The Gatehouse

The Gatehouse

Tamara Marlow/ Leann’s Best Friend

Leann Morrison/Sebastien’s Girlfriend


Prologue



Leann walked thru the hall leading to the kitchen, as she turned the corner ready to open the door she heard a sob. She knew everyone was in bed and she didn’t think Tara was still at the main house, so she was shocked to find her friend sitting at the table crying and rubbing her 9 month baby bump.

“Tara honey, what is wrong?” Leann walked over to her and wrapped her arms around her best friend.

“I am sorry. Did I wake you? I was just sitting here feeling sorry for myself. I have gotten myself in a real mess haven’t I Lee Lee?”  Tara looked up into Leann’s eyes and could see her concern.

“No, I was coming into get a glass of water, before I join Sebastien. And you can’t take the blame for what has happened. You and Urs created this baby together and Tara I don’t understand why you just don’t tell him. I think he will be thrilled to know he is going to be a father. You owe him that much for all he has done in the past year for you.”  Leann got her glass of water and joined Tara at the table, as Tara seemed to be considering what Leann had said to her.

“I would love to tell him about the baby, but after that one night he has avoided me like it was all my fault, and now he can barely look at me. I don’t want him to think I have trapped him. He really has convinced himself that the baby is Jordan’s and we both know that is impossible.”  Tara said with tears streaming down her face as she talked and rubbed her baby bump.

“Yes I know it could never have been Jordan’s, even if he weren’t dead. But Tara you have to do what is best for you and the baby and he needs his father in his life. Urs is a good man and will be a wonderful father to the baby and he will take care of both of you. Why can’t you try to trust him? Have you decided on a name for the baby?”  Leann didn’t hear the footsteps in the hall since the door was almost closed, but someone else was listening.

“Yes I am going to name him *Michael Urs Toni Buhler*. Even if he doesn’t know who his father is, he will carry his father’s name and I will tell him what a wonderful father he has.”  Tara jumped when the door flew open and a furious Sebastien stormed into the kitchen swearing in French.

Leann jumped up and grabbed Sebastien’s arm and pulled him to sit at the table while she left and closed the kitchen door. She went back to the table and joined Sebastien and Tara.

“Sebastien what is wrong with you? Please speak slower and in English. You know I can’t keep up with your French.”  Leann held his hand as he calmed down enough to speak without yelling or in French.

“What do you mean you're naming the baby after Urs? Is the baby his? I thought it was your ex’s baby?”  Sebastien held the glare from Leann while he waited to hear what Tara had to say.

“Yes Seb. The baby is Urs’ baby. My ex died several months ago, but we have not been together since before I met you all, and I was still in Australia.”  Tara lowered her face and looked at her swollen baby bump.

“But I don’t understand. Jordan came to see you after you moved in and stayed at the Gatehouse with you. I thought at first you were going to leave with him, but Urs told us he had beaten you up and he had him removed by the Police. What I don’t understand is why are you not telling Urs about the baby?” Sebastien looked at her.

“Seb, I know you love Urs like a brother, and you don’t want him hurt, but how do you think he will take it when he finds out I knew all along that the baby was ours and I didn’t tell him? Do you really think he will trust me after that?”  Tara felt a twinge in her side and it rounded to her back and she secretly wondered if she was going into labor.

Leann could see the change in her and jumped up and ran to her side.

“I think it is time Lee Lee. My bags are at the Gatehouse. Do you think you could take me to the hospital?  Seb, I am sorry but I am in labor and I think my water just broke.” Tara stood up to see Urs walk into the kitchen as her water ran down her legs and made a puddle in the floor.

“Sorry Urs. I will clean it up later. Leann is taking me to the hospital, I am in labor. I will go down to the Gatehouse and clean up; she can pick me up there.” After saying that Tara hurried out of the kitchen, before she broke down and begged him to go with her. More than anything she wanted Urs there for the birth of his child.

Leann came down after changing to a jogging suit and looked around for Tara, but all she found was Urs and Seb. She wasn’t sure she should leave Sebasien with Urs after he had just found out that the baby Tara was carrying belong to his brother.

“Sebastien do you want to come with me? I am sorry Urs. I will get back when I can and clean up the floor.”  Leann looked at Sebastien and wondered what his decision would be.

“That is not your job Leann, it won’t take much to clean the floor and I can do some things for myself. You go and get Tara and take her to the hospital and we will meet you both there after we change into some clothes. I won’t wake David or Carlos. We can tell them tomorrow. She is down at the Gatehouse so go.” Urs said to her.

Leann looked at Urs and smiled,  then she looked at Sebastien with eyes that warned him to not say a word till they had a chance to talk more. She leaned over and whispered into his ear not to say a thing and kissed him goodbye.

Chapter 1
*Flashback 1 Year*




A taxi pulled up to the curve in front of the top hotel *The Tower*. As the valet opened the back door; the driver opened the trunk and removed the lady’s luggage. As she paid him, the valet motioned for the bellhop to take the lady’s luggage to the front desk. The lady was dressed to the nines as she held her head up; and looked much more confident than she felt.

She walked up to the front desk and when the man at the desk turned around to help her, he was stunned at her beauty. Not many women in his life had the looks to compete with the most beautiful sunrise, but Tamara Marlow was just that woman.

“I am here to see Mr.Kingston. Please tell him Tamara Marlow is here from Australia,” she said as the young desk clerk just stared at her, then shook himself out of his daze in time to see Mr. Kingston coming up beside him.

“Ms. Marlow. It is so good to see you again. Are you here alone this time?” Mr. Kingston came around the desk and took both of her hands and kissed her on both cheeks as the French tradition warranted.

“Yes I am alone this time. Jordan and I have parted ways for good. Please don’t mention to anyone you have seen me. Is there someplace we can talk? I am supposed to meet Leann Morrison here, she is traveling with *Il Divo*,”  Mr. Kingston listen carefully then motion for her to follow him to a private conference room.

The desk clerk picked up her luggage and placed it in the main office, then locked the door behind him. He went back to the desk as the next guests were arriving.

“Are you alright Ms. Marlow? You seem quite nervous, and you mention you didn’t want anyone knowing you’re here. Does that mean Mr. Landsdown also?”  Mr. Kingston asked.

He had known the couple for the past 2 years; when they would come to the hotel and spend the summer months touring and working in New York City. He had always thought they would marry, and now she was running from the man he thought was a good man. Now he had to wonder if it was all an act.

“Yes Mr. Landsdown is not to know I am here. That is why I have no reservations in this hotel in my name. Please understand I need to talk to my friend Leann; and I really don’t want to get you any deeper involved. Could you please just let her know I am here, and can we use this room for a bit?" Tara was worried she had been followed but she hoped once Leann and the guys got there, they could come up with an idea how to hide her, till they headed back to London.

“Of course you may use the room, I can get you a room of your own; without using your name if you wish?  Just let me know what you and Ms. Morrison decide. In the meantime I will go check and see if they have arrived yet.”  He took her hands again and kissed her cheeks then turned and left the room.

In the main lobby Il Divo were just finishing up checking in and Mr. Kingston welcomed them back with all his grace and kindness. He got Leann off to herself and told her that a friend was waiting in the room down the hall. She whispered to Sebastien she would return shortly and followed Mr. Kingston to the room and then entered to find Tara standing in the middle of the room in a daze.

The girls talked for a while and then decided it was time to join the guys. Tara had met Carlos and David before; but at that time Urs was in Switzerland with his family. So tonight she would meet the Swiss Divo. Tara followed behind Leann when they got close to the lobby and the guys, all the while looking around for anyone that might be following her. They walked up to the guys and Leann introduced Urs to Tara.

“Urs, I would like you to meet my best friend and sister, Tamara Marlow from London. She has been living in Australia for a couple of years and is moving back to London.”  Leann watched Urs’ eyes grow wide and his dimples shown as he took her hands and kissed both cheeks.

“It is an honor to meet you Ms. Marlow. I am sorry we missed each other the last time you were in town.”  Urs smiled and thought he had never seen a more beautiful woman in his life.

“It is nice to meet you Mr. Buhler and I have listened to your music and I have to say the voices stir my soul. Oh and you can call me Tara.”  she smiled at him.

Neither noticed they were still holding hands but the rest of the group could see Urs and Tara were very attracted to each other.
Tara turned and saw Carlos and David smiling at her and Urs and wondered what they could be thinking.

“Hello guys. It is good to see you again.” Tara said with a smile.

“Hello Tara. It is great to see you again too. I hope we have the pleasure of your company on the trip back to London?”  David wondered if she would join them on the return trip.

“Tara, it is good to see you again also and I too hope you will join us on the trip home.” Carlos wiggled his eyebrows as he flirted shamelessly but Tara knew he was just kidding around.

“I really have no idea how or when I will return to London," Tara informed them before she turned and said hello to Sebastien.

They all walked toward the elevator with the bellhops following along. It was at the doors that Tara remembered she had no room for the night and looked over at Leann and whispered she had no place to sleep. Leann whispered back that Urs had the 2 bedroom suite tonight and she would be his guest in the 2nd bedroom. Tara was stunned and wasn’t sure if that was a good idea since they had just met, but she really didn’t want to hurt his feelings either.

“Are you sure you don’t mind having a guest in your suite Mr. Buhler?” Tara looked at him.

“I don’t mind at all and you will have all the privacy you need and please call me Urs, Mr. Buhler sounds like my father.” Urs laughed.

“Deal and I will try to stay out of your way. Do you have a girlfriend that is joining you?” Tara questioned him.

“No, my friend is back in the States working, so I am on my own for the trip home to Switzerland.” Urs told her.

Chapter 3 (Flashback New York City)


The elevator stopped on the 10th floor and Carlos, David and Sebastien all departed the elevator and the bellhops followed along behind them. Leann stayed in the elevator and took Tara aside and told her that she and Seb would be up shortly to work out her problems and talk to Urs. She didn’t know what Urs could do but she was more than willing to listen to any ideas.

Leann followed Seb to their room as the elevator took Urs and Tara up to the 12th penthouse floor. The bellhop opens the door to the room and then headed to the bedroom and placed the entire luggage there. Urs would sort it out later after both of them had a chance to relax and have a drink.

Once the tip was given and instructions were made on how to use some things the bellhop left and Urs turned the lock on the door and looked at the scared face of Tara staring back at him.

“Don’t worry I am not going to take any chances of our fans being able to get in here, if they do locate us.” Urs smiled and Tara relaxed and went to the bar and removed a bottle of cool water, then she sat down on the sofa and kicked off her shoes.

Urs found a beer he thought sounded good and open the top and took a long drawl and felt much cooler. He joined Tara in the sitting room and kicked off his boots, he knew they would not leave the room any more tonight; dinner would be room service since they were all exhausted.

“What is on your mind Tara? I can see you want to ask me something so go ahead I have no secrets.”  Urs watched as she formed her question then listen as she asked.

“Why are you willing to help a total stranger, even to the point of having a strange unknown woman staying and sharing your rooms? Why would you do this, what do you get out of it?”  Tara was concerned he might get angry and that scared her more.

“Well you’re not a stranger to Leann and she is part of the group and part of our family. She asked for our help and we are going to do all we can to make you safe. I do have some idea of what she is thinking and I think it could work out for the both of us quite well.”  Urs figured Leann wanted him to take Tara to Switzerland to his new home and hide her there; he had no problem with that idea and would do all he could to make her safe.

After resting for a bit Tara went to the bedroom to get her luggage, she really needed a shower and wanted to freshen up. They checked out the 2 suites and found the one that Tara liked best so Urs placed her luggage in there and then left to have his own shower and get freshened up also.

When they met back in the sitting room, Tara was concerned about how much she could trust Urs or any man for that matter.

“Tara listen to me, you have nothing to fear from me or the other guys. We don’t have any reason to hurt you and none of us would ever sell trade or attack you for any reason. We will always treat you with respect and if and I mean if anything were to happen between you and I in the future, it would be a mutual agreement and nothing more.” Urs hoped that his words would help if not at least put some of her fears to rest.

“Thank you for that Urs and yes I do feel better, but I still don’t understand what you and Leann have in mind?”  Tara hoped he would tell her now, but he wanted to wait till the others all arrived before they got into details.