are you doing Urs? What will Mami think?”

“She will think I am a very clever and romantic son, that’s what.” Urs replied smugly as he reached in his pocket.

“A ring!” he announced in his best Houdini imitation, as he held up a small gold signet ring. “It was a gift from my godparents when I was a teenager.”

“Now, Susanna will you marry me again?” Urs asked as he took her left hand in his.

“I don’t remember marrying you the first time but yes, Urs, I’ll marry you again.” Susanna promised, trying to hide a smile.

The tender love in his eyes as he slipped the ring on her finger brought tears to her eyes. It was so exactly right, beautifully crafted with his initials in gracefully flowing script. When he was finished he raised her hand to his lips and kissed her ringed finger. Susanna slid her arms around his neck as her happy tears overflowed. When she looked at Urs again and saw him blink back his own tears she knew she had never loved him more than at this moment.

“We’d better get in before Mami comes looking for me to see what I’ve done with her only unmarried son.” Susanna joshed.

*********************************

When they returned, Mami did look up from the dessert tray she was fixing but just smiled as if she knew something was up. Urs popped his head into the living room.

“Papa, I could use a little help bringing in the table.”

As soon as he was through the door, Urs closed it gently.

“We need to tell you and Mami something.” The older Buhlers exchanged a look and sat down along with Urs and Susanna.

Urs held Susanna’s hand possessively. “I’ve asked Susanna to marry and she said yes!” he beamed and squinched.

Karl Buhler enveloped Urs in a hug worthy of his name, slapping him on the back and congratulating him with tears of joy in his eyes as Mami welcomed Susanna into her arms and her family.

“Our Urs knew you were the special one for him at Christmas and when we met you, ja, we knew too. Welcome to our family, dear child,” Mami said as she gave Susanna an extra squeeze and looked at her husband.

“Ja, Mother, you were right.” Papa laughed and pulled his wife to him for a congratulatory hug and kiss.

Susanna might not have understood the tender exchange of words between mother and son, but the smiles, tears, and fierce hugs spoken with love did not need translation.

Meanwhile, Susanna discovered first hand the origin of the term ‘bear hug’ as she was surrounded by the embrace of Papa bear.

When Urs showed them Susanna’s ring, they agreed it was a perfect choice until he had spoken formally to Mr. Nelson. In the meantime they would tell only their immediate family and Urs’ godparents of course. Urs planned to call Felix and Irma tomorrow morning before they left for the concert.

******************************

Susanna saw a spark of understanding pass between Pia and Urs even before he spoke. How comforting that must be for him to grow up having a sibling who knew him so well. Eva’s reaction to the announcement was excitement accompanied by a dreamy romantic expression. Susanna could just imagine the conversation once they were back at her place tonight. No one was more delighted than Jan and Ingrid not only because Urs had found his soulmate at last, but also because their ring had played a special part in his life once again. Papa brought out champagne for a toast and they celebrated well into the night.

*********************************

Everyone had said their goodnights and left as Eva tactfully, waited in her car for Urs to say goodnight to Susanna.

“I still can’t quite believe it, Bag Boy. This morning when I woke up I was just plain Susanna and tonight I’ll go to sleep engaged. This has been the best day of my life.” She looked at Urs and then down at her ring in wonder.

“First, in all your life you have never been just PLAIN, Susanna, and although this day is very special, I can hardly wait until a day wery soon when we become man and wife. That will be even better, I promise you my Susanna.

“Mein Gott, I want to be with you tonight…especially tonight.” Urs breathed as his he made love to her mouth...nibbling, teasing, taking pleasure from the soft caresses of their lips and tongues.

As they embraced each other, their kiss became the full body-contact type that left them breathless. Urs touched his forehead to hers as they waited for their heartbeats to slow down. "We should have saved that one for when we're alone I think Houdini." Urs said ruefully as he took a step back and grinned.

“I have a very good memory, Bag Boy. I'll be glad to remind you tomorrow night.”

Chapter 130
The Concert

Eva opened their conversation with, ”I’m glad my brother is marrying you.”

“Me too.” laughed Susanna, “but why are you so happy?”

“Now maybe we’ll get to see more of him. The past few years when he was living in Amsterdam he didn’t come home much and since he’s been with Il Divo we see him even less.” Eva’s Swiss logic was out in full force tonight.

Susanna found her easy to talk to especially since she was a true romantic like herself. They also had another thing in common. Eva’s boyfriend was an engineer working on the Gotthard Base Tunnel being built for the use of express trains traveling from northern Switzerland to the Ticino area and beyond. Since they only saw each other on the weekends she was anxious to hear how Susanna handled separations when Urs was on tour.

Eva loved the suggestions about setting up IM and Susanna told her about the virtual kiss website and the iPod songs they’d loaded for each other. She also mentioned how she and Urs had promised each other not to be predictable.

By the time the two girls said their sleepy goodnights, Susanna could almost see the wheels turning as Eva planned little romantic surprises for Franz. Susanna smiled to herself as she molded a temporary BB Jr. and snuggled under the covers. Il Divo may be bringing a little romance to the worlds of their female fans but she was also doing what she could to insure the men weren’t forgotten. Poor Franz wouldn’t know what hit him!

*****************************

Eva and Susanna joined Mami, Papa, Urs, and Pia’s family for church early the next morning, very early according to Susanna’s internal clock. Urs needed to get back to Zurich so he left soon after the service in his renta car. Their parting kiss was of the sweet, innocent, in-front-of-the-family variety ending with a whispered, “I haven’t forgotten, Bag Boy.” from Susanna and a blinky wink from Urs.

Susanna and the rest of the Buhler clan went back to Mami’s for breakfast. They would all meet at Felix’s house in Zurich in the afternoon for dinner before the concert.

Did Urs family do anything besides have huge get togethers and eat, eat, eat? At this rate I’ll need to walk back to London to get this food off my hips. Oh well, when in Switzerland…….and it was all so delicious!

Dinner at Felix’s seemed to grow and grow, almost overwhelming Susanna with so many new names and faces. Mami and Eva were so sweet, always making sure she wasn’t left on her own and introduced her as Urs’ girlfriend. By the time they arrived at the concert their number had swelled to forty-three. They took over the fourth row in the middle, and a happy, loving group, there to support their favorite son, nephew, friend, cousin, and now fiancé.

Of course they assumed everyone felt the same as they did about Urs. How could you not? One cousin got his comeuppance when a girl in front had flowers for someone other than Urs. She apologized as soon as she realized who was sitting right behind her but as Mami told the embarrassed girl with a laugh, “Urs can’t be everyone’s favorite.”

As they let out their collective breath the concert began. Susanna had never heard them sound better and Urs was absolutely on fire. She had never seen him smile with so much genuine happiness in her life. From his first blinky wink to her she was totally mesmerized. He sang, he rocked, he finger tapped, he air-punched and from onstage he loved his family gathered there through his performance.

Standing the closest to him onstage, Seb often exchanged looks and gave Urs comforting pats on the back or arm to tell him what words couldn’t. Urs’ heart was just too full of emotion, performing for the first time before a home audience and his family.

Then came the special moment they’d all been waiting for as Urs dedicated the song to Mami and they began ‘Mama’. Mother and son connected in such a truly powerful way throughout the song that whenever Urs looked at her he needed to stopper his tears by putting his fingers in the corners of his eyes. Mami had the luxury of allowing hers to flow as she beamed at her son with love and pride. Urs their native son had come home and the delirious crowd showed their approval and support with everything from stamping and standing ovations to a row of proud and excited sparkler-waving Buhlers. And at the final bow as their eyes met, the Kissing Hand sealed their new forever promise in their hearts.

After the concert, the family gathered backstage in a large room designated for friends and family. David, Seb, and Carlos stopped by for a few minutes to say hello again especially to Urs’s parents and meet some of his relatives. They were so happy for him and the reception he received tonight. They shared knowing looks as they noticed Susanna’s ring and how Urs kept Susanna close by. Their faces told them all they wanted to know, knowing Urs; they could wait for details until he was ready to share.

It was around midnight when Urs and Susanna received their last hugs and goodbyes from the family and they left for the hotel. Tomorrow morning they would go to the airport together; Urs would fly to Stuttgart for the concert that night and Susanna would go back to the end of school craziness. Tonight, however, their minds, hearts, and bodies were thinking of unfinished plans.

********************************

“Your room or mine, Bag Boy?” Susanna giggled into Urs’ ear as the cab dropped them off in front of the hotel.

His eyebrows ascended along with the corners of his mouth.
“You have a room? Here?”

“Well I couldn’t just breeze in and say, ‘Put my suitcase in Herr Buhler’s room.’ with one of your very helpful relatives carrying it in for me, now could I?” she reasoned logically. “So I called yesterday and booked one.”

“Now back to my question. I’m not trying to pressure you or anything but…. I asked for one with a handicapped shower.” She smiled smugly. The decision was a no-brainer.

Urs closed the door and they came together in a sizzling head to toe contact kiss as they reminded each other where they had left off last night.

“Shower?” Urs asked.

“In the morning.” Susanna suggested. “Tonight I want it to be like the first time, please Urs?”

“That would be perfect, my Susanna.”

They undressed each other with the same feelings of love, wonder, excitement, and tenderness as on New Years in Vienna, but now their caresses were sure and knowing and without clothing mishaps. And when Susanna took Urs hand and led him to the bedroom, she did not make a solo bashful rush to hide under the covers. It was a joint effort accomplished with joyous expectation.

“I want you so much,” he said whispered against the hollow beneath her ear. “So wery much.”

Susanna touched the side of his face. “As I want you,” she said gently.

They kissed gently, then the kiss deepened and grew fierce with need. She sought his mouth with eagerness and hunger and shivered with anticipation. Her arms came up to hold him as he held her, and she answered his kiss with a passion and a need that matched his own. Their bodies pressed to each other, hungering, yearning. They held each other, heart beating against heart, breaths coming fast, kissing, as their arms tightened around each other and for the briefest instant it was as though their souls had touched. They didn’t now how or why, only that it was so.

***********************

The slept curled against each other. As Urs brain swirled awake he looked at her and wondered again at the depth of emotion he felt….his Susanna who would soon be his wife. He could never get enough of her. Cradling her in his arms, he rubbed her back gently and kissed her lips, still swollen from his kisses.
“Again?” he said against her lips.
“Yes, please.” she smiled back against his.

***************************************

The wake up call! Surely it can’t be time yet? Unfortunately it was. Then Susanna remembered the shower!

“C’mon Urs shower time! Susanna grabbed Urs hand and propelled him into a sitting position.

“Susanna you’ll be the death of me yet. I don’t think I….”

“A nice hot shower will fix you right up. Let’s go.”

The next thing Urs knew he was standing, make that sagging in the shower.

‘I think maybe you do need to sit here on the bench, Urs. It’s OK if you’re feeling a little handicapped today. Let me take care of you because I’m feeling very able bodied.” Susanna grinned as she came toward him with the soapy sponge. Urs was amazed at the restorative powers in Susanna’s magical sponge.

******************************

Urs stood in front of the mirror with towel around his waist and raised his hand up to comb his hair Then he saw it. He walked over to the bed where Susanna was packing.

“Hey, Houdini, did you give me this last night?” Urs pointed to a love bite on his right side just under his ribs.

Susanna turned to look at it. “I sure hope so. Unless BB Jr. gotten loose again.” she joked.

“Don’t have a hickey fit, Urs. Even if you wore your shirts unbuttoned like Carlos does it wouldn’t show. Not like the one you gave me.” With a grin she pulled down her turtle neck sweater to reveal a love bite on her neck.

“And besides it isn’t a hickey. It’s a wimp mark.” she explained.

‘I’m not complaining, Houdini, it’s just that you never…what’s a wimp mark?” Oh no, there’s even bedroom Susannaese!

“It’s like a hickey only it’s for wimps like me who know they’d get in big trouble if they put one where you could see it. But just wait till the Tour ends!” she threatened trying but failing to imitate an evil laugh.

Shaking his head, Urs pulled her into his arms and proceeded to pull down her sweater and inspect his handiwork.

“Um, I do good work don’t I?” he teased as he nuzzled into her neck and tickled her. “Since your sweater does such a wonderful job of hiding it maybe I should give you a matching one.”

“Don’t even think about it, Bag Boy. You need to get a move on if you plan on shaving and you still need to pack.” Susanna gave him a pinch on the hunkus and retreated to the other side of the bed to finish her packing.

Urs took one more look at his wimp mark and began to get dressed. It wouldn’t do to miss his flight.

Chapter 131
Daddy, May I?

A graceful, long-fingered hand fell over p. 136 where Susanna sat reading Elegant Brides magazine in the window seat high over the Atlantic. Without missing a word, she bent into her magical bag and produced the magazine with a smile. As the hand retreated with a satisfied sigh, she turned to Urs and leaned over for a kiss.

“Did you bring the house listings we got from the realtor?”

“Sure, here they are.” Susanna handed him a folder from her bag. “They promised to email any new ones while we’re here. That way we can be ready to start looking before the Summer Nights concerts start.” Susanna said matter-of-factly.

“I think I should maybe change your name to Heidi, ja? You are becoming more logical and Swiss every day.” he said with a smile as he reached for her hand and kissed it.

“Not really, Bag Boy. It’s just that I’ve been waiting for one of us to break our toe stumbling over all my boxes of teaching materials. I’ll be really excited when we can start looking for a house for us.”

“And for our less than 20 children.” Urs blinky winked.

********************************

As far as Susanna was concerned the last day of school for the teachers was the buttcrack sand in the swimsuit of her life. It was always hurry up and wait. Everything was packed up and at either Urs’ apartment or hers.

He had been a God-send with the packing. If they gave medals for packing the most items into the least space, his chest would be full of them. Of course they were all properly labeled, even with the cabinet or drawer they’d been in to jog Susanna’s memory later. He’d dutifully lugged them home, without complaint, a few at a time and knew he’d exercised muscles even his gym routine didn’t include.

Susanna had been extremely diligent in expressing her gratitude with little treats, both physical and emotional, making certain all his appetites were satisfied and he was not too exhausted to enjoy any of them.

Then it was time for the boring last minute checks and sign-offs and the mandatory end of the year meeting. Finally came the bittersweet ‘See you laters’ to her friends. As much as she loved them, she’d been careful these last two weeks of school not to let on that Urs had proposed. School grapevines were notorious and her friends were not good at hiding their excitement.

She and Urs had decided that at least for the coming school year it would be best to resign her full time teaching position and substitute only so she could be with him as much as possible.

Her merry band of teacher friends: Rosemary, Joanne, Marissa, and Leslie, however had already given notice that they had no intention of letting any grass grow under their close friendship, no matter what.

In July, when she and Urs returned to London, she planned to have a little get together and share the happy news. Also by then, hopefully, she’d have information about a wedding date. She was already thinking of ways to include them.

The US summer tour would take them into early July. Then there was the UK Summer Nights until the end of July. Sometime after that they would be back in the studio to do a new CD and then there was the tour with Barbra Streisand later in the fall sometime. The Il Divo merry-go-round seemed to be gathering speed so all they could do was hold onto each other and enjoy the ride for now. At soon as dates were finalized they could begin to think of setting a wedding date.

********************************

“Schiesse! I just stepped out on the balcony to have a look and I’m sweating already and look at my hair,” moaned Urs as he closed the sliding glass door on the sights and sounds of downtown Tampa, “and it’s only 7:30 AM!”

“Well, this is Florida in July Urs. Maybe next time they book your US tours they can get some input from someone who’s actually lived here. And as for your hair, several people on the Forum said they loved how your hair got curlier and curlier during the concert and that includes me.”

Susanna understood the real art of maintaining a relationship was not only to say the right thing in the right place, but to leave unsaid the wrong thing at the tempting moment. Thus, Urs steadfast decision, against her better judgment, to wear a heavy long-sleeved white shirt to the soundcheck in 95 degree weather was not mentioned, at the time. All bets were off for today though.

“I was really worried about you, Bag Boy, during those first two concerts in Boca. You were absolutely gray by the time you came offstage.” At least your color is a little better today.” she said walking over to him for a closer inspection.

“I’m hoping you’re getting acclimated to the heat. But you still need to drink lots of extra fluids. I mean gallons. Steve has promised to have lots of Gatorade for all of you to drink. Even doctors tell patients to drink it for dehydration.” Susanna the Nurse lectured.

“Oh, and I’ve permanently retired all your long-sleeved tee shirts unless we’re in air-conditioning or the temperature is below 70 degrees.” Susanna of the Tee-Shirt Police added.

There are two theories to arguing with women. Neither one works. Urs was wise enough to not even try.

*****************************************

“Why don’t you have a nice cool shower and I’ll order breakfast?”

“But I need you, Houdini. I’ve missed you. I’ve been sick for two whole nights. At least you could scrub my very sweaty back.” Urs wheedled.

“Houdini, I think I’ll be acclimated to the weather by the time we get to Houston on the 20th.” Urs said, silently counting on his fingers as he stepped into the shower and adjusted the water temperature.

“Did I ever tell you your timing is perfect, Bag Boy?” Susanna grinned as she hung up her pink robe on the door and joined him.

“Houdini did you by any chance bring your magic sponge?” Urs asked hopefully.

“I never travel without it, Bag Boy. Move over.”

*******************************************

“What time are you meeting Muz again?” asked Urs as he held up a black and a white shirt, trying to decide which one to wear.

Poor Urs he really is nervous about talking to Daddy. I keep telling him they both love him and it’s no biggie, but then I guess it is. After all he’s never done that before. Muz will simply swoon when she hears what he’s done.

“I’m dropping you at the country club at 11:30 to have lunch with Daddy. Then I’m going over to the house to drop off my suitcase. Remember, they’re expecting me to stay there tonight since we’re going together to the concert. Muz and I will go do a little shopping….visit….whatever and wait for you to call. Then we’ll meet you and let Daddy tell Muz. I think he’ll be so pleased that for once he was the first to know something.” Susanna walked over to him, took both shirts, laid them carefully on the bed and wound her arms around him for a kiss.

When their kiss ended, she cradled his face and looked intently at him. “It will be fine, Urs… really. Daddy and Muz will be thrilled. You’ll see. All they want is for me to be happy and I never dreamed I could be as happy as I am because you love me.” Then she handed him the white shirt.

“Trust me, Bag Boy. You’ll melt in the black one.”

*************************************

“Mmmm Daddy it’s so good to see you.” Susanna released her father from a stuffing testing squeeze so Urs could have a turn.

“You look radiant, Punkin. I can’t remember you looking so happy.”

“Urs, so glad to see you again. And thanks for putting the sparkle back into Susanna here. Just look at her.” Susanna’s father said as he shook Urs hand and gave him a pat on the shoulder.

Urs responded with a handshake and an expression halfway between a beam and a blush as he looked at Susanna.

“Well, Muz is probably wearing a hole in the rug wondering where I’m at or else she’s already started calling the emergency rooms!” Susanna quipped as she waved goodbye. “See you later.”

This must be the feeling you get when you send your firstborn off to school for the first time, except I know he’s the teacher’s pet and I’m sure he’ll earn a gold star today.

*****************************

Neither of Susanna’s predictions were accurate as Muz surprised her with a hug and kiss almost equal to Daddy’s. Then, as Susanna unpacked her dress for the concert and the other few things she’d brought, Muz sat on the bed and visited, a real old-fashioned gabfest, not gossip, but a sharing of things they’d done recently, a give and take with no judgments and no guilt, perhaps their first true mother/daughter conversation ever and it was grand.

Meanwhile, back at the country club, over two beers, just as Frau Buhler had become Mami, Mr. Nelson had become John. Urs saw this as his golden opportunity.

“Mr. Ne….John, I want you to know that I love your daughter wery much and she loves me. I would wery much like your permission to marry her…please.” Urs took a deep breath and waited. What did I just say? I can’t even remember, but I think there were too many wery’s. At least it’s over.

John Nelson looked at Urs. “So Urs, you want to marry Susanna.”

“Yes sir.”

“Have you asked her yet?”

“Yes sir.”

“And she said yes?”

“Yes sir.”

“Well, then that’s good enough for me. I see the change in her, how happy she is, and I know you’re a big part of that. I know you love her and even more than that you respect her and take care of her. I’d be proud to have you as part of our family. To my way of thinking you’re the best thing to come along since sliced bread. So yes, you have my blessing….permission…..and the sooner the better.” Mr. Nelson beamed and slapped Urs on the back

Yes! For sure I have his permission. I’m not so sure about the bread but I do know about peep peep sandwiches in case he asks. I’ll have to get Susanna to explain that bread thing.

“So is Susanna off telling Muz right now?” John Nelson assumed.

“We…I mean Susanna thought you might like to be the one to tell her.” Urs answered tentatively.

“Would I ever! This will be sweet. Let’s call them now. I can’t wait to see her face!” Urs future father–in–law crowed.

“Then I want to hear about your plans, and don’t spare the details.”

Chapter 132
Home Run

“Oh Urs, how wonderful to see you. Aren’t you looking handsome today.” Muz gushed as Urs received a hug and gave Susanna a thumbs up behind her back. John Nelson just beamed.

“How nice of you men to invite us. We thought you’d be finished eating by now.” Muz slid into the chair her husband held for her as Urs did the same for Susanna.

“Well, dear, Urs and I never quite got around to lunch. We had quite a few things to discuss. When we finished we thought how nice it would be to have our favorite ladies join us.” John Nelson oozed.

“I certainly hope you weren’t boring Urs with golf talk or whatever.” Muz fussed.

Urs and John shared a look as if to say ‘You’re up first.’

“Well, ackshully, we were discussing travel plans.” Urs answered enthusiastically as he looked to John who was next up to bat.

“Oh, you mean all the concert traveling. I can’t imagine how you do it night after night. You must have the stamina of an ox.”
Like a mighty river, Muz was in full flood now.
Stamina of an ox?
Susanna sniggered into her water glass and ended up coughing as Urs gave both of the women his most lethal little boy smile.

Batter up.
“No, dear, Urs means our traveling plans…to Switzerland…when they get married. Of course we’ll have to wait for them to set a date but…”

“Married? But when? How? Why didn’t…Does an ….. Swi …. Switzerland?” Muz stammered and sat back in her chair heavily.

Single.
“Yes, Muz isn’t it wonderful? Urs asked me to marry him a few weeks ago right before the Zurich concert where I met his family. They were so happy for us. See here’s the ring he gave me.” Susanna held out her hand to show the signet ring proudly.
Muz gave a little smile.

Double.
“That ring was a gift from my godparents. It’s only temporary. I will be giving Susanna an engagement ring soon but I wanted to wait…
The little smile became a broad grin.

Triple.
“until he asked permission of her father, which I gave of course. I couldn’t ask for a better man to take care of my little girl. Don’t you agree, dear?”
The broad grin became a beaming smile of blessing.

Home run.
The beaming smile of blessing became a stuffing testing hug, worthy of Susanna. Now Urs understood the origin of the flying hug as he was engulfed by Muz.

“Welcome to our family Urs. You’re the perfect man for our Susanna. We couldn’t be happier, could we John? Why I remember saying that the first time we met you in Toronto. ‘There’s a wonderful young man. Perfect for Susanna.’ Remember me saying that dear? And now here you are getting married to my little girl!” Fresh tears started as Susanna became the proud recipient of a rather juicy hug and kiss.

Several minutes and tissues later, everyone was dry enough to order lunch. Mr. Nelson ordered champagne and they toasted the happy couple, drawing smiles of remembrance from several of the patrons. The men only had half a glass since they were driving and of course you couldn’t let good bubbly go to waste, at least that’s what Muz and Susanna told themselves. And by Mrs. Nelson’s second glass Urs had been ‘persuaded’ henceforth to call her Muz.

Over lunch Susanna and Urs shared what sketchy plans they’d made so far and promised to keep Muz and Dad informed as soon as firm dates were set. Urs needed to leave soon for soundcheck and as Susanna walked him out they could hear Muz and Daddy.

“That was so polite and mannerly of Urs to ask your permission wasn’t it John? But I still think Susanna could have told me first.” she criticized.

“Now my dear, how could she spoil what Urs wanted to do? Urs felt he needed to ask me first and after all I am the father of the bride.” Muz gave a sigh. She just loved it when John was masterful.

Susanna and Urs giggled internally until they got outside.

“What a pair they make! And speaking of pairs, you and Daddy were brilliant, Bag Boy. Poor Muz didn’t know if she was on foot or horseback by the time you two got done with her. You just baited the hook and reeled her in.”

“Well I do have the stamina of an ox!” Urs burst out laughing.

“I wondered how long it would take you to add that to your ego. I’ll never hear the end of that now will I?” Susanna asked with a groan.

“Sorry, that’s definitely a keeper, right along with ‘I can’t imagine how you do it night after night’.” They both started to howl, holding their stomachs as they leaned against the car.

Finally their laughter died down enough so they could speak.

“Ok Oxy Boy, time to get going. We’ll see you backstage before the concert. Don’t forget Fuzzy Wuzzy. I’ll pick up the tickets and passes at the box office.”

Urs bent his head in a swift, hard goodbye kiss adding his own devilish twist as he caught her bottom lip between his teeth and gently sucked on it.

A slightly leaning Susanna could only smile and watch as he got in the car and started the engine.

”I’ll be doing Isabel especially for you tonight, Houdini. I love you.” he grinned mischievously and was gone with a no-look wave.

What a tease! My stomach feels like someone’s flipping pancakes in there. Will he always have this effect on me? I certainly hope so.

Muz and Daddy thought Susanna looked especially happy when she returned to their table.

*******************************

Muz was just as swoony meeting Carlos, David, and Seb as she was the first time, but she carried it off well and only Susanna really could tell. She imagined Muz already picturing these three handsome men and their partners at the wedding. Urs wanted to wait to tell his friends until after it was official in his mind. That meant both parent’s blessing and her engagement ring.

Thank goodness the heat wasn’t quite as oppressive tonight, thanks to one of the usual popcorn showers which arrived as a sudden deluge about fifteen minutes before the concert. These were the norm in the steamy late afternoons of summer. As temperatures rose, brief, heavy and very sporadic showers would pop up. This particular one probably had just gotten lost.

The Nelsons discreetly returned to their seats before Susanna, allowing she and Urs privacy to share their Kissing Hand ritual.

Then Susanna handed Urs a small bottle of Gatorade. “Drink.”

Urs sighed and took the bottle but did not open it.

“Susanna, I promise I’ll have these set out all over the stage, but no more right now, please. It’s almost time for Katie to open. If I drink any more it won’t be just sweat running down my leg during the concert.” he said pointedly.

“Alright, Bag Boy, but be sure you keep yourself topped up.”

“Thanks, Houdini. You make me sound like a car’s radiator.” he chuckled.

“Well I do need to keep your engine running in perfect condition.” Susanna smiled sexily as she gave him her own brand of sizzling open mouth kiss ending as she gently sucked on his tongue.

“Break a leg, Bag Boy.”

Urs pushed at his fly to reposition a certain part of his anatomy. Damn! How does she do that? One minute I’m under control and the next I’m turned on like a light switch. Don’t overthink it Urs. She’s your magical Susanna and you love her that’s all, but you’d better be damned sure you keep yourself focused onstage. You know what will happen if you don’t.


Susanna had almost forgotten about Urs’ Isabel tease until she heard the opening bars and the blue images on the screen behind the singers appeared. She could see a quiet excitement in Urs as he exchanged a look with Seb and Carlos. She and her parents were sitting on Urs’ side, but for this song Urs was on the opposite side and David was directly in front of them. Later, she would be glad because otherwise she doubted either she or Urs would have held it together as well as they did.

There he was all innocent, earnest, grown-up choir boy as his solo began. First it was the hands running the length of the mic, stroking, as his facial expression became the words of longing, remembering a lost love.

Then the low, drawn-out, evocative ‘Isabel’ as Urs’ tongue reached out, seeming almost to make love to the mic, drawing out the last syllable and stepping back with a triumphant gleam in his eye.

He stole a quick look at Seb as if to say, ‘I dare you to beat that one.’, while Carlos nodded his approval in a tiny head movement that might have gone unnoticed if you weren’t looking.

Urs allowed himself a fleeting half-smirk before his professional mask slipped back down while David sang on, completely oblivious to the romantic vignette being performed beside him.

http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?3bstzdmmxyh

And all the while Susanna’s eyes opened wider and wider, probably an unconscious reflex to keep her mouth company as she slid down in her seat and slowly became unglued, unraveled and most definitely thudded. A quick glance at Muz told her that Urs was having an effect on her, along with the rest of the female audience. Oh my! Urs was certainly in rare form tonight regardless of the heat. In fact in her mind, he was adding to it.

The concert continued, she was sure it had, but no matter the song, she knew without a doubt that image of Urs’ Isabel would forever be burned into her brain and heart and…

When they met after the concert she could tell Urs still wasn’t feeling 100%. The fatigue on his face from the three back to back concerts plus the heat and humidity was unmistakable so she insisted he go back to the hotel, order room service and get to sleep. He knew better than to argue when she was in don’t-mess-with-the-teacher mode so he gratefully said goodnight to Mr. and Mrs. Nelson, even remembering to use their new names, John and Muz.

Their goodnight kiss was sweet, gentle, and worthy of a parental audience, even though the parents were already on their way to the car.

“I love you, Houdini, night.” Urs decided to give her an extra kiss on her forehead as his tired body swayed toward her.

“Night, Bag Boy, I love you too and just in case you were wondering….you won.” Susanna held his arms, turned him around, and pointed him toward the hotel entrance.

“Won what?” Urs stopped and turned back.

“The bet you and Seb had to see who was the biggest tease tonight.” Susanna turned and started walking.

“So I was that good?” Urs found he still had enough energy for a tiny smirk.

“You were too good, Bag Boy. I’m shutting down your act.” Susanna turned around and grinned as she fanned herself with one hand and put the other over her forehead in a mock faint.

“Why Houdini, I think you’re jealous!” Urs squinched happily.

“In your dreams, Bag Boy.” Susanna began walking again with a backward wave.

“I’ll be waiting, Houdini.” Urs turned and waved as he headed toward the hotel.

Chapter 133
Paradise Cove

“The best thing since sliced bread means you’re the best thing to happen…a wonderful thing, like when they first invented a slicing machine where you just dump the loaf in and it comes out all sliced perfectly. You’re absolutely perfect, Bag Boy.” Susanna gave Urs a perfectly wonderful hug followed by a perfectly toe curling kiss.

It took all her self-control not to start hand-in-hand arm swinging as they got out of the car at the International Plaza in Tampa. They were going to Tiffany’s to get her ring size! She supposed skipping was out of the question as she tried to remain as dignified as her posh surroundings.

*******************************

Urs had been so cute this morning. He’d showed up on the doorstep at precisely eight, insisting on taking all of them for breakfast. Then they’d gone back to the house, and visited while Susanna packed for their flight to Atlanta later that afternoon. He hadn’t mentioned anything about a ring until he’d detoured into the shopping center. After he parked, he made no move to get out of the car. Instead, he turned to look very seriously at Susanna.

“Now Susanna, I’m taking you to the jewelry story to measure your finger for your engagement ring. Then I need you to leave. I’m not saying I’ll buy anything today or not or even when I’ll give it to you. I know you love surprises and I don’t want to be….what did you call it….predictable.” Urs took a deep breath and looked at her to see how he was doing. He was doing quite well by the look on her face. In reality her mind was screaming ‘OMG A ring! A ring!’

Urs began to look decidedly more nervous. “A…well... the last…..I mean the only other time I bought jewelry for you it didn’t go so well. This time I want to be sure it will be something you’ll want. Can you give me some idea of what you’d like?”

“It touches my heart that you ask me and also makes me sad and ashamed at how I treated your gift. We’ve dealt with the past and it’s gone, Urs. I promise there will only be happy memories and I will love whatever you give me.” Susanna’s bright eyes looked at Urs in an unspoken promise.

Urs simply gathered her in his arms with a silent nod of acknowledgement, too full of emotion to speak.

Susanna gratefully accepted the handkerchief from Urs and fixed her panda eyes.

“See I love everything you give me” she joked trying to lighten the mood again.

“Yes, but I really do need to know some details, at least if you like white or yellow gold.” Urs persisted.

“OK then, I like white gold better and something very simple. You know this is really embarrassing so it’s your turn to be embarrassed. Would you wear a ring…..I mean I know you can’t when you’re on stage but would you like to have a wedding ring? I was thinking if you wanted one we could maybe have them engraved.”

“I would like that wery much.”

*************************************

Urs and Susanna’s fingers had been duly measured, recorded and she’d been promptly shooed out of the store to go do some shopping for ‘one of those little surprises’ Urs had whispered.

When they’d met an hour later, she checked for any tell tale bulges in Urs pockets, make that unusual tell tale bulges: none. Susanna’s only unusual bulge was coming from the bag she carried and it did indeed hold a ‘little surprise’ for Urs, literally.
She had managed to find an authentic, red, ‘hot weather’ version of HIM. Susanna suspected that just this once he was glad she’d not followed his suggestion.

*********************************

And so it had gone. From Atlanta, to Houston, to Dallas, to Las Vegas, to Phoenix, and San Diego, Urs the Tease had found some excuse to go off by himself at each concert stop. Often returning with a new ‘something or other’, usually for her, but never THE something or other.

Susanna had been on pins and needles so long she felt like a mental pin cushion. Finally she had convinced herself he was waiting until they returned to England. Perhaps he’d buy it when they got home. At least now her manicure would last more than 24 hours.

They had finalized some dates for the Barbra Streisand concerts, October 4-November 20. As soon as the Summer Nights in the UK were finished they were heading to Stockholm to begin work on their new CD. Then it would be rehearsals for Barbra.

With some careful planning they’d found a small window of possible wedding time in early September depending on how well the CD went. They had tentatively chosen September 9th for their wedding. Earlier and the CD might not be finished and later would interfere with the Barbra rehearsals. Susanna had really preferred either the week before or after since the 10th was her birthday, but the 9th had been her grandfather Nelson’s birthday so at least that make her feel a little better.

Then they’d had the last minute switch to move the DVD taping to tomorrow at the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles. They would also do an in-depth interview for PBS. The interview segment would be added to the DVD concert as a thank you gift for large pledges. Simon would attend the taping concert along with several celebrities, and the Il Divo women would be there too. All of the men breathed a sigh of relief that they at least had one day off to relax and ‘let off steam’ before this pressure cooker event.

They had flown up last night after the concert in Simon’s plane. Today Carlos and Gerry had gone to see Disneyland. She had fallen in love with the one in Paris and they didn’t want to miss an opportunity to see this one. Juliana was flying in today so Seb was meeting her. David and Sandy were sight seeing and Urs and Susanna had done a few touristy things too including the Farmers’ Market. If they had time, wherever they went they’d find a market to visit. It was such fun to walk around and remember their first date: the day they’d become Houdini and Bag Boy. They could never have imagined how special it would turn out.

They’d come back to the hotel and shared an almost PG rated shower, well Susanna did bring her magic sponge, but after all they were hot and sweaty from their ‘touristing’. HIM, the summer version, and Urs were sprawled on the bed checking the local restaurant listings by the time Susanna was ready in white slacks and a red bandana print off the shoulder top.

“Didn’t I see something pink in your hand?” Urs asked as he glanced up approvingly.

“I noticed you’d invited HIM to dinner and I didn’t want to clash. You like?” Susanna twirled around once for effect and bent down low over Urs to give him a teasing kiss.

“I like,” Urs repeated. “and the top isn’t bad either.” he grinned.

“Oh you! What am I going to do with you? No don’t answer that. I know what you’re going to say. ‘Feed me.’ ”

“OK Houdini, let’s go I’ve found a place on the beach for dinner. And if you’re lucky I just might let you take me on a romantic moonlight walk afterwards.”

“And you could yodel.” Susanna hurried out the door before Urs could swat her behind.

******************************

Urs didn’t lie. The Beach Cafe with a private beach in Malibu was very romantic, of course Susanna may have been a little biased since she was wth Urs. Probably the black hole of Calcutta would have fallen under the romantic category if he was with her. This was a cut above that though. With Urs of the Impeccable Timing, they’d arrived in time to enjoy the brilliant sunset.





“What! No Paradise Paralysis for you Houdini? I didn’t realize you were such a wimp.” Urs teased.

“I’ll give you a wimp and it might be where you can’t hide it, Bag Boy! Paradise Cove Lager sounded much better with our fish tacos. Plus, I might want to jump your bones when we get back to the hotel and I only want to see one of you, not three. I might jump and miss.” Susanna stood up, picked up her chair and moved it beside Urs for a kiss then picked it up again and sat back down across from him with a grin.

Their friendly waitress had just gotten out of earshot when they shared a look and groaned. Susanna groaned because she knew she could never eat it all and Urs because he knew if he did eat it all he wouldn’t have room for the six layer Mile High Chocolate Cake he’d sneaked a peek at on the menu.



“I can’t believe I almost ate the whole thing!” Susanna exclaimed as she sat back in her chair, stuffed.

“And I acshully did.” gasped Urs as the waitress appeared with their bill and removed Urs’ plate. Susanna hoped the nod of approval she gave Urs was for his ability to clean his plate and not for looking drop dead gorgeous.

Urs signed the credit card slip and stood up to pull out Susanna’s chair.Then he held out his hand for Susanna’s. “With all that food we ate we should really be doing a two mile run instead of a walk.” Susanna said guiltily.

Urs pulled her hand to bring her close as he whispered in her ear. “Let’s just walk for a while Houdini. I’m sure we’ll find much better ways of burning up those calories when we get back.”

Susanna could feel her warm cheeks as she blushed into his shoulder. It was strange but even after all the intimate lovemaking they’d shared he could just as suddenly make her feel like a woman on the brink of discovering her sexuality, still shy, yet eager to share herself with the man she loved.

A beautiful full moon hung suspended overhead and the sound of the waves was irresistable. Susanna and Urs got as far as the pier before she just had to abandon her sandals, roll up her slacks and splash into the water. Laughing, Urs’ bare feet soon joined hers as they continued their walk hand in hand.



“Well?” Urs asked as he pulled her to a stop just out of the water’s reach and pointed to the full moon.

“OK, you twisted my arm, better cover your ears, Bag Boy.” Susanna turned to look out over the water at the moon. Urs pulled her into his chest and wrapped his arms around her while she sang, “I see the moon……” as he softly joined her with the harmony.

“Perfect.” he said when she finished as he dropped his arms, turned her toward him and bent down on one knee. In the moment after he took her hand, before he began to speak she prayed for the world to stop, just for that second. This was what she had been waiting all her life for but not yet…. it was too special ….too life changing…. The feeling of expectation was so thrilling she wished she could keep it forever but still have what was to come next. With sparkly eyes she smiled her encouragement as Urs began.

“Every time I see you I fall in love with you all over again. My heart starts to race; my frown turns into a smile and all my worries are in my past.

When I look in your eyes and you smile at me my heart melts. Your smile is like a bright new shining day. Your sense of humor is like no other. I can’t believe the way you have about you that always makes me smile.

Even at my very best you still encourage me, challenge me to reach for something more. I love you as I’ve never loved anyone. Will you honor me and love me and be my wife? Will you marry me?”

Susanna’s sparkly eyes rained down falling stars of happiness.
Her eyes searched his features as she spoke as if she were memorizing them as a secret password to her soul.

”Oh yes Urs. I will marry you. I will hug you when you’re here, miss you when you’re not, kiss you every day and love you for all eternity.”

She gathered her thoughts and put her hand over her heart.

”Urs, I feel so lucky to have the chance to love you. Somehow you see inside my soul. Finally someone understands that part of me.”

Gentle fingers brushed back the hair from his face and traced over his cheeks and brow.

”When I feel stressed or afraid, you are there--a warm place to lay my head and be protected. You are my real live champion, Urs,--kind, loving, strong, true, a solid rock worth trusting and believing in.”

She took his hand again as he stood up.

”How blessed you make each day in my life.”

Urs reached into the front pocket of his jeans for a tiny, flat blue velvet pouch.

Go ahead Urs. Look at her knowing she is your destiny. Take her hand and slip your promise of eternal love on her finger.

And that is what Urs did.



Urs’ hands were strong and steady as he placed the ring on her trembling finger, brought it to his lips, and lovingly kissed her hand.

“It’s so beautiful, Urs. I love it. It’s perfect and I love you.”

Chapter 134
Helpmate Throughout Life

“When the one man loves the one woman and the one woman loves the one man, the very angels desert heaven and come and sit in that house and sing for joy.”—Brahma Sutra

The scent of roses invaded their senses even before Susanna saw the vases overflowing with fragrant pink blooms that dotted the room. She closed her eyes and lost herself in their fragrance as silently, gracefully, Urs moved round the room lighting votives that had been placed there while they were gone.

Her hair smelled of ocean and chocolate and Susanna as he leaned over to kiss her, sliding his palms across her shoulders and along her arms; tongues played chase back and forth until he was allowed to finally capture hers.

Like priceless treasures, they unwrapped and explored each other’s bodies and reveled in each sensation as her body seemed to flow into Urs. She nibbled his ear lobe and teased her lips along his jawline to his mouth, then dipped her head to taste his salty skin as she ran her tongue across his chest.

The burning candles added light to the moonlight streaming through the sheer curtain at the window. It fell across his face, highlighting his cheekbones and deepening the shadows around his eyes. Susanna feathered her fingertips across his face, loving him with her caresses, mirroring his exultant gaze as they loved each other without restraint.

********************************

Urs opened his eyes to a white mountain beside him. Susanna sat up in bed, knees bent, writing in her day planner. “Houdini,” he mumbled as he leaned up to see what she was doing.

“Good morning, Bag Boy. Isn’t it a beautiful, gorgeous day? Do you realize that today is the first day we’ll be officially engaged? Do you think it’s too early to tell everyone?” Susanna leaned over and gave him a smothering hug, as her chest completely engulfed his face, not that he was complaining mind you but he figured eventually he’d need to come up for air.

He struggled to a sitting position and looked at the clock, 6:00, groaned and headed for the bathroom. On his way back to bed, he made a detour to the phone to order coffee, lots of it and please leave it outside the door, thank you.

“So what are you doing there, Houdini?” he asked after sharing a wake-up kiss.

“I’m just doing a little planning for the wedding, Bag Boy, but we’ll talk about it later. Today’s your big day and all I want to do is focus on you and help you stay relaxed except…. Could we please oh please tell everybody we’re engaged soon? If we can’t then you’ll just have to lock me in the room because I’m too excited!” She put her planner down and gave him a kiss in case he needed help deciding. By the time it ended Urs wasn’t too sure what the question had been.

All of a sudden he was holding thin air as she bounded out of bed, threw on her white robe and went to the door to get the coffee. Evidently she hadn’t been quite as distracted as Urs by the kiss.

“Breakfast in bed.” she announced as she carried in the tray with coffee and a large takeaway box. She poured the coffee and they set their cups on the nightstand next to their side of the bed, but Urs only had eyes for the box. She could almost hear him salivating. At least for today, chocolate would be considered as a food group. She opened the box and divided the six layer Mile High Chocolate Cake into three layers each and passed Urs the white box and one of the plastic forks that had been included. She used her coffee saucer as her plate.

For the next several minutes the only sounds were ‘mmmm’s, ah’s and giggles as they took turns feeding each other until the cake was gone, then kissing away stray crumbs and smudges.

“Just think, Urs? I’ll be your little helpmate throughout life. Won’t that be fun?” Susanna the Vivacious vaulted into action collecting the cups and throwing away the trash as if to prove her worthiness for the title.

“Come here, little helpmate.” Urs patted the bed. “I think I may have something I need you to help me with.” As she sat down on the bed he quickly pulled them under the sheet as her giggles turned to sighs. Yes, having a helpmate throughout life would be very magical.

*******************************

Urs was meeting Steve a few minutes before their scheduled 10:00 meeting. They’d decided to tell everyone else at the end of soundcheck. Simon was having a small after-concert party and Urs would tell him in person then although he was sure Steve would have already passed on the news. In the meantime, Susanna would stick close to the room so the girls would be surprised.

Not seeing the girls proved to be easier than she thought. Juliana was still getting used to LA time and being up late reuniting with Seb, Susanna suspected with a smile. When Gerry and Sandy called, she begged off going shopping, using the late night excuse and added some details of the beachside restaurant for good measure. She also made sure to mention going to the soundcheck to each one and made plans to meet them there.

She could tell from his voice that Urs was getting keyed up when he called about noon. He’d just gotten changed for some publicity thing and would see her at the soundcheck at 4. Steve sent his congratulations, but requested no public announcement to the Press or the Forum just yet. This was one of the things Urs and Susanna had discussed and agreed with completely.

Then it was her turn to tell about the good wishes, congratulations, and love for both of them she’d received as she’d shared their official news with Muz and Daddy, Dar and Bob, and Aunt Alta and Uncle Edmund.

Since it would only be a matter of days, they’d decided to save the news for their European friends and family until they got home, except for Mami and Papa of course. Urs had already called them this morning which was their suppertime and happy tears had flowed again on both sides of the Atlantic.

Susanna steered their conversation as far away as possible from the concert, hoping to give Urs some respite from the activity and confusion she knew must be going on around him. She could almost hear him relax as his accent faded and his words returned to his usual melodic sing song cadence. At first, it may have been used in jest but she was truly becoming his little helpmate throughout life.

******************************

Just before she met Sandy, Gerry, and Juliana in the lobby, Susanna reluctantly slipped her ring off and tucked it safely into the velvet bag deep in her pocket. Her excitement about seeing them was magnified by the surprise but they didn’t seem to notice. The car was right on time and would bring them back to the hotel to change for the concert after the soundcheck.

Carlos, Seb, David, and Urs were back to casual clothes and milled around onstage waiting, taking turns singing snatches of tunes to set audio levels and adjust mics. The women quietly sat down in front, exchanging excited waves or smiles with their men.

Susanna’s heart did a little flip as she recognized a flash of relief on Urs’ face. Was it nerves about the announcement or the night? Probably a little of both, poor baby! The next time he caught her eye she sent him a Kissing Hand and watched the sun come out on his face. Did the other women have some secret signal between themselves and their men? She certainly hoped so, especially for this all important night.

Steve had been here and there during the soundcheck but as it ended he disappeared as the musicians and singers received a standing ovation from their audience of four. Susanna made sure she was the last one to go up onstage as she slipped her ring back on but kept her hand in her pocket as she joined Urs. They both mouthed ‘Now.’ as Urs put he arm around her possessively.

“Guys, I need to talk to you for a minute please.” Urs the Announcer said as he turned to them.

“I want….” Urs looked down quickly at Susanna who had just pinched his hunkus, “…I mean WE want to tell you that we’re getting married. I…” Urs looked at Susanna as if to say ask, ‘Now can I say I without getting pinched?’, “…asked her to marry me and she said yes” he ended triumphantly just as Steve and Gary appeared bearing champagne and glasses and smiles.

Then everyone was talking, back-slapping, hugging, kissing, and congratulating all at once.

“My Gerry told me this would be true.” Carlos declared as he gave Urs a shoulder hug. Then he turned to Susanna and beamed as his eyebrows did flamenco and he kissed both her cheeks.

David slapped Urs on the back. “Now Urs you listen to Sus here. She’s starting to loosen you up already. She’ll have you addicted to Monty Python in no time.” he nodded in approval with a smiling airborne bear hug for her.

“Oui, you did good my friend, even without me to help you pick out the ring.’ Seb slapped Urs on the back. “I am very ‘appy for you and Susanna. Now she can teach you to shop, non?” Seb grinned as he kissed Susanna’s hand and both her cheeks.

As the girls encircled Susanna in an excited, squealing, jumping-up-and-down ring of happiness, Gary and Steve poured champagne and everyone took a glass. Steve congratulated the happy couple and made a toast to “Susanna and Urs”. Gary and several of the band and orchestra still onstage drifted over to add their good wishes as they finished the champagne.

The girls said their goodbyes and left for the hotel to change. Susanna hoped they would all get a little chance to wind down a bit before the concert but knew they were all too excited.

Too excited didn’t even begin to describe the atmosphere at the Greek Theatre. To be a Diva at an Il Divo concert was one thing. To be a Diva at an Il Divo concert that was being taped for a DVD was simply an over the top experience. Even before the concert, David appeared to ask the fans to enjoy themselves but within the respectful confines of the taping situation. He needn’t have worried.

The audience was fabulous, before, during and after the show, giving their support to the men both onstage and in candid interviews. Il Divo, in turn, fed off the positive energy of the crowd, the signs, the applause, even the leis given to them by a Diva from Hawaii. They were at the top of their form, ‘on’ with a capital O, and their passion and love of their music overflowed into a performance unequaled on the Tour, worthy to be recorded and shared.

Simon’s compliments and obvious approval at the party later were like the icing on the cake, crossing all the t’s and dotting all the i’s to finalize this momentous milestone Il Divo had achieved tonight. Susanna had been very flattered and impressed that he had sought them out to congratulate them on their engagement.

The four couples stayed a short time and left together as planned. They would need to sleep fast. Tomorrow was here with a repeat performance and an hour long interview in the afternoon. Three more concerts and then home to the UK for a short, but much needed break and then the Summer Nights. Ten more concerts and the first Il Divo World Tour would be over.

Chapter 135
Assets

Susanna buckled her seatbelt and glanced over at Urs as the plane descended in preparation to land at Heathrow.

“Well, Bag Boy, you can now say you’ve survived summer in the south. What did you call it?”

“Our hottest gig and believe me it was. At least back here I won’t live in mortal fear that if I fell down, and was knocked unconscious I’d cook to death on the pavement before help arrived.” he grinned.

“David was right. Your wicked sense of humor is loosening up. I must be having a good influence on you. With only 11 days before the Summer Nights, I have a feeling we’ll need all the humor we can get. There’s mountains of things to do before then…a house….the dress…the reception….chu…”

Urs leaned over and silenced her with a kiss. “Don’t worry, Houdini. You may be magical but I’m Swiss, remember? I love mountains. We’ll tackle them together….” He said confidently as he laced his fingers through hers and the plane touched down.

****************************************

Four days into the break they scaled perhaps their tallest mountain: a house.

They’d been on a whirlwind of house viewings: everything from family houses and mews houses to duplex apartments and four story flats. Then they’d found it. A brand new listing, not even in the brochures yet. It had sounded good, but then so had a lot of others as Urs read from the fax:

“Set back from the road, secure gated drive, six bedroomed family home, large secluded plot, entertaining space, sauna, garage, extensive off-street-parking and a garden.”

The next afternoon, though, they had known in the first five minutes. It was perfect. Urs was the calm, cool, collected Swiss of course. Susanna was not, except when the estate agent was looking that is, otherwise she was dancing on her toes with excitement and mouthing ‘YES!’ to Urs. The estate agent discreetly disappeared to give them some time to look around by themselves. Susanna the Impulsive was ready to sign on the dotted line. Urs the Cautious preferred to sleep on it.

Susanna cooked a persuasion dinner with all of Urs’ favorites. As they sat on the sofa enjoying dessert she knew something was up. He never looked worried over fudge brownies with ice cream and hot fudge on top.

“OK Urs, what’s wrong? You don’t like the house, right?”
Oh yes, he’s worried alright. He set down his plate and he wasn’t even finished yet.

Urs turned sideways on the sofa, fussed over an imaginary wrinkle in her sweater, smoothed her hair, and gathered her hands and his thoughts.
“Susanna, you understand this house was a little more than we planned. I mean I can manage a substantial down payment of almost half the asking price, so the house itself isn’t the problem it’s just that there’s so many rooms.”

“Before we started looking we talked about getting a house with several bedrooms. I thought that was what we both wanted. I don’t understand. You said it was perfect too.” Susanna said with a puzzled expression.

“It is, but if we buy it, most of my money will be tied up in the house. We’ll need to wait a while to furnish all those rooms. I know you said all your furniture is yours, but most of my furniture came with the apartment. All I have are those two teak pieces, my stereo, a few pictures and my musical instruments. Even with what we have together it will be practically empty.” Urs explained.

“That’s no biggie.” Susanna breathed a sigh of relief. “I can help. I have some money too you know. The military pension money and the insurance settlement just sits there and then th….”

“No Susanna, I will be your husband. It is my responsibility to provide for us.” Urs’ voice rose and became louder, then softened as Susanna took a sudden interest in her hands in her lap.

“I am not trying to be a tyrant here. I love you. I won’t try to keep you from having a career if you want or whatever makes you happy but I really feel strongly about this.” Urs raised her face to look at him and kept his hand under her chin as he continued.

“Your money, especially the money from Bruce, is for…..well for you, not for what I should be providing. I don’t want it.” he let his hand fall and stood up.

With a frustrated sigh, Urs shoved his hands into his pockets and strode to the kitchen as Susanna sat there stunned, blinking back tears as her throat constricted.

She gave him several minutes and then followed him to the kitchen. He was standing with his back to her, arms straight, leaning on the counter with his head bent. “Urs look at me.”

He turned around with arms folded in front of his chest, leaned against the counter, crossed one foot over the other at the ankle and looked at her.
At least he looks as miserable as I feel. That’s a start.

She stuffed her hands in her pockets and started talking.
“The day we marry, this last tie with Bruce will be broken. I will no longer receive any of his pension. I will become your total responsibility. I won’t even have a job. I may want to teach full time again or try a new career sometime—in a month, a year, when our children go to school, when they leave home, or maybe never. Who knows?” Susanna paused as Urs turned his head and stared to the side as if to process what she had said.

When he looked back at her she went on. “What I do know is that you love me enough to let me do that. What I also know is that my life and all that I want is to be here with you, to be married to you as an equal partner, coming to you freely with all my love and all that I have. If that includes a little money, so what? I truly believe what we have been given is meant for us to share both with those we love and those who might need our help and our love.”

Urs gave a huge sigh and stuck his hands back in his pockets.
“Am I being a stupid hairy-assed wombat?” Urs asked his right shoe.

“Just a proud stupid-nosed one but I love you no matter what.” Susanna answered as Urs pushed away from the counter and she came toward him, meeting in the middle for hug that went off the measurement scale.

They finally loosened their grip enough to look up at each other.
“It’s OK, Urs. I promise we won’t use that money for the house, but I have some other money I was going to tell you about before you went off on your high horse.”

“I didn’t do that horse thing, whatever you said.” Urs defended himself, from what he didn’t know.

“It means you jumped to conclusions, stormed off, and yes you did, Bag Boy.” Susanna scolded. “Now will you please listen?”

“OK I’m listening.” Urs smiled. He may have said he wasn’t a tyrant but he wasn’t so sure about Susanna.

“Anyway, as I was saying, I have some money we can use because I was thinking….”

Urs mentally rolled his eyes. It was always a little worrisome when ‘I was thinking’ cropped up in the conversation.

“…I could sell the apartment or the house or even both and use that money to help buy furniture and decorate. What do you think?”

“You own your apartment? What house?” squeaked Urs the Mouse.

“Sure do, right down to the last little floorboard. Oh, and the house was one I lived in before I moved to England. It’s a three bedroom on the beach, just far enough away from Muz and Daddy. A realtor friend of mine manages it for me. It’s always booked up in the winter but usually there’re a few openings in the summer. I don’t suppose you’d be interested?” she finished with a smug little grin.

“Why didn’t you ever tell me?” Susanna looked at him as if he were the missing village idiot.

“And just how exactly would I work that into the conversation. ‘Hey, Urs, you show me your assets and I’ll show you mine?’” she chuckled with a quick kiss and then turned to leave.

“Where are you going, Houdini?” Urs started after her.

“My assets and I are going to the bedroom for some hot, sweaty make-up sex. Are you coming, Bag Boy? Oh and don’t even think of sneaking a bite of leftover dessert on the way.” she smiled knowingly.

And Urs didn’t. He simply followed the trail of clothes.

****************************************

Urs woke up gradually to the touch of Susanna’s hand. He lay sprawled on his stomach with one knee bent, hugging his pillow. He quirked one eyebrow as he opened his eye and snaked back his hand to grab her wandering fingers.

“Houdini, what are you doing?”

“Just checking.” came her little girl singsong answer.

Urs rolled on his side; both eyes wide awake now, and gave her a confused look.

“Your hunkus isn’t hairy at all, Bag Boy. I didn’t THINK it was, but I thought I’d better check.” she sniggered.

While Urs was checking himself, Susanna headed to the shower.

“Urs, behave! You promised we’d call the estate agent first thing.”

“It’s only 7:00 Houdini and if I’m not mistaken I see a little asset right over here that needs checking.” he murmured as his mouth began working its way down her shoulder. By the time they finished their luke warm, weak-kneed shower, Urs could guarantee Susanna had no hidden assets. All Susanna could guarantee was whatever she had belonged to him.

And by the afternoon, Mr. Parnell the estate agent could guarantee they were well on their way as Urs put it “to having a roof over the heads of our less than 20 children.”

Chapter 136
Paper Brain

“Urs have you seen my paper brain?” Susanna called from the kitchen as she filled the coffeemaker for the morning.

“In the bathroom.” came a toothpaste muffled reply as Urs rinsed and wiped his mouth on the towel.

As she rounded the corner into the bathroom he stood at the doorway holding her wedding notebook as if he were handing off the baton to the next relay runner. At the last minute he raised it overhead to exact a kiss before he gave it to her.

“No fair, Bag Boy, I need to check Dar’s flight number again so I can see if it’s on time in the morning. She’ll only be here four days. I sure hope we can find a dress by then.” Susanna flipped it open to check one more time and then set it carefully on top of several wedding magazines piled on the nightstand.

“Maybe she’ll be so tired she’ll sleep round the clock and you can stay at my apartment tomorrow night Houdini.” Urs began his sales pitch with a few exploratory kisses in the ear and neck region causing Susanna to giggle and turtle, not exactly the effect he was hoping for.

“You really are being very understanding about her staying with me, Bag Boy. It’s only four days. Just pretend it’s PRT. You’ll be fine.” Susanna said matter of factly.

“Yes, but my brain knows it’s not PINK ROBE TIME and so does the rest of me and if you don’t believe me….”

“Urs, I’m not blind for Pete’s sake. Now turn off your light you silly Swiss Lover. Dar doesn’t get here till tomorrow.” Susanna giggled as she met Urs under the covers.

************************************

As Susanna and her paper brain waited in the arrivals hall for Dar to come through customs she mentally checked of all they’d accomplished since they’d been back. House, check; wedding date, check; shared the news with family and friends, check.

They’d made arrangements with Mr. Parnell to put her apartment on the market and she’d stay with Urs until the house was available. They both agreed it would mean so much to wait to live together in the new house until they were married. Susanna the Princess had visions of her Prince carrying her over the threshold. Urs would be away so much working on the new CD and then rehearsing for the Barbra tour that it would make perfect sense.

Also she’d be able to start on some of the decorating. It seemed almost every day they’d driven by to check on the house and plan their vision of what they wanted their future home to be.

Their low-rate international calling plan had been sorely tested between Switzerland and the UK. Mami and Papa were checking on the church arrangements. It was the one Susanna had been to on her visit and she’d fallen in love with it.

Pia and Mami were scouting reception venues and possible menus, and Felix was looking into procedures and paperwork for the mandatory civil ceremony prior to the religious one. All this would hopefully begin to come together in another week when Susanna and Urs were in Switzerland for three days to celebrate his birthday.

*************************************

“Hello Tip Top Lady Bread Man!” Susanna called as she waved at Dar.

“Hello Dummy!” answered her rather bleary-eyed best friend.

“Don’t worry; I’ll have us home in a jiff. What you need is a good strong cuppa. That’ll fix you right up.” Susanna chirped as she looked at Dar.

“Then again maybe we’d better let you take a little nap. We’ll start dress hunting later this afternoon.” she said as she took her by the arm and led her toward the baggage area.

The dress hunting didn’t begin in earnest until the next morning. It wouldn’t do for the matron of honor to be in a sleep induced fog while helping the bride chose a wedding dress. So while Dar’s body caught up on several time zones, Urs’ and Susanna’s bodies caught up on measuring for furniture, choosing paint, and deciding just how fluffy was too fluffy for the bathroom rugs.

**********************************

“Susanna’s told me you’ve asked your brother Felix to be your best man, Urs, but are the other Il Divo members going to be in the wedding party?” Dar asked as she motioned Urs that was more than enough cheese on the pizza Susanna had made.

“Ackshully no, we’re having my three sisters and their husbands. Also my youngest nephew, Luca, will be the ring bearer and the youngest niece, Leonie, will be the flower girl. That was Susanna’s idea.” Urs’ beamed his approval toward his bride-to-be.

“But Urs and I are thinking of other ways to include Carlos and Gerry, David and Sandy, and Seb in the wedding. Also Juliana jumped right in and volunteered to take care of all the travel and hotel arrangements so that’s such a big load off our minds. She’ll be in touch with you soon. I’ve already given you the dates right?” Susanna sped on excitedly.

‘Yes, Dummy, several times.” Dar smiled.

“And, get this, Father Mike promised to come to the wedding AND we’re hoping maybe, just maybe he’ll be able to sing. That’s one of the things on our to–do list when we go to Lucerne for Urs’ birthday, talk to their priest…what’s his name again Urs?”

“Father Ludwig.” Urs supplied.

“…..yes, talk to Father Ludwig.” Susanna looked over at Urs. The expression on his face was the same one he’d had after his little walk in the rose garden with Father Mike last Sunday. It was a combination of love, pride, and protectiveness, mixed with a little worry.

*********************************

They’d attended his church yesterday and shared their news during lunch. Talk about a bear hug! He’d been about to dance a jig and his brogue got as thick as Mc Can’s Irish oatmeal there for awhile. Then they’d gone back to the rectory to visit a while longer. That’s when Urs and Father had gone for their little walk and Susanna had been shooed into the kitchen to get the tea tray ready.

**************************************

Did Susanna notice that look I got when she mentioned Father Mike? I wonder if she had a little rose garden talk and if so what did he say to her?

Urs had been a bit apprehensive about the invitation to walk in the garden, but how could he refuse? Was he going to get the third degree? Would he be raked over the coals? Asked if his intentions were honorable? Of course not. He was being charmed by a died in the wool charmer.

“She loves ya, ya know.”

“Yes, Father, I know.”

“Do ya love her true?”

“Yes, Father, more than I thought possible.”

Father Mike’s blue eyes burned into Urs as he scrutinized him.

"Be very careful Urs if you make this woman cry, because God counts her tears. Woman came out of a man's rib, not from his feet to be walked on, not from his head to be superior, but from the side to be equal, under the arm to be protected, and next to the heart to be loved."

Urs’ gaze never flinched nor wavered from the piercing examination.

Satisfied, Father Mike nodded, reached for his hand and patted him on the arm. “She’s chosen well. Yur a fine lad. God bless ya.” he smiled as his eyes twinkled again.

Chapter 137
Isn’t This Fun



“Isn’t this fun?” squealed Susanna, not even caring what the bridal consultant in the shop thought. In fact she was thoroughly enjoying this spirited, exuberant bride to be and her equally excited friend.

“I don’t remember ever being this happy.” smiled Susanna dreamily.

“You weren’t, believe me. I was there.” commented Dar dryly.
“What a difference the right man makes.”

“What a difference the PERFECT man makes.” corrected Susanna and she hugged herself and performed one more twirl in front of the mirror. Then she turned her back to Dar to be unzipped and unbuttoned. “Next.”

Susanna came out for her next twirl in front of the mirror.

“Marshmallow?” she asked with raised eyebrows.

“No more like Scarlett I’d say. That would be a definite no unless Urs intends to grow a moustache and elephant ears.”

Susanna the Southern Belle pouffed back to the dressing room.

“How about this one?” Susanna crossed her fingers behind her back as she twirled for Dar.

“OMG Yes! That’s the one. He will absolutely want to run down the aisle, sweep you into his arms and carry you off into the sunset on his white charger.” It seemed Dar and Susanna even had the same taste in fairy tales.

“Now let’s see what they have for the bridesmaids. I’m thinking along the lines of my dress, very simple and…”

“pink” Dar finished as they shared a grin and the sales person left to get some samples.

***************************************

“I think we did a rather fine job today of supporting the British economy.” bragged Susanna as they sat on her sofa, shoeless, drinking champagne and surveying their purchases. The attendants’ dresses were chosen along with their shoes; Susanna would get sizes next week in Switzerland. Darlene had already been measured and her shoes were ordered.

They’d decided everything would be shipped to Mami. Susanna had asked her if she would mind being kind of the central collection place for all their wedding purchases. That way it would already be at the wedding site. Her answer had been an excited “Ja. I would like that wery much, Susanna dear.” Susanna had tears at the “wery”, like mother, like son.

Dar had requested a lunch stop for some more Cornish pasties and then they’d stopped at Hamley’s toy store, the British equivalent of F.A.O. Schwarz in New York for Urs’ birthday present. Tomorrow it would be lingerie looking, sweet little girlie things for Susanna and most especially some ‘surprises’ for Urs.

*************************************

Mami, Papa, Susanna and Urs sat around the table finishing supper. They’d been discussing the three reception venues they’d visited today.

“I think that with the number of guests you want Urs, it will have to be one of these.” Papa began.

“I’m not so sure about that second one. It seemed so closed in and dark, somehow.” Susanna was next as she looked at Mami who jumped right in as if on cue.

“Ja, and the tables were so close together and the dance floor would barely hold the wedding party.”

Urs and his father exchanged a look. They’d already privately nixed that one but of course Papa felt the need to maintain his rightful place in the pecking order of the Buhler household. Far be it for Mami to let on that his place was more perceived than real.

“Well, if you ladies insist, I guess that leaves only two left.” he said with an exaggerated sigh.

“Which one do you like Urs?” the elder member of the male tag team asked.

“Ackshully I liked the last one. The space indoors was certainly large enough and I liked the idea of allowing the reception to flow out onto the terrace for drinks and hor d’oeurves. It’s not quite so formal.”

“And they can look out onto the lake. Think how gorgeous the view will be through that wall of French doors at sunset.” Susanna bounced as her eyes sparkled with excitement.

“I…”Mami smiled.

Papa looked at her, interpreted her smile and interrupted, “We both agree. It’s perfect.” The pecking order was still alive and well in the elder Buhler household.

“Then it’s settled. First thing tomorrow Susanna and I will make the arrangements.” Urs pecked as Susanna smiled serenely and gave Mami’s hand a squeeze under the table.

“Be sure you bring Susanna straight back here, Urs. We women are meeting at Eva’s to see about the dresses. Hans is taking the afternoon off so Irma can join us and Pia will be there at 1:00. You men will be in charge of the children and I want the house looking tidy when we get back.” said Mami the Little General.

“Yes, Mami. What about Felix?” asked Urs.

“They’re coming later this evening for cake and yes it’s chocolate, your favorite.” she preempted his next question.

“Chocolate, imagine that! I never would have guessed, Urs. I bet it’s nice and tall, right Mami?”

“Three layers.” Mami smiled proudly as Susanna smirked at Urs.
Now just how far would he be willing to go to keep Chocolate Mile High cake a secret? Hmmmmm.

****************************************

They were barely out of the reception parking area before Urs began. “But I still don’t see why not, Susanna. From the outside no one would know.” he wheedled.

“I’m sorry, Urs, but we are absolutely NOT having a chocolate wedding cake. At home we have a tradition where the groom can have a smaller cake in addition to the wedding cake. We could do that if you’d like. I’ve seen some beautiful chocolate groom’s cakes and that will have to be enough chocolate for you.”

“Besides, you know some of your guests might be allergic to chocolate. Remember how those antibiotics made me look like a raspberry? We can’t have that going on in the middle of the reception.” Susanna took a page from Mami’s little instruction book for pecking order.

“Impossible! They’re Swiss. We are born loving chocolate.” Urs declared firmly as he looked at his watch and accelerated. If Susanna was late he might not even get a chocolate groom’s cake.

They were back by Mami’s specified time which Susanna discovered was not the same as Mami’s expected time. Like mother, like son. This subtlety went right over Susanna’s head until she saw Urs pick up on her raised eyebrow. She was quickly mollified when he explained they’d made a slight detour to see Father Ludwig about the ceremony and possibility of including Father Mike.

Susanna liked him right off the bat. Although he was more formal, she chalked that up to his Swissness and of course their first meeting. She was sure she’d spotted at least one twinkle and his smile was warm and genuine. He seemed very open to contacting Father Mike about sharing part of the ceremony with him. Susanna grinned to herself. By the time that conversation was over she’d bet Father Ludwig would be sharing part of the ceremony with Father Mike!

**************************************

“Close your eyes and make a wish!” How many times had Mami repeated those words to her man/child Urs, her soon to be married son?

Susanna watched as Urs’ lashes shuttered his brown-green almond-shaped eyes and thought of her afternoon with the Buhler women.

If she were the one blowing out the candles, she would skip this part of the birthday tradition. Her wish had been granted and then some. Not only was she marrying this man of her dreams, but also his warm and loving family: the people who had created and nurtured this amazing human being, her Prince.

During lunch at Eva’s she’d been entertained with the Life of Urs as told through the loving, well mostly loving unless he’d been too mischievous, eyes of his sisters and mother. There’d been ‘aw’ moments, silly moments, sad moments and just plain glad to have been there moments.

Susanna brought pictures of the dresses to share and Mami measured the bridesmaids and also declared ‘whipping up’ a dress for 6 year old Leonie would be nothing at all after her years as a seamstress. Susanna laughed as she envisioned the poor child scattering rose petals down the aisle in a Susanna creation of duct tape and safety pins.

In fact, by the end of the afternoon, the fun-loving bantering and sharing had encouraged Susanna the Brave to finally admit her genetic abnormality. She had been born with a missing sewing gene. They had continued their light-hearted teasing in the same vein by insisting this mere oversight in the natural order of things could and would be remedied as soon as possible with their help. It wasn’t often that the perfect idea for a wedding present is dropped in your lap: a sewing machine complete with sewing lessons.

**********************************

With Urs’ amazing breath control of course he got all the candles on the first try.

“I don’t suppose you’ll tell me.” Susanna hinted.

“Only when it comes true, Houdini.” he grinned with chocolate crumbs on his mouth.

Chapter 138
Happy Birthday

Urs was in his element, celebrating with his family. Susanna was glad for Inga taking pictures because she hadn’t even thought about that. Later she would look back and realize this was the birth of the wedding dinner surprise.

Susanna had wrapped her present and packed it in her luggage yesterday. She made sure he’d opened all his family gifts first, hanging back, content to share him completely this one last single birthday. As with all his other gifts he made a big show out of shaking the box and guessing before he opened it. The little ones especially loved it when he’d make a totally outlandish guess.
“Oh Uncle Urs you’re silly. You know that box is too small!” they all shouted.

Their eyes shared a knowing twinkle saying they remembered Urs’ Christmas present inside all the boxes, but this one was a normal sized box. It was wrapped in paper that looked like piano sheet music. When Urs opened the box he found a black toy piano. The children clapped their hands in delight. “Play a song, Uncle Urs.”

Uncle Urs lifted it out and fingered the keys as he looked up at Susanna.

“There’s a card.” Susanna said softly.

Urs set the box on the floor and passed the piano to one of the children as the others quickly gathered around to have a turn. He opened the card and read:

Happy Birthday, Urs,
The real one is waiting to go into our house. You’ll know why I chose this one.
I love you always,
Susanna

“Uncle Urs! Uncle Urs! There’s a picture on the back!”

Urs turned the card over and looked at it and then up at Susanna.



The card fell to the floor as Urs stood up. “Thank you, my Susanna. It is perfect. A Bösendorfer made in Vienna.” he beamed lovingly.

Susanna just had time to add, “Like Johann Strauss played.” before Urs bent his head to kiss her. It was a the kind of kiss that made the older generation smile fondly and hug as they remembered themselves as young lovers, the present generation to kiss their own partner and dream of time together, and the younger generation to finally pull on Urs’ shirt and say, “That’s enough Uncle Urs.”

***********************************

They’d all gone home and Eva was starting the car.

“I hate saying goodnight like this.” Urs pouted after their second ‘just one more’ kiss.

“Well since we have to fly home tomorrow on your actual birthday, we can celebrate again tomorrow night. It really means a lot to them, your staying here. It will just about be time for the wedding before you’re back again. When you were blowing out the candles I could almost read Mami’s thoughts. You’ll always be her little boy you know. That’s the way it works. Just like Daddy and me.”

“How’d you get to be so smart all of a sudden?”

“I’m magical…..what do you mean all of a sudden?”

“Night, Houdini, I love you.” Urs chuckled.

“Night, Bag Boy, I love you too and for your information I’ve been smart for quite a while. I chose you didn’t I?”

**********************************

Susanna looked up from her wedding notebook over to Urs reading a motorcycle magazine.

“Urs?”

“Hmmm.”

Susanna followed Pooh’s Little Instruction Book:

"If the person you are talking to doesn't appear to be listening, be patient. It may simply be that he has a small piece of fluff in his ear."

Susanna leaned over and checked for fluff with her tongue. She didn’t get any fluff. She did, however, get Urs undivided attention as he rubbed his ear. “That tickles!”

“I want to plant a tree.”

The logical Urs would have looked around the first class cabin as they cruised at 38,000 ft. over France, for possible clues to a someone’s sudden interest in horticulture. The Urs sitting next to Susanna however knew he’d only find out if he asked.

“We already have a nice garden with plenty of trees on the property.” Urs stated the obvious.

“But I was talking to your mother and she said….just a minute I have it right here.” Susanna consulted her rapidly expanding notebook.

Once you are married, it is common for Swiss couples to plant a pine tree in their yard in order to represent fertility and bring children into their loving family.

Urs put his magazine into the chair pocket, turned to face her, and began to explain or wind her up as the case may be.

“In that case of course we must have a pine tree, however Susanna, contrary to popular Swiss legend, we do not find our babies lying swaddled and sleeping under the boughs of pine trees.” He thought his straight-faced delivery should have received an Academy Award nomination, instead it received a thump on the arm.

“Stop teasing, Urs. I think that’s a very nice tradition.”

“Sorry, Houdini, but sometimes you’re just so … deliciously ….teaseable.” He leaned over to punctuate his words with kisses.

“Would it be alright if we just plant one big one and be done with it? Otherwise we might wind up with a small forest.”

“One would be fine, Urs.” Susanna said primly, not rising to the bait.

“Danke Gott!” Urs returned to his magazine and Susanna returned to her notebook. She wisely decided to wait until later to discuss the other Swiss wedding traditions she wanted to include.

********************************

Susanna’s answering machine was blinking furiously the moment they’d walked in the door. Two messages were from Mr. Parnell who said he’d left the same messages on Urs’ phone. He had shown Susanna’s apartment while she’d been gone and someone had made an offer. He also wanted to schedule a time to sign the final papers for their house.

“Let’s call tomorrow before our flight. The sooner we can get into the house the better. I don’t want to scare you, Bag Boy, but we only have about….” Susanna reached for her paper brain, turned to the calendar and began counting, “eight weeks until the wedding.”

“Seven weeks and three days, Houdini, but who’s counting?” Urs grinned as he set her calendar down and practiced kissing her senseless.

When they finally recovered enough to think straight, Susanna unpacked and repacked. On the way to Urs’ apartment, they picked up his birthday dinner.

“How nice of Carmine to slave over a hot stove for your birthday.” Susanna commented as she brought in Urs’ tiramisu and began singing “Happy Birthday to You.”

“Sorry about the candle, it kept flopping over, but you had them last night at least.” Susanna apologized as she removed the leaning tower candle.

“That was so nice being with all my family. We really got a lot of things checked off your paper brain too didn’t we?” Urs said with a satisfied smile.

“Yes! It’s finally coming together, Bag Boy. I even had some ideas for including Carlos, Seb, and David in the wedding but let’s talk about them tomorrow. We need to be up with the birds in the morning and this little rest of your birthday present is getting pretty tired here.” Susanna smiled as she started to clear the table.

“Here Houdini, I’ll do that, you go get ready for bed and I’ll be there in a minute.” Urs said as he bent down to kiss her and took the dishes.

Susanna had just dried her face when she caught a glimpse of something white moving over the bed. She walked into the bedroom and there was Urs, looking delicious, weird, but delicious. He’d evidently started to get ready for bed. His shirt, shoes and socks were gone along with the top two buttons on his jeans. He held a corner of a paper towel as he walked around the room waving it in the air as if it were a banner and grinning like the proverbial village idiot.

“Urs! Have you gone bonkers! You look like your either blessing the bed or waving the flag of surrender……. and what IS that smell?” Susanna stood still and sniffed. It smelled suspiciously like……

Urs came up to her and waved it under her nose. “EWWW! Where did you find that?”

“Under the sink.” Urs said triumphantly. “I thought we could just close our eyes and pretend we’re making love under the lovely, fragrant boughs of a pine tree. Are you feeling fertile yet?”

“You silly, stupid-nosed wombat! That’s my pine-scented cleaner, you fool.” Susanna collapsed, laughing hysterically onto the bed.

“Get that thing away from me!” she pleaded as Urs and his pine scented towel joined her.

“What this?” Urs wadded it up, moved closer, and then threw it on the floor.

“What about this?” Urs wrapped his legs around her and drew her into his chest.

“Mmmmm.” Susanna wiggled with a smile. “That can stay.”

Chapter 139
Surprises

“Maestro.” David motioned toward the band.
“Come here my darling.” Carlos’ deep baritone crooned as he brought out the stool and placed it in the middle of the stage. Urs hurried over and dutifully sat down as Seb. Carlos and David beamed and began to sing “Happy Birthday”.

http://rapidshare.com/files/215205947/2006...irthday_Urs.wmv

And what a birthday it had been! A week from tomorrow they would close on the house and it would officially be theirs. Susanna had gotten her asking price for the apartment and he’d had a chance to celebrate his birthday in the presence of the three loves of his life: his family, Susanna, and the passionate music shared by Il Divo with their fans. In Urs’ words to the thousands assembled on the Esplanade with the beautiful backdrop of Edinburgh Castle, “Birthdays have never been so good since Il Divo”.

*********************************************

The concert at Kedleston Hall had been a rollicking, relaxed, picnic affair, a bittersweet exclamation that closed the First World Tour of Il Divo. Susanna had never seen Urs so relaxed and playful. Even as the crowd streamed in, he was peeking over the tarp fencing allowing his light-hearted mood to spill out into the excited throng of fans anxious to be here on this special evening. Tonight champagne would be the drink of choice onstage as the entire Il Divo family, seen and unseen bid a poignant farewell to the fans and put the show to bed for the last time.

*********************************

“There, that’s your last one signed, Urs. I’ve put all your copies in this folder for you. Susanna I’ll have the check deposited to your account immediately and now you’ll be needing these I think. Congratulations and I wish you much happiness in your new house.” Mr. Parnell shook hands with them and handed Urs the house keys. The swarm of butterflies in Susanna’s stomach changed direction as she gave a mini-bounce into Urs’ arms to share a public-style celebration hug and kiss.

This time it was Susanna the Spirited who propelled Urs to the car post haste. He’d been amazed as her shorter legs ate up the distance from the building to the car. With grins a mile wide and laughter just for the sheer joy of it, Urs started the engine and they were off with their basket of goodies and a cooler of champagne through the proverbial woods of Hamstead to celebrate their new house Urs and Susanna style.

And it would remain a house in their minds for a while yet. They might christen it with champagne and joyous celebration today, but it would remain just a house, no carrying over the threshold, no ‘sleepovers’ until that blessed day they would enter and christen it with their lives as man and wife. Then it would become a home.

In preparation for that fast-approaching time, they measured, chose furniture, remeasured, discussed, and honed their negotiating skills. They discovered what they could and couldn’t live with as far as color schemes, furniture styles, wallpaper, kitchen appliances and utensils, i.e. # of wood rasps, and they loved every minute of it, well maybe not EVERY minute.

Urs did have a niggling thought in the back of his mind every now and again that perhaps the trade-off of one more wood rasp for allowing Susanna to paint the dining room red hadn’t been such a wise choice, but he was a man of his word. Besides she had promised it would be more of a warm, deep red, not like” The Thrill of Brazil” shade of nail polish he’d seen on her dresser. So he had stood faithfully at her side as she searched for just the right color of paint to match her little bottle of “Kennebunk-port”; greater love hath no tenor.

*************************************

Their celebration feast took place in the conservatory on folding chairs as they looked out on the lovely roses in their south facing garden. Urs the Inventive soon discovered if they placed their chairs side by side facing opposite directions it was so much easier to toast or eat or kiss or toast or kiss or kiss or…

“Ready for basket number two, Heidi?” Urs suggested.

“I thought you’d never ask, my Swiss Lover.” Susanna smiled and reached for his hand.

Susanna carried the champagne flutes and more champagne as Urs lifted the second basket. They slowly walked upstairs and toward the master bedroom, pausing only to nuzzle and tease each other with hungry mouths.

The uncurtained windows revealed the fast approaching dusk and a few lights in the distance over the trees as they walked across the huge expanse of pale carpet and into the adjoining bathroom.

At the shower they exchanged a wistful look that said ‘maybe next time’. Urs set the basket on the sink, walked to the oversized Jacuzzi tub combination and turned on the water. They unpacked two new extra fluffy towels, one dark blue and one pink, of course. Next came a few small votives Urs lit and set out on the counter and the window sill high above the tub, safely out of the way as Susanna poured some fragrant bath salts in the tub.

All the while their hands and bodies returned to each other as they passed or stopped to share a kiss, a smile, a look. It was as if each place in their house had no history, no memory of love in it. Each room was a blank page waiting for them to write a unique chapter, theirs alone. Every subtle look, loving caress, gentle whispered word of love and shout of joy was waiting to be recorded as this space learned what it was to come alive in the exquisite act of love between two people.

The windows lit by flickering flames barely blinked back tears at the sights and sighs of the lovers undressing each other in the candlelight. The vast sloped surface of the tub marveled at the sleek strength and suppleness of their bodies as they molded themselves to its shape. The walls gazed in wide-eyed wonder as their hands washed over each other with tender caresses and the air reverberated with mingled exclamations of ecstasy as the chapter ended.

*********************************

“I have to admit, Houdini, the red is starting to grow on me, especially with the white molding. I certainly wouldn’t have ever thought of that combination though.” Urs admitted as he stood back and looked at their handiwork. He’d just finished rolling up the drop cloths around the edges of the room.

“Well motorcycle magazines don’t exactly have the latest fashion trends in decorating now do they, Bag Boy?” Susanna zinged.

“You know having that sink out in the potting shed is going to be so handy with messy cleanups. Washing the brushes and rollers was a breeze.” she said as she held the door open for Urs and the drop cloths.

“And when I’m greasy from working on the bike.” Urs added, remembering to maintain his rightful place in the pecking order.

************************************

“I hate that I have to leave you to deal with all the moving and unpacking, Houdini, but we’re really in a time crunch to get the new CD finished before the Barbra concerts start!” Urs said again as they pulled up in front of the departure drop-off lane.

“Urs you’ve been going on and on about that all day. If I didn’t think I could do it I’d say so. This isn’t the first time I’ve moved. It will keep me busy while you’re in Stockholm. You just need to focus on the CD so you can get back at least a few days before the wedding. Most of the arrangements for your part can be done long distance. Now you’ll be sure to talk to the guys about what we want them to do at the wedding, right? And I’ll talk to the girls” Susanna said as she handed him the cookie container.

“Will you send me pictures of how the house looks?” Urs asked as he put the laptop bag over his shoulder and leaned in the window for a quick kiss.

“Of course, and be sure to ask David if you have trouble opening them. Promise?” Susanna checked to be sure he nodded and grabbed his head for another kiss, not so quick this time.

“I’ll call tonight. Love you, Houdini.”

“Love you too Bag Boy. I’ll be waiting.”

*************************************

“Yes, right over there. See where those four rug protectors are line up. That’s right. Perfect. Now I think the other one over here.” Just wait till Urs sees how well his teak pieces go with the red.

Monday and Tuesday Susanna had been the Little General and Mami would have been proud. First she had dealt with the packers. Every box had been checked for proper labeling, fragile items properly stacked, and they had barely dared to ask to use her bathroom let alone touch anything after seeing the huge “Do Not Pack ANYTHING In This Room” sign on the door. She’d also taken the extra precaution of putting those items in the bathtub just to be sure.

By Tuesday afternoon everything was moved, stacked and beginning to be unpacked. Wednesday the furniture she and Urs had picked out was delivered. Susanna decided Thursday would be a wonderful day to collapse, especially now that they had new furniture to do it on.

Urs must have thought differently.

At 8:00 AM the doorbell rang with Susanna’s first visitor and it was not the next door neighbor coming to meet and greet with a plate of baked goods. The visitor asking for admittance at the secure gated drive was a truck, a Malcolm’s Bath and Tile truck to be exact with a work order from ‘Mr. Booler’. Susanna buzzed them in and dashed upstairs for jeans and a sweatshirt.

The man in charge stood in the foyer as Susanna read the work order: four tiled bench seats to be constructed, one in each of the ensuite bathroom showers.

“I’ll just go get me helper in the truck, missus.”

“Uh, just how long will it take you to do this job?”

“Well, Mr. Booler...”

“That’s Buhler.”

“Well as I were saying he were very partickler. They needed to match and all and be very strong. We don’t do no slap dab jobs, not us missus, only the best is Malcolm’s Bath and Tile. We’ll be doing two today and finish the other two on Friday.”

“I see. Well you’d better get started then. Follow me.” Susanna said with a totally new facial expression she’d just invented, a grinning grimace.

She promised herself she’d remain calm and not look. She did neither. It was rather impossible when someone had sent people, before you were even dressed, to surprise you by ripping holes in your bathroom walls, even if the end result would be pleasurable.

At first it was easy to stay calm when she saw how neatly they worked. It was even fairly easy to remain calm when she had received their sympathy that Mr. Booler was handicapped and was it an accident. But it was nearly impossible when she’d had no adequate answer as to why Mr. Booler needed a bench in all four showers, unless….”Oh missus, what a long suffering saint ya are to take in the in-laws, the poor old crippled dears. You just don’t find many young people nowadays willing ta do that. Tis not much of a life for a young missus like yursel.”

“And how long will it be before I can use the shower?”

“Not long atall Missus. They’ll be right as rain by Monday.” It was at THAT precise moment it became impossible to remain calm. Perhaps in truth Mr. Booler would be needing a handicapped shower.

Chapter 140
Read my Lips

“Yes, Seb. 11:10 at Arlanda. You’re a dear. I can’t thank you enough for setting this up. Remember don’t tell any of the others. I want this to be a surprise. Thank Juliana again for giving me your number. I expect you’ll be talking to her soon. See you Saturday.”

“We’ll be leaving now. Missus. We’ll be here bright and early tomorrow to finish up the last two.” announced Charlie of Malcolm’s Bath and Tile.

****************************

“Susanna, good to see you.” Seb grinned and kissed both her cheeks.

“Thanks again for doing this, Seb. How is the CD going?” Susanna hugged him and followed his lead toward the car park.

“I think this one will be easier than the first two. We’ve really got a feeling for our voices now, but it’s too soon to tell yet. Urs is good. We’re all sharing a rental car. I told them I needed to pick a little something up. They thought I meant shopping of course...” He winked as he put her carryon in the boot and opened her door.

“I’ve made arrangements to get into a practice room so we’ll have a piano and I’ve brought my guitar so it shouldn’t take more than an hour or so. Once I get my part the way you want it, I’ll record it so you can take it back and practice your part. Now how are you going to let Urs know you’re here?”

“Have you told the desk clerk I’m arriving but to keep it a secret?”

“Oui.”

“Then all I need is for Urs to be out of his room. I’ll do the rest. This is going to be such fun.” Susanna giggled and bounced.

Seb certainly hoped so since the four Divos would be practically joined at the hip for the next several weeks as they created their new album.

******************************

Seb had called Urs’ room while she stayed hidden in the car. No answer. Susanna slipped the key card into the slot and quickly opened the door. She stowed her bag in the corner and called Urs.

“Hi Houdini. What a great surprise. I was going to call later but you beat me to it” Urs said, a little out of breath.

“Hi Bag Boy. I really needed to hear your voice. Are you in your room?” Susanna asked as she swallowed a bubble of laughter.

“No, I’m at the gym. They have a pretty decent one here in the hotel. Where are you?” Urs adjusted the tread mill back to 0% incline.

“I was just stepping into the shower and I thought of you. It’s lonely in here all by myself.” she attempted a sexy whine by only managed the whine part.

They must be fast workers. I wonder how she likes my surprise. Should I say something or wait for her to thank me for thinking of adding benches? I’ll just hint.

“Which bathroom are you using Houdini? The one in our master bedroom?” Urs attempted a sexy purr and managed both parts.

“Actually I’m using the one in Suite 412.” Susanna replied matter-of-factly and ended the call with a click. She’d give him five minutes tops. With a delicious smile she stepped into the shower and waited.

Urs burst into the room in three.
I don’t hear the shower. She must have waited for me. What a wonderful, sweet, loving….

“Houd….Houdini? You’re….yo…..what are you doing standing in the shower with all your clothes on.?”

“Urs Buhler! What were you thinking? Two men….8:00…Mr. Booler….holes in the walls….two days ….. handicapped ….. accident …..poor crippled in-laws……four benches….FOUR…..are you obsessed! I have created a monster!” Susanna ranted and raved.

“As for me standing here fully clothed, think of me as a visual reminder just in case you are having an attack of cloth ears.”

“Read my lips: if you ever remotely think of overhauling so much as one square inch of our house as a surprise, hanky panky in any shower, with or without provision for the handicapped, will become a distant memory.”

Urs stepped into the shower stall, reached around behind Susanna and turned on the water. As bug-eyed Susanna gasped and sputtered he grinned cheekily.

“So tell me how you really feel about the benches, Houdini.”

“They’re bloody marvelous you silly Swiss wombat!” Susanna’s water-logged flying hug ended up more like a squishy smack but she managed the arms around the neck and the kissing part with no trouble at all.

By the time they had peeled each other out of their sodden clothes and used up most of the hot water, there was not much hank left in their pank, but Susanna felt satisfied Urs could read her lips and also several other places very well.

At Sunday morning brunch, Urs and Susanna had invited Seb, Carlos, and David to make their wedding special in their own Il Divo style. From the trio of smiles, helpful comments and suggestions, they could tell each of them had been just waiting to be asked. Urs was especially touched. As he told Susanna later, “I had Foxhole friends all along. I just didn’t know that’s what they’re called until I met you.”

Carlos and Gerry would sing a duet before the ceremony, David and Sandy would sing the song for Urs and Susanna’s first dance, and all three would sing a special song at the end of the ceremony. Seb would do the arrangements without Urs’ part. He also offered to coordinate the music for the reception. David came up with a great idea. He would be available during the reception to videotape guest’s congratulations.

*********************************

“Urs.”

“Mmmm.”

“It’s getting late. You need to get dressed and go home. They’ll be wondering why it took you so long to drive me back to the hotel.”

“Mmmm……..I just need to lie here for a few more minutes and rest, Susanna. You’re going to be the death of me with your hinky pinky.” Urs turned his head on the pillow just far enough to kiss the top of her head.

“That’s hanky panky, Bag Boy,” she leaned up on her elbow to look at him, “and I don’t want my future in-laws mad at me.”

“Papa will understand.” mumbled Urs.

“Yes, but it’s Mami I’m worried about. I can just see her tying one of those cowbells around my neck until the wedding so she can hear where I am or coming after me with one of those alphorns.”

“OK, but Muz and Dad are coming in tomorrow and then we’ll never have a chance to be alone.” Urs pouted as he buttoned his jeans and shrugged into his shirt.

“It will only be a week, Bag Boy and then we’ll be married. It will go fast with all the last minute wedding events.”

“Technically it’s eight days and it can’t come fast enough, Houdini.” On went the boots.

“Alright, Mr. Technically, the faster you get home and go to sleep the sooner the eight days will go. Trust me I’m magical. Now one more kiss and off you scoot.” Well, maybe two.

*****************************************

Although the wedding couldn’t come fast enough, the first part of the week did go fast. On Saturday, Muz and Dad and Dar landed in Zurich within a half hour of each other. Pia’s husband Willem had volunteered to help with the pick-up.

‘Travel light’ was not in Muz’ vocabulary. Muz and Dad were the first to arrive and ‘didn’t mind a bit’ if Urs drove them straight to their hotel in Luzern while Susanna and Willem waited for Dar. It seemed Urs was now the flavor of the month and Susanna couldn’t have been more pleased. Daddy behaved as if he’d graduated with honors from Masterful University and Muz looked radiant.
So much for not teaching old dogs new tricks

WhenTipTop Lady Bread Man and Dummy were reunited with huge hugs, Willem did not even bat an eyelash. Susanna suspected either Urs had already explained the bride-to-be was fluent in Susannese or Willem had decided the marriage was a done deal and Urs probably wouldn’t believe him anyway.

On Sunday, the Buhlers invited the Nelsons to dinner to meet their family, including Felix, Pia, Inga and Eva and their families. Mr. and Mrs. Buhler began by serving flaky mushroom puffs to Mr. and Mrs. Nelson. Adriana and Karl ended by serving melt-in-your-mouth apple strudel to Marian and John. It had gone well. Obviously they weren’t ready to write each other into their wills just yet, but as each set of parents looked at their child, they could see the love Urs and Susanna had for each other and that was enough for them. It was a beginning.

Chapter 141
Traditions

“How many Susanna?” asked the chorus of Urs’ relatives as they watched her unwrap the next gift at the bridal shower. It was the third ribbon she’d broken and tradition had it there would be a child for each broken ribbon.

“Less than 20.” she affirmed with a grin and a wink as Mami looked proud and Muz looked panicky.

“It is always the quiet ones like Urs.” laughed Urs’ Aunt Evelyne. Without a word Pia snatched the pink clothes pin off the collar of Aunt Evelyne’s dress and added it to the growing collection on the bottom of her skirt.

Susanna gave a smile of relief. When Mami and Urs’ sisters announced they had planned a bridal shower for her, she was very moved by their kindness. She had no idea what happened at a Swiss bridal shower but in true Susanna fashion she quickly made it her own version with small suggestions.

First Susanna had offered to make name tags for everyone. Then she suggested the Name Game as a kind of ice breaker, especially thinking of Dar and Muz. So when the guests arrived each one was given a pink clothespin to wear in plain sight. If you mentioned Urs’ name during the shower, someone could steal your clothespin. At the end of the shower the person with the most clothespins would win a prize. Susanna had make up a small basket of bath products along with the idea.

They had the tradition of saving the ribbons from the gifts but Darlene taught them the next step. As each gift was opened she poked it through a paper plate with the bow on top and the streamers hanging down. This would become Susanna’s practice bouquet at the wedding rehearsal Friday night.

Susanna didn’t know about the final idea her matron of honor had in store for her. She breathed a sigh of relief after it was all over when Dar confessed she’d asked Mami and Urs’ sisters first and they had given her their laughing approval. Eva had volunteered to write down a list of the names and gifts, especially since most of the people there were Urs’ relatives but while she wrote, Dar was making a list of her own, recording Susanna’s innocent comments about the gifts.

The last gift had been unwrapped, Susanna had given a little thank you speech and Irma had been awarded the prize for the most clothespins. Then came Dar’s surprise. "This is what the bride will say on her wedding night." and began to read her list out loud! It was very fortunate the refreshments hadn’t been served yet because everyone would have sputtered, splashed, and spilled theirs after hearing such gems as:

Oooh, this is pretty!
Where does this go?
That’s a big one.
I’ve never seen one that color.
Look! It even comes with a recharger.

By the time people were capable of eating and drinking, another of Susanna’s classroom proverbs had been proven true: There are no strangers here, only friends we haven’t met.

****************************

“Urs you do remember what day it is tomorrow, right?” quizzed Susanna seriously.

“Thursday” Urs grinned and looked over at David to see how he was doing. He received a big thumbs-up.

Susanna looked desperate. “Carlos, I’m counting on you to be the grown-up here tonight….seriously. Urs needs to be in good shape for the Civil Ceremony tomorrow afternoon.” She looked pointedly from Carlos to Gerry who gave her husband ‘the look’ as Urs shot back “I am in good shape.” and proceeded to flex his bicep.

“Take him. Go. You guys are impossible when you’re like this.” Susanna said laughing.

“Come, mon ami the clubs are calling us to celebrate your last days as a bachelor.” Seb urged as he took one arm and David took the other.

“Love you, Susanna.” Urs called over his shoulder as he was hurried out the door.

“We’ll have him home before he turns into a pumpkin. Don’t worry, Susanna.” Carlos promised with twinkling eyes and waggling brows.

“Finally! Now let the girls’ night begin, ladies. Where’s the room service menu. Champagne anyone?” Gerry grinned as she closed the door to their suite. Sixteen hands went into the air. The four Divos ladies, three sisters and one best friend from Chicago were ready to party!

“Whoa! Look at us! We’re not dressed to party.” Susanna grinned as she opened her magical all-purpose carryon bag and began passing out tee-shirts, pink of course, that said: ‘What happens with the girlfriends stays with the girlfriends.’”

“It’s too bad your friends from school could get her until tomorrow.” Juliana said as she helped herself to some cold shrimp and more champagne.

“I just appreciate all your help with the travel arrangements, Juli. It’s not your fault they couldn’t get an earlier flight. I’m just happy they could get here at all. Mmmm have you tried these mushroom thingys? Here.” Susanna took two stuffed mushrooms for herself and passed the plate.

“Why don’t you bring your friends over with you tomorrow morning while we put the finishing touches on your surprise for Urs? It shouldn’t take more than an hour.” Pia offered.

“What a great idea, thanks that’s so nice of you. It’ll be awhile till I see them again since we’ll be going almost straight to the Barbra rehearsals.” Susanna squeezed Pia’s arm.

“So that will be your honeymoon then? Traveling around to the concerts?” Susanna could hear the wistfulness in Irma’s voice.

How ironic, she probably envies me the experience of seeing exciting places she’s never been and I would love the chance to just be in our home with Urs.

“We have to be in New York on Tuesday but Urs hasn’t told me if we’re going straight there or somewhere else first for a few days. He says it’s a surprise.” Susanna shared rather shyly.

“So tell us what your rings are like. Pleeaassee. I bet they’re gorgeous.” Sandy cajoled.

“Really they’re very simple. Mine is just a single row of diamonds and Urs is plain, but we did have them engraved.” Susanna sighed with a starry smile as the room became alive with excited squeals and demands for details.

“When we went to Vienna for New Years we visited Mayerling. It was a hunting lodge where Prince Rudolph committed suicide with Baronesse Vetsera. I thought the story of their love and devotion was so romantic. So Urs and I decided to have our wedding rings engraved J.I.L.U.D. Joined In Love Unto Death.” Susanna said to her misty-eyed audience. Judging by the ‘awww’s’ and the sudden need for tissues, she had their unanimous approval.

*****************************

The girls’ night was less ‘strenuous’ than the mens’, if clear eyes, the ability to withstand loud noise and bright light and general feelings of well-being were any indication.

“Close your eyes Urs or you’ll bleed to death.” was Susanna’s comment to Urs when they were alone.

“Woman, have you no pity?” was Urs’ barely audible reply as he sipped his coffee and obeyed the teacher.

Happily, at the civil ceremony that afternoon his reply was considerably more strenuous, as he and Susanna were officially married in the eyes of the Swiss government. Afterward, everyone, including Dar’s husband, Bob, and Susanna’s school friends who had arrived earlier that day, went back to Urs’ parents.

**************************

“At least they gave us a little time alone, Urs.” Susanna said as she smoothed Urs’ hair she’d just finished messing up.

“I feel like I was a teenager again, sneaking kisses in a car when we should be somewhere making love. We are married you know!” Urs grizzled in frustration as he started the car.

“I’ve got it! Why don’t you invent a two-seater without a gear-shift lever and we’ll be in business! Seriously, Urs. It’s only two days away and it will be worth waiting for and a lot more comfortable too I’ll bet!” Finally Urs dimple appeared.

“I guess I should be glad Mami didn’t give me ‘the look’ when I wanted to drive you home. You don’t suppose Muz and Dad would consider a sleep-over at my parents tonight do you?” asked Urs the Dreamer.

“Not without their jammies, at least Muz.” she reflected with a straight face. “Sorry, Bag Boy.”

Urs parked the car and walked Susanna into the hotel. As they rode up in the elevator he held out his hand. “I need the ring back, Houdini so I can give it to Felix for Saturday. Sorry.”

“This must be one of the shortest marriages on record. Don’t think you can hock it and run away to deepest, darkest Peru, the home of Paddington Bear or maybe the real Australia or somewhere else Bag Boy. I’ll hunt you down.” Susanna joked as she put the ring into his palm.

The kiss Urs gave her when he stopped the elevator left no doubt that the only place he ever wanted to be was deepest, darkest Peru, or Australia, or an elevator between floors in a Swiss hotel, or anywhere in the world as long as Susanna was there. And that was no joke.

Chapter 142
The Rehearsal

“Are you sure you this is what you want to do, Susanna?” Urs asked in amazement.

Susanna nodded gently and smiled. “I think it is the perfect choice. You know how important I feel it is to include some of your Swiss traditions into our wedding and this is also a way for my friends to feel included. I’m sure Rosemary and Marissa would love to hand them out.”

“Joanne and Leslie already volunteered to cut the cake so I needed something for Rosemary and Marissa to do anyway. In a way it’s like a tradition we have of the bride’s dance. The men ask for a dance and give her an envelope with money to help start the new couple off or to take on their honeymoon. She puts it in a small satin bag around her wrist.” Susanna explained.

“Only the Swiss way is to hand each guest a colored handkerchief for good luck and they donate money to a basket. We’ll have a sign indicating their donation will go to the International Committee of the Red Cross. The perfect choice since it is based in Geneva.” Urs kissed his approval.



“We certainly don’t need the money and we’ll be helping victims no matter if they’re refugees, prisoners, or civilians…….and Urs, one more thing,” Susanna took Urs’ hands and played with them absently, “remember when we had our little discussion about money for the house?” Urs gave her a rueful smile. “I said I wanted to come to you freely with all that I have, so I want to include what I had from Bruce in this fund. When I become your wife I want you to know all that I bring to our marriage is mine alone.”

Urs framed her face and searched intently for any sign of that she was upset. What he saw was happiness and serenity. He slid both hands behind her neck, drawing her face to his. Her lips were warm against his as he gave her soft, sipping kisses then trailed them to her ear. She sighed against his neck as she breathed in the scent of his cologne and him.

”My Susanna, you are the love of my life. Tomorrow when we marry, you will perform the greatest magical feat of your life. Worthy of Houdini! You will truly be free from Bruce.”

***********************************

“Just look at them together, it’s a wonder they haven’t twinkled each other to death.” Urs joked as he nodded to Father Ludwig and Father Mike walking down the aisle toward the altar to begin the wedding rehearsal. And it was true. Susanna was convinced Father Ludwig must have kissed the Swiss version of the Blarney stone because even before they’d laid eyes on each other, it had begun.

First Father Ludwig wouldn’t hear of Father Mike taking the train from Zurich, he’d meet him. Then Father Mike took him to dinner. Well of course ‘twould be handy if he stayed with Father Ludwig. Oh yes, Father Mike would love to see the lovely city of Lucerne, and ‘twould be flatterin’ indeed just ta be in that beautiful church, let alone sing. And ‘twould be grand to help in any small way he could with the Nuptial Mass. What a truly gracious host Father Ludwig was and would he be likin’ ta visit Father Mike sometime?

Father Ludwig, Father Mike, and Felix waited at the altar, smiling and talking softly as Susanna, Daddy, Urs and the bridal party assembled in the foyer for their practice.

An usher had already escorted Mami down the aisle and up the steps to light one of two short candles flanking a larger one, the unity candle. Papa had followed to join her in the front pew on the right. Next it was Muz’ turn to light the other short candle and sit in the front pew on the left.

”Now for the order for the bridesmaids and groomsmen.” Susanna looked at the assembled couples and smiled.

“Let’s see now. Everyone stand up straight please. Alright, first comes Eva and Franz, next Pia and Willem, and then Irma and Hans, right here.” As each couple was named, they obediently took their place in the bridal line. Then Dar herded Luca and Leonie behind her.

“Let’s try that and see how it looks.” The couples walked down the aisle and separated, women to the left and men to the right. They stood proud and tall forming a row to either side of the altar.

Susanna surveyed the tableau with a critical eye. “Perfect. What do you think Urs?”

“It looks good to me.” Urs agreed.

“You’d better get down there yourself now. I just wanted you to see how it looked from back here. I’m glad I thought of having the men dress to the left. It really looks much better than way don’t you think?” Susanna asked, not really expecting an answer since Urs had already started walking down the aisle.

Urs stopped mid-stride, turned around and hurried back to Susanna who was taking Daddy’s arm to practice her grand entrance. The color of his face almost reminded her of their dining room. How peculiar!

Urs reached her, grasped her arm, managed a hurried, “Excuse us for a minute” and whisked them off to a corner of the vestibule before Daddy knew what had happened. How odd. Urs didn’t strike him as such an impetuous young man.

“Susanna, we are in church!”

“Yes, of course we are, Urs.”

Oh the poor dear! He must be having an attack of pre-wedding jitters. He was fine until he started up the aisle. That’s what must have done it.

“Do you realize what you said?”

“About what?”

“Just now….about” here Urs bent down and whispered in her ear as if the very walls themselves were listening, “having the men dress to the left.” Visions of male giraffes flashed unbidden through his mind.

“What about it? I just wanted them all to look nice and match when they’re standing up at the altar.” Susanna the Bewildered defended herself.

Urs dining room face now resembled the white molding.

“But you said you liked the way they looked, dressed to the left, all lined up from left to right, shortest to tallest. Did you want to change it?” asked Susanna the Puzzled.

Susanna saw Urs’ chest expand and relax as he expelled a huge breath and his face became more Urs’ color.

“Did I do something wrong? Tell me.” she pleaded worriedly as she held both his arms.

Urs gave her a smile and a hug that said, “ Of course! This is my Susanna. I should have known.”

“Your arrangement is perfect. Let’s go.” Urs beamed.

As Urs walked down the aisle to stand beside his brother, a long forgotten quote came to mind: It is the things in common that make relationships enjoyable, but it is the little differences that make them interesting.

Susanna simply smiled as she held her makeshift bouquet of a paper plate and shower ribbons and practiced walking down the aisle on her Daddy’s arm to meet her future husband.

*********************************

It took about half an hour for everyone from the rehearsal to get settled at the restaurant for dinner. Urs and Susanna sat in the middle of the U-shaped tables with Father Ludwig and the Buhlers next to Susanna and Father Mike and the Nelsons next to Urs.

The wedding party and their partners chose their own seats and the Divos had no problem mixing and mingling. David did choose a seat on the end of the row since he was up more than down with his video camera. “Just practicing for the real thing tomorrow,” he teased. Susanna had already clued him in about her surprise for Urs so he’d be sure to capture the surprise on Urs’ face.

As Father Ludwig stood up and tapped on his glass for their attention, everyone rose. He gave the blessing in Swiss German and then motioned to Father Mike who gave one in English and Urs shocked Susanna by adding a loud, “and bless the cook.” Father Mike beamed and gave Susanna a wink. Somehow she had forgotten to tell Urs who had taught her that.

The restaurant owners were good friends with the Buhlers so they’d allowed Urs’ family to provide dessert, a cookie bar. Mami & company had been baking and freezing for several weeks in preparation and she was so excited about her surprise. The dinner was a buffet and the dessert would be hidden in the kitchen until the end.

After everyone had served themselves and began eating, the wine and the toasts began to flow. It was strictly a free-form affair, whoever could grab their attention, sometimes a joke, or advice, or a childhood story.

As the toasts and food dwindled into relaxed conversation, Urs thanked his parents, Father Ludwig, Father Mike and their friends for being there. Then it was Susanna’s turn.

“I just wanted to give a little explanation about our wedding cake. When you see it tomorrow it will have the traditional bride and groom on the top with a few slight changes.”

“Although all of you here know what a wonderful man your Urs is, it’s taken me awhile to figure that out.”

“And how!” shouted David as several people hooted.

“I suppose I should have realized on our first date, if you could call it that. He asked me where I wanted to go, I said to the market for groceries and he agreed just like that. When we got there, I gave him the string shopping bag and told him he could be the ‘Bag Boy’.” That got several knowing smiles from some of the women.

Urs couldn’t keep from jumping in, “So I told her she was ‘Houdini’ for pulling her bag magically out of her small purse.” Urs sat back down with a satisfied smile for remembering to peck.

“Then a few days later, Urs came by with a present, a black magician’s top hat and a magic wand and it’s been a running joke ever since. We had no idea that those nicknames would stick but they did, so that’s why the bride on the cake will be wearing a black top hat and the groom will have a little bag in his hand.”

“To Houdini and Bag Boy!” someone shouted as everyone stood and toasted to them. They both thought that was as good an excuse to kiss as any so they did, amid catcalls, claps, and cheers.

Everyone sat down again, everyone except Susanna, Seb, and Pia that is. Urs looked puzzled. “Surprise, Bag Boy, I love you.” Susanna leaned over and whispered.

“I have one more thing I’d like to do this evening. I’d like to thank Mami, Irma, Eva, and all of Urs’ family who helped me, and a special thank you to Pia. You made it possible. I’d also like to thank Seb. I hope you enjoy it. Now if you would look over to the screen on that wall please.”

Susanna pointed to the wall opposite the head table as Pia started the slide show. Seb had moved his chair over to the side of the room and Susanna walked over to stand beside him. He gave Susanna an encouraging smile and nodded as he began to play.

http://rapidshare.com/files/215378599/The_Wedding_Song.mp3

The Wedding Song

Love is something none of us should ever take for granted
Love is something that we often do
It can shake you to the core and it can turn the planet
Or it can sneak up in an old soft shoe
The moments that we’re hardest hit when life gets in the way
Always keep in mind the promise that we keep
I will love you in the waking hours the hours of the day
I will love you more each night we fall asleep
Don’t lose sight, don’t feel bound
Just give thanks for the love we’re found
Take my hand, take my heart
And I will keep the prayer to never walk apart
Love is how you say my name, the secrets that we share
Love is how you see into my soul
The way you smile, the way you stand, the color of your hair
But most of all the way our lives unfold
Through the years we grow together tried and tried so true
I will strive to keep you safe in every way
I will love you like I’ve never loved, tender only you
I will love you each and every single day.

As Susanna sang, Urs’ life dissolved and reappeared, from an infant to a Divo and all stops in between. Next, Susanna grew up before their eyes until both she and Urs together appeared and reformed, ending as the music faded away.

Susanna blushed as dear Seb took her hand and made her take a little bow. Then they were on their feet applauding, Urs was the loudest as he came over, crinkling, and sparkling, and as moved as he’d ever been by any applause he’d ever had. He enveloped her in a hug and a fiercely whispered, “Magical, Houdini! I never knew! I love you so wery, wery, much.” Then he kissed his magical, singing Houdini.

As they visited their way back to the table, Susanna caught Mami’s eye and she sent Karl to the kitchen.

“Urs, there’s one more surprise. Can you ask them to get quiet?” she asked.

Urs eyebrows went on high alert again as he tapped on his glass and the talking stopped. Then it was Mami’s turn.

She stood and looked around the room smiling at all their friends and family. “My Urs must truly be in love, Susanna. Not once tonight has he asked about dessert.” she twinkled and everyone laughed, especially the Divos. “Here it comes, Urs, all your favorite cookies, made with love from all of us.” she motioned around the room. “Come, come, help yourselves everyone.”

“You’d better be quick before Urs gets there.” Papa warned as the laughter and teasing started along with the rush to the cookie table.

*************************

Urs and Susanna walked arm in arm to the car. “Um Bag Boy I bet I know what you’re thinking about.” Susanna teased as she looked down.

“A...oh yeah, Houdini.” Urs stammered, then “Please be careful Susanna!” as she moved closer for a head to toe hug.

What a hug! Susanna experienced a totally new sensation ….. crunchiness.

“I warned you Houdini.” Urs said guiltily.

“Bag Boy! WHAT do you have in your pockets?” asked the teacher voice.

“Well, I thought I might have a few before I go to bed. You do have me addicted you know.” He began to reach into his pockets one by one and pulled out napkins full of cookie crumbs and broken cookies.

“Don’t you dare blame your cookie addiction on me, Bag Boy! Didn’t you see yourself as a little boy on the screen tonight eating cookies? Just what am I going to do with you? And don’t say feed me!” Susanna scolded.

“Marry me? I love you Houdini.” Urs said in his irresistible little boy imitation.

“I love you too, Bag Boy. Yes, I will marry you…tomorrow.” Susanna laughed as she gave her very own cookie monster one last kiss and a stuffing-testing squeeze just in case she’d missed any cookies.

Chapter 143
Morning Musings

Susanna stretched and opened her eyes to a room flooded with sunshine. I’ll bet if they turned me inside out beams of sunshine would pop out. I love Urs and he loves me and today is my wedding day! Yipee! Bubbles of happy laughter escaped as she bounded out of bed and BB Jr. did a somersault.

Just then Urs called as if to second her motion to proclaim this the happiest day of her life.

“Good morning, Houdini. I’m calling you up to tell you what a happy mood I'm in because I’m getting married today.” Urs almost sang into the phone.

“Good morning to you to Bag Boy. What a coincidence so am I.”
Susanna giggled as she bounced on the bed.

“Anyone I know?”

“Me, you silly-nosed wombat. Now tell me.”

“Tell you what, Houdini? That I love you more than life and can’t wait for 3 o’clock or that if you go open you door you’ll find a surprise?” If smug was a verb, Urs was doing it.

“What! Urs you can’t be out there. It’s bad luck. Go aw……” Susanna was cut off in mid-squeak.

“Houdini! Listen! I’m not out there. I promise. Now go see and I’ll wait.” This time is was a smiling smug. Obviously Susanna was too excited to remember their Saturday morning ritual.

“Thank you Bag Boy! You are wonderful, coffee and my chocolate croissant. I wasn’t even thinking this morning I’m so excited.” Susanna sat the coffee and fragrant bag on the nightstand and ogled the large white pink-ribboned box that had also been waiting for her.

She had begun opening it at the door and by the time she’d arrived back in the bedroom she’d almost cried. It was the most exquisite blush pink nightgown and peignoir she was certain had ever been created. She may not have remembered the coffee but she could never forget an opportunity to tease Urs.

“Have you opened it yet?” Why hasn’t she said something about the box? I only left it a few minutes ago. Surely someone didn’t pick it up.

“I just had a peek to see what kind it was. I’ll try it later. It looks delicious. Did you get one for yourself?” Susanna had to press the phone to the bed for a minute so he wouldn’t hear her laughing.

“WHAT! You mean to tell me there wasn’t a box there? A large white box with a pink ribbon?” smugging had turned into squawking.

“Oh! THAT box. Urs,” Susanna said between chuckles. “it’s the most beautiful gown I’ve ever seen. You’re making me cry happy tears now, you wonderful wombat. I love you more than anything in the world. Thank you, thank you.”

“You’d think I’d have learned by now with you, my magical Houdini. I should have known better.” he said half to himself.

“I bet if you kept me around for the next fifty years or so you’d have me figured out pretty well. How does that sound?” asked Susanna lovingly.

“Sorry, Houdini. I’m thinking it will take at least seventy-five. What do you say?” he crooned.

“I say yes, Urs, forever.”

“Forever is much better. I love you, Susanna. See you in church.”

“I’ll be there, Urs. I love you……Oh and don’t be late.” Susanna added as a stunned, grinning bridegroom sat holding his phone.

***********************

Susanna stood staring at the shower tiles, lost in thought. Giving herself a little shake she got back to the business of rinsing off the rose-scented lather. She smiled as the bubbles disappeared into the drain.

It was rather like removing the last few bits of stuck on food from the pan, the bitter pieces so deeply imbedded that couldn’t remain if you were to use the pan for a new dish, something healthy and nourishing. With Urs’ patience and love, the hurtful, distressing memories she had allowed to harden in her heart had at last been scoured away and rinsed from her mind. The new delicious creation of their lives would not be tainted by the acrid taste of ruined dreams.

She had just put on her robe when Muz knocked and came in.

”Good morning, Susanna. Today is the day. How do you feel?”
Susanna and Muz hugged, really hugged. Then Susanna stepped back and put her hands on Muz’ shoulders.

“We love each other so much, Muz. We’re going to have such a wonderful life together. I’m sure of that. I have truly never been this happy, never felt like this.” she beamed and gave Muz another little hug.

“I’m not worried about you, dear. I can see how you love each other, I’m just sorry….”

Susanna interrupted. “Muz, it’s OK. The past is done. One of the best things I’ve learned from Urs is not to keep bringing the past up…..not to keep apologizing. We can’t change things that happened even five minutes ago so all we have is now and the future and I can hardly wait. Today I’m getting married. So let’s get started.” Susanna said firmly.

Muz sniffed and gave a little nod and a smile.
“I have something for you dear. I would like you to have it maybe for your something ‘old’.”
She reached into her pocket and took out a small pouch. Susanna remembered it well. Muz unsnapped the pouch, took Susanna’s hand and tipped the contents of the pouch into her palm.

“It’s Grandma Mohr’s rosary! Oh Muz, I always remember you using it when I was growing up. In fact I think I got into trouble more than once over it. I’d be fidgeting in church and you’d give it to me to look at and the next thing you’d know I’d have it over my head like a necklace. You’d really get mad.” Susanna and Muz shared a smile at the memory.

“I don’t think I ever told you but she gave it to me the day I married you father. I want you to have it and someday maybe you’ll give it to your daughter. I love you, Susanna.” Muz wrapped her in a quick, fierce hug and then gave a little smile. “Just look at the time. The girls will be here in a few minutes. I’ll just let you get dressed.”

Susanna fingered the crystal beads and traced the sterling silver crucifix…just one more time. She slipped it over her head, looked in the mirror and grinned. Then the five-year-old reflection gently took off her necklace, put it in the pouch and became the young bride-to-be hurriedly dressing to meet her friends on her wedding day.

To be continued…..

Chapter 144
Mami Delivers

Urs had been the first one up. He needed to run, to work off some of this excitement but first there was the little surprise to deliver. Now he sat speechless, shaking his head, holding the dead phone. On the way to the gym he suddenly decided the park would be a better choice. Today was too nice to stay inside; after all it was his wedding day!

His hair was still wet from his shower when he presented himself at Mami’s kitchen table for breakfast. With a kiss for the cook and a leg over the chair he sat down.

“She makes you happy, ja?” Mami smiled.

“Ja, Mami. She makes me feel so alive…..so excited about life.” Urs answered as he mixed his cereal thoughtfully.

“With her I do not feel like I lose a son,” Mami admitted.

“She told me that.”
Mami’s head jerked up in surprise as Urs continued.
“The night of the civil ceremony I wanted us to be together but she said I should go home and be with my family… and you especially. She said you would always think of me as your little boy. I’m sorry that I haven’t been home to see you very often.” Urs apologized in a soft voice wondering how he’d even gotten on this subject.

“I think now it will be more, ja. It is gut.” Mami kissed the top of her little boy’s head as she went to fix the rest of his wedding day breakfast.

********************************

‘Paint the face’ time was fast approaching as the girls sat around the hotel suite in their robes chattering, giggling, sighing, tearing up and generally have a ball. Daddy had conveniently disappeared while all the ladies had been at the salon getting their hair done. He’d called a few minutes ago from the relatively female free home of the Buhlers to say Mami was stopping by with a ‘little something’ for Susanna.

Mami also had to get ready so she couldn’t stay long. Muz and the girls tactfully retreated to the bedrooms so Mami and Susanna could talk in the sitting room. Mami didn’t waste any time.

“I have a special recipe for you, Susanna.” Mami smiled and fished in her purse. Susanna could just imagine! It might be all of Urs’ favorite dishes. How perfect for her to try for their first meal in their new home, whenever that would be, probably the end of November after the Barbra Tour.

It was special, very special Susanna thought as she read from the recipe card:

For Susanna and Urs
From Mami’s kitchen 09.09.06

Marriage Recipe

6 parts open communications
5 parts honest love
4 parts respect
2 parts honesty
2 parts trust
1 parts fun

Blend well making sure each minute of your married life is filled with each of these ingredients. Top with a few children that completes the love to this marriage.

“Oh, Mami! Thank you. It’s the perfect recipe. We’ll treasure it and thank you for sharing Urs’ with me. I promise to love him and take care of him.” Misty-eyed Susanna and Mami sat on the bed and hugged.

“You liked the earrings Urs’ gave you, ja?”

“Yes, they were lovely, so perfect with my dress even though he hasn’t seen it of course. I’m using them for the ‘new’ part of the rhyme.” Susanna thought about the delicate diamond and pearl drop earrings he’d given her before the rehearsal dinner.

“Gut. I would like to be the ‘borrowed’ part. I wore this pearl necklace when I was married to my Karl. Pia, Inga, and Irma have also worn it. Now is your turn.” Mami opened the box to reveal a perfectly matched strand of pearls. She took it out and put it on Susanna as the two brides, one long ago and one today admired the pearls and each other in the mirror.

**********************************

Urs strapped on his new watch. He hadn’t expected a gift from Susanna last night when he’d given her the earrings but how special it felt wear this reminder of her love. Of course she’d had to tease him a little saying, “I knew I couldn’t go wrong since you collect watches like I collect recipes.

He had seen the pearl necklace before Mami had left. Now it was his turn to become part of the tradition and he could hardly wait to see it on his bride. He looked at himself critically in the mirror, adjusting his tie, as Felix, Carlos, Seb, and David looked on and smiled.

“Just like getting ready in the arches, eh Urs?” Carlos flashed a grin.

“Only this time it will be a duet.” laughed Seb, pleased with his joke.

“OK buddy let’s get the show on the road.” David opened the door.

“Felix do…..”

“Ja Urs, for the fifth time, I have the rings.” Felix said with a head shake/eye roll. A look passed among the Divos. So that was where it came from.



“The flowers, what about the wreath for my head and my bouquet?” Susanna was dressed and ready….ready to begin her first panicking of the day. The girls were amazed she’d been this calm all day. Well, it was bound to happen. Not to worry.

“Joanne and Leslie are with the florist at the church, Susanna. Everything’s under control. The flowers are there waiting for you.” said Dar.

“I’m not so sure doing the wreath on the head thing was a good idea. Right after we get out of church they take it and burn it. It’s a nice tradition to symbolize my youth and all that and if it burns fast it means good luck. What if mine is a dud?” she moaned.

“Here have some water and relax.” said Rosemary as she handed her a bottle.

“No! She can’t drink! Then she’ll have to go to the bathroom, remember?” Marissa snatched the bottle from Susanna. Fortunately she hadn’t opened it yet. Knowing Marissa she’d have made her spit it out.

“Now you have your four things right?” Rosemary checked.
“Old”: Susanna held up the rosary.
“New”: Susanna touched her earrings.
“Borrowed”: Susanna fingered the pearl necklace.
“Blue”: she lifted her dress and waved her right leg to show a blue satin garter with a white chiffon ruffle and a blue satin bow.

“It’s time. The front desk just called. The cars are here.” Susanna stood still and took a deep breath. Then she held out her arms as all the girls joined hands one last time. Just time for one last minute squeal of excitement and a hand squeeze for good luck. Then the cheerleading squad once again became beautifully serene bridesmaids ready to lead Cinderella down the aisle to marry her Prince.






In case you were wondering, there is a real Father Mike who sang this song ten years ago at my son’s wedding. He’s just as charming in real life as in the story. In fact he charmed my daughter-in-law’s father into bringing a band from Boston to play at their wedding.That band is the same one who perform the song.