**Fire & Ice (The Sequel)**

"I beg your pardon!" Emma exclaimed rather loudly. "Who's the qualified physio-therapist here? Don't you be telling me what I should and shouldn't be doing Sébastien Izambard. Now, just do what I've asked for God's sake and give me some resistance to.........Oh I'm sorry Seb." She sighed when she saw the look of concern on his face and slowly lowered her right leg back to the bed. "You think I'm pushing myself too hard, don't you?"

"A little." Sébastien affirmed with a quick nod, moving to perch himself on the bed beside her and taking hold of her hands. "Look Emma I know you want to be out of here upright in time for Karen's funeral, but do you have to push so hard? You don't have to go on crutches, you could use a wheelchair you know? Would it be so bad?"

"No. Just my stubborn nature I guess."

"Oui. You know you hardly slept last night even with the meds they gave you.........What's that look for?" He asked when he saw a guilty look spreading across her face.

"I...I sort of didn't take the sleeping pill last night." She whispered, turning her head away from him.

"Pardon? Sort of didn't take.....Emma, you of all people should know how....."

"I know." Emma interupted and held her right hand up, requesting him to shut up. "I just don't like taking the ones they're giving me, they leave me feeling like a zombie. I asked the doctor to change it for a milder one. I will take it tonight, Ok?"

Sébastien sighed then yawned loudly.

"Looks like I'm not the only one that needs my rest." Emma smiled, gently stroking his face. She sighed again when Sébastien closed his eyes at her touch. "You can go home for a few hours to try and catch up you know. I won't mind. You need to sleep properly too." She shook her head as his eyes opened again.

"Maybe later." Sébastien nodded after taking a deep breath.

"Did you call Brett?"

"Oui." Sébastien nodded and huffed a quick breath out as he looked at her. He smiled softly at the furtive look he received, knowing that she was working her way up to asking how Carlos was. "His phone was engaged so I called Erin. She managed to persuade him to see a doctor today. He's got a mild chest infection, nothing to worry about. She said Gigi was supposed to be calling him. I suppose that's who he was on the phone to when I called."

Emma smiled then nodded as she turned her head to look at the large teddy bear with the large 'Get Well Soon' balloon that sat on the cabinet beside her bed. She breathed deep and closed her eyes when she smelled the scent of Roses coming from the small plant that sat between his legs. The team had sent that. A large vase of bright sunflowers sat on another cabinet off to her left. The coaching staff had sent those. A further display, from management, consisted of a square glass vase filled with twelve yellow roses, five yellow alstroemeria, seven purple butterfly asters and five feather leaves.

The final display had been bought in by Sébastien on his return from making his phone calls. Though he could use the phone where she was currently confined, reception was lousy, so he'd found his way outside and over to a secluded spot to make them. As he'd started to make his way back in, he'd spotted a small florists and, although he knew she wasn't that keen on the colour, he had chosen a display of five stems of mixed dark pink and light pink fragrant oriental lillies. The glorious scent of the blooms had swayed his choice he'd informed with a shrug when she'd wrinkled her nose at the colour. She had to admit they did smell wonderful. Much better than the hospital smell anyway.

"Zane?" Emma queried with a quick glance at Sébastien hoping that he wasn't about to confirm what she thought the reticent footballer was doing.

"A mild concussion and a very bruised ego to match the one on his head according to Fabian." Sébastien nodded. "He's blaming himself for what happened too. He kept saying that if he hadn't picked Jamie up none of this would have happened. I tried to tell him she would have found a way to do what she did no matter what, that he shouldn't blame himself." He sighed. "You know she even demanded to see Franky."

"She didn't go did she?" Emma asked with an amazed expression on her face and a shake of her head.

"Non, but she's was fuming mad while Urs was in with Carlos. I think if Jamie had been in that room at that moment Franky would have had no regrets at all about killing her."

"How is Carlos?" Emma asked as tears welled in her eyes.

"Doing better according to Urs and Franky. He seemed to perk up a little after they dropped him at home." Sébastien nodded and attempted a weak smile as he wiped Emma's face.

"Do his parents know yet?" Emma sniffed.

Sébastien closed his eyes and nodded quickly. "They called Urs and Franky's place last night between changing planes. Hard though it was for him to do it over the phone Carlos thought they should be prepared. I don't know how he's staying so strong Emmy. How's he doing it? How can anyone go through what Carlos has been through and not fall to pieces? I'd be a wreck if anyth....."

"Don't Seb. I don't know how he's staying so strong either, maybe he isn't. Perhaps it's just the initial shock that's worn off and maybe he's just thinking about the here and now. You know what I mean, the things that need to be done. I'm pretty sure there'll come a time when it all comes flooding out. Anger, rage, despair. It doesn't matter how he lets it go, as long as he does at some point." Emma shook her head as she interupted him.

"Or you'll send Adam round to sort him out?" Sébastien questioned with a quick raise of his eyebrows.

"Or I'll send Adam round to sort him out." Emma nodded. "Karen's poor mother must be absolutely devastated?"

Sébastien could only nod at the remark when he remembered that two women had lost their children because of Jamie's actions. His face darkened as he relived watching Emma tumble over the Porche and he swallowed hard at the images that flashed through his head.

"Hey." He heard Emma's voice and felt her right hand squeezing his left. "Stop it."

"Stop what?" He questioned with a quick shrug as he wiped his face.

"You know what." Emma sighed. "You've got that 'It's all my fault. If only I'd never got myself tangled up with Jamie.' look on your face again." Emma shook her head. "I've said it before, she's psychotic and needs some serious help. That was evident at the trial. As much as you want to Seb, you can't change the past. What's done is done. None of this is your fault, so stop blaming yourself or I'll get Franky to kick your butt to make you see sense."

Sébastien huffed a quick laugh then nodded his head. He'd heard from Urs what Franky's hard verbal butt kickings were like and he so did not want to go there. For some reason he gave his left butt cheek a quick rub then turned his head to see Emma finally allow the tears that had been brimming in her eyes to fall.

He leaned over her, quickly pulled her into his arms and held her tight. He sniffed when he heard her speaking through her sobs.

"I'm going to miss her so much Seb."

Though they'd only known each other for a short while, Emma had become very close to the other three women. The four of them had become like sisters so quickly. Over the past few months Sébastien had seen them tease and comfort each other, argue and get frustrated with each other. They'd shared their respective knowledge and a small laugh escaped when he recalled Franky embarrassing everyone but himself after they'd sneaked into the rink during one of Urs's lessons. She'd made him pay in the same manner once his leg had healed and he winced when he remembered how hard he had hit the ice and how much his backside had hurt for days afterwards.

Emma herself had become especially close to Karen because she'd taken a little time each week to teach her how to draw. Emma had only toyed with art as a hobby up until Karen offered her advice and she was now producing some wonderful still-life work. Her portraits weren't bad either, at least you could tell who they were. A little more practice and she would be very good indeed. He just hoped she wouldn't give up now that Karen was gone.

"I know chérie." Sébastien sniffed as he moved his right hand to cup the back of her head so that he could press it to his shoulder. "We all will, we all will." He sighed as his own tears started to fall.

___________________

"What are you doing?" Urs asked, watching Franky moving her hands almost like she did when expressing emotions whenever she danced on the ice.

"Huh? Oh...erm. Dancing in my head." She informed with a quick smile. "I'm thinking of doing a memorial show at the rink for Karen. I was just running through some moves to a song I have in my head. I won't do it unless Carlos is ok with it though." She shook her head and sighed. "What do you think?"

"Sounds like a nice idea to me, but I agree, you should check with Carlos first." Urs nodded and returned his attention to the arrivals gate.

He didn't know why he was looking out for Carlos's parents this early. Their plane had another ten minutes before it was due to land he realised after a check of his watch.

He scanned the area on the look out for cameramen and Divas then sighed with relief when there didn't seem to be any around. Up until they'd received the phone call from Karen's mother, he had been kind of missing being asked for his autograph and the polite requests for photograph opportunities. Now he was glad there was no-one around. Not that he would be recognised anyway he decided when he caught sight of his reflection in stainless-steel covered pillar he spotted very close by. Would anyone recognise the tired-looking, unshaven, ponytailed man that stared back at him? He asked himself as he pulled the peak of his baseball cap a little lower down over his sunglass covered eyes. Maybe a couple would if they got close. Really, really close.

The sound of something crashing nearby bought his attention back to Franky and he sighed heavily as he looked at her. She had looked totally drained of energy when she woke this morning to Little Frank's cries. He'd tried to persuade her to let him feed him by using one of the bottles she had in mini-fridge she'd installed in the nursery. She'd objected straightaway, because it was too late she'd informed with a slightly embarrassed smile and a drop of her eyes to her chest. He still couldn't quite get his head around how that particular reflex worked. Just how the hell a woman's body distinguished between a baby in need of a feed and one that was uncomfortable because of trapped wind or dirty nappy had him completely stumped.

His mind wondered a little further back and he shuddered as the memory of the phone call came to the fore. He'd answered because Franky had been occupied with feeding their son at that time too. He hadn't recognised the voice on the other end of the line at first because it sounded so distressed and it was only when Karen's mother had started talking about Carlos that he'd realised who he was talking to. He closed his eyes behind the sunglasses as he remembered her telling him that Karen had died suddenly, that Carlos was so distraught she didn't know what to do to help him. He wasn't talking or expressing any kind of emotion. He was just sitting by Karen's bedside, holding her hand and muttering something she didn't understand. He had an idea 'porqué' roughly translated meant something like 'why' in English. Then he'd told her that he and Franky would be there as soon as they could before he hung up.

He hadn't realised that he'd started crying as he turned to face Franky. By this time she had finished feeding their son and had settled him back down in his crib after giving him her usual gentle kiss on the forehead. He doubted he would ever erase the look of pure distress he'd seen on her face after he told her what had happened. She had refused to believe him at first then she had shaken her head vigorously before descending into hysterical crying. He'd never seen her that upset and had been a little unsure what to do to comfort her for a moment or two.

He sighed heavily as he thought about what she'd lost. Her sister, friend and climbing buddy. Her confidant and one of her partners in crime when it came to planning surprises or when they were both in a silly mood. He grunted a laugh when he remembered the time he'd walked into the kitchen to find two of them were in the midst of a food fight. Karen had launched a cream cake just as he stepped through the door, Franky had ducked just in time and the cake had land with a splat against the left side of his mouth. The pair had both cracked up as they looked from him to each other, while he'd stood there shaking his head and rolling his eyes backwards. He didn't know why and he didn't care, but whenever Franky and Karen got together they couldn't seem to help themselves and usually descended into some sort of childish behaviour. Who was she going to do things like that with now? Much as she loved them, Franky had always said neither Lauren or Emma had the same sense of fun that she and Karen did. She.....No.....Everyone..... Everyone had lost a good friend and a remarkably funny woman in Karen.

He'd never told either of them but he thought some of their antics were hysterical. There were lots of similar moments like the cake episode filed away in the recesses of his mind. Then it hit him and he realised he would never be able to tell Karen now. He turned his head to look at Franky and saw her mouth twitching, the way it always did when she remembered funny things. He would tell Franky later he decided while he nodded.

All he wanted to do right now was to take her in his arms, hold her close and never let her go. They had done that for a few moments on reaching the arrivals gate but she'd broken down into tears again and she'd struggled to compose herself. Not wanting anyone to see her distress, she'd pulled slowly out of his arms and quickly dried her eyes. They stood close together, hands touching hands occasionally. Tear-filled eyes meeting a similar looking pair now and again. His arms had seemed to fly around her of their own accord last night and he sighed as he remembered how tight she'd held him while she cried. It had taken her a long time to calm down enough so that he could call David and Lauren to give them the news.

He swallowed hard as he remembered the tirade of swear words David had let out once he'd answered and how he'd apologised after he had passed the message on. He'd been kind of glad that one of the nurses had gone up to tell Sébastien and Emma, but he knew they would both be as equally upset when they heard.

He shook his head as he remembered entering Karen's room to see Carlos knocking a succession of tears off his face. He couldn't even begin to imagine what he was going through. He must feel like he was in Hell right now or in the middle some terrible nightmare. How was he staying so calm? He had an idea it might all come flooding out later in some way, shape or form. But how was he still holding it together?

'Did he feel anything? Anything at all?' His mind mused. 'Shut up. Of course he did. He just didn't show his emotions as easily as others. Everyone's different.' Another part of his brain reminded. 'Just keep quiet and let him handle it his way.'

Not long after he'd walked in had come the struggle to hold Carlos back while Karen's body was taken away. He grimmaced as he recalled how he and David had fought hard to restrain him and the near misses they had both had as Carlos swung his fists wildly. As they left the room David had told him how angry Franky had become while he'd been with Carlos, how she'd sworn to kill Jamie if she ever got her hands on her. A hug and a request not to think like that from Sébastien had calmed her down a little, but her eyes had told how angry she still was when he came back to her. He'd held her a lot tighter than Sébastien had and managed to get her to calm down a little more by rocking her from side-to-side and dropping soft kisses against her temples.

After giving Sébastien a brotherly hug and nodding as he made his return to Emma, he'd watched Franky while she walked sadly in front of them carrying the baby in his car seat. She looked liked she had aged ten years in just those few hours. Her shoulders slumped, her head hung low and her feet dragging as she walked. He supposed the three of them had walked in much the same manner. Carlos certainly had, he'd never seen him move so slowly.

No-one had spoken a word on the journey home and it had been a completely stunned Carlos that entered their home once they'd arrived. The one thing he hadn't passed on to the Spaniard during their early morning conversation, was exactly how tight he'd held Franky's hand again while he stared blankly out of the window. Hard enough to leave a few small bruises on the back. His grip only easing once tiredness finally became sleep. He and Franky had looked at each other, her face had mirrored his own deep concern as she covered him over with the comforter while he removed Carlos's shoes and placed them neatly under the chair.

Sunday had been one of the quietest days he'd ever known, only the baby's cries seemed to break the silence of that day. Carlos slept, woke for a while then slept again only to wake a little later, eating nothing and barely drinking. He just didn't seem to be able to settle. David had gone around to the house and Sébastien had called to check on their brother and he'd heard the distress in the Frenchman's voice when he told him that he'd finally been able to tell Emma and that she was almost inconsolable. As they'd gone to bed that night Carlos had shown his face at the bedroom door to tell them he would like to go home in the morning. He'd also tried to express his thanks but the words seemed to catch in throat and he'd simply nodded when Franky had told him that 'thank yous' could wait. Not that they were needed anyway.

Knowing that they had to be up early, the two of them had curled up together and had fallen asleep without having their usual chat about the events of the day but holding each other tighter than ever.

Now they stood side-by-side and hand-in-hand he noticed just before he raised his head to check the arrivals board. His eyes widened when he saw that the plane they were waiting for was just about to land. Had so little time really past? It felt like he'd been thinking and remembering for hours.

"What were you thinking about?" Franky asked with a soft smile as his hand moved it's way around her waist.

"Oh nothing much." Urs sighed and shook his head, pulling her close. "Just remembering a few things, thinking how wonderful you are and how lucky I am to have you." He informed, placing a gentle kiss on her cheek.

A few moments later Carlos's parents sadly made their way over to them and after a quick greeting hug, his mother spoke to Franky in Spanish, asking how her son was. A small smile played across both their lips when Franky told them he seemed to be over the initial shock but would still need a lot of support and understanding.

With luggage sorted the group made their way out of the airport and Urs listened while Franky explained what Carlos wanted to get done after they'd arrived at the house. Even though they'd had a long flight, both of his parents said they wanted to go wherever their son needed to go and if it was all right with him then it was ok by them if Franky went along too. They would need someone to translate so that they understood what was happening anyway.

Urs sighed then nodded as Franky told him that it was going to be another long day.

"It's ok. Whatever Carlos wants to do today, we do." He smiled when Franky kissed the fingers of her right hand then placed them on his cheek while she whispered that she loved him.

He heard the couple in the back seat whisper something and looked to Franky for a translation.

"Oh they just said what an amazing couple we are." Franky smiled and knocked a couple of tears from her eyes. "And that they wished things hadn't turned out as they have."

"Don't we all?" Urs whispered to himself. "Don't we all?" He nodded, reaching over to give Franky's right hand a gentle squeeze.

He sighed heavily on hearing her swallow hard and watched her turn her tear-filled eyes away from him, then knocked the tears from his own eyes while he waited for the lights to turn to green.

Typical English weather." Carlos huffed quietly while he stood at the waiting room window with his arms folded across his chest and his right temple pressed against the wall.

This day had promised so much, weather wise at least. He had woken to feel the warm rays of the sun on his face and had opened the curtains to see clear blue skies. Now he stood in the ugliest waiting room he'd ever seen looking through the glass to see ugly grey clouds filling the sky and pouring rain splattering against the window.

He still found it peculiar how British weather could change so quickly and those days when you got all four seasons in one day were just plain weird. Wake up in the morning to a slight chill and bright sunshine, by lunch it was warm then the temperature would suddenly plummet and the sun would dull, by the time you went to bed there would be an inch of snow covering the ground. So much seemed to happen in twenty-four hours.

'Rather like life I suppose.' He mused to himself with a heavy sigh. 'One minute someone's there by your side. Loving you, supporting you, even arguing with you and making up with you. Laughing, crying and smiling with you. The next minute something bad can happen and in a flash all of that is taken away from you and you're alone once more. Argh! Enough. I will not give into to despair.' He closed his eyes and shook his head quickly.

He turned his left wrist slightly to check the time again. Two minutes, just two minutes had past since the middle aged women had shown the five of them into the room that didn't seem big enough to hold three people let alone five. He rubbed his face hard for the umpteenth time that day and looked down at the buildings that stood at the back of the hospital. He'd been grateful that they hadn't had to enter the hospital through the main entrance. A black door in a separate block gave access to the morgue and the chapel of rest well away from whatever prying eyes might be around.

He closed his eyes and swallowed hard against the guilt he felt at not taking Carina home yesterday, questioning himself how he could have done that. His eyebrows rising slightly when he recalled how distracted he'd been throughout Sunday, Franky and Urs having to ask him if he wanted to go and visit her rather than the other way round. Fighting hard to hold back his tears once they'd arrived at the hospital and she was in his arms, demanding to be fed and changed. Almost falling asleep while he rocked her and actually doing so on the drive back to Urs and Franky's home. Reminding himself that he had been in no condition to look after himself properly, never mind a baby. It wouldn't have been fair to take her home or accept Franky's offer of help, not with everything she was doing already and having Frank to deal with as well. No, hard though it was to leave without her, he still thought it had been the better choice to make to leave her in the hospital until today, there were several tests she had to have yet anyway. He sighed and opened his eyes, the guilt eased a little but continued to niggle him.

He turned his face to look at the four people that had accompanied him and his eyes met with those of his parents first. He could see a range of emotions running through them. Concern about him, sadness about what had happened and the excited anticipation of seeing their grandaughter for the first time.

He smiled whe he recalled the conversation he'd had with his mother shortly after her arrival. She'd agreed that hiring a nanny or au pair would be for the best and had agreed to stay and take care of Carina for as long as it would take him to find one. So a little relief had come with that statement.

Shortly after that conversation, Christopher had finally called after receiving the three messages that had been left for him. The man Karen thought of as her brother was abroad after plucking up the courage to rebuild his business. A business that was thriving once more, he'd even begun a new relationship with a woman that actually loved him this time. She didn't care how little or how much money he had. They'd met when he had none after all. And he had to be the one to deliver the sad news to him. He'd heard another heart break and there had been much sniffing as the man said they would be on the next flight back from the States.

His sister and her family had been in the States too, on the penultimate day of a holiday. She'd called after the hotel had given her the urgent message that Urs had left for her to do so. Whatever she'd said after he'd delivered the news had been unintelligble to him and the only thing he had caught was that she would also be catching the earliest flight she could get. His thoughts had immediately turned to where they were going to stay and it hadn't surprised him that much when Urs and Franky had offered the spare rooms at their home, no arguments. He didn't have the room, squeezing his parents into the nursery had been a hard enough job.

He turned his head a little further to see Urs watching him while he held Franky around the waist and gave the couple a weak smile. The look on Franky's face puzzled him for a moment, she seemed to have something on her mind other than what had happened, almost like she wanted to ask him about something but didn't want to broach the subject just yet. The look dropped quickly as tear-filled jade green eyes met brown and another quick smile was given. She still looked as tired as she had when she'd woken this morning and he wondered for a moment where she was getting her energy from.

He turned his head away and huffed a quick, quiet laugh when he remembered the nickname Karen used for her. 'Duracell', because of the red hair and the fact that she just never seemed to stop. Though she had never said it to her face, not that he knew of anyway. From the very beginning of their relationship, he'd found it hard to believe the two of them weren't related in any way. They were as close as real sisters and so funny whenever they got together, he couldn't recall ever hearing them argue.

A heavy sigh found its way out of him as he allowed his thoughts to turn to Sébastien and Emma. His French friend must be in utter turmoil, wanting to be with his wife and feeling the need to be there for him at the same time. No. He was in the right place. Emma needed Sébastien's support and comfort more than he did right now, he had more than enough already. They would talk later.

A childish giggle found its way into his head and he sniffed as his thoughts turned to Stephanie and her parents. The little girl had charmed her way into all of their hearts and another small laugh escaped as he remembered some of the mischief she'd led David into. She'd created some good memories in his mind too. Like the time she'd stayed with them while Lauren and David were in New York. Watching her sit beside Karen while the two of them painted what they could see from the conservatory, Karen on canvas with her paint palette in hand and Stephanie with a large sheet of paper and box of watercolours nearby, was one of his favourites. What must be going through her little mind right now? She'd lost her grandmother and father in such a short space of time and now a favourite aunt had been taken from her.

"That's more than any child should ever have to endure." He vocalised in a whisper.

His brow furrowed as he tried to imagine what David was feeling and quickly realised he was in much the same position as Sébastien. He too, was in the right place right now.

His eyes closed slowly as images of what a wonderful mother Karen would have made popped into his head. He could see it all in his mind, everything and he smiled then swallowed the sobs that attempted to make their way out as his mind's eye watched the visions he knew would never be.

He heard a deep breath being taken and realised the sound of it was coming from him because the door had opened and he'd heard the middle aged woman's voice informing him that the coroner was ready to see him. Keeping his back to her, Carlos nodded, quickly wiped his face, straightened his clothes and took another deep breath as he prepared himself to find out why Karen had died.

He sighed out the breath as he turned to face her. He smiled quickly at his companions and left the room with the woman who led him down a short corridor to a room lined with books. A modern looking computer desk had been placed in front of a floor to ceiling window and bright sunshine flooded the room as he sat down opposite a thin looking man that barely looked old enough to be out of school, never mind being responsible for determining the cause of someone's death.

"Ah. Senor Marin." He began and offered his right hand with a polite nod. "Doctor Emmanual Evans." He smiled briefly and quickly indicated himself

Carlos returned the nod and shook the offered hand firmly.

"First let me reassure that neither the crash or any of the surgeries you wife had contributed to her death. Secondly, Karen did not suffer and that the medical staff did everything they could to help her. However, there was nothing they could have done to resuscitate her." Doctor Evans nodded repetatively as if to emphasise the point while he spoke.

Carlos watched as the doctor withdrew a piece of paper from a file and handed it over to him. He took the paper and immediately found the column marked 'Cause of Death'. The words meant nothing to him and he raised his questioning face to look at the doctor again.

"Cerebral hemorrhage as the result of a ruptured, deep seated aterial aneurysm is what it says." Doctor Evans nodded. "She probably didn't even know she had it, there's nothing in her records to indicate that she did and the condition doesn't have very noticeable symptoms, more often than not it simply feels like a very bad headache. Erm..... From what I found there would have been no hope for her."

"None at all?" Carlos questioned quietly while looking the doctor square in the eyes.

"No. None. Even if they had got her breathing again, she would have needed life support and she would never have woken up."

Carlos nodded when he saw the look of sadness in the man's eyes before he closed them slowly and gave his head a slight shake.

Still not quite understanding what the words meant and shocked at what he'd heard, Carlos looked at the doctor quizically again and nodded when the young man asked if he wanted a little more information.

"Basically there was a weakness, a thinning if you will, on one of the walls of an artery to her brain. At some point this weakness gave way, allowing blood to leak into the brain. It could have happened at any time, perhaps even while she was giving birth naturally or in her sleep. Do you wish me to go on?"

"No. No, gracias. I understand." Carlos shook his head, folding the paper neatly and pushing it into his trouser pocket.

"You'll be needing these to register Karen's death and to allow the funeral director to claim her body." Doctor Evans sighed, handing over a small brown envelope which Carlos tentatively took hold of then pushed it into his pocket with the other paper. "I'm so sorry. I had the privilege of meeting her just once before she resigned her position here and found her to be a very warm, caring lady." He sniffed as he stood behind the desk and offered his hand again.

"Si she was. Gracias." Carlos nodded after he'd stood then shook the doctor's hand once more.

He took another deep breath and allowed it to escape slowly as he headed for the door to begin the walk back to the waiting room. He entered quietly and spoke just above a whisper while he told everyone the cause of Karen's death and passed on the rest of the information he'd been supplied with. His knew his parents understood what he'd said because he'd spoken in Spanish, but nodded when Franky quickly translated into English for Urs when she saw a look in Carlos's eyes that seemed to say that he didn't wish to repeat what he'd just said.

Five heads shook in shock and complete disbelief. Carlos's mother pulled him into her arms again and everyone cried while she held him tight until Urs reminded him about Gloria. Carlos nodded then called his mother-in-law with the news, hearing her attempting to surpress her sobs while he spoke. Neither of them knowing what to say, then making arrangements to meet her at the funeral director's later in the day.

He smiled as he pulled away from his mother then took hold of her left hand.

"We go and see Karen in the chapel then we go and get Carina out of this place." He shook his head while he spoke in his native tongue and he wiped her face. His smile broadened slightly when she smiled and nodded in response.

"We'll go for a walk or something." Urs informed as they all left the room and he took hold of Franky's hand.

"Ok." Carlos nodded. "Gracias, both of you. I don't know what I......"

He stopped talking when he felt Franky's hand on his arm and turned his face to see her shaking her head at him.

"You just go." She smiled through her tears.

He nodded quickly then turned and took hold of his mother's left hand again. His father took hold of her right and together the little group began their journey.

______________________

A home just outside Kingston, New Zealand

"You can apologise as much as you like Tris. I'm still going to hate you for the rest of my life." Tristan Archer heard his sister yelling while he stood in the hallway listening to her bedroom door slam. It flew open again and he blinked rapidly at the pale blue eyes that glared at him. "Which, by the way is going to be a very, very long time." She hissed at him before she re-slammed the door.

"Awww. Come on Jo-Jo......"

"Don't call me that. I'm not five years old any more and I'm not a clown either. My name is Joanna. Use it."

Tristan wobbled his head on his neck while his eyes rolled into his head and he let out an exasperated sigh.

"Come on Joanna, you don't think she really loved us do you?"

"Yes she did. Ria did lo....." Joanna snapped back through the door.

"No she didn't. Not really." Tristan shook his head with his forehead pressed against the limed oak door. "She was just like the others. She only pretended to love us 'cos father paid her to. She didn't care, not really."

Joanna's door opened once more and she stood on the threshold with her hands fisted on her hips, a scowl on her face and lips tightly pursed her blue eyes blazing with fury as she glared at her brother again.

"Yes....she....did." The twelve year old Joanna insisted, prodding the index finger of her right hand at her slightly older brother's chest. "She's the only au pair we've ever had that's helped us with our homework when we were stuck, taken us on trips and bought us good gifts for our birthdays and Christmas. The other two never did that."

"So. Doesn't mean anything." Tristan huffed and dropped his folded arms hard across his chest.

"Does too." Joanna snapped back. "I'll never forgive you Tris. What you did to make father fire her was a downright dirty low thing to do, even for you." She informed as she pushed passed him. "Now if you'll excuse me I want to go for a ride. Without you!!!" She hissed, heading toward the regal staircase, crop in hand, batting the implement furiously against her riding boots as she walked.

Tristan followed after her but stopped at the top of the stairs and watched her run down them as fast as her legs would carry her. He leaned over the railing while he watched her head to the front door, crop still striking against her boots. She yanked the door open and held it there while she turned her head to look back up at him.

"Oh and you'd better tell father what you did Tris and hope he can persuade Ria to come back, because if you don't......I will." Joanna informed with a defiant stamp.

"You wouldn't?" Tristan yelled down to her.

"Oh yes I would." Joanna yelled back up before she crossed the threshold and pulled the large mahogany door closed behind her.

"Bugger!" Tristan yelled again as he dropped himself down to sit at the very top step of the stairs.

He huffed loudly while he thought about what had happened over the past two days. He remembered how Ria had decided to take them both into the city on a shopping trip. How he'd decided to have a bit of fun at her expense and that he'd slipped a very expensive designer t-shirt into her bag. How he'd said nothing when they left the shop and she'd been accosted by a store detective once they passed through the electronic gates and the alarm had gone off.

It was only supposed to be a bit of fun. How was he supposed to know she would get in trouble with the police and his father? How was he supposed to know his father would give her the sack without giving her the chance to explain and denying her the reference she'd asked for before she left.

Joanna was right he decided, placing his elbows on his knees and dropping his face into his cupped hands. Ria was the best au pair they'd ever had since their mother had walked out on the family to be with her lover seven years ago. For some reason it had never bothered the two of them that their mother had gone. She had always been a distant, cold, unfeeling woman anyway. He couldn't remember her ever giving either of them a hug or kiss on the cheek when they'd hurt themselves or they were upset about something. Ria had though and the memory of how she'd hugged him and soothed him after one of his friend's died in a swimming accident came to the fore. He'd been a little afraid to get back into the pool after that, but she'd managed to get him swimming again.

"Tristan Archer you are a prize idiot!" He huffed.

Ria did care and she did love them. She did things neither of the other au pairs did. With them it was always tidy this, do this, don't do that, let me do that. Ria had a totally different approach. She mostly let them do things independantly. She never barked order at them like some Regimental Sergeant Major and the gifts she bought them were always something they would appreciate, not a colouring book and pencils like the au pair before her had bought him for his twelfth birthday two years ago.

Tristan lowered his hands to his knees and was just about to stand himself up when he felt his father moving himself to sit beside him.

"Something bothering you Tris?"

"Uh-huh." Tristan nodded and turned his head to meet his father's solemn face.

He sighed as he looked at him. His once bright blue eyes had dimmed over the past couple of days, his blond hair was greying rapidly. Something to which he thought he contributed daily. His once muscular and toned body was beginning to sag because he rarely made it downstairs to the gym anymore. His light tan had faded, leaving milky white skin to be exposed to the New Zealand sun.

"I fu.....I've done something really bad this time Dad." Tristan closed his eyes and sighed heavily as he spoke.

"Such as?" Richard Archer shot his almost fourteen year old son a quizical glance.

"Ria didn't shoplift that t-shirt. She didn't even know it was in her bag." Tristan's head shook. "It.....It was only supposed to be a prank. I didn't think she would get in trouble or that you would fire her. I slipped it into her bag when she wasn't looking."

"I see. A bit of a silly prank to pull at your age isn't it? You're almost fourteen Tristan. You should know better." Richard Archer sighed and shook his own head. "Then again, maybe I expect too much maturity out of you. Thank you for at least having the decency to be honest with me Tris." He nodded as he stood and started to walk down the stairs. "Though I think you should know that I already knew what you'd done. I saw the CCTV tape from the store this morning."

Tristan fidgetted uncomfortably on the stair and dropped his chin to his chest as he felt his face flush.

"Oh." He sighed again then snapped his head up to question his father. "What about Ria? Can we get her to come back?"

"Erm........No." Tristan's father shook his head sadly in response and he was almost certain he heard a quick sniff. "She erm....She took a flight back to England this morning and she's changed her mobile number already. She's gone for good Tris."

"Oh. I'm sorry father." Tristan sighed once more.

"For your punishment you will muck out the horses for the remainder of the month. On your own. Do you understand me Tristan?"

"All twenty si.....Yes father. I understand." Tristan nodded respectfully when his father's angry face turned to meet his in a look that meant he would brook no debate on the punishment he'd just doled out.

Another long sigh accompanied Tristan's standing up and he mumbled what an idiot he'd been as he walked down the long hallway that led to Ria's room. He walked in and looked around the now empty room where he and Joanna had spent many happy hours playing card games, board games and playing on her Playstation once in a while. He huffed when he remembered walking in on Ria and Joanna as they sat snuggled up together on the bed watching some soppy film with tears in their eyes. He remembered how Ria had spent ages washing and combing through Joanna's hair after Mark Slater had dumped a tub of runny honey on her head. He still owed the bastard for doing that and he'd get it when he back from Tazmania. He remembered how she'd taken the time to teach his sister how to apply just a little make up to enhance her good looks and how she'd taught her to do her nails. He smiled as he remembered how pretty Joanna had looked once they'd finished. Given a few years Joanna Archer would have all the boys chasing her for a date.

He remembered how he'd had one of those dreams that all boys his age have and how Ria had told him not to be embarrassed about it when she'd caught him sneaking down the stairs with his bedding bundled tight against his chest and his face crimson red. He remembered how she'd taught him how to take care of his face. Spots were a nightmare even if he did only have the odd one or two. What she had shown him had cleared them right up.

He sat on the edge of the bed and looked to the back of the bedroom door. A tour poster for her favourite group had been stuck there and he remembered how Joanna had begged and pleaded their father to let Ria take her to one of the Australian concerts. He hadn't wanted to go to the concert but had asked to go sailing at Lake Te Anau with his best friend and his family instead. His father had agreed after checking his diary and realising he had to go to Australia for a couple of days anyway. Meetings and the concert dates overlapped so his father had agreed and had even paid for the tickets without deducting the cost of Ria's from her salary.

Tristan stood and made his way over to the French windows. He opened the right side, stepped onto the small balcony and raised his head skyward to see a plane wending its way northwards.

"I'm sorry for being such a big dumbass idiot Ria. I hope you find a good job soon. Whoever gets you as their au pair is going to be one lucky kid."

He sniffed before he turned back into the room, closed the French door and left to change his clothes so that he could make a start on the punishment he now felt was far less than he actually deserved.

"Sorry honey. Did you say something?" Franky questioned while she and Urs made themselves as comfortable as they could on the stone bench that stood in the garden, enclosed by four blocks of the hospital.

"I said it's been a tough day so far?" Urs sighed in reply, removing his mobile from his jacket pocket and turning it on for the first time since Saturday evening.

"Mmm. And things are going to get tougher before they start to get better." Franky nodded as she cast a quick glance at him.

"The funeral and all the other stuff you mean?" Urs questioned again, looking at the screen of his mobile.

"Uh huh. What's wrong?" Franky asked when she saw Urs's brow furrowing deeply and heard a heavy sigh making its escape.

Her own brow furrowed when he showed her the screen and she saw the multiple text messages and even his recorded message symbol indicated there was a voicemail awaiting his attention.

"I suppose I'd better call him." Urs sighed again while he searched for the number he needed.

"Buhler!! About bloody time. What the hell is going on over there? I've been trying to get hold of all of you since yesterday morning but everyone's phone is off or they're not answering. All I've been getting is answerphones or an engaged tone. Haven't you lot heard of 'call waiting'?" He heard Simon Cowell's sharp voice stating angrilly and speaking faster than he'd ever heard.

"We are on a break Simon." Urs snapped nastilly.

"Don't you dare give me that attitude Buhler, I know you're on a bloody break, but there's a big charity event I've scheduled you to appear at in Portugal on Friday. I've arranged....."

"Stop right there." Urs interupted quickly and shook his head. "We're not doing it."

Urs grimmaced and pulled the handset away from his ear as Simon launched into a tirade of English expletives.

"What the **** do you mean you're not doing.......?."

"Just shut up!" Urs yelled. "For once in your life just shut up and listen Simon. We not doing the event in Portugal on Friday and don't bother arranging anything else for a while for that matter."

"Have you four been fighting again?" Simon's voice sounded terse and exasperated at the same time.

"No." Urs closed his eyes and took a deep breath before speaking again. "Simon, Karen.....Karen died early yesterday morning." He informed quietly.

A few seconds of silence followed before the Englishman spoke again. His voice sounding much less terse.

"What?! Not....Not Carlos's Karen?" He questioned with a slight stutter and an audible gulp

"Ja." Urs replied quickly.

"My God! How? Is Carlos all right? What about the baby?"

Urs took a deep breath and told him everything, not forgetting to include what had happened to Emma and what he, Franky, David and Lauren had been doing to help.

"I see. Been a tough couple of days then, huh?" Simon sighed audibly.

"It could have been worse if she hadn't crashed." Urs nodded. "We all think she was trying to get to Franky and me. God alone knows what she would have done if she had."

"So what's happening with the psycho, bunny boiling, bitch now? Sorry if you're there Franky."

"Not a problem Simon." Franky replied before Urs told him what was happening with Jamie.

"Good. Let's just hope they see she has some serious problems this time. Erm......Does Carlos need anything? Help with arranging the funeral or....."

"No. No." Urs shook his head. "His parents are here and he wants to arrange everything himself. He'll be doing that after lunch."

"Hmm. Good. I suppose he does." Urs heard and imagined Simon nodding. "I know this isn't really the appropriate time, but has anyone given any thought about making some sort of announcement before rumours start flying around?"

"On the website you mean?" Urs questioned with another sigh. "No." He replied when he heard an affirmative answer to his question.

He knew how much their fans cared about them all and it was obvious they would want to extend their condolences to Carlos somehow, someway, but it wasn't his place to tell Simon, or anyone else for that matter, that a message should be posted on the website.

"You'll have to speak to Carlos about that Simon. I'll see if I get him to call you later if he has the time today."

"Ok. I'll wait for him to call me. Erm....Pass on my condolences to Carlos will you Urs. And tell Seb I hope Emma gets well soon. Ok."

"Err....Ja Ok. Ja I will." Urs nodded as his face turned to one of surprise at having heard Simon use their first names for a change. "Bye Simon."

"Bye Urs."

"Nicely handled." Urs raised his head to see a slightly smiling Sébastien seating himself beside Franky.

"Thanks. He said to tell you he hopes Emma gets well soon." He smiled in reply while he deleted the unread text messages then dialled the voicebox and deleted the message after listening to the first few words and recognising the voice. "How's Emma doing?"

"Fine." Sébastien smiled as he nodded. "She gone down to the pool to do some work on her legs. I got bored sitting in her room waiting for her to come back so I thought I would get some fresh air when I saw you two heading this way. She should be back soon. Carlos?"

"He's fine. Over the initial shock at least." Urs nodded. "He's taken his parents to see Karen then he's going to get Carina."

"Oh good. Emma can hardly wait to see her." Sébastien nodded. "I suppose he's going to get a live-in nanny or something?" He questioned with a glance towards Urs.

"That's what he's decided to do." Urs furrowed his brow at Sébastien's first comment then nodded as he replied. "Though I don't know where he's going to put one. There's hardly room in the nursery and there's no spare room. I don't think he's going to want to move home after all the work Karen did on the nursery."

"Tough one!" Sébastien huffed as he leaned forward to rest his elbows on his knees.

"Oh I don't know, it's not that tough." Franky shrugged as she stood. "Aww! Come on guys the answer's simple." She sighed and rolled her head on her neck when she turned to see two puzzled faces looking at her. "He could extend the house. He's got the room to do it and no neighbours close by to object."

"Brilliant idea." Sébastien nodded.

"But what if he does decide to do that?" Urs sighed and shook his head. "He's not going to want to stay in the house with building work going on, especially not with Carina there. That's just not going to work Franky"

"You're not thinking straight honey." Franky informed as she stood over him and lifted his head in her hands. "He could go back to Spain of course, but if not, we've got the room to accomodate Carlos, Carina, an au pair and the cats haven't we? It's his choice at the end of the day. All we can do is make the offer if that's what he decides to do." She shrugged and smiled as she finished.

"Of course." Urs tutted and rolled his eyes back into his head as he nodded.

"Duuuuuh!" Sébastien exclaimed with a smile as he gave Urs's shoulder a quick shove before he stood.

"Come on." Franky began as she took hold of Urs's hands and pulled him from his seat. "We've still got a lot to do today. Let's go and get something to eat, that means you too Seb. Then we can go and see Emma until Carlos is ready to leave." She finished with another smile as he wrapped his arms around her and gave her a quick kiss.

"Amazing isn't she?" Urs questioned Sébastien with a broad smile while he pulled Franky close and held her tight.

"And then some mon ami." Sébastien nodded and returned the smile. "And then some." He sighed as they began their walk back into the hospital.

Franky remained silent as they moved, but blushed bright red and smiled properly for the first time since the early hours of Sunday morning.

___________________

to return to the mine.'

"Argh!" Ria exclaimed loudly before throwing the thick novel she'd been reading since her flight took off onto the small drop down table in front of her.

Seven times. Seven times she'd read up to the end of the first chapter. She didn't seem to be able to get beyond that last line and move on to the next chapter. She turned her head to the left and rolled her eyes backwards when she saw that the man who sat next to her was fast asleep and snoring loudly.

She sighed as she looked out of the small window and said one final goodbye to the country she'd grown to love over the past two years and wondered how it could have all gone so wrong. Almost as soon as her feet had touched New Zealand soil, she had felt like she was home and the small family she been hired to work for had welcomed her with open arms.

She shook her head to clear those my memories from her mind. She would relive those memories some other time, it hurt to even think of all the good times she'd shared with them right now.

After catching the stewardess's attention and asking for a mineral water, flavoured with lemon and lime if they had it, she rested her temple against the side of the window and blinked slowly as she recalled the events of the last two days.

Her complete humilation at being stopped by that huge store detective and being manhandled back to the manager's office to await the police. Her eldest charge fidgetting uncomfortably near the window, as if he knew how the t-shirt had got into her bag. His sister crying as she stood by her side while she tried to tell the detective and the manager that she wouldn't shoplift. The manager deciding he wanted to prosecute her for something she hadn't even done.

The questions and accusations that were thrown at her once she'd been taken to the police station. Photographed from every angle and even fingerprinted. Then her boss had shown up to retrieve his children and how she'd been allowed to leave with them while the police investigated a little more. She rubbed her face as she remembered how quiet the journey back to the estate had been no-one had said a word until they arrived, then Richard Archer had ordered her into his office and immediately launched into a short speech that she recalled centred around the fact that he could not afford to be humilated in this manner.

'How the bloody hell does he think I felt.' The words rang around her head.

She remembered how he'd turned his back on her while he informed that her services were no longer required, she was fired and she would not receive a reference and she was to leave the house immediately. She had thought her treatment was on the harsh side and made several attempts to talk to her employer. Tears had ran down her face as she left the room to pack everything she could into one large suitcase and the bag she'd used as her carry-on luggage.

She tutted, closed her eyes and shook her head as she remembered the young girl standing in the doorway of what had been her room. How she'd cried and begged her to stay. How she'd asked her to plead with her father to get her position back. Much as she loved the youngsters and relished in their antics, she would not beg for anyone.

She remembered how she'd held the girl tight as they stood at the front door waiting for her taxi to arrive and how she'd looked back up to the top of stairs to see the boy still looking sheepish but saying nothing. She sighed again as she remembered how the girl had asked her one last time not to go, before she wrenched herself away from her and gave her hand one last squeeze before she climbed into the car that had been sent for her. After giving the driver her destination she turned in her seat to see the girl running back inside the house as the car pulled away. A slight turn of her head had brought her former employer into view as he stood at his office window watching her leave. His face had looked so very sad and she could have sworn she'd spotted him knocking tears from his cheeks. His right hand had certainly swiped his cheek quickly.

Tears had run like rivers down her own face as she was driven from the estate and into town to find a vacant room in a small but friendly bed and breakfast. The woman that ran the place hadn't asked any questions when she spotted her sad face, she'd just smiled gently as she led her to her room and left her to it. Once she'd calmed herself down and regained some of her composure, she'd called the officer dealing with her case to tell him where she was staying. Then she'd taken herself off for a walk and somehow ended up buying a new mobile.

Not long after arriving back at the bed and breakfast she received a call asking her to go to the police station again, they had something they wished to show her. Once she'd finished watching the CCTV footage she'd shaken her head in disappointment at what she'd seen. She thought they both loved her, they had certainly acted like they did. It was clear to her that the boy didn't care about her at all, if he did he would have spoken up. Then she'd turned to face the officer while she told her there was no way they could bring any charges now, the footage clearly showed what had happened. She'd asked her if her former employer knew anything about what she'd just seen and when she received a negative response in reply, she asked that they hold off showing him for a day or two. She needed the time to get herself organised and out of the country, it just didn't feel like home anymore and she really didn't want to be there.

On returning to the bed and breakfast once more, she'd transferred all but three of her contacts from her old mobile to the new one. Then she'd set about organising her flight back to England. She'd been very lucky on that score and had been given the final seat on the plane. It wasn't the most comfortable seat, but it beat waiting two days for a next available one.

That sorted, she'd phoned her friend, the same woman who'd got her the job in the first place and told her everything. Well, almost everything. She hadn't told her that she'd fallen in love with her employer nor that she'd been heartbroken at his rash treatment of her. The man she thought was beginning to show some feelings towards her. The sparkle in his eyes when he smiled at her now and again had seemed to indicate there was something there. Obviously she'd read the signals wrong and there was no way she could tell one of New Zealand's richest men what she felt for him.

"I won't make that mistake again." She mumbled quietly to herself after huffing her breath out quickly.

A long, deep sigh of relief had escaped when her friend told her that, as no charges were being brought against her, nothing would be entered in her records. She would find another job soon, her friend had informed, she was one of the best au pairs on her books after all. Following that, she'd called her sister to tell her to expect her home in a couple of days. New Zealand had gone to Hell in hand basket. She didn't ellaborate further as her credit was almost out and she wanted try and get some sleep. Calls and preparations made, she settled herself down to watch a film but slipped into, what proved to be, a restless sleep.

The following day she spent saying goodbye all the friends she'd made in the town. They didn't want to see her leave but the vast majority understood why she wanted to go after she'd explained everything. She'd told most of them how she felt about her employer after all.

So it was, that early this morning she'd dragged herself out of bed and to the airport and, with a heavy heart she'd climbed aboard the plane and settled herself as comfortably as she could into her seat.

She startled slighty when her companion woke with a loud yawn and they quickly became embroiled in a lively conversation on all sorts of subjects, almost everything except polictics and sport. It helped distract her from her troubles and he didn't make her feel uncomfortable by using words she didn't know the meaning of.

"You know...." The man began with a gentle smile on his sunkissed face. "I often sit and I wish I knew what fate holds in store for me."

Ria huffed a little laugh and smiled as she reached for her book. "So do I." She nodded as she thumbed through the pages and finally started to read chapter two of the story.

"So do I." She sighed quietly.

"Shhhh." David petitioned, lifting Little Frank, complete with car seat, from the back seat of his car while Lauren toted the baby bag and helped Stephanie out. "You're mamma's close by you'll get your dinner in minute." He smiled slightly while he swung the car seat lightly and cast a glance to a still upset Stephanie. "Steph it's ok. It was an accident. Accidents happen." His smile broadened a little, watching his daughter wipe her eyes for the umpteenth time.

"Are you sure Aunt Franky's not mad at me?" Stephanie sniffed and gripped her mother's hand tightly.

"Of course she's not." Lauren smiled, swingng the little girl into her arms to give her a reassuring hug. "It was partly my fault we wasted that bottle of milk, I should have made sure the lid was on tightly. Come on now. Dry your eyes and let's see that lovely smile of yours shall we?" She requested while she gave Stephanie's armpit a quick tickle making her roar with laughter. "That's my girl." She laughed herself before lowering her to the ground again. "So what's been bugging you since you made the phone call to Colorado?" She asked David while they walked up the path to Carlos's front door.

"I don't think I should have said anything to my Mom about Karen, not without checking it was ok with Carlos first anyway." David grimmaced and shook his head. "He's gonna be real pissed at me when he finds out."

"Aww come on David, I'm sure he'll be fine." Lauren shook her head and gave his free hand a quick squeeze. "He knows how your family felt about Karen."

"I'm still preparing myself for fireworks." David nodded with a glance towards Lauren as he raised a hand to knock on the door.

He sighed while he waited for the door to be answered and remembered how he'd had to call Urs to tell him about Stephanie's little accident with one of the bottles of milk. With Carlos's house being almost halfway between their two homes they'd agreed, after checking that it was ok with Carlos, that they should meet there so that Little Frank didn't get too aggitated.

"Here you take him." David smiled once the door was answered by Urs who flashed a quick smile before he took hold of the car seat, walked into the house and handed the hungry little boy off to his mother for a feed. "How is he?" He whispered to Urs, watching Franky heading towards the conservatory, soothing her son as she moved.

"He's fine." Urs nodded as both heads turned to watch their Spanish friend talking to someone one the house phone. "Simon." Urs whispered when he saw the quizical look on David's face.

"He got everything sorted then?" David asked, nodding in understanding.

"Yeah. He even managed to take Carina on a quick visit to see Emma." Urs nodded as he turned to watch a shy-looking Stephanie taking a look at the newest baby fast asleep in her grandfather's arms. "Is she ok? She still looks upset."

"She'll be all right." David sighed heavily. "Just give her a minurte or two."

"So what's bugging you?"

David leaned forward to make sure Carlos was still on the phone before he quietly told Urs what he'd done.

"Worry wart." Urs huffed a laugh. "He's fine with our parents knowing. I told mine this morning and Seb called his mother just after lunch."

"Phew! That's all right then." David nodded, letting out a long sigh of relief. "Seb still at the hospital with Emma?"

"Uh-uh." Urs shook his head. "She wanted him to go home to get some proper sleep. He's hardly had any since the accident. It took Carlos and Franky giving him a good talking to, to make him see sense."

Two heads turned back towards the location of the house phone when they heard Carlos thanking Simon before saying goodbye, hanging up and blowing out a long breath.

"Sorted?" Urs questioned the Spaniard as he came over to where he and David stood and placed himself beside the American to watch the scene before him.

"Si." Carlos nodded then yawned slightly. "Simon is writing an announcement for the website. I suppose I should be prepared to receive lots of emails?" He questioned quietly. "He said something about arranging for books of condolence being opened at the record company's offices as well but I can't think what they are at the moment."

"Oh they're books where people can write their messages. It's a little more personal than emails and such." David informed with a slight nod, watching Lauren cradling Carina in her arms. "Like they did when Princess Diana died."

"Ah. Si. Now I understand." Carlos nodded then turned his face to a frowning Urs. "Something wrong?"

"No, nothing?" Urs shook his head quickly.

"Urs, you have been frowing like that since we met up again just after lunch. Tell me what's going through your mind." Carlos demanded sternly.

"I was just wondering where you were going put the au pair when you've sorted one out. You only have........."

"Two bedrooms." Carlos nodded as he interupted. "Aye! Aye! Aye! I never thought of that. Damn! I don't want to leave here, not after all the effort Karen put into the nursery. I just wouldn't feel right doing that." He shook his head and sighed heavily as he rubbed his hands over his tired face.

"Franky did." Urs nodded and smiled.

"Explain." Carlos demanded again,

Urs took a deep breath and told him of the idea Franky had come up with.

"Great idea." Carlos nodded then shook his head as he smiled. "I will think about it and gracias for the offer of somewhere to stay if that is what I decide to do." He sniffed quickly before coughing. "Where is she anyway?"

"Conservatory." Urs nodded in the direction of the windows as he pulled out of the quick brotherly hug Carlos had given him. "Feeding Frank. Why?"

"There's something in there I don't want her to see just yet. Something Karen wished her to have." Carlos swallowed hard as he nodded. "It still needs something doing to it before I give to her."

"You mean the portrait?" Urs questioned with a smile.

"You knew?"

"Karen told me a few weeks ago but I haven't seen it." Urs nodded as they watched David take Carina from Lauren's arms. "She wanted to check the frame she'd chosen wouldn't clash with any of our decorating."

"What do you think he'll be like when they have their own?" Carlos asked with a soft smile, nodding towards David.

"Do you really have to ask?" Urs giggled, watching David pulling silly faces at Carina.

"This one's yours." Franky smiled as she re-entered the room with Frank in her arms.

"Argh! He stinks." Urs protested and waved her off.

"I did it this morning. Now it's your turn." Franky insisted, placing Frank into Urs's arms and heaving the bag onto his shoulder.

"Can I help?" Stephanie requested quietly, looking nervously at Franky while she spoke. A smile lighting up her face when Franky closed her eyes slowly and nodded.

"Sure." Urs nodded and indicated for her to follow him. "I'll get you for this." He threatened playfully to Franky.

"Oh. Promises, promises." Franky giggled as Carlos pulled her into his arms and gave her a tight hug and a quick kiss on the cheek. "What was that for?" She asked as he pulled back and quickly wiped his face.

"Sabes para cuáles era." Carlos smiled softly while he nodded at her.

He refused to eloborate further and continued to smile softly while Franky shrugged then moved over to David to demand a cuddle with Carina. He laughed lightly and shook his head as he watched David reluctantly reliquish the gentle hold he had on his little girl.

'She will never know the love her mother had for her......' He thought to himself while he watched the scene playing out before him. '.....but she will be well loved.'

He smiled quickly, nodded and wiped his face once more when his mother's smiling but teary-eyed face turned to meet his.

_____________________

Tuesday

"Urgh! Go away!!" Sébastien yelled, poking his head from under the tangled covers.

Silence fell again and he closed his eyes once more in an attempt to go back to sleep. He heard the knocker rap hard against the front door again and became embroiled in a fight with the bedcovers, attempting to extracate himself.

"Merde! Why is always the same?" He grumbled to himself as he picked himself up off the floor and slipped into a pair of black boxers. "When you want to sleep everyone comes round to pay a visit. When you would like some company, nobody calls." He huffed, shrugging his bathrobe over his shoulders.

"Seven thirty! Who in their right mind calls this early in the morning?" He questioned, looking toward Emma's digital clock before he left the bedroom and started to make his way downstairs, mumbling profuse French profanities as he did so.

"I'm coming!!" He snapped loudly when the knocker hit home again while he searched for his keys on the hall table. "Merde! Now I remember." He grunted as he raised his hand to the small cupboard where his housekeys were supposed to be placed at night. "I'm beginning to wish I'd stayed at the hospital now." He grumbled, searching for the required key.

He unlocked the door quickly, closed his eyes and kept them that way as he swung it open.

"Oui." He snapped to his unknown, unseen early morning visitor.

"Well that's a nice greeting I must say." He heard a familiar voice stating in French.

He eyes flew open, then blinked rapidly at the figure who stood, suitcase in hand on his doorstep.

"Maman!" He yelled as he snatched her into arms and pulled her into his home. "What are you........? How did........? Merde, I forgot you said you were coming over." He sniffed before he buried his face into her neck and held her tight for a few moments. "I'm so sorry I wasn't at the airport to pick you up."

"It's ok. I doesn't matter. You have enough to worry about, without concerning yourself with that." Marie replied as she took hold of his face in both of the hands and gently moved it so that they stood face-to-face. "I am perfectly capable of making my own travel arrangements you know." She smiled, giving his face a gentle pat. "Not sleeping too well?" She questioned with a quickly raised eyebrow.

"Non. Not really. Not with Emma being in hospital." Sébastien shook his head and rubbed his tired face. "I think I'll be all right once I know what's happening with......" He paused to close his eyes and swallow hard. "........once I know what's happening with Jamie. I'm hoping they lock her up and throw away the key this time." He sighed as he took hold of his mother's left hand and started to lead her through the house to the kitchen only pausing to drop her suitcase at the bottom of the stairs.

"You haven't heard anything yet then?"

"Non. Probably later today from what the police told me yesterday." He nodded, trying to seat her at the kitchen table, rolling his head on his neck when she turned the tables on him and made him take a seat instead. "I can do that myself you know."

He sighed as he watched the woman who'd raised him by herself move around his kitchen, filling the coffee maker and opening the small white bag he hadn't noticed she was carrying when he'd pulled her through the door.

"I know." She nodded and smiled, turning her head over her shoulder while the smell of fresh-baked croissants filled the air.

"Where did you get these from at this time in the morning?" Sébastien questioned through a yawn while his right hand reached toward the plate to take the still slightly warm bread.

"Some place in town, doesn't look like it's been open long."

Sébastien sat and thought for a moment then nodded as he remembered that there had been quite a fuss because some sort of shop had opened at the edge of town one day last week, though he couldn't quite remember if it was a bakery or not.

"How is Carlos?"

"So so." Sébastien shook his head, raised his right hand and rocked it back and forth slightly. "I'm not sure what's happened has hit him completely yet."

"And Emma, how is she?"

"As stubborn as ever." Sébastien smiled and allowed a small laugh to escape, watching his mother nodding at the answer to her previous question. "Pushing herself hard. Too hard in my opinion, but you know Emma. She wants to be out of the hospital for Karen's funeral on Friday." He informed as he took a large mouthful of coffee and swallowed noisily.

"Mmm. You know, that's probably when Carlos will realise it's......"

"Oui. I know." Sébastien closed his eyes as he nodded then took a deep breath before he spoke again. "I wish I'd listened to you Maman." He informed, pinching the top of his nose between the thumb and first finger of his right hand. "You said there was something not right with......."

He stopped speaking when he felt her right hand taking hold of his left to give it a gentle squeeze before she spoke.

"Stop it Titi. Please." He heard her pleading tone. "From what I understood of what Emma told me, you still have a tendancy to blame yourself for everything that's happened. You've got to stop doing that or you'll drive yourself as crazy as she obviously is."

"I know." He nodded once more while he faught to control himself. "It's just so hard at the moment." He sniffed then allowed a small sob to escape as she moved to stand in front of him.

His arms flew around her waist and he held her tight, the left side of his face resting against her stomach and finally allowed himself to cry properly. Not wanting to upset Emma when they'd thought about Karen, he'd only allowed a few tears to make their escape. This was the first time he'd allowed himself to cry properly about everything that had happened.

After sitting that way for a few moments, allowing his mother to comfort and sooth him while he cried, he eventually moved his face away from her body and raised his tear-streaked face to meet hers.

"I can stay as long as you need me here." She smiled as Sébastien dried his eyes. "You go and freshen up, then we can get this kitchen tidied up together before we go and see Emma."

Sébastien pulled his head back and looked around Marie towards the kitchen sink where he spotted a pile of dirty dishes that had been awaiting someone's attention since before the accident. They'd been in such a rush to leave that morning, because they'd overslept by ten minutes, that neither he or Emma had had the time to do them. He'd promised to clean up as soon as he got back from the stadium, which of course he hadn't managed until last night.

He hadn't even gone that far into the house after he'd been persuaded to come home by his concerned wife and friends. He'd headed straight upstairs after making sure the front door was secure, stripped his clothes off quickly and buried his face into Emma's pillow after he'd collapsed onto the bed. He'd fallen asleep within seconds and had stayed that way until the early hours of the morning when he'd relived watching Emma being run down. He'd woken in a cold sweat, gasping for breath and wondering where he was for a few moments as he sat up, tangled in the bedsheets. After taking a few deep breaths, he'd settled himself down again and slowly drifted of to sleep only to be woken by his mother's knocking. He knew he could do with another couple of hours, but now she was there to comfort and support him, he suddenly felt re-energised.

He smiled and nodded as he stood from his seat then sprinted back upstairs, taking Marie's suitcase up to the spare room as he went, then shaved, took a shower and dressed in the jeans and cream crew neck sweater Emma had pointed out on one of their recent shopping trips. He raked his hands through his still his slightly damp hair before he made his way back downstairs.

As he arrived at the kitchen door, he stopped in his tracks when he saw both the sink and drainer devoid of dishes.

A small laugh escaped as Marie turned round to face him with a smile on her face. She gave a little shrug as he stepped towards her and smiled gently as he pulled her into his arms to give her an unneeded, but much appreciated hug.

With hours to spare before they could go and visit Emma, the two moved into the lounge and spent the time catching up on family and old friends.

Sébastien smiled and nodded as Marie informed him that Gigi had been offered a place at the university, that she would be back in England any day now and living in the halls of residence. He knew Brett couldn't wait to see her again and looked forward to hearing the two of them giggling like school children while the couple battled to overcome the language barrier. Gigi's English wasn't as good as his own, which wasn't even close to perfect, and she often had him in fits of hysterics with some of the mistakes she made.

'Laughter will fill this house again soon.' He smiled to himself as he glanced towards the clock and realised morning visiting hours were just about begin.

"Time to go and see Emma." He informed with a broadening smile as he offered a hand to help his mother up from the couch.

_______________________

"What are you doing?" David asked through a loud yawn when he felt Lauren reaching across his chest towards his nightstand.

"Trying to answer the phone." Lauren yawned in response and gave him a quick smile. "It's been ringing for ages."

"I know. I was trying to ignore it." David informed, glancing at the clock that stood on Lauren's nightstand. "Who calls this early in the morning?" He questioned as Lauren reached the handset and answered. "Twelve minutes past eight. Pfft!"

"Oh hi Mrs Mill.....sorry Mom." Lauren blushed as she remembered what David's mother had asked her to call her when she felt comfortable enough to do so. "No, you didn't wake us. Not really." Lauren paused when she heard a slightly embarrassed laugh coming from the other end while she sat herself up beside a still recumbant David. "Your mother wants to talk to you." She informed, giving him a quick shove.

"Hey Mom."

"I did wake the two of you didn't I? I'm sorry. I'll work the time difference out one day." David heard his mother apologising as he pushed himself into a seated position.

"It's ok." He shook his head, giving his face a quick rub and nodding as Lauren said she was going to make their morning coffee. "What's up?"

"Oh nothing much. I just wanted to let you know that we've managed to get a flight to England. We'd like to pay our respects to Karen in person."

"Oh right." David nodded. "So when will you and Dad be arriving?"

"Thursday morning. We've got two rooms booked at a nearby hotel so there's no need for you to worry about those arrangements."

"Two rooms!" David exclaimed, his eyes flying wide. "Is there something you're not telling me Mom? Have you and Dad fallen out or something?

"No, no, no. I'm sorry. I should have said. Your sisters are coming as well."

David blew out a long sigh of relief before he spoke again. "Oh right."

"How's Carlos doing? Was he all right about you telling us"

"He was fine. He's ok, for now." David nodded. "I....I think he's putting on brave face at the moment. Don't think the reality of the situation has hit him fully yet."

"It probably won't until Friday." He heard his mother sigh then sniff and small smile played across his lips as he thought about how much she cared about all of them. "How are Lauren and Stephanie?"

"Fine." He huffed a quick laugh before he launched into the story of Stephanie's little mishap.

"Aww the poor little soul. Of course Franky understood?"

"Of course she did." David nodded in reply knowing from the tone she used that she'd said that more as a question than a statement.

"David I've been thinking about asking you to come home for a couple of weeks. I think you could all do with some time away from that place."

"Oh I don't know. It's a nice enough place Mom. Except when a certain looney tune is running amock." He rolled his eyes into his head and huffed another laugh. "Still, it sounds like a good idea to me. I'll ask Lauren, she'll need to get time off work."

"David, you don't understand. I meant all of you."

"Don't worry Mom. Of course we'll bring Stephanie as well." David yawned as Lauren re-entered the bedroom, coffee mugs in hand.

"You're still not getting it David. I mean 'all' of you, everyone."

"Everyone?!" David exclaimed, his eyes flying wide again. "Erm....Where would you put us all? There aren't enough rooms in the house." He questioned with a stunned look towards Lauren. "I'll tell you in a minute." He smiled when she returned a questioning look.

"You're father has had the old lodge fixed up. There'll be more than enough room for you all in there."

"Oh right. Erm.....Ok. I won't say anything to the others for now. Perhaps in a couple of weeks, when things have settled down a little."

"That's fine. No rush. It's just something to think about. We'll see you on Thursday then."

"Yeah, Thursday." David nodded. "Do you want me to pick you up?"

"No. The hotel isn't that far from the airport. Erm........You're father's hired a car for while we're there."

"Just remind him they drive on the left over here." David laughed as his right hand covered his eyes and memories of the last time his father had driven on the left came to the fore.

His father had done the exact same thing when they'd come to see him while he had a few days free during the Australian leg of the last tour. Not wanting to tire his son out by asking him to drive them around, he'd hired an automatic four-by-four to tour around in. Both he and Sébastien had accompanied them and his father forgotten that they drove on the left in Australia at one point and drifted back onto the right. They'd missed colliding with an empty cattle truck by mere inches and the air inside the vehicle had turned a rather interesting shade of blue thanks to what had come pouring from Sébastien's mouth.

David giggled quietly as he remembered how red Sébastien had gone after he'd calmed down and how he'd apologised profusely to his mother for the language he'd used, even though the only curse word she'd been able to translate was 'Merde'.

"Oh don't worry. I don't think he'll be making that mistake again." He heard his mother huff a quick laugh and imagined the look on her face while she rolled her eyes backwards. "I'll let you go now. I'm really sorry for waking you. Bye David. I love you."

"Bye Mom. Love you too. See you all on Thursday." David sighed as he hung up.

"So?" Lauren questioned, kneeling between his spread eagled legs and smiling as she raised her right hand to wipe his face.

David sniffed loudly then took a deep breath before he told her his mother's idea. He reached for her waist and quickly flipped her round so that she sat with her back against his chest, the back of her head pressed against his left shoulder and his arms wrapped around her while he spoke.

"Sounds like a good idea." Lauren nodded. "But I thought we'd agreed to go to the villa in Portugal before......."

"Before the next tour starts." David nodded. "Sorry Lauren I forgot. How about we spend Christmas in Portugal?"

"It's ok." Lauren smiled, shaking her head. "Christmas in Portugal is a great idea. Can we still go to Colorado if the others say no?"

"Sure we can." David nodded as he closed his eyes and pressed a gentle kiss against her cheek.

His eyes opened again when they both heard Stephanie entering the room to scramble her way onto Lauren's lap.

"Mummy can we make an 'I'm Sorry' cake today for Aunt Franky?"

Lauren smiled as she looked into the little girl's pleading eyes. So full of life and so sad at the same time.

"Aunt Franky's already forgiven you Steph, but if that's what you want to do. Ok, that's what we'll do today." Lauren nodded as she pulled Stephanie closer and held her tightly.

"Aww. That means I won't get any." David huffed playfully.

"Looks like we're going to be busy in the kitchen today." Lauren sighed then gave him a quick dig in the ribs.

David laughed quietly then moved his arms so that he could hold both of his special ladies for a while, thoughts of losing either one of them making him shudder.

_______________________

"Hey you." Franky smiled while she slowly lowered herself into Urs's lap. "What are you doing?" She asked as he wrapped his arms around her then buried his head against her shoulder.

"I was just about to log into the website to see if there's been any reaction to Simon's announcement, but I don't want anyone to know I'm online." Urs shook his head quickly as he spoke and looked up balefully at Franky. 'She still looks so tired.' He thought to himself before he spoke again. "I know there's a way to hide myself but I can't remember how it's done."

"Here I'll show you again." Franky nodded then moved her right hand to the mouse. "Click on 'Profile', scroll down until you find 'Hide your online status?' then make sure the cursor is pointing at the 'Yes' circle, click again and it should turn green. Which it has. Then scroll to the bottom and click 'Submit'. All done." She nodded as the screen changed to inform them that Urs's profile had been updated.

"The same process to change it back when I'm done?" Urs questioned as he entered the Forum and clicked on the page he wanted. "Getting better aren't I? Though I don't think I'll ever get my head round these infernal machines." He huffed at Franky's computer while he clicked on page one of the announcement and began to read what the man who had brought them all together had written.

'It is with great sadness that I have been asked to inform you all of the sudden death of Carlos's wife, Karen.

She passed away peacefully in her sleep in the early hours of yesterday (Sunday) morning as the result of a medical condition that neither she or her doctors were aware of. Whilst I understand that you would wish to know what it was that took her life, I feel that Carlos's privacy should be respected and the cause will not be disclosed here. However, I have been asked to inform you that the baby girl Karen was carrying was delivered safely a few hours before her death and is doing well.

I also understand that you will want to extend your condolences to Carlos but I would request that you refrain from sending private emails to him if at all possible. If you can get to a Sony BMG office then I would ask that you do so and you will be most welcome to leave a personal message for him in the books of condolence that have been opened in all the major offices.

Those of you who cannot get to one of those offices are more than welcome to send private emails to Carlos. However,I would ask you to understand that they may not be opened for some time and please do not expect to receive a personal reply.

Many of you will know that Karen was also a close personal friend of Urs's, David's and Sébastien's wives and I would ask that you do not expect replies to whatever personal emails you address to either of them.

Karen was a beautiful, vivacious, kind and wonderfully supportive woman with a fantastic sense of humour and understanding. She will be sadly missed by all those who had the privilege of knowing her, myself included..

SIMON COWELL'

"That's nice ." Franky nodded and wiped her eyes as the two of them finished reading.

Urs moved the cursor to his message box which informed him there were already ten messages awaiting his attention. It sounded like a lot at first until he figured out that Simon's announcement had been posted just after 4:00am GMT and he took into account the number of fans they had around the world. Ten didn't seem many at all, but he decided to leave them unopened for a few days. He changed his 'profile' back to online, then quickly logged off and shut down the machine. He watched as Franky stood up and made her way to the fridge.

"You still look tired, why don't you go back to bed for a while?"

"Later maybe." Franky nodded as she raised right hand and gently stroked his concerned face. "I told Carlos I would look up some numbers for au pair agencies. One less thing for him to worry about." She shrugged then smiled. "Don't worry I won't do too much." She sighed as Urs pulled her into his arms and held her tight.

"What woke you anyway? I was going to leave you in bed for a couple more hours." Urs questioned as he tucked her head under his chin, closed his eyes and rocked her gently.

"The phone. I know it only rang once or twice, but it was enough to wake me." Franky nodded. "It's a long time since I slept past ten o'clock anyway, but thanks for the thought. Who called?"

"My mother." Urs nodded. "To tell me that they're all flying out here early Thursday morning. They're staying at a nearby hotel and they've hired a car so there's no need for us to worry about altering the plans we've made for Carlos's sister and her family."

"Oh yeah. They're arriving this afternoon aren't they?" Franky questioned as she eased herself away from Urs. "I need to do some shopping but I really don't want to go out today. I'll do it online after my shower." She smiled as she turned to head out of the kitchen to make her way back upstairs.

"Oh Mami also said she would like us to go over for Christmas." Urs informed, smiling while he watched her walk away.

"Yeah, ok. That would be nice." Franky smiled, turning her head over her shoulder and nodding.

Just as she reached the kitchen door, a loud knock echoed around the ground floor of the house and she moved quickly to answer the door. She looked through the peephole before pulling the door open and furrowed her brow when she saw one of the police officers that was dealing with Jamie's case.

"Yes." Franky smiled politely then covered a yawn with her right hand as she admitted the man into her home. "You haven't come to tell me she's escaped again have you?" She snapped as Urs came to stand beside her.

"No Mrs Buhler that's not why I'm here." The thirty-something officer shook his head. "And I can understand your attitude. You were absolutely right the other day. We should have informed all of you that Miss Strawson had escaped. My sergeant has been severely reprimanded for not doing so." He grimmaced as he spoke. "No, there are two reasons I'm here. Firstly, to inform you that Miss Strawson has been transferred to the mental health wing Dalkeith, as we assumed she would be. The psychiatrist has determined that she's mentally unfit to stand trial at the moment and she doesn't think she's going be changing her opinion any time soon. She'll be in there for quite a while yet and, if she does ever get out of that unit, she'll go straight into the main prison."

"Good, but she won't be charged, will she" Franky nodded sharply as she spoke.

"Not at the moment, sorry. The offences have been recorded though."

"The second reason you're here?" Franky questioned, her brow furrowing when the police officer fidgetted uncomfortably in front of her.

"I think I know what your answer is going to be before I even ask you what I'm about to ask you, but I've been ordered to ask you anyway. So here goes.........." He paused to take a deep breath then quickly huffed it out before he spoke again. "Recent health checks they did on Miss Strawson at Westholme have shown that she has leukeamia. The doctors want to know if you would consider being tested to see if you could be a........."

"A bone marrow donor?" Franky questioned with raised eyebrows and watched as the officer nodded his affirmation of her guess. "No. Absolutely not." Franky shook her head then cast a smiling glance at a head shaking Urs. "I don't think I could even if I wanted to because I'm breastfeeding our son."

"Like I said, I knew you would say no. I will give the doctors your answer, but please be prepared to receive a confirmatory phone call from the prison."

"I will." Franky nodded while she opened the door again. "Thank you for letting me know." She smiled as she watched the officer walk to his car before she closed it again.

"I know what your thinking you know." Urs informed when he saw the fury that blazed in Franky's eyes.

"What am I thinking?" Franky asked with no emotion in her voice.

"That it's no less than she deserves." Urs shrugged, folding his arms across his chest.

"Do you think any different?" Franky asked, looking at him sternly.

She didn't need him to reply verbally, the look on his face and the fire in his eyes told her what she wanted to know.

Franky smiled then dropped a quick kiss on Urs's lips before she turned and headed back upstairs.

"The bloody nerve!!! That's judgement on her!!!" Franky yelled angrilly as she slammed the bathroom door hard.

"Exactly what I was thinking." Urs whispered to himself while he nodded slowly.

_______________________________

"Oh you're awake already?" Carlos heard his father questioning as he stepped into his kitchen. "Been up long?" He asked, moving to start making himself a coffee.

"I'll do that." Carlos sighed, stand from his chair and taking the jug from his father's hand. "An hour maybe two, I'm not sure. It was still dark when I woke." He shrugged and started dumping coffee grounds into the filter compartment. "I have a lot on my mind at the moment. Many decisions need to be made today."

"I heard you talking three times, wasn't to yourself was it?"

"No." Carlos huffed a quick laugh and shook his head. "Urs, David and Seb called to let me know their families want to pay their respects to Karen. They were just checking it was all right with me that they come to the funeral." He informed while he filled the water compartment, switched the machine on then resumed his seat. "You didn't hear the knock at the door then?"

"No. Who was it?"

"The police. They came round to tell me that Ja....she has been taken to the prison and will be held in the psychatric unit for now. Until her treatment begins at least." Carlos huffed, closed his eyes and shook his head. "Urs told me she has been diagnosed with the leukeamia and I am hoping she doesn't make it."

"Carlos!"

"What? She does not deserve to live, Karen deserved that more than she ever will. I don't even know how Franky can think different, not wanting her to die. I'm sorry Papa, perhaps I will feel differently in time, but I cannot right now. I cannot bring myself to feel any sympathy for her at the moment."

"It's all right, I can understand. Everything is still pretty raw. So these decisions. Have you made any?" His father questioned quietly.

"A couple." Carlos nodded then took a deep breath and lowered his head before he started speaking. "I was going to quit the group and take Carina to live in Spain again, but I can't do either of those things." He shook his head. "I....I can't leave Karen's mother here unable to see her only granchild growing up."

"She could not come to live in Spain herself?"

"No." Carlos's head shook again. "Remember she has a sister she takes care of while her brother-in-law works?"

"Oh si. Sorry I forgot."

"She's very ill right now, worse than she has been for years and Gloria would never leave her to someone else's care, other than her husband anyway. Karen would be giving me the good telling off for even thinking about quitting over this. I know it will be hard, getting up on that stage but I know I can do it. So, I've erm........I've decided to stay here, to extend the house if I can and to take Urs and Franky up on their offer of somewhere to stay while the work is being done. If not, then I will have to move, I will have no other choice if I am to have someone help take care of Carina. I'll come home for Christmas this year I think, then alternate between Spain and England, schedules permitting of course."

"Si. I understand. It's overwhelming you isn't it? All these decisions you're having to make I mean."

"More than a little. I could do without having to make them." Carlos nodded and quickly wiped his still lowered face. "I keep thinking that I'm in the middle of some God awful nightmare that I can't seem to wake up from. She was everything I ever wanted and I wish I had found her sooner. It wasn't supposed to be like this Papa. We were supposed to be together forever, we were supposed to raise a family then grow old together." He sniffed loudly then allowed a small sob to escape when he felt a hand squeezing his right forearm. "Do you think I'll ever be happy again?" He asked as he raised his face to meet his father's gently smiling one. "Because right now, I don't know if I will or if I even want to be."

"I'm sure you will. Just give it time. Karen wouldn't want you to be unhappy for the rest of your life would she now?"

"No." Carlos sighed, wiping his face with both hands. "No she wouldn't." He nodded. "And I have Carina to think of, don't I? She must be the most important thing in my life from now on, she will not want to grow up with a miserable father." He shook his head and quick laugh made its escape.

"No she won't." His father shook his head then stood to pour out the coffee.

"Life never goes exactly the way you planned does it?"

"No it doesn't." His father shook his head then sighed heavily. "I don't have a clue how you're feeling son, but I'm glad you've got the friends you have. They're all wonderful, each one special in their own right. Don't ever forget that?"

"I won't" Carlos shook his head. "I'll finish this...." He paused to nod down to his mug. "Then I think I'll take a shower. I must look a wreck."

"Oh I don't know. There was that morning after you got roaring drunk with Pedro."

"Ai! On his father's best brandy." Carlos nodded then hid his face behind his hands and shook his head at the memory his father had invoked.

Fourteen.

The pair of them had only been fourteen years old when when Pedro had pulled a very large bottle of Brandy from his father's unlocked drinks cabinet and dared him to have some. Never one to refuse a challenge, he'd taken a huge mouthful and smiled at his friend as the golden liquid flowed down his throat. He'd only felt the warming sensation once it hit his empty stomach and as soon it did, his eyes had widened and his lips had formed a very tight O as he handed the bottle back to Pedro and dared him to do the same. His slightly older friend had the same reaction once he swallowed his mouthful. The bottle had been passed back and forth between the two of them and one drink had quickly become two, then three, four and five. They'd lost count after that and, by the time they'd decided that neither of them could take any more and large swallows had become quick sips, the bottle was almost empty.

Pedro's father, Tiago, had walked in to find the two of them so drunk that they couldn't stand unaided. At first he'd been fuming mad until he remembered that it was partly his fault they were in such a state by forgetting to lock the cabinet. He'd heaved the pair of them into the kitchen and almost force fed them strong black coffee to sober them up a little. Pedro had swallowed almost half a cup of the strong black liquid before his face had adopted the look of someone who was about to throw up and a few seconds later that's what he'd done in the bucket his father had provided for the purpose. Somehow, he'd managed to drain his cup before he'd done the exact same thing.

Four large cups later the two of them had sobered up enough to be able to stand though they wobbled and held their heads as they walked. Tiago had left Pedro in the care of a neighbour while he walked him home and explained to his father what had happened.

He remembered how his little sister had sat across from him at the kitchen table giggling while he swayed back and forth in his seat and how much more his head had hurt after he'd shouted at her to shut up and leave him alone.

Once Tiago had left, his father had moved him into the lounge so that he could keep an eye on him. By the time his mother had returned from a quick trip to the market, he'd been fast asleep on the couch and that was where he'd found himself when he woke the next morning. He remembered he'd cranked his eyes open slowly, sat up at a snail's pace and raised his head to meet his mother's glaring stare. She'd sat with him all night and he still remembered every word of the verbal berating she'd given him when he finally managed to stand upright.

A look in the mirror had informed how bad he looked. His eyes had been very bloodshot, his eyes themselves half closed and that bass drum had still pounded loudly in his head. He'd dragged himself to the bathroom shortly thereafter, had taken a very cold shower and returned downstairs looking a little more presentable. He'd hung his head in shame as he apologised to his parents and his sister and made a promise that he wouldn't get that drunk again.

He'd kept that promise too, he drank and he got very tipsy once in a while, but never to a point where all of his motor functions refused to obey his brain's instructions. That was until he'd spotted Karen being kissed that time at the hospital, that he'd completely misread the situation and got so drunk that Urs and David had had to carry him up to bed. At least he'd been coherent and understood what was going on around him that time, even it had felt like a blurry dream sequence.

Another berating and profuse apologies had followed the next morning and Karen's words rang around his head at the memory.

"Thought about doing it again didn't you?" Carlos heard his father's voice questioning as he finally moved his face from behind his hands.

"Si, I did." He nodded, looking towards the bottle of Vodka his father had indicated. "But as you can see it is unopened. Don't worry I'm not going to go down that path. It's not worth it." He sighed, shook his head and returned the smile his father gave him.

"Good." Carlos heard his mother whisper in his left ear. "Here you take her for a minute while I get her bottle warmed up." She asked as she placed a slightly grizzling Carina gently in his arms.

Carlos moved her gently so that she rested with her head against his shoulder and rocked from side-to-side while he tried to recall the words to the nursery rhyme that Karen used to sing to her pregnant stomach. He smiled and began to sing quietly in English.

Rock-a-bye, baby
In the treetop
When the wind blows
The cradle will rock
When the bough breaks
The cradle will fall
And down will come baby
Cradle and all

Baby is drowsing
Cosy and fair
Mother sits near
In her rocking chair
Forward and back
The cradle she swings
And though baby sleeps
She hears what she sings

From the high rooftops
Down to the sea
No one's as dear
As baby to me
Wee little fingers
Eyes wide and bright
Now sound asleep
Until morning light

"Let's leave him to it." He heard his mother whispering to his father as she handed over the bottle with a gentle smile on her face.

Carlos smiled, moved Carina to a cradling position and watched her face while she fed, her blue eyes sparkling in the early morning sunlight. He knew they would probably change colour in a few months and hoped they would change to her mother's colour. Carina's appetite sated and the bottle almost drained, he moved to his shoulder once again, patted her back lightly and huffed a little laugh once she'd bought her wind up very loudly for such a little thing.

Keeping her in that postion, he stood carefully and made his way into the sunfilled conservatory. As he crossed the threshold the sun seemed to brighten, almost as if some celestial being had made its way into the room with him.

Carlos eased his little girl to a cradling position again and watched her sleeping face for a moment before he spoke.

"See. I told you your mother would always be watching over you." He informed as he placed a tender kiss on her forehead and closed his eyes slowly.

There was no decision he needed to make that couldn't wait for a little while, he nodded lightly to himself while tears ran slowly and unchecked down his face.

__________________

Friday

"I hope I've done everything right." Carlos sighed, tightening the black tie around his neck and shrugging the black jacket over his shoulders.

He took a few deep breaths and closed his eyes to focus on the mental checklist he'd made. He nodded lightly as he went through the list in his mind. David had volunteered to take the portrait to the framer's for him because he wanted to give it to Franky as soon as he could after the funeral. The job had been completed quicky and the painting now sat on the easel in the conservatory, still covered with its cloth tied in place so that no-one could take a peek. He really wanted Franky to be the first person to see it.

He'd involved his mother-in-law in the planning of the funeral and the selection of the two hymns that would be sung during the service. 'Love Devine, All Loves Excelling.' and 'All Things Bright and Beautiful'. Both of them among Karen's favourite's. She would be buried in her wedding dress in a white coffin that would be topped with a spray of flowers at the head end. He'd chosen one that consisted of pink and white roses, lilac and cream tea roses and pink lillies from himself. A lilac and white posy from Carina would be placed in the middle and a pink and white wreath from Gloria would grace the lid a little further down. Everyone else's floral tributes would be placed around the coffin or on top of the hearse, providing it wasn't windy. Christopher had agreed to read a short poem during the service.

He'd hired three limousine's capable of carrying a maximum of eight people. Gloria, his parents, his sister, her husband, Simon and himself would follow the hearse in the first of these, Simon having volunteered to take care of Karen's mother throughout the ceremony. Urs and Franky, his nephew and two neices, Christopher and Karen's aunt and uncle would occupy the second. David, Lauren, Stephanie, Sébastien, Emma and Christopher's girlfriend, Juliet would bring up the rear. Everyone else who wished to pay their respects would follow in their own transport. Brandie Ramone had graciously offered her home and supplied the catering for the wake so that it could be held in privacy, well away from the prying lenses of press photographers.

Carina and Frank would be safe in the care of Gloria's friend, a retired nanny and her daughter who was in training to become a midwife. Franky knew both women very well and had no qualms about leaving her son with them so he had no concerns about them taking care of Carina either.

Franky had given him a list of over twenty au pair agencies and from these he'd arranged to interview thirteen women within the next couple of weeks, with Franky agreeing to be there on standby just in case he needed her to translate for him. His mother and Karen's had agreed to help him with making the choice of which one would get the job.

Lauren had contacted an architect friend and he would be calling later the following week to see what he could come up with regarding extending the house. Once plans had been drawn-up and he'd approved them they would need to be submitted to the council. Then he would have wait for their consent before any building work could begin.

"Everything is in place. All I need to do now, is get through this awful day." He whispered to himself as he walked over to the window and pulled back the curtains.

Bright sunlight flooded into the room as soon as he did so and he nodded lightly when he looked up to see a clear, cornflower blue sky.

He took a deep breath and turned to walk out of the bedroom only to stop as he reached Karen's dressing-table where he spotted the small bag that held the jewellery that been removed from her body. He'd decided to keep the wedding and engagement rings for Carina and he hoped Lauren would except the watch and Emma the ear-rings as a momento of their much loved friend. He pushed the bag into the top drawer and decided he would hand the jewellery over when he gave Franky the portrait.

Finally ready to make his way to the lower floor, he left the bedroom and closed the door quietly behind him then made his way down to his family and friends. He swallowed hard when he saw the sea of black that greeted him but managed to return the gentle smiles everyone gave him as he stepped into the lounge. He smiled a little broader when he looked at Franky and saw that she didn't look as tired as she had the first few days. Urs forcing her to get the rest she so obviously needed had done wonders for her. A slight turn of his head brought him face-to-face with Emma who stood, with the aid of crutches, on Sébastien's left side. Another slight turn brought Lauren into his line of vision and he noticed that she had a very tight hold of both David's and Stephanie's hands.

He barely had time to acknowledge everyone that was there before Urs peeked through the closed blinds and turned to face him.

"They're here." He informed quietly.

Carlos closed his eyes, gave him a quick nod then slowly slipped a pair of sunglasses over his eyes before he made his way to the front door that his father had moved to open. He felt a gentle squeeze on his forearm and turned his face to meet those of his parents. He swallowed hard and sniffed quickly before he took a deep breath and nodded that the door could be opened.

The door swung back slowly and Carlos was greeted by the man that had put his plans into action. He nodded when asked if he was ready and everyone within the house quietly trouped out and made their way to their designated vehicles. He paused for moment to look at the hearse and shook his head slightly when he saw the floral tributes that filled and covered the top of it. A look down the road made him swallow hard once he'd counted the twenty-five cars that would be following.

With everyone settled in their seats, the courtege slowly started to move down the road. It was then and only then that Carlos looked through the darkened windows and noticed how almost all of their neighbours had come quietly out of their homes to stand solemnly on the pavement with their heads lowered in a last show of respect.

It didn't seem to take any time at all for them to arrive at the church where Karen was to be laid to rest and the next thing Carlos knew was that the coffin had been removed from the hearse to be bourne into the old building on the broad shoulders of four smartly-dressed pallbearers. Everyone formed an orderly queue behind himself. Gloria holding onto Simon's arm, followed by his parents. Karen's aunt and uncle came next followed by Christopher and Juliet, Franky and Urs, Lauren, David and Stephanie, with Emma and Sebastien ahead of the rest of the hundred and fifty people in attendance. Everyone seeming to take a deep breath at the same time as the strains of Katie Melua's 'I Cried For You' came drifting down the short pathway. The song had been one of Karen's favourites and Carlos smiled slightly as he remembered the numerous times he'd caught her sitting with her eyes lightly closed while she listened to the words.

'You're beautiful so silently
It lies beneath a shade of blue
It struck me so violently
When I looked at you

But others pass, they never pause,
To feel that magic in your hand
To me you're like a wild rose
They'll never understand why

I cried for you
When the sky cried for you
And when you went
I became a hopeless drifter
But this life was not for you
Though I learned from you,
That beauty need only be a whisper

I'll cross the sea for a different world,
With your treasure, a secret for me to hold

In many years they may forget
This love of ours or that we met,
They may not know
How much you meant to me.

I cried for you
And the sky cried for you,
And when you went
I became a hopeless drifter.
But this life was not for you,
Though I learned from you,
That beauty need only be a whisper

Without you now I see,
How fragile the world can be
And I know you've gone away
But in my heart you'll always stay.

I cried for you
And the sky cried for you,
And when you went
I became a hopeless drifter.
But this life was not for you,
Though I learned from you,
That beauty need only be a whisper
That beauty need only be a whisper'

The vicar spoke a few words of welcome before the first hymn was sung among sniffs and muffled sobs then everyone sat and listened while he told those in attendance of the life Karen had lived. Knowing everything that would be said, Carlos drifted off into his own memories for a while then rejoined everyone as Christopher made his way down the aisle to stand at the side of the coffin while he read, through tear-filled eyes, the poem 'Do Not Stand At My Grave And Weep' written by Mary Frye in 1932.

'Do not stand at my grave and weep,
I am not there, I do not sleep.

I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am the diamond glint on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain.
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you wake in the morning hush,
I am the swift, uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circling flight.
I am the soft starlight at night.

Do not stand at my grave and weep.
I am not there, I do not sleep.
Do not stand at my grave and cry.
I am not there, I did not die.'

The second hymn, this time with Carlos finding himself fighting hard to hold back his tears and only just managing to do so. Then came his turn to read the poem he'd found. Shaking slightly, he stood and made his way to where Christopher had stood. Swallowing hard, he removed a piece of paper from his jacket pocket while he looked around the packed church. All twenty four pews were full, leaving several mourners to stand at the back. He coughed, took a deep breath and let it escape slowly before he began to read slowly, his accent thickening considerably and his voice cracking with emotion.
"You never said "I'm leaving"
You never said goodbye
You were gone before I knew it,
And only God knows why
A million times I needed you,
A million times I cried
If love alone could have saved you,
You never would have died
In life I loved you dearly
In death I love you still
In my heart you hold a place,
That no-one could ever fill
It broke my heart to lose you,
But you didn't go alone
For part of me went with you,
The day God took you home."
His seat resumed, Carlos felt several hands touching him all at the same time, but he didn't have to look around to see who they belonged to. His parents, Gloria, Simon, Christopher, Urs, Franky, David, Lauren, Sebastien and Emma. All silently telling him they knew he could do it, though he'd had his doubts right up until he was called forward.

Following that prayers were said before the coffin was lifted, from the stand where it had been placed, back onto the pallbearers' shoulders. The vicar took his place at the head of the funeral party and they left the church to the strains of another of Karen's favourites. REM's 'Everybody Hurts'.

'When your day is long and the night
The night is yours alone
When you're sure you've had enough of this life
Well hang on
Don't let yourself go, 'cause everybody cries
And everybody hurts, sometimes ...

Sometimes everything is wrong,
Now it's time to sing along
When your day is night alone (hold on, hold on)
If you feel like letting go (hold on)
If you think you've had too much of this life
Well hang on

'Cause everybody hurts
Take comfort in your friends
Everybody hurts
Don't throw your hand, oh no
Don't throw your hand
If you feel like you're alone
No, no, no, you're not alone

If you're on your own in this life
The days and nights are long
When you think you've had too much
Of this life, to hang on

Well everybody hurts,
Sometimes, everybody cries,
And everybody hurts ...sometimes
But everybody hurts sometimes
So hold on, hold on, hold on, hold on, hold on,
Hold on, hold on, hold on, hold on, hold on

Everybody hurts
You're not alone.'

A short walk around to the back of the church brought the congregation to the graveside and more sobs and sniffs were heard while Karen was finally laid to rest a few spaces away from her father. The vicar spoke the traditional words and threw a few small handfuls of soil onto top of the coffin as he did so. He stood back and watched after he'd invited all those in attendace to also throw a small handful of soil into the hole. That done, everyone took a moment of quiet contemplation before they slowly drifted back to their cars to give Carlos a few moments on his own at the graveside. His parents decided to wait patiently at a discrete distance and watched him lower his head in silent prayer before he dropped two roses on top of the soil. One red the other white.

Satisfied that he'd taken all the time he needed to say his own private goodbye, Carlos turned to read all the cards on the flowers. There were tributes of all shapes, sizes and colours from the very famous, the not so famous and the everyday people he and Karen had come to know. Verses long and short, a couple brought tears to his eyes and he lifted the sunglasses to quickly wipe his face.

He attempted to smile as he walked towards his parents, but before he left the graveyard he turned his head over his shoulder and took one last look to the beautiful spot where he'd just buried his wife.

Once at Brandie Ramone's home he greeted all those that had attended and quietly thanked them for coming before he informed his mother and father that he wanted to be on his own for a little while.

They found him some fifteen minutes later sitting on the steps that led into the garden finally letting go of the anguish, pain and despair he'd just managed to keep surpressed for almost a week.

Only two hands touched Carlos lightly on the shoulder this time and he raised his own to hold them tight while he gave in to his heartbreak.

________________________

Five days later

"Urs, you make it sound like I never wear a skirt." Franky exclaimed with her hands on her hips, standing before him dressed in a knee-length chocolate coloured skirt with buttermilk stripes and chocolate coloured t-shirt both of which hugged her figure in all the right places.

"What?" Urs shrugged, grinning at her. "I'll said was 'look Frank, Mami does have legs'." He informed while he looked down at their son.

"Carry on....." Franky threatened playfully. "....et je ne jamais porter une jupe que vous avez achete moi hier."

Urs grinned again but lowered his head a little more so that she couldn't see his face while he thought about what she would look like in the short white denim skirt that had five pockets and pleats that flared out just above her knees. He'd spotted her looking at the item on a shopping trip, only the price had put her off buying it. She thought almost a hundred pounds was a lot for such a small item. She was still so careful with money even though their combined incomes was more than they needed to live on. Little did she know that folded within the skirt was a white t-shirt that had a design in silver printed on it. He'd paid thirty for that and he knew she would have a few stern words to say to him once she finally got round to removing the items from the bag, but she would appreciate his thoughtfulness.

"Well how do I look?" He heard Franky asking, twirling round in front of him after applying the finishing touches to her clipped up hair.

"Good enough to eat." Urs informed with a quick kiss on her cheek just in front of her right ear. "Thanks for agreeing to help Carlos today, I don't think he would have had a clue where to start looking otherwise."

"I'm only going to be there in case he gets stuck with his English, Urs." Franky shook her head and smiled. "It's his choice at the end of the day."

"It's still worthy of a thank you in my book." Urs smiled, hooking Franky's chin and lifted her head slightly before he placed a gentle kiss on her lips.

"Oh now your lips look 'Sinful' too." Franky informed with a small giggle, using her right thumb to wipe the lipstick print she'd left away.

"Sounds like he's here."

"Sure does." Franky nodded when they both heard the familiar crunching of gravel from just beyond the front door which meant that a car had pulled up outside.

"Still not sorted a car out then?" Urs asked once Franky opened the door and he spied the burgundy coloured Hackney cab that stood ticking over outside his home.

"No. The erm.....The insurance people are being difficult because of the circumstances of the crash." Carlos huffed, crossing the threshold with a package under his right arm. "I will sort it soon I'm sure." He smiled, looking Franky up and down.

"I'll just get my jacket." She informed, moving to head for the lounge.

"Not so fast." Carlos commanded, moving the package from under his arm and holding it out to her. "Erm.......This was supposed to be a present for your birthday, but I would like you to have it now as my way of saying thank you for everything that you've done since Karen died. I erm......I don't know what I would have done without your help. I owe you both more than I can ever repay. I......" He sniffed then swallowed loudly.

"It's ok. You don't need to say anymore." Franky shook her head and smiled as she took the paper wrapped parcel from his hands and headed to the lounge with it.

After laying the package down carefully on the coffee table, Franky slowly opened it and gently turned it over to see what it was.

"Oh my God! That's Karen's work." She sniffed, her eyes wide, gazing in wonder at the oil painting. "I'd know it anywhere."

Her right hand flew to her mouth while her left hovered over her parents's faces just above the glass.

"You like it?" Carlos questioned quietly, watching tears roll slowly down Franky's face.

"It's beautiful, absolutely stunning." She nodded in response then looked up to Urs's smiling face.

"Up there?" Urs questioned, nodding towards the vacant chimney breast.

Franky could only nod quickly as her way of replying to the question.

Urs took a good look at the beautiful portrait and quickly calculated that the canvas itself was about thirty inches by forty inches and would look wonderful hanging where he'd indicated. The natural yellow ocher hand-painted fresco frame complimented the picture perfectly and he nodded that Karen had chosen very well.

"She painted your father from memory and finished it a few days before the accident." Urs heard Carlos informing as he came back to the conversation.

"It's wonderful." Franky nodded as she stood and wiped her eyes. "Thank you." She smiled and pulled Carlos into a rather tight hug.

"You know amigo, that is the third woman I have made cry today." Carlos smiled, he and Urs watching Franky walk away so that she could dry her eyes and touch up her make up.

"Lauren and Emma?" Urs questioned with a smile.

"Si." Carlos nodded then sighed slightly. "Neither of them wanted to accept the jewellery until I insisted they must have them as a momento of Karen."

Urs huffed a little laugh then nodded lightly as Franky made her way back into the room, her eyes dried and what little make-up she wore perfect once more.

"We'd better get going." She informed after checking her watch.

"She's worse than you." Carlos teased Urs as the three of them started to head for the front door again.

"Only just figuring that out?" Urs questioned playfully in response before he kissed Franky goodbye for the day. "'Sinful' again?" He questioned when she wiped his lips once more.

"As always." Franky giggled as she nodded then placed a quick kiss on Little Frank's forehead before she and Carlos made their way to the waiting taxi.

"Now will you tell me what's been bothering you for the past week and half?" Carlos questioned, politely holding the door open for her.

"Later." Franky nodded, settling herself next to Gloria. "Let's get these interviews over with first."

Urs laughed when Carlos turned to face him with a wry smile on his face while he shrugged and rolled his eyes backwards. He waved the party off and watched them leave until the cab had turned right out of the iron gates.

"How about we go for that run now?" Urs smiled down at his yawning son after he'd glanced at the brand new baby jogger pushchair they'd bought just two days before Karen's death but hadn't used yet.

______________________

Nice place.' Ria thought to herself, locking her sister's car while she looked up at the building where the interviews were being held.

An old slate grey structure met her gaze and she stood at the bottom of the eight steps to admire the place. But for the neatly trimmed climbing plant that had found its way up and around the bay window on her left, the house would have have looked decidely bleak and austere. She noticed that the windows were the long narrow shash type and smiled at the fact that they hadn't been replaced with horrible double-glazed UPVC ones. She liked old houses like this one and mused to herself for a few moments what the building would have to say if it could talk.

She turned and took a look at the well manicured lawns that spread out before her. Colourful plants had been planted in the borders that ran all around the lawn There were several tall trees that offered plenty of shade and white stone benches had been set under those.

Returning her attention to the house she noticed that a profusion of planters had been filled with plants of all colours. Two planters stood on either side of the steps at the top and these cascaded some sort of trailing plant in all directions. The building's dull facade had been softened with the addition of all these things giving it a calmer air than it would otherwise have had.

"It must look magnificant when everything is in full bloom." She whispered to herself as she walked up the steps and finally entered. "Ria Fletcher." She smiled at the woman behind the reception desk. "I believe I'm expected."

She watched as the woman ran her finger down the list of names that she had in front of her then smiled when she ticked her name.

"Follow me please." The woman smiled as she moved from behind the desk and indicated a doorway to her left.

Ria smiled once more as she crossed the threshold of the room where eleven women sat waiting. She looked at her watch thinking that she was late then sighed with relief when she realised she'd arrived well before her alloted time.

She took a quick look around the light pink and burgundy room then made herself comfortable on the couch that stood to one side of a roaring log fire. It was quite a cold day and she welcomed its warmth. She still hadn't re-adjusted to how cold England could get towards the end of September and rubbed her hands together vigorously in an attempt to get them to warm up a little.

She looked at the women that surrounded and had to bite her tongue when she saw how inappropriatly three had chosen to dress for their interviews.

'The man's only just lost his wife for God's sake.' She thought to herself as she eyed the women who had all clothed themselves in very short skirts and tops that left very little to the imagination.

She coughed to cover a laugh as she watched them tottering around on high heels and smiled at the woman who sat across from her when she threw her eyes in the direction of the women she'd just taken a look at.

"Look like they're ready for a night on the tiles rather than a job interview don't they?" The woman questioned Ria through a barely disguised smirk.

"Somewhat." Ria nodded in reply as she looked the speaker up and down quickly.

She blew out a long breath when she saw that she and another two women had decided to dress like her. Smart, but not overly so. A pair of dark pants, a nice blouse and comfortable, practical shoes made up their ensembles.

'God, she'd scare the poor child to death.' Ria mused as she turned her face to look at the women dressed in a burgundy coloured suit.

Her face was stern as she raised her eyes from her book to meet Ria's gaze.

'No sense of fun behind those eyes.' Ria shivered as she turned her face away.

"Aren't you nervous?" The woman that sat on her right questioned quietly.

"A little." Ria smiled and nodded while she looked down at the young woman's shaking hands.

She picked up a magazine and pretended to read it while she secretly listened to the conversation that was going on behind her.

"Oh it's in the bag. Once he gets a load of me he'll soon forget about her."

Ria snapped her head over her shoulder and glared hard at the three women.

"Have you no morals whatsoever? No sense of decorum?" She hissed loudly so that everyone else in the room heard. "It's women like you that give our profession a bad name." She huffed as she turned her head back to the magazine.

"Ignore her Simone, she's just jealous 'cos we're drop dead gorgeous and she's so plain." Ria heard one of women informing before the group moved away to continue their conversation so that she couldn't hear what was being said.

"Well done." The woman across from Ria nodded. "I've been meaning to say something to those three for a while, just couldn't quite work up the courage to do it."

Ria nodded then raised her head to look out of the bay window where the woman she'd mentally nicknamed 'Nanny Misery' sat and noticed that even she gave her an appreciative nod.

"I suppose it's par for the course?" The young woman questioned with a wry smile.

"I suppose, but it doesn't mean we have to like it." Ria smiled quickly as the door opened and the receptionist called her name.

Thousands of butterflies seemed to fill her stomach as she rose and she took a few seconds to compose herself before she strode confidently towards the open door.

She noticed that a large mirror hung to the left side of the door and took a moment to make sure she looked presentable. Satisfied that she looked smart enough, she smiled at her reflection then left the room to follow the receptionist the short distance down the hall to another door.

"Miss Fletcher." Ria's companion informed after she'd knocked lightly on the door and it swung open after hearing a call asking them to come in.

Ria startled slightly at the sight that met her eyes in the blue and cream room. Her third favourite Divo sat amongst three women. The one seated on his left, dark skinned like himself and so obviously his mother, the one on his right a short woman who showed signs of greying a little. She thought that this was possibly his wife's mother. The other seated in an easy chair at the end of the couch that faced her, with her long legs crossed elegantly and a gentle smile on her lips as Ria made her way across to the couch that faced Carlos and the two women.

Carlos smiled warmly as he introduced his mother and mother-in-law to her then gave a gentle nod to the redhead in the easy chair. Ria gulped as she looked at Franky.

'So that's Urs's wife. Mina was right. She's beautiful and there's gentleness behind those eyes.' Ria thought to herself while she made herself comfortable on the couch.

"No thank you." She smiled, refusing the offer of tea or coffee from the tray that sat between them.

Following that refusal Ria smiled as she replied to the questions that were asked of her. No, a little light housework would not be a problem. No, she did not agree with smacking a child. Her experience had taught her that the tone and volume of her voice was enough to control the most badly behaved child and she believed that having 'a time out zone' also helped with disciplining a child.

"A time out zone?" She heard Carlos questioning with a puzzled look on his face. "I have never heard of such a thing."

Then she heard his mother whisper something in Spanish and Franky grunted a quick laugh before she smiled at the slightly scowling Spaniard. It was obvious to her that his mother had said something rather funny. Though she didn't have a clue what it was.

'Spanish lessons might be a good idea if I get the job.' She mused while everyone regained their composure.

"Erm...A time out zone is a quiet place within the house where I might place a young child who has refused to obey my instructions or if they've done something to a sibling or friend. Say the bottom step of the stairs or some other part of the house. I normally keep them there for one minute for each year of age. Three minutes for a three year-old, four minutes for a four year-old and so on."

"Ah, I see." Carlos nodded after he'd finished translating for his mother who smiled as she nodded. "What age would that stop?"

"It really depends on the child, but I usually find that I don't have to use it much beyond the age of five."

Carlos's smile broadened slightly as he launched into his next question and she replied that she didn't mind travelling at a hectic pace. Yes, she did have a clean driving licence. No, she would not worry if her charge made a mess with paint or colouring pens. She believed that children should be free to express themselves through whatever means as long as it wasn't with violence towards others. No, she would not countermand whatever decisions he made, if she disagreed strongly enough she would talk it out with him in a calm and rational manner.

"Would you mind telling me why you left Mr Archer's employment?" Carlos asked with a slight shrug and small narrowing of his eyes.

"I was fired." Ria nodded then proceeded to tell him of the circumstances under which she'd been asked to leave. "It was a childish prank, nothing more. I have the name and number of the officer who dealt with my case should you wish to confirm what I've said."

"I don't think that will be necessary." Carlos smiled as he thumbed through the sheets of paper he had in front of him. "The reference Mr Archer gave you is very complimentary, as are the other three."

Ria startled slightly on hearing those last few words and felt herself redden slightly as she stood and shook everyone's hand once more.

"Hopefully I will be able to make my decision by the end of the day. I will call the agency to let them know if you've got the job." Carlos informed with a smile as he walked her the door and held it open why she left.

"Thank you." Ria nodded as she crossed the threshold and turned to walk out of the hotel.

As soon as she was outside again, she took several deep breaths before she ran down the steps and made her way back to the car.

"Well that went very well I think." She smiled as she reversed the vehicle out of its parking space and proceeded to drive down the long driveway down to the road that would take her the seventy two miles back home.

As she reached the end of the driveway she leaned forward to look up into the blue and smiled when the sun's bright rays found their way out from behind big, white, fluffy clouds.

"So tell me what you and Carlos were whispering about earlier." David smiled down at Lauren while he held her in his arms.

"Oh he was just a little worried about Franky, he thought there was something seriously bothering her. I was just trying to reassure him that it wasn't anything serious. That's all." Lauren replied with a smile and a shrug.

"She hasn't told him about the show she wants to do yet then?"

"Uh-uh. Not yet" Lauren shook her head. "She wants to wait until he's made his decision about the au pair. She didn't want him to have too much on his mind today."

"Oh right." David nodded. "How was Stephanie when you dropped her off this morning?"

"Fine." Lauren smiled, and nodded pulling herself away from him slowly. "As young as they are, her friends are being really supportive. It almost made me cry when I saw how many of them came up to her and hugged her, especially when those that had been good friends with Katy did so." She sighed as she poured herself and David a coffee. "Have you mentioned Colorado to the others yet?"

"No. I was thinking of doing it tomorrow. I was thinking along the same lines as Franky." David shook his head, swallowing warm, black coffee. "What's bothering you?"

"Nothing." Lauren shrugged quickly.

"Fibber." David teased, hooking her chin and raising her face to meet his.

"Oh I hate it when you look at me like that." Lauren grunted, watching his smile broaden while she swatted his arm. "All right if you must know it's what Urs told us about Jamie the other day."

"Oh that." David grimmaced.

"I can't believe they had the nerve to even ask Franky to consider being tested." Lauren said with a cold tone to her voice. "Oh don't get me wrong, I don't want Jamie to die. No, I really hope they find a bone marrow donor for her, should they need one. I want that witch to get well and spend the rest of her life in prison, preferably in solitary confinement." She informed with her eyes narrowed and her brow furrowed.

"That's a little harsh don't you think? It's not like you Lauren." David sighed, shaking his head.

"After what she's done!" Lauren huffed her exclamation. "It's no less than she deserves David. And what's more, if she hadn't crashed into Carlos's car, I'm absolutely positive she would have tried to do something to Franky and Urs. She was certainly heading in the right direction."

"Mmm. I suppose." David nodded.

"Anyway, enough of thinking about her. Do you still want go and look at those puppies my friend has for sale?" Lauren smiled, standing on her tiptoes and planting a gentle kiss on his lips.

"Yes but we're not bringing one home." David said firmly though his eyes told a different story as he reached for his car keys.

'Yeah right.' Lauren smiled to herself, her eyes rolling backwards and David pulling her rather enthusiastically to the door that led to the garage.

As she took her seat in the car she remembered how her friend, Millie, had called her for a chat eight weeks ago and how Millie had to hang up after an hour because she thought her Great Dane bitch was in labour. Millie had called her the following day to tell her that Lady Jane had safely delievered four babies, three females and one male.

She giggled quietly, remembering how excited Stephanie had become when they'd all paid visit to see them and how David taken had been with their father, a canine version of himself. Large, gentle natured and completely nuts. Those two had spent almost all of the visit playing fetch in the back garden, before Oscar had retreated to the sanctuary of his kennel to get some well earned rest. She laughed when she recalled Millie asking David to come visit again just so that he could tire the engergetic dog out for her.

By the time she'd finished her musings, David had pulled the car up outside Millie's home and she was been pulled gently towards the front door.

Seconds later the pair found themselves seated in the conservatory with two adult dogs, four puppies and Millie.

"No David." Lauren shook her head and tried not to smile when he picked up the blue coloured male puppy and looked at her pleadingly. "No. Who's going to look after him while we're in Colorado or Portugal? What about when I come to see you when you're on tour?"

"Already sorted that haven't we Millie?" David informed with his usual smile.

"Oh have you now?" Lauren smiled, turning her head from one to the other.

"Sure have." Millie giggled while she nodded. "It's simple. You can bring him back here and I can look after him while you're in the States or whenever you want go and see David. Portugal and the rest of Europe is easy. All you'll need is a pet passport for him and you can take him with you."

Lauren sat back in her chair and she vocalised other reasons why she didn't think they should have such a big dog.

"What about when we start having a family of our own?"

"Oh come on Lauren..." Millie sighed. "I've had three babies and I've always had at least one Dane around while they've been tiny. Raised the right way, they're wonderful around children."

"And I've been looking into having him trained." David smiled again as he spoke.

"What about all the walking he'll need?" Lauren protested again.

"I could do with the exercise and he'll be company for you and Stephanie while I'm away."

"How about you take him on a month's trial?" Millie suggested with a smile that mirrored the one David had just given her. "I can always find a good home for him if he doesn't work out. I've done it before"

"Stop that." Lauren instructed through her giggles as David lifted the dog from his lap to hold him in front of his chest so that she had to look into its eyes as well as his own. "Just how long have you two been conspiring against me?" She demanded playfully.

"Since we paid our first visit." David informed in a whisper, sliding further down into his seat.

Lauren bit the inside of her right cheek to stop herself from laughing out loud while she looked at a beaming David then at the puppy.

'I'm not going to win.' She mused to herself, folding her arms lightly across her chest. "Ok." She nodded. "We'll take him on one month's trial, but you're cleaning up after him, he sleeps in the kitchen at night no matter how much he cries, he doesn't go on the furniture and you won't moan at me if he chews things like your shoes."

"I won't." David shook his head, picked the dog up and smiled even more as he turned it round to face him. "Ready to go to your new home buddy?" He questioned as he stood and tucked him under his arm.

"I didn't stand a chance did I?" Lauren questioned, making herself comfortable in the car again.

"Nope." David beamed, placing the dog in a her lap before moving round to his seat and watching Lauren stroking him for a moment or two before he started the car. "I suppose we'd better go and do some shopping for him."

"I suppose." Lauren laughed as she looked at David's still beaming face. "Stephanie's sure going to be surprised when she comes home."

"Is she?" David's mouth replied quickly without checking with his brain. "Ooops!" He shrugged as Lauren closed her eyes and shook her head in playful exasperation.

Moments later they arrived at the pet store where they purchased everything they would need for their new pet then made their way home to get him settled a little before Stephanie came home from school.

"What do you think we should call him?" David asked, crouching at Stephanie's side while they watched the puppy tucking into his dinner with gusto.

"Erm......Mummy what's that really old English word for King?" Stephanie asked with her lips pursed and her brow furrowed.

"Rex."

"That's it. I think we should call him Rex." Stephanie nodded, turning her head to her fellow conspirator.

"Better than what I came up with." David smiled as he shrugged then nodded.

"Oh there's just one thing I forgot to say." Lauren informed, standig on tiptoes to whisper into his ear.

"Do we have to?" David asked with wide-eyes. "Ok we have to." He frowned when Lauren gave him a slow, confirmatory nod. "Tut! Poor Rex."

"So that's that settled. Christmas in Paris with my mother and back here for New Year with your father." Sébastien smiled as he looked across the kitchen table hoping to find Emma smiling back at him. "Emmy leave it alone you'll make it sore." He continued once he'd figured out that she'd bent down to scratch at her leg where the fixator pins protruded.

"I can't help it, it itches like crazy." Emma complained with a smile as she raised her head. She loved the fact that he'd taken to using the petname her mother had used since she was little

"I'll tie your hands behind your back, that'll stop you." Sébastien threatened playfully.

"Oooooh kinky." Emma teased in response, her smile broadening as she watched Sébastien blush and fidget uncomfortably in his seat. "Do you know what's bothering David, Seb?" She asked once they'd both recovered their composure.

"Non, but he has that look on his face like he wants to ask us something. It gets worse when he's around Carlos for some reason." He shrugged as he stood to answer the loud knock at the front door.

Emma leaned backwards and smiled once as she watched him walk down the hallway. 'I knew his butt would look damn good in those jeans' She grinned and allowed a little growl to escape after her musings.

While Sébastien busied himself with answering the door, Emma returned her attention to the magazine she'd been engrossed in before she'd started scratching at her rapidly healing leg. She smiled slightly as she thought about what her surgeon had said at her last post-op appointment. He'd been so pleased that she could bear a little weight on that particular leg now and if she could walk on it without the aid of crutches by the end of the following week, he would probably be able to remove the pins subject to what the x-rays showed.

"We have a visitor." Sébastien announced as he stepped back into the kitchen and placed a quick kiss on her cheek before he headed to the coffee maker.

"Zane!" Emma exclaimed when the footballer slowly crossed the threshold with a large plant in his hands. "What are you doing here?" She asked with a surprised expression while she watched him place the plant in front of her.

"I came to apologise." Zane shrugged as he sat then fiddled nervously with the one of the leaves of the potted Peace Lily.

"To apologise for what?" Sébastien asked, resuming his seat and placing a mug of coffee in front of Zane.

"You know......" Zane shuddered as he looked from Sébastien to Emma and back again. "......for what happened with what'sherface. I still feel guilty. If I hadn't picked her up none of what's happened wo......."

"Zane, stop it." Sébastien shook his head as he interupted. "It's not your fault, so stop blaming yourself. We've told you before she would have found a way to do what she did."

"You really think so?"

"Oh absolutely." Emma informed through a heavy sigh. "Now, how's the neck?"

"Still aches a little now and again, but it doesn't bother me that much. Those slow stretching exercises you gave me really help." Zane replied with a smile. "Have you heard the latest about Fabian?"

"What's he done to himself now?" Emma questioned with a roll of her eyes.

"Oh nothing." Zane giggled. "He's got a new girlfriend, been seeing her for almost a week now."

"That's great news." Sébastien and Emma said almost together.

"What about you? Are you over Maia leaving yet?"

"Oh yeah. I met someone a couple of nights ago and I think she likes me, at least she gave me her number when I asked for it." Zane informed while his face reddened considerably.

"Called her yet?" Sébastien chuckled then smiled.

Zane nodded as he drained his cup and lowered it to the table to twirl it around in his hands. "I'm taking her to 'Ramone's' for dinner tonight."

"What?" Sébastien questioned with a smile when he saw the look of longing on Emma's face. "I've booked a table for next Friday." He giggled as he remembered how long it had been since the two of them had gone out for dinner. "It was meant to be a surprise." He huffed playfully.

"Time I got going I think." Zane informed with a smile as he stood abruptly while looking at the giggling couple.

"I'll see you out." Sébastien nodded as he stood and walked by Zane's side.

Emma leaned back in the chair again to admire the view once more. She smiled when she saw Sébastien place his hand on Zane's shoulder and listened while he told the man to stop blaming himself for what had happened. With a nod, a firm handshake and a 'Good luck with the date', Zane was gone.

"How long do you think that will survive?" Sébastien asked with a nod towards the plant.

"If YOU don't drown it like you did the last one, ages if you leave the watering to me this time." Emma smirked.

"It wasn't my fault the last one died."

"Was too."

"Was not." Sébastien huffed playfully as he remembered the Elephant Ear Palm the two of them had purchased to add colour to the lounge.

It had been a very healthy specimen when they bought it and he huffed a laugh as he remembered struggling with it through the front door. They'd decided it looked best placed in one of the small alchoves that stood on each side of the fire. They'd also agreed that Emma would be responsible for taking care of it. He'd watched her tend to it, obeying the instructions very carefully but hadn't ever seen her water it. The plant was supposed to watered from its container at the bottom. However, he'd been admiring it one day and noticed that the top of the compost looked very dry and so he'd decided to water it himself, from the top without telling Emma that he'd done so.

A few days later there had been a funny smell in the lounge which they eventually traced back to the plant and found that the trunk was soft and rotten. The plant itself no longer stood erect and proud, but leaned to the left slightly. Emma had wondered what she had done wrong for a couple of minutes before he told her he watered the plant from the top. She'd scowled at him for a few seconds before she'd picked up a cushion from the couch and battered him playfully while she warned him to leave any future plants to her tender ministrations. He'd made his promise through much laughter then heaved the plant out of the house and into the rubbish bin.

'Non, I'm going nowhere near that.' He nodded lightly while he looked at the new plant.

"Well done with Zane by the way." Emma smiled as she closed her magazine and reached for her crutches and eased herself upright.

"Where are you going?" Sébastien asked after Emma had released him from lip crushing kiss she'd given him.

"To bed......." Emma paused as she stepped towards the door. She stopped on the threshold and turned her head over her shoulder and allowed a wicked little grin to cross her lips. ".........you bring the 'Phish Food'.

"Merde Emmy! These jeans have suddenly become very tight." Sébastien informed through his own grin as he stood and headed towards the freezer.

A half eaten tub of the requested ice-cream and two spoons in hand, Sebastien headed in the same direction and reached her just as the foot of her uninjured limb came to rest on the step where the stairs turned. It amazed him how quickly she'd learned to move on the crutches, he'd never been able to get upstairs that quickly when he'd had to use them.

Standing behind her, he reached for her waist and felt her shiver when she felt ice coldness skim across her stomach through the thin blouse she was wearing. Sebastien slowly turned her round to face him, held her close and gently tugged one of the crutches from her grip, sending it clattering to the ground floor while he kissed softly. Still kissing, he scooped her into his arms and carried her to their bedroom where he deposited her gently in the middle of the bed, neither of them hearing the other crutch drop to the hallway floor.

Smiling softly, he remained where he was and watched Emma adjust her position so that she was in a kneeling position while he peeled back the remainder of the lid, crumpled it up and dropped it to the floor. He laughed, watching her play with the blue ribbon she'd used to decorate the fixator, then found his way onto the bed, placing himself in the same position, facing Emma and handing her one of the spoons.

"I can't take that much." She shook her head once he scooped a very large spoonful from the tub and offered it to her.

"Oui you can. You can take more." Sebastien returned with a nod down to his ever growing bulge. "Now open up."

Blushing, Emma kept her eyes focused on Sebastien's face and slowly opened her mouth to its fullest extent. Still looking at him, she allowed him to push the spoon into her mouth, fastened her mouth over the mound of ice-cream and slowly pulled back. Unable to swallow right away, she allowed it to melt a little, only for some of the liquid to ooze out between her lips where it trickled down her chin, to fall onto her chest before finding a path between her breasts to continue its journey down her abdomen. Sebastien's eyes remaining completely focused on the trail while she dipped her spoon into the pot.

Shivering slightly, she offered Sebastien the confection once he was looking at her face again only to snatch it away just as the spoon touched his lips and push it into her own mouth. Hearing him groan when she pulled the implement out even slower.

"Assez de cette." Sebastien sighed, tossing the pot over his shoulder, not caring where it landed, both spoons quickly following. "Je ne peux pas prendre pas." He informed, reaching for Emma, pulling her quickly against him and covering her mouth with his own, tasting chocolate, caramel and fudge once she'd given his tongue access.

Keeping her held tight against him, both arms wrapped around her waist, he lifted her slightly, hearing her groan when she felt his need nudging against her thigh while she straightened her legs out. Kissing her hard and deep, he lowered her so that she lay on the bed. His fingers expertly dealing with the buttons of the front fastening, short denim skirt she wore. Feeling her hands find their way under his t-shirt to carress his spine, making him shudder when reached the very ticklish spot at the nape of his neck. His fingers teasing her womanhood through the silk of her underwear until he decided to break the kiss and tear the blouse off her body, knowing that it wasn't that expensive and could easily be replaced. A huge smile breaking out across his face when he saw that Emma wasn't wearing a bra for once.

"You had this planned all morning didn't you?" He asked on hearing her giggle.

"Whatever gave you that idea?" She batted back, her hands busying with the fastenings of his jeans.

"Vous êtes mauvais Emma Izambard." Sebastien laughed and shook his head, refusing to translate, his lips blazing a trail down her body, licking away the ice-cream, his hands getting rid of the underwear so that he could tease her again, causing her to come hard and fast, screaming his name, tugging at his t-shirt until it tore.

Listening to her trying to regain her breath and watching her chest rise and fall rapidly, Sebastien resumed his previous position, quickly disposed his clothing then slowly ran his hands up her legs, over her hips and abdomen until he found her breasts. Squeezing firmly, he rubbed his thumbs over the already hard buds and watched Emma's back arch high, pushing her sex against his now aching manhood.

"Seb please. I can't take much more teasing. I want you in me." She pleaded, her breathing fast and ragged.

Sebastien grinned on hearing her beg for him to take, adjusted his position and eased himself inside her slick opening, hearing a quick gasp escape from both of them before he was all the way in. His mouth finding hers again, still tasting of the ice-cream, his tongue making love to her mouth while his hips thrusted harder and faster. Taking her to the brink several times only for him to slow his pace until he couldn't do so anymore, pushing hard against her one final time, the pair of them coming, him a few seconds before Emma. Her body continuing to shudder, her muscles clenching around him until she'd milked him dry.

Looking around the room after they'd seperated and settled back against the multitude of cushions, they both laughed when they spotted that the pot had landed the right way up on Emma's dressing table. Rolling his eyes, Sebastien retrieved it, saw that spoons would no longer be needed and quickly returned to Emma's side.

This time allowing her to take as much as she wanted of the now liquid ice-cream and shaking his laughing head when she held at his mouth a little too long.

"Très mauvais." Sebastien sighed, feeling Emma's togue licking the ice-cream from his chest, her hands occupied with making him rise to the occasion once more.

A long moan of 'Merde Emmy' escaping as he came again, this time in her mouth.

___________

Franky smiled as she watched Carlos close the door quietly behind the last woman he'd interviewed. He turned to face her and blew out a long, deep breath before he smiled at her. He'd got through all the interviews and had only needed her to translate twice. Even though it wasn't her decision to make, there were two women who stood out in her opinion, one just slightly above the other. She wasn't going to voice her opinion, but secretly hoped the young woman who'd been introduced as Ria Fletcher would be offered the job.

"Tired?" Carlos questioned, watching her cover a yawn.

"No." Franky smiled and shook her head. "It's just a little too warm for me in here." She informed with a nod towards the fire that roared in fireplace not far from where they were all seated.

She stood and stretched herself out before she moved to the far end of the room and slightly opened one side of the French windows that gave access to the garden at the back of the house and allowed the cool breeze that passed through it to wash over her while she admired the garden.

The lawn back there had several swing seats scattered about it and a was bordered by a multitude of rose bushes, a large, ancient-looking apple tree stood at the end and, when she looked to her left, she saw a highly-scented Honeysuckle meadanering its way up the wall and over the French windows. She sighed lightly as she imagined sitting in one of the swing seats, snuggled up against Urs while they watched the sun set at the end of the garden.

She knew just why the Honeysuckle had been grown in that position. Her paternal grandfather had told her that moths hate the scent the plant gives off. Therefore, she knew it would help with keeping them out of the room at night when the doors were open on long, hot summer evenings. She returned her focus to watching the small group then listened to the conversation that was taking place near the fire.

"Definitely not those three." Franky translated what Carlos's mother said in her mind as she watched her toss three thin piles of paper across to the other couch with a loudly exclaimed 'Pfft'

"Nor her." Gloria shuddered as 'Nanny Misery's' documents went flying. "She's much too stern looking."

"Nice, but far too nervous." Carlos sighed, tossing another pile over to the couch.

"A little too old I think." Gloria shrugged. "I don't think she could stand the pace of a tour." One more pile of paper hit the couch.

"That leaves us with seven to choose from." Carlos nodded, setting the papers out in a neat row on the coffee table.

"Personal hygiene problem, poor references and a speeding fine." He heard his mother exclaiming as she picked up another pile and tossed that to join the others. "Or didn't you notice?"

"I noticed." Carlos grimmaced slightly then translated for Gloria who nodded then wrinkled her nose.

"She's a smoker even though her papers say she doesn't smoke." Gloria informed, indicating the first two fingers of her right after pointing at another set of papers.

That too headed towards the couch.

"She didn't show up." Carlos shrugged as another set skimmed through the air. "That narrows it down to four."

"No driving licence." His mother sighed, more paper heading the way of the others while Carlos translated once more.

"Overdressed I think and if she does housework with nails that length, then I'm the Queen of England." Gloria grumbled as one more set joined the rest. "Did you notice how much she flirted with you?"

"Mmmm." Carlos sighed as he nodded.

"Two left." Carlos huffed as he looked at the two that remained. "I can't decide. They're both perfect for the job." He informed, looking from his mother to Gloria.

"They are." His mother nodded. "But this girl just had the edge I think." She smiled, indicating the to papers to her son's right.

"I liked her too." Gloria nodded. "Even though she did look a little sad when you mentioned her previous employer."

"Then the decision is made." Carlos smiled and nodded his agreement as he picked up the papers and found his mobile.

He hummed quietly while he dialled the number and waited for a reply. The call was answered quickly and he informed the lady he spoke to, that subject to the usual checks, he would like to offer Ria Fletcher the job of his au pair. He would call again once those checks had come through to discuss details of when her employment would begin. He listened while the cheerful woman said that she would call Ria to pass on the good news before she gave a polite goodbye and hung up.

"Now will you please tell me what's been bothering you for the last week and a half?" Carlos asked as he turned his face towards where Franky stood.

"Oh it's nothing much really. I was just thinking of putting some sort of show together in Karen's memory." She replied with a slight smile and quick shrug as she made her way back to the group and resumed her seat. "I just didn't want say anything until you'd got today over with."

"In aid of a charity?" Carlos questioned with a quick smile.

"Of course." Franky nodded. "I was thinking of Karen's favourite one."

"The art therapy one?"

Franky closed her eyes and nodded her reply to Carlos's question, sniffing loudly.

"Oh that would be wonderful." Gloria affirmed with a beaming smile and teary-eyes.

"Ok, but no dancing to sad songs." Carlos shook his head vigorously and closed his eyes. "We both know how much Karen loved to watch you skate Franky. I would want it to be a celebration of her life not some gloomy rememberance of her though." He instructed with a smile.

"Fine." Franky confirmed with another nod. "That's kind of the direction I was heading in. Something to celebrate her love of dancing perhaps?"

"How long will it take to put together?" Carlos questioned, nodding his approval after explaining what Franky wanted to do to his mother who smiled and nodded her approval.

"I've had a quiet word with Lauren and the rink has one day free, six and half weeks from now. 12th November."

"But that's your birthday and also your first wedding anniversary. No. No." Carlos protested with a firm shake of his head.

"Don't worry about it. I have plenty of birthdays ahead of me and Urs is fine with it." Franky smiled as she shrugged.

"You're sure?"

"I'm sure."

"Ok, but I still do not be thinking it is right." Carlos huffed then shook his head again. "Now all I have to find out, is what is doing the bugging of David." He smiled wryly while Franky giggled. "You know don't you? Tell me." He demanded when he saw her attempting to evade his look.

"Don't know what you mean." Franky denied with a wry smile and quick shake of her head.

"Mentiroso." Carlos whispered playfully towards her while she attempted to regain her composure. "Now let's get out of here and we'll go and get something to eat at that marvelous old pub we passed on the way here. My treat." He smiled after gathering up the papers and heading for the door which he held open for the three women who had given up their time to help him.

Franky called a taxi while Carlos paid for the rooms and in just under fifteen minutes they were sitting in the pub dining on a traditional English roast beef dinner with all the trimmings. He couldn't help but chuckle to himself when his mother asked why they'd served Yorkshire puddings with the dinner instead of as a dessert.

He'd quietly explained that they could be served as a dessert and were especially good when served with strawberry jam. He laughed a little louder when she looked at him as though she didn't believe him and twirled her finger against her temple before she had her first taste. Once she'd finished eating she turned to him and asked if he knew of anyone who had the recipe and how they were made. He nodded and smiled while he told her there was a recipe in one of Karen's cookbooks, though she'd always made them from memory. They finished their meal with jam roly poly served with custard and Carlos sat back in his chair with a smile on his face as he remembered the first time Karen had made a similar meal for the two of them.

As they left, he autographed the photograph that their waitress had been very nervous about asking for and placed a quick kiss on her cheek after he'd thanked her for her professionalism during the meal. He smiled broadly as he watched the young girl blush and hold the photograph against her chest while he climbed into the front seat of the taxi that had been called for them by the landlord.

'Watching over me too aren't you?' He questioned in his mind as he smiled gently and raised his eyes skyward to see the sun emerging from behind a small rain cloud.

__________________

"Hmmm. Still asleep I see." Urs smiled, looking at his rosey-cheeked snoozing son, rubbing his hair dry after his shower.

He sighed and stopped himself after a couple of rubs then started pressing his hair between two layers of towelling in the fashion Franky had shown him so that it didn't frizz. It took a longer doing it that way and doing the back made his arm ache, but at least he didn't look like an adult male lion by the time he'd finished.

Satisfied that his hair was dry enough, Urs dressed quickly in a pair of jeans and his new black Harley Davidson t-shirt then tied his hair back into a high ponytail. He shuddered as the tip tickled the back of his neck and made a mental note to get it trimmed as soon as he could.

"What am I supposed to do while you're asleep?" He asked Frank, lifting him from the swinging cradle that stood in their bedroom and cradling him in his arms.

He sighed lightly as he started to walk towards the door then frowned a little when he realised the tiny thing he held still shouldn't be there yet. Though he was gaining weight daily, Little Frank still looked so small and vulnerable when compared to full-term baby. He'd noticed that even Carina looked chubbier than he did, though he out-weighed her by almost half a pound now.

Walking slowly, he made his way downstairs, walked into the lounge and smiled when he saw the portrait still lying on the coffee table. He thought for a moment about hanging the picture himself, but quickly realised that it would require something more substantial than a picture hook to bear its weight. Then he remembered the business card Carlos had given to him before he'd left with Franky. As well as framing the canvas, the firm also offered a professional hanging service. He moved to the hall table where he'd left the card, made his enquiry and smiled when they said they could send someone over within the hour.

Once that call was finished he made another call to a local florist. He ordered a bouquet of golden amber 'Mokara' orchids set in a round caramel-coloured glass vase and requested that they be delivered that day. He merely shrugged when the assistant informed him that it would cost an extra ten pounds for that service. He chuckled to himself when he heard a small squeal come from the other end of the line after he'd given his credit card details and the delivery address.

"Won't they be a nice surprises for your mother to come home to?" He questioned the now awake child he still carried.

Urs smiled as he watched the little boy's face for moment and huffed a quick laugh when he saw his mouth pull into a quick smile. He wondered who the child would grow up to be like. Would he have any aptitude for music at all? He wasn't that bothered if he didn't, he and Franky had agreed long before he was born not to push any children they had in that direction. They'd agreed to having at least two children, because Franky had known what it was like to grow up as an only child and even though she was well loved by all those who called her friend and her parents, she'd often suffered periods of feeling very lonely. There was no way their little boy was ever going to feel that.

His attention turned to the pile of mail that sat waiting for his attention on the hallway table. He picked them up and started to sort through them. Two were addressed to him, three were marked for Franky and all but one looked unofficial. The one that did, bore the mark HMRC at the top left hand corner and he tried to think for a moment what that meant. His eyes rolled into the back of his head when he remembered that it was something to do with the taxes people paid in England.

"Fat chance that's a rebate." Urs laughed, dropping the envelope back onto Franky's pile.

The final envelope was written in a hand he knew well and bore a Swiss postage stamp. He opened it carefully and retrieved two small carefully folded pieces of paper then started reading as he walked back to the lounge, pausing only for a few seconds to settle Frank into his Moses basket.

Dear Urs and Franky

We hope this letter finds you both well and a little happier in the light of recent events. We both know how much you loved Karen and how much all of you will miss her. Would you please pass on our deepest condolences to Carlos?

You may, or may not, know that we recently organised an auction to raise funds for the neo-natal unit where Little Frank was born. We managed to raise a little over £15,000 due to the fact that the main item we auctioned was that old Triumph we spent hours restoring.

Yes, Urs. We mean the one you gave to us in pieces just before you left to join Il Divo. We managed to get it re-assembled, working again and it looks brand new now. We did the paintwork in red and all the pipes and such in chrome The man that bought it is an American film star who claims to have met the two of you a few months ago at some bike show in England, sorry to say neither of us recognised him. He seemed to be very pleased with the acquisition he'd made. We even managed to get a couple of pictures of him on the bike and they've been emailed to Franky's computer as we didn't want them to disappear. Sorry Urs, but we know how you are with computers. How many times did we have to send you a couple of our wedding photos? Four or five? We can't remember.

"Very funny." Urs tutted then laughed because it was actually six.

"Turning to happier events, we found out this morning that we are going to become parents ourselves in May of next year. As a matter of fact the baby is due to be born the day before Il Divo perform in Zurich. May 15th to be precise. If all goes to plan we hope that you can both find the time to pay a visit, no matter how quick it would be. We both have our hearts set on having a boy, but will be very happy with whatever we get.

We saw your mother, yesterday Urs and she told us you were probably going to be coming back home for Christmas. We do hope that you will, we can't wait to see 'Little' Frank in the flesh rather than in the numerous photographs your mother has taken of him. Never have we seen such a proud grandmother, he's a beautiful little boy, just like his mother.

Until we meet again, take care and treasure your son every day.

Your friends always.
Kurt and Mara.

PS: Good luck with tour Urs. We hope you all have as much fun as you did with the last one.

Urs smiled as he re-folded the paper, returned the letter to its envelope then made his way back to the hall table where he placed it on Franky's pile so that she could read it on her return. He heard Frank starting to cry for his dinner and a vehicle pull up outside at the same time. He opened the door quickly and nodded to the two men who informed him they'd come to hang the portrait. After making their way through to the lounge and showing them where the picture was to be hung, he quickly ran upstairs to retrieve a bottle of milk, warmed it up to just the right temperature and fed Frank.

He watched the men work from his vantage point in the kitchen and nodded when he realised he definitely would not have been able to do the job by himself. Two battens had been secured to the wall and the portrait was secured to those, top and bottom, through the wooden frame that the canvas had been stretched over. After giving the picture a quick tug to make sure that it held firmly, the elder of the two men declared that it was a job well done, packed up his tools and made a move towards Urs for payment, or so he thought.

As Urs moved his hand to the pocket that contained his wallet, the man shook his head and pulled something from the back pocket of his overall and laid it on the table.

"My boss said if you could autograph that for his wife, that would be payment enough. It's their silver wedding anniversary tomorrow and she's a huge fan, especially of you."

Urs looked down at the table and saw a photograph of himself and replied that he would sign it once he'd put the baby in the Moses basket. After returning from laying Frank down, he asked the lady's name and wrote.....

To Annie

Happy 25th wedding anniversary.

.....then signed his first and last name.

He walked the two men to the door and pressed a twenty pound note into the eldest man's hand, thanking them for being so prompt and shaking his head with a smile when the man tried to protest. As the small van drove down the driveway, another turned in through the gates and he waited for the florist's van to pull at the door, where a young man handed over his order with a slightly stunned expression on his face. After thanking the young man and closing the door quietly, Urs returned to the lounge, set the vase down in the middle of the coffee table and took a few moments to admire the picture before he sniffed and realised that Frank needed changing.

Once that job was done he stood with him in his arms and pointed to Franky's parents while he told him who they were. Frank's mouth opened in wide yawn, his eyes closed and he quickly fell asleep. Urs settled him down in the Moses basket once more, then returned to the kitchen to clean the bottle thoroughly and set in it the steriliser before he settled himself down on the couch on his stomach to watch his son sleeping. He reached into the basket and ran the back of fingers gently over the baby's cheek while he thought about what had happened just before he met Franky.

He remembered the talk he'd had with Carlos after his last phone call with Erika. He sighed as he recalled how he'd told his friend that he couldn't ever see himself finding a woman that loved him for who he was and not for the fame. He couldn't even picture himself getting married or having children. He'd had his heart broken too many times to even consider that he would find her someday. Carlos had told him that he was sure there was someone in the world who would show him what real, honest love meant and just a few weeks later he'd found everything he'd ever wanted in Franky.

His smile broadened quickly and he chuckled quietly to himself as he remembered their first meeting, how there hadn't even been a hint of recognition in her eyes just a look attraction that he'd returned. He remembered the look of complete shock he'd seen on her face when she'd seen him in her dressing-room at the rink. It still amazed him how quickly the two of them had become comfortable in each other's company and how he easily he'd been able to show her how he felt about her. He'd never held hands with any of his other girlfriends that quickly. It used to take him months to take that first step and much longer to make love to them. He didn't even have to think about doing it now, it was an automatic response and he loved the way she still shuddered whenever he touched her.

He continued to smile as he recalled all the good times they had shared, there were a lot of them filed away in the recesses of his mind and no time at all seemed to have past once he'd remembered them all.

He sat up quickly, shaking his head as thoughts of how he would react if she had been taken from him the way Karen had been from Carlos attempted to make their way to the fore. He took a couple of deep breaths on hearing Franky making her way back into their home. She looked directly at him and smiled broadly as she stepped into the lounge. He noticed she carried a large wicker basket filled to over-flowing with fresh fruit in her right hand and looked at her questioningly.

"A thank you from Carlos." Franky shrugged then watched Urs smile and nod.

"Has he made a decision?" Urs asked, wrapping his arms around her waist placing a gentle kiss on her lips and rocking her gently. A quick laugh escaped when he felt the familiar quick shake.

"Yeah, pending some checks that need to be made." Franky nodded. "A young woman by the name of Ria Fletcher. How's Frank been? What have you been up to?" She asked, breaking free of the hold Urs had on her and making her way over to where the baby slept.

"He's been great, slept all the way through my run." Urs shrugged as he stepped towards her and pulled her back into his arms. "I erm....I had the portrait hung too." He informed with a flick of his head in the right direction

Franky turned her attention to the chimney breast. Tears welled in her eyes and she found herself unable to speak while she admired the picture.

"Oh Urs I'm sorry. I didn't notice when I walked in. What a wonderful surprise to come home to. Thank you."

"It's ok." Urs shook his head and smiled once she'd released him from a very firm kiss. "Did you tell Carlos about show?" He asked, looking lovingly into her eyes.

"Yeah. He protested about the date until I told him we were both fine with it." Franky informed as she wrapped her arms around his neck and used the fingers of her right hand to remove the band that held his ponytail in place. "That's better." She smiled, moving her fingers through his curls then pulling him down into a very gentle kiss that quickly became firmer and much, much deeper.

"Missed me that much huh?" Franky teased, feeling his body begin to react to her presence

"Stop it!" Urs warned playfully. "Not that much really." He teased her back before kissing her again, gasping for his breath as he released her. "How much longer?"

"I've got my six week check up on Friday. We should be fine after that." Franky informed with a flirty grin.

"Good. Not that I'm complaining for one second about the way you've been taking care of my needs. It's just not fair that I can't......Mmmmn." Urs replied, pulling her close again, Franky replaying the kiss to silence him.

They only broke apart when they heard a happy gurgle coming from Frank's direction. Franky lifted him, cradled him in her arms and dropped a gentle kiss on his forehead before she made herself comfortable next to Urs. As she sat down, Franky noticed the flowers on the table and turned her head to look at Urs who smiled broadly and gave her a blinky wink.

"Why?" Franky asked with a smile.

"Just because." Urs smiled and shrugged. "Or do I need a reason to buy my wonderful wife flowers?" He whispered in her ear, making her shudder

"No. They're beautiful. Thank you." Franky smiled and shook her head after she'd given him quick kiss then proceeded to tell him about the interviews, that Carlos had insisted on taking everyone for a meal afterwards and that he'd ordered the taxi to pull up outside a florists on the way back and that was where he'd purchased the gift baskets for his three helpers.

Once she'd finished Urs told her that there was mail for her and smiled when she said she would take a look at it later as all she wanted to do for the rest of the day was to spend what remained of it with her two favourite men.

________________________

Well? How did it go?" Ria heard Mina questioning, flinging her front door open.

"Mina please give me chance to get through door before you start throwing questions at me." She asked through her giggles. "First things first, this is for you." She informed as she handed over a pink polker-dotted metal container filled with a selection of sweet smelling spa products.

"What's this for?"

"For persuading me to attend the interview. I don't think I would have had the nerve to go, but for your encouragement." Ria smiled after stepping close to her sister and giving her a brief, but very tight squeeze.

"Pfft!" Mina huffed in response. "Of course you would, but thank you anyway." She smiled while she ripped the plastic film from her gift.

Her smile broadened when she spotted a new pair of white slippers, a new fluffy towel, a rose-scented candle and various scrubs and lotions.

"Guess those are headed for the bin then?" Mina questioned Ria with a pout as she looked down to her feet and the novelty hedgehog slippers Mina's fiancée had bought her as a joke present the previous Christmas.

Ria nodded her affirmation with a wry smile while she looked at the ragged footwear Mina currently wore.

What had once been cream coloured faces on the hedgehogs, was now a dark brown, both the black noses were missing. The left ear had come off the left slipper and the right one had no ears at all. The once soft and furry fabric that covered Mina's feet now looked dull, flat and lifeless.

"Come on then tell me how it went?" Mina asked again as the two of them settled themselves at the kitchen table.

"It went very well I think." Ria nodded and smiled. "But it wasn't just Carlos that interviewed me, his mother and mother-in-law were there too and there was this really funny moment when I mentioned a time out zone. Carlos didn't know what that was, but his mother appeared to know what I meant. She gave him this look and said something in Spanish. I had to bite my tongue to stop myself from laughing when I saw the look on his face."

"You understood him all right?"

"Yeah, he stumbled over one word, but a quick translation from Franky Buhler soon sorted that out."

"She was there too?" Mina question with a stunned expression. "What's she like in person?"

"She didn't say much to me, I think she was just there in case Carlos needed a translator. They seem to get along really well, they're certainly very comfortable with each other. Did you know she speaks Spanish fluently?"

"How do you know that?"

"As the door opened I managed to catch quite a few words that passed between Carlos and her." Ria informed with shrug.

"Oh. Do you plan on learning Spanish if you get the job?"

"Yeah. I've already checked and there's an online course I could do." Ria nodded. "Or maybe I could be really cheeky and ask Franky for help." She giggled.

"She'd probably do it too." Mina nodded before heading out of the kitchen for a brief moment. "Letter for you." She informed, dropping a long narrow blue envelope onto the table in front of Ria.

Ria sighed heavily as she looked down at the re-directed letter. It had been sent to the agency and the address was written in a hand she knew very well.

"I'll read it later." She sighed again as her right thumb grazed over the New Zealand postage stamp.

"Like the other three you haven't, you mean?" Mina huffed.

Ria raised her head and glared hard at her sister. "Have you been snooping in my room?" She hissed nastilly.

"Nooo! I just went in there this morning to open the window and saw that they sat on your dressing-table unopened."

"I'm sorry Mina. I shouldn't snap at you like that, it's your house after all."

"It's ok. Why don't you read them Ria? I know you still love him no matter how much you try to deny it. Maybe he just wants to apologise."

"No I don't Mina." Ria informed firmly with a quick shake of her head and an audible swallow. "You didn't see the look in his eyes when he fired me, whatever he felt for me and I for him is gone and I don't wish to talk about it anymore. Ok?" She sniffed quickly.

"Ok." Mina sighed, nodding then shaking her head slowly in frustration. "Will you be going on tour with them if you get the job?"

"Yes, at least that's what Carlos said would be happening." Ria smiled. "Which reminds me, I'll have to renew my passport. It expires in couple of weeks."

"And if they tour in Australia or New Zealand?"

"Shouldn't be a problem." Ria shrugged. "Ri....Richard turning up at an Il Divo concert is as likely as Hell freezing over. It's just never going to happen Mimi." She shook her head as she lowered it to focus on the cup of strong tea that sat in front of her.

The two sat in silence which gave Ria the opportunity to think for a few moments. She knew her sister was right, she still loved Richard Archer and she always would, but she wasn't ever going to admit it. If she was offered the job she'd been interviewed for that morning, she wouldn't fall for her employer. He was a nice guy, but he just wasn't her type and it was too soon after his wife's death to even be thinking along those lines. No, she would be there to take care of the child and do a little housework, nothing more, nothing less.

She swallowed hard and closed her eyes tight to prevent sobs and tears making their escape while she thought about the smiles and gentle touches she and Richard had just begun to share, the wonderful dinner he'd treated her to for her last birthday, the gold bracelet he'd bought for that occasion and the diamond ear-studs she'd received for Christmas.

Then she remembered the look she'd seen in his eyes when he'd fired her. She'd only caught a quick glimpse of it as she left the room. It was a look that seemed to say that he was very disappointed, angry and sad at the same time. She knew full well how stubborn Richard Archer could be. When he'd said she was fired, he'd meant it and nothing she could have said or done would have changed his mind. From the moment she'd left his office until she'd settled herself into the taxi she'd seen nothing of him, though she had heard something smashing in his sanctuary as she made her way up to her room.

She'd wondered over the past few weeks whether he'd hired another nanny for the children she missed so terribly. She hoped he had, though knowing him as well as she did, she thought it would be an older woman this time. His lifestyle was so hectic the children needed someone to guide them down the right path. It wasn't that he didn't love his son and daughter, he did very much so and showed it all the time. He hugged them when they wanted a hug, talked to them, was always interested when they told him about things they were doing at school and attended almost every event they'd been involved in. He always asked how they'd filled their days when he wasn't around and if they ever became ill, he would immediately drop whatever he was doing and come home to make sure they were all right.

She sniffed loudly and remembered how she'd spent her first few nights back in England upstairs crying herself to sleep.

She remembered the long talks the two of them used to have on various subjects, that her favourite topic of conversation had been the care and breeding of racehorses. Whenever they got around to talking about the animals, it was like Richard suddenly became the man he used to be before his wife left him. Vibrant, alive and so animated it used to make her head spin listening to him. She loved each and every horse that her employer owned but the handsome, graceful and surprisingly gentle stallion, Diamond Knight, had been her favourite. She smiled when she remembered the one time she'd been allowed to ride the animal and how free she had felt as she galloped him around one circuit of a nearby track.

The sound of her mobile ringing brought Ria crashing back to earth and she pushed her thoughts and memories back into the recesses of her mind, where they would remain now, as she pulled the handset from her pocket. She looked at the screen and took a deep breath before she answered. She listened carefully and nodded to what she was told and as she hung up she blew out the breath she'd been holding. A smile slowly found its way across her lips and she raised her head to see Mina looking at her with a matching smile.

"You got it didn't you?" Mina questioned, jiggling up and down in her seat.

"Subject to the usual checks, yes I did." Ria grinned.

"No worries there then." Mina informed, reaching across the table to give her big sister a congratulatory hug.

Once she was released, Ria watched Mina head for the fridge. She opened the door and emerged from behind it with a piccolo sized bottle of champagne in her hand and big grin on her face.

"So when do I get to meet Seb?" Mina questioned with playfully raised eyebrows as she handed Ria a full glass of champagne.

"Ummmm.....How does never sound?" Ria teased through her giggles.

"Hate you." Mina pouted in response.

"I know you do."

The two cracked up laughing after that statement then made their way into the lounge to watch their favourite comedy movie on DVD. 'Ace Ventura - Pet Detective' had them both laughing long into the early evening. They laughed so hard during some scenes they just had to watch it twice.

'Is this really happening? Or is it just some fantastic dream?' Ria mused to herself as she snuggled herself under the covers of her bed that night. 'I hope it's real.' She repeated over and over again, clicking off the bedside light and slowly drifting off to sleep.

___________________________

Saturday morning

"David will you please sit down, you're making everyone dizzy with all your too-ing and fro-ing." Lauren commanded as she stood in front of him, stopping him dead in his tracks.

"But they're late Lolly....Lauren." David corrected himself quickly, remembering that he only used her nickname when he wanted to tease her. "We said ten and it's almost five past. God, I wish we could have done this a couple of days ago." He huffed.

"I can think of very good reason why they might be late." Emma informed through her giggles.

"Emma!" Lauren snorted as she turned her head to look at her.

"Well six weeks is a long time to wait." Emma shrugged then grinned. "And you know what Franky's like." She continued with a very quick eyebrow raise, which made Lauren crack up.

"Are you following this conversation?" David asked Sébastien with a confused expression on his face.

"Not one word of it." Sébastien replied with a shake of his head and a confused sideways glance to his laughing wife.

"Dios, you can be so slow sometimes David." Carlos informed while trying not to laugh himself. "Think about how old Frank is now, then maybe the pennies will start doing the dropping."

David raised his right hand and quickly calculated backwards, his brow furrowed slightly then it finally hit him and he blushed slightly as he sat down between to Carlos and Sébastien.

"O.....kay the pennies have dropped." He nodded, watching Emma whispering in Sébastien's ear.

He watched the Frenchman's face while he listened carefully to every word that Emma said. His own puzzled expression quickly becoming a broad smile.

The sound of more giggling filled the room for a few moments until everyone had to force themselves to regain their composures when they heard a car pulling up outside.

"You're late." David informed as Urs and Franky stepped into the room with Frank wide awake in his car seat.

"We erm....We had to change Frank just before we left the house." Urs informed through a quick cough while Franky smirked at his side.

"Yeah right. That's the first time I've heard 'it' called that." David exclaimed in a whisper, grinning at the slightly red-faced couple.

"We did." Urs shrugged then coughed a couple of times after hearing the word David emphasised.

Franky coughed a few times and reddened a little more then settled herself into the seat David had vacated when she and Urs had entered the room. Urs smiled and laughed quietly while he looked at her, then perched himself on the arm of the couch while David and Lauren headed for the kitchen to fetch refreshments.

Urs had set the car seat down just in front of Franky before he sat down and he watched as she undid the straps and lifted Frank out to lay him on her lap. He gave a little yawn and a big smile as he was given a gentle tickle under the chin.

"Something wrong?" Franky asked with a glance toward Carlos.

"No." Carlos smiled back. "I was just thinking about asking you something."

"What?"

"What are you planning to wear for the show?" Carlos asked with small sigh and a quick smile in her direction.

"I'm not sure yet." Franky's head shook slightly in response. "Depends if I can get into........"

"Would you consider wearing one of Karen's salsa dresses? I was thinking of the yellow one she never wore perhaps." Carlos questioned with a slightly broader smile.

Franky looked at him with a stunned expression on her face for a few seconds when Carlos added that he would like her to keep the dress. Urs watched her face while she searched Carlos's features then a gentle smile found its way across her lips when she realised he really wanted her to wear the dress.

"I'd be proud to wear it." Franky closed her eyes and nodded lightly as she spoke. "Hard day, yesterday?" She questioned quietly.

"Si." Carlos nodded quickly then swallowed hard. "But it was job that had to be done. I found so.......so many things I didn't even know she'd kept. I've put them in a box in the loft. Her art materials I gave to Stephanie and Gloria has arranged for most of Karen's salsa dresses to be put into storage in the hope that Carina wants them when she's older. Her climbing equipment, I have donated to the sports centre." He informed with tear-filled eyes.

"Most of her dresses?" Franky queried.

"Si, my sister wanted something to remember Karen by so I let her choose." Carlos nodded. "She took the pink and black one."

Carlos heard David and Lauren making their way back into the room and quickly turned his face in Urs's direction then wiped his eyes and nodded at the questioning look Urs gave him. He took a couple of deep breaths then turned back to face the others.

"So when does the nanny start work?" Lauren asked Carlos with smile while handing him a coffee.

"I've still got to sort those details out." Carlos shrugged. "I got the checks through this morning, she came through with flying colours. Come on David spill the beans, what's been bothering you?" He asked as he relaxed back into his seat and raised his head to meet the American's slightly anxious face.

"Erm.....My mother's asked us to go to Colorado for a few days." David informed with a shrug.

"Is that it?" Urs laughed. "I thought it was something serious."

"Of course you should go." Carlos shrugged.

"Absolutely." Sébastien nodded, lifting Frank from his mother's lap. He shrugged and smiled when she looked at him. "After all, it's not very often we get time to spend time with our families."

"No, No, No. You don't understand." David shouted, waving his hands about wildly. "All of us. She'd like everyone in this room to go."

"All of us?" Urs questioned. "Where will she put us all?"

"All of us." David nodded. "My father's had the old lodge at the back of the main house fixed up, there are nine bedrooms, plenty of room for everyone." He continued as he smiled and draped his right arm over Lauren's shoulder.

"When?" Sébastien asked after blowing out a long breath.

"For how long?" Urs queried.

"I was thinking we could leave a couple days after Franky's show at the rink. Do what we want, all together or go our separate ways. Come and go as we please. We have the time to spend a couple of weeks there before we're scheduled to start rehearsals for the tour."

"But wouldn't that mean we would be there over Thanksgiving?" Urs asked after a few moments thought.

"Yup!" David nodded. "Mom would be in her element having so many people to feed. She always cooks way too much." He informed, holding his stomach with his free hand.

Urs looked at Franky and quickly noticed that her tongue was firmly stuck in her cheek while she tried to avoid meeting his gaze.

'So that's the secret she's been keeping.' Urs mused to himself as he laughed quietly.

He'd known Franky was keeping something from him and that it involved David in some way. Every time he mentioned his name over the past few days she couldn't help but smirk. He'd asked her several times to tell him what the secret was only to be refused. He'd even resorted to tickling her until she cried to get the secret out of her. A quick smile found its way across his lips when he remembered what had happened after she'd refused to tell him last night.

The clock had informed that it was well past two in the morning by the time they'd finished making love after a six week wait. Thinking that it couldn't have gone on for that long he'd double-checked with his watch and they'd both giggled when they realised the clock was right. He coughed to stifle a laugh as he recalled what had happened in the shower that morning and by how long it had delayed them.

Knowing that everyone knew how he was about arriving for meetings and the like on time, he suspected they would take every opportunity they could find to make a joke about his lateness this morning. He wasn't bothered, they could make all the jokes they liked.

Urs and Franky's faces met and he knew from the look in her eyes she wanted go to Colorado. When they'd gone over for David and Lauren's ruined wedding, he'd told her that he wouldn't mind going back sometime to see what the skiing was like and to teach her. She'd fallen in love with the place, almost as much as she had with his home town.

"We're in." Urs nodded and smiled.

Sébastien looked at Emma and soon realised she'd known of David's mother's plans prior to this meeting when she started whistling and avoiding his look. He grabbed her attention and looked at her questioningly then realised she really wanted to go. The last time they'd been to David's home town she had said that she wouldn't mind spending some time there and her leg would be healed by the time David had indicated.

"Us too." Sébastien smiled as he nodded.

All eyes turned to eyes turned to Carlos who sat scanning their faces.

"All right." He nodded. "I'll go too, but don't be expecting me to be doing the skiing thing." He informed with a loud laugh and faked shiver with his arms wrapped around his torso.

"We'll see." David laughed in response while Carlos shook his head.

With their decisions made, David called his mother and smiled broadly while he told his mother that everyone would be coming over. He laughed when he heard her whooping with delight at the other end of the line before she launched into making a list of what she needed to do.

After hanging up he returned to the room to find that Stephanie had come in from playing with Rex in the garden and watched as everyone made a fuss of the puppy.

"What breed is he?" Sébastien questioned.

"Great Dane." Lauren giggled.

"That's a big dog!" Franky exclaimed loudly.

"Could you picture him taking a Yorky for a walk?" Lauren questioned in response with a flick of her head towards David.

"Well since you ask........" Franky smiled, looking David up and down. "No, that would look ridiculous."

"I don't know....." Carlos began through his giggles. "I think it would look quite sweet." He informed just before a cushion caught him full in the face.

Everyone stopped laughing as the cushion dropped into Carlos's lap. David stood with a worried look on his face, biting his lower lip while he watched Carlos's face.

"Oh Dios! What a mental picture." Carlos said as he held his sides and cracked up laughing. "David walking a long haired rat. Dios!"

David stuck out his bottom lip and folded his arms across with a loud huff as everyone in the room started laughing again. By the time they stopped, tears of laughter were rolling down almost everyone's face. Only Stephanie's cheeks remained dry as she left the room looking at everyone as though they'd gone crazy with Rex following close behind.

Six weeks later

"Settled in well hasn't she?" Urs questioned quietly while he took his seat next to Carlos in their private box above the rink.

"Ria, you mean?" Carlos asked as the two of them turned their heads to where the nanny sat cradling Carina in her arms. "Si she has. I especially like how she hasn't taken over completely, how she lets me do things for Carina. We made the best choice I think. I just wish she would stop calling me Senor Marin, makes me sound old." He informed through a huffed laugh as he slowly turned his head back to take a quick look at the rapidly filling rink.

"You are old." David teased which earned him a quick dig in the ribs from the Spaniard as he sat down. "Ow!"

"Have you noticed how sad she looks sometimes?" Sébastien questioned in whisper as he sat beside Urs. "Emma has."

"So has Franky." Urs whispered.

"And Lauren." David nodded.

"I've noticed too." Carlos nodded as he joined the huddle. "She doesn't seem to like talking about her previous employer."

"You don't think she was in love with him do you?" Sébastien queried while he looked towards Emma who had occupied herself with looking after Frank.

"Was and still is I think." Carlos nodded with raised eyebrows. "Anyway it's really none of our business so let's stop with the whispering before she sees us huddled up like this and becomes uncomfortable." He commanded has he sat back in his chair and turned his head towards Ria who sat watching the rink in eager anticipation of what they were about to see. "What did Franky think of her birthday present?"

"Loved him." Urs smiled as he nodded. "She can't wait to ride him, but wants to give him a couple of weeks to settle in at the stables."

"What did you get each other for your anniversary?" David queried.

"I gave her that statue she's been looking at for the hallway. A copy of Rodin's 'The Kiss'. She got me these." Urs informed as he pulled his jacket sleeve up a little to show them the ruby and diamond cufflinks Franky had given him that morning.

David, Carlos and Sébastien all let out long slow whistles when they saw the fourteen carat gold cuff links set with a row of rubies on the top and bottom of the oblong shaped cufflinks. Sixteen diamonds were set in two rows in the space between the rubies.

"When does work start on your house Carlos?" Sébastien asked as he, David and Carlos sat back in their chairs.

"They start digging the erm......foundations on Monday. Glad I won't be around." Carlos whispered in response just before Lauren began to speak over the PA system.

A hush fell across the audience as Lauren told them that they were there tonight to celebrate Karen's life, not to mourn her passing and to raise money for her favourite charity. So far almost twenty thousand pounds had been raised with more coming in every minute. She also asked that if a performer requested hands to be clapped then they should not feel uncomfortable about doing so. With that statement out of the way Lauren introduced the first performers and everyone cheered as three very young female skaters made their way onto the ice to dance to Judy Garland's version of 'Somewhere Over The Rainbow'.

Two of the three made a couple of small mistakes, but ignored their errors and completed their dance with big smiles on their faces.

"Please tell me what Franky's dancing to." Carlos demanded of Urs as they applauded.

"No." Urs smiled and shook his head. "She'll kick my ass if I do. You'll just have to wait and see like the rest of us."

Carlos stuck his tongue out at Urs as Lauren introduced the next set of performers who would dance to Queen's 'We Will Rock You'. He smiled as he watched five young men take to the ice and the music started. He remembered how he'd walked into the house one day to find Karen dancing along to the tune in their bedroom wearing nothing but her underwear and what had happened afterwards.

Following that various other uplifting songs were heard and different standards of skaters performed. Harmony was due to skate just before Franky and it seemed no time at all had past before the little girl appeared in the middle of the rink to 'What A Wonderful World' by Louis Armstrong. That song too held special memories of Karen for Carlos as it had been one that they'd slowed danced to while on honeymoon. He smiled as he remembered the love he'd seen in her eyes while they danced.

Harmony performed almost faultlessly only stumbling once and that was because she was still a little weak from a cold she'd suffered the week before. Franky had tried to tell her that she didn't have to perform only to be told by the girl that she had been asked to perform and that was exactly what she was going to do.

Harmony left the ice and the lights went down again as Lauren began to speak once again, this time her voice cracked a little and everyone in attendance heard her sniff quickly while she spoke.

"And so ladies and gentleman we come to our final performer tonight. Like myself and another close personal friend, she had the privilege of calling Karen 'sister'. Please......" Lauren paused to compose herself. "Please welcome on to the ice, Mrs Franky Buhler."

The lights were turned back on in one huge flash and everyone in the audience rose to their feet and clapped loudly when they saw Franky already standing in the middle of the ice. She stood bolt upright, arms by her side, dressed in the yellow salsa dress that Carlos had asked her to wear. A gentle smile graced her face as she raised her head slightly to face the booth where Carlos and the others were seated.

Everyone in the booth watched as Franky did a half turn on the ice and raised her left arm gracefully. As she did so, a small explosion went off behind her and a large canvas dropped down just above the entrance to the ice. A picture of Karen's smiling face filled the canvas and the audience gasped then clapped once more, this time a little quieter and for a longer than they had when Lauren had introduced Franky.

Franky turned back to her original position, raised her head skyward and mouthed something.

"What did she say?" Carlos asked Urs with a broad smile on his face.

"This one's for you Karen." Urs smiled as he watched Franky lower her head to give a gentle nod that she was ready to begin.

"That was one of Karen's favourite songs to dance to." Carlos informed when he heard the sounds of Abba's 'Dancing Queen' filling the arena.

He watched as Franky remained on the spot slowly swinging her hips in time to the music, the fringing of the dress swaying back and forth with her as the first two lines of the song were heard

'You can dance, you can jive, having the time of your life
See that girl, watch that scene, dig in the Dancing Queen'

Following those words, Franky started to move gracefully across the ice bouncing her body in time to the beat while performing a complicated-looking series of moves.

'Friday night and the lights are low
Looking out for the place to go
Where they play the right music, getting in the swing
You come in to look for a king
Anybody could be that guy
Night is young and the music's high
With a bit of rock music, everything is fine
You're in the mood for a dance
And when you get the chance...'

Franky stopped at one end of the rink and smiled as she ripped off a move from 'Saturday Night Fever'. The one where the lead character, Tony Manero, shakes his hips while one hand points to his hips then skyward.

'You are the Dancing Queen, young and sweet, only seventeen
Dancing Queen, feel the beat from the tambourine
You can dance, you can jive, having the time of your life
See that girl, watch that scene, dig in the Dancing Queen'

"Ahhh! Fantastic. Karen loved that movie and that move." Carlos exclaimed with a giggle and quick clap after Franky had performed the move.

Franky moved across the ice in almost the same way, this time putting a few jumps and spins as she went as the next verse played.

'You're a teaser, you turn 'em on
Leave them burning and then you're gone
Looking out for another, anyone will do
You're in the mood for a dance
And when you get the chance...'

She performed the same move as before, this time at the opposite end of the rink, to give the audience at that end a good view of what the people at the other end had seen. She smiled broadly and gave a little shoulder shrug before she moved off again

'You are the Dancing Queen, young and sweet, only seventeen
Dancing Queen, feel the beat from the tambourine
You can dance, you can jive, having the time of your life
See that girl, watch that scene, dig in the Dancing Queen'

As the music faded, Franky span in the middle of the ice in graceful lay-back spin while the lights went out one by one.

"That was wonderful." Carlos heard Gloria exclaiming from just behind his left shoulder.

"Magnifco." His parents pronounced just behind his right.

"Absolutely fantastic." Carlos nodded then swallowed hard as everyone stood to applaud the performance. "Did you get all David?" He asked as he turned his head in his direction.

"Every second of it." David beamed, keeping his eyes focused on the screen of his new video camera.

The lights went up again as everyone returned their focus to the rink to see all the skaters that had performed that night standing on the ice and giving appreciative bows or courtsies.

After a few moments all the skaters, bar Franky and Harmony, left the ice and the audience watched in silence as Harmony skated towards the entrance, carefully took hold of a large, thick, already lit candle and a single pink carnation from Lauren and concentrated hard as she skated back to Franky. Both items were handed over and a teary-eyed Franky dropped to one knee, placed the candle in the very centre of the rink and set the carnation down in front of it before she stood again and bowed her head for a moment.

Franky allowed her tears to fall as she started to skate slowly backwards towards the entrance, the lights went down for the last time, leaving only one narrow soft yellow beam of light focused on the candle.

"A fitting tribute to a wonderful woman." Carlos smiled and nodded while he and everyone else in the booth kept their tear-filled eyes focused on the rink.

_______________________

Monday morning

"Well Maddox old son, here we are." Maddox Cunningham smiled to himself as he placed the box filled with his framed certificates and his name plate on the modern desk.

He took a quick look around his office and quickly alighted on the shelves filled with up-to-date medical textbooks. A stack of magazines sat on the window sill with a model of the human anatomy atop it. A slight turn of his head brought his attention to the computer that was already switched on and waiting for him. A stack of patients's notes sat just to the left of the screen. He would have a look those once he'd taken in the grandeur of his surroundings.

His office was huge in comparision to the one he'd had at the last hospital he'd worked at. As he'd entered the room he'd been surprised to see the amount of furniture that it contained. His computer desk was mahogany in colour, L-shaped and it had been placed in front of the window that looked out on to the hospital's concealed garden. A top of the line office chair sat waiting for him to take a seat, three comfy-looking easy chairs sat opposite that.

A black overstuffed couch sat against the wall nearest the door and in front of that had been placed a long narrow coffee table. Facing the couch on the opposite wall stood more book shelves, this time empty waiting for books or ornaments to placed there. He looked up to the ceiling and smiled when he saw that the room still retained its original features. The Victorian ceiling rose and cornicing gave the room a little more oppulancy than it would have had without them.

He lowered his eyes back to his box, removed the nameplate and set it down on the desk. The box was then placed on the floor and pushed under the desk. He would hang the certificates up when he had some free time.

"Yep. Very not bad for a council estate brat." He giggled to himself as he straigtened his tie then sat down at the desk.

He picked up the pile of patients's notes and took a look at the most recent test results. He smiled at the first set he saw. The little boys test showed he was in remission at last. He frowned deeper and deeper over the next three when those test showed cancer cells were still present and those patients would have to undergo more therapy. He lowered his head when he saw a form attached to the next file which informed that the patient had died overnight.

"Twenty-five is no age to die." He sighed heavily and shook his head.

He put that file to one side and looked at the name on the last set of notes.

"I know that name." He nodded and allowed his eyes to narrow while he thought back in time. "Hmm. Jamie Strawson. That was the name of the girl that used to pick on Angie when we were all at school together." He nodded again while he turned the gold wedding band around his finger.

He looked at the test results and huffed lightly while he contemplated whether he should lie or tell her the truth.

"No. I'll tell her the truth, lying would cost me my job and Angie would kick my butt to the moon and back."

He put the files back into the order he was to see his patients then stood and made his way to the door. As he crossed the threshold, a pretty young nurse smiled at him and he smiled warmly back at her. He caught sight of himself in the corridor window and nodded when he saw how smart he looked today. Crisp white shirt perfectly ironed by Angie and chocolate coloured tie to match his trousers. His long, blonde hair scraped back into a small ponytail and neatly trimmed goatee beard. His bright blue eyes sparkling behind the fashionable glasses his wife of ten years had insisted he had.

He turned then made his way down the corridor to the hospital's oncology centre where he spoke to the parents of his first patient after introducing himself as the new Oncology Consultant, his colleague and predessor having left to return to Germany. He smiled warmly again as he informed them that their seven year son was in remission and could go home later that day.

He accepted the thank yous, hugs and handshakes the couple gave him even though he'd played no part in their son's treatment. He smiled as he left the room then made his way to the next. Telling the next three patients they would need further treatment was hard, but he managed to remain calm and professional while talking to the young mother, the middle-aged man and the teenaged girl.

After leaving the last room, he stood with his back pressed against the wall and closed his eyes as he raised his head and took a few deep breaths to compose himself. He turned left and sighed heavily when he saw the stripped and empty bed of the patient that had died. A little further on he came to the room of his last patient and his eyes flew wide when he saw two large uniformed men standing outside the door.

His eyebrows raised and he tried to think of why those men could be there while they eyed him up and down and checked his identity badge before they would allow him to pass. Once inside he took a good look at the woman that lay in the bed and swallowed quickly when he saw that she was handcuffed to the bed and another guard sat on her right side.

"What do you want?" He heard the woman in the bed hissing as she sat up, the handcuff clanking against the metal frame of the bed as she did so.

He pondered for a few seconds why she was chained to the bed, then decided it was really none of his business, his only job was to treat his patients, not to get personally or emotionally involved with them.

He took a few moments to look at her and breathed deep when he realised that Angie was right. Jamie Strawson was indeed beautiful, though a little on the skinny side and without her hair. He put her thiness down to the treatment she'd been having and assumed she would be back to her normal weight in weeks. Then he remembered what Angie had said and looked her directly in the eyes. Angie had been right about those eyes, cognac-coloured, souless, unfeeling eyes glared back at him.

"Well. What do you want?" Jamie snapped then licked her dry lips.

Maddox took a deep breath and held himself erect as he stood at the bottom of the bed and glared at Jamie before he spoke.

"To tell you that the treatment has worked, your latest test results show that you're in remission Miss Strawson."

"I'm cured." Jamie asked with the slightest of smiles.

"Basically yes, but there is always a chance the leukeamia could come back." Maddox nodded.

"So there's no need for a bone marrow transplant after all?" Jamie smirked as she let her eyes wonder admiringly up and down the doctor's body.

"Not at this time, No." He replied, his voice and manner remaining stoic as he completely ignored the fact that his patient was flirting with him. "We'll remove the drug port later today and you'll be free to go back to erm..........Dalkeith prison." He informed with a barely concealed grunted laugh at the end.

He stood stock still and waited for her reaction to the news he'd just delivered. Normally when he told his patients good news they would at least smile. Others would cry tears of happiness, thank him profusely and hug everyone in the room. From Jamie there came nothing but a loudly grunted Pfft!.

"Is that it?" She asked with a glance towards him, her eyes still cold and unfeeling.

"That's it." Maddox closed his eyes and nodded lightly in response.

"Good. You can go now." Jamie huffed and turned away from him with a loud grunt.

"Is there some sort of problem?"

"Just get out!" Jamie yelled loudly before she hissed something he didn't hear under her breath.

"Very well. Good day Miss Strawson." He nodded as he picked her notes up in his left hand, making sure she could see the ring on his finger as he did so.

Maddox turned and left the room without giving his patient his customary good luck wish. A chill ran down his spine as the door closed behind him. He shuddered quickly then made his way back to his office to update his computer. Before doing so, he fished around in his box, pulled out the CD Alice had asked him to listen to and frowned slightly when he saw the four Armani clad men on the front cover. He listened carefully while he typed, that was one of the things he liked to do. Listen to music while he typed. He paused for a moment when he heard the strains of a song he'd heard Angie humming that morning and nodded. He had to admit, he quite liked it.

Taking a pen in his hand and finding a noteblock he wrote a reminder to himself.

Check 'Il Divo - ?Tour - ?Tickets'

He carefully removed the sheet from the block, folded in half and pushed it into the back pocket of his trousers as he checked his watch.

"Time to go and meet my special lady for lunch." He smiled as he stood and left the office once more.

__________________

"I don't care how cold it is out there. Out." Franky commanded with a giggle as she finally pushed Carlos out of the hire car office. "We're not coming out until you four have decided who's driving." She informed before she closed the door and turned round to face the other three women.

"It's like listening to four year olds arguing over who's going to get the last lollipop." Lauren giggled as all of them watched and listened to David, Urs, Carlos and Sébastien debating rather loudly who was going to drive the Mazda MPVs.

They'd all agreed that David should drive one because he knew the way to his home like the back of his hand. It was who was going to drive the second one that they were arguing about.

"I think Urs should drive." David nodded. "You barely know what the brakes are for Seb."

"Ha Ha!" Sébastien retorted then stuck his tongue out quickly.

"I don't care who drives. I just want to be somewhere WARM." Carlos informed loudly while hugging himself even though he was well bundled up against the cold Denver air.

He grumbled quietly as he remembered what he'd done in the plane's bathroom fifteen minutes before they landed. He'd grabbed his carry-on bag from the overhead locker hoping that no-one had seen him. He'd lowered his head to see Urs looking at him questioningly before he made his way to the bathroom, where he'd slipped another t-shirt under his thick jumper and removed his boots to put a thick pair of socks on. By the time he'd finished and returned to his seat everyone, bar Stephanie and the babies were wide awake and wondering what he'd been up to. After making their way through the airport he'd shrugged on a thick padded jacket and zipped it all the way up. Dressed as he was he still felt cold.

"Should've bought those thermals." Urs teased while Carlos blew on his hands and rubbed them together in an attempt to get them warm.

Before he could make his reply they heard David's voice again.

"Oh for God's sake it'll be midnight before we get there at this rate." He grumbled while he fished around in the right pocket of his jeans. He pulled an English coin out and gathered the other three around him.

"Urs and Seb. Heads or tails?"

"Heads." Sébastien replied quickly just before David tossed the coin into the air.

"Ha! It's tails. That's you out." David teased while Sébastien grumbled something in French.

"Urs can drive." Carlos informed before David could flip the coin again. "I just need to be somewhere warm." He reiterated

"Finally." Urs sighed as he snatched the keys from David's left hand and unlocked the vehicle.

All the luggage was loaded before it was decided who would travel with who. David, Lauren, Stephanie, Carlos, Ria and Carina made themselves comfortable in the first vehicle. Urs, Franky, Sébastien, Emma and Frank were soon settled into the second.

"How high do you think Carlos is going to have the heating in there?" Urs asked Franky with smirk as he started the car and dropped it into gear.

"Very, judging by what I can see Ria doing." Franky replied with a nod towards the car in front.

She could just see the nanny struggling to get her thick brown jacket off while keeping the seatbelt on.

"You really like her don't you?" Urs questioned Franky while he checked that it was clear to move off.

"Yeah I do."

"So do I." Emma informed from the seat behind. "Did you ask David what sort of things we can do to pass the time while we're here Franky?"

"Yeah. And I've already got a few ideas what I would like to do." Franky nodded. "I just wish I'd had the time to find out what the hell 'Spelunking' is."

"Spe....what?" Sébastien giggled.

"Spelunking." Franky nodded. "I asked David and he said he would explain on the flight. I just forgot to ask him again."

"I'm not sure I want to know." Emma informed. "It sounds vaguely rude to me." She giggled.

"Emma! Get your mind out of the gutter for a few moments." Franky laughed. "There are children present and I don't mean Frank." She reminded with a turn of her head over her shoulder to look at Sébastien who sat sulking a little because he wasn't driving.

"What is this? Pick on Seb day!" He pouted playfully in reply.

"Seb likes my mind in the gutter, don't you hun?" Emma teased as she reached over Frank's car seat and gave the left cheek of Sébastien's face a quick pinch.

Sébastien blushed bright red as he raised he eyes to the rearview mirror where he saw Urs giggling.

"So besides Spe....whatever, what is there to do where we're going?" He asked through his laughter.

"Erm....According to David there's a good choice." Franky replied. "Golf, tennis, amusement park, shopping, sightseeing, all sorts of restaurants, rafting, kayaking, sailing, boating, waterskiing, swimming, biking, mountain biking, cross-country skiing, downhill and alpine skiing, snowboarding, snowmobiling, sledding, wildlife viewing, hiking, fishing, hunting, rock climbing." Franky grinned as the last two words left her lips then turned her face towards Urs before she continued. "There's also a gym," She paused to watch the expression on Urs's face. He turned his head and shot a her a quick grin of his own. "Then there's the beauty spa, racquetball, basketball court, antique shops, cinema, live theatre, museums, miniature golf, horseback riding and hot air ballooning."

"Phew! We're not going to be able to complain that we're bored then?" Sébastien asked as he sat back after leaning forward to listen to Franky rattle off the list.

"Nope." Franky smiled and shook her head before turning her attention to Frank who grizzled a little in his car seat.

"He's just a little too warm I think." Emma reassured as she checked the little boy over. "His cheeks are quite pink. Seb open your window a little to let some fresh air in."

"Fresh air! More like an ice blast from the Arctic." Sébastien grumbled while he did as Emma asked then snuggled himself deeper into his seat.

Frank settled down quickly on feeling the cooling breeze hit his face. He yawned then gave a big smile in Emma's direction while she fussed over him. He gurlged happily for almost half an hour, making everyone in the car smile and laugh as he did so, before he gave another yawn and drifted back off to sleep again.

Sébastien looked at Emma and sighed when he noticed her quickly knocking some tears off her cheeks. Even though she'd only been a few weeks pregnant, he knew that losing their child had had a profound effect on her. He sighed heavily and closed his eyes lightly as he remembered how hard they'd both cried when the news had been delivered. Before she'd left hospital he'd been warned by one the older nurses to expect to find her crying sometimes, especially if she was around very young babies.

The nurse had been exactly right and he swallowed hard as he recalled the times he had woken to find her crying while she held him tight. He knew she was still grieving and never told her to shut up when she wanted to talk, he would just let her do what she wanted to do, be it crying or venting her anger about the way the miscarriage had happened and he'd never said that she would soon forget about it once they did have a child of their own. He thought that it would be the wrong thing to say, that it would upset her even more.

"Are you ok?" He asked as he opened his eyes and reached over Frank to hold her hand.

Emma turned to face him, pulled her lips into a straight-lipped smile and nodded when she felt the comforting squeeze he offered.

The two spent the remainder of the journey sitting that way only turning their faces away from each other to look at the wonderful scenery that accompanied them.

Tall, snow capped mountains skirted by pine trees reaching majestically to the heavens. Wide expanses of flat ground covered with a light coating of snow. Red-looking cliffs and rocks rising beyond similarly coloured trees, giving those areas a touch of warmth even on the coldest days.

Before they knew it Urs was pulling the MPV into the driveway of David's family home, driving carefully around the side of the main house to pull up outside the restored lodge.

"Wow! I know David said his father had had the place fixed up, but that's some fixing up." Urs exclaimed, nodding towards the renewed wooden building.

"Someone has been busy." Franky nodded, unclipping her seatbelt. "Do you remember what it looked like the last time we were here?"

"Oui. One good wind and the whole lot would have been gone." Sébastien nodded as he leaned forward to get a better look.

"It's amazing." Emma nodded in agreement as she tapped Franky on the shoulder and pointed to David's mother who had come out of the lodge to greet them all.

Front doors were swung open and rear doors were slid back almost as one and once everyone bar the babies had stepped from the vehicles, they watched as a very warm looking David gave his mother a hug. Quick greetings were exchanged in various manners, the babies car seats were removed and everyone made their way into the lodge.

"He's with you when we leave." David informed Urs with a quick nod towards Carlos. "Do you have a clue how high he wanted the heating? Just look at me. I feel like been driving a mobile sweatbox."

"You look like you have too." Urs informed through a grunted laugh as they crossed the threshold together.

"I knew it." David laughed while he raked his fingers through his slightly damp hair and nodded towards where his mother was making a fuss over Frank and Carina. "We're working on it." He informed when he saw the questioning look she gave him.

"Actually we're not, not anymore." Lauren whispered as close to his ear as she could get.

David's head snapped round and down to face Lauren's. "What's that supposed to mean? I thought you wanted to have more....."

"Oh David. You're hysterical sometimes." Lauren giggled as she took hold of his hand and pulled him back outside. "That call I got while you were driving was from my doctor." She smiled as they stood on the wraparound porch. "I'm pregnant David, about three weeks."

"But I thought we were.....after the tour you said." He queried once Lauren's words had finally hit home.

"You're not happy about it?" She replied with a frown.

"Of...Of...Of course I'm happy about it." He replied as he pulled her into his arms and lifted her of the floor before he kissed her gently. "But how....? I mean I know how. I know very well how. But how can you be pregnant, you're on the pill?"

Lauren rolled head on her neck then sighed in an exasperated fashion before she spoke.

"Don't you remember me telling you that my doctor took me off it because I've been taking it for so long? That's why we've been using condoms and there.... was those two nights when we didn't and so......."

"Oh...yeah. I remember." David grinned. "Does anyone else know?"

"No." Lauren shook her head. "Except for my mother and I swore her to secrecy until I had it confirmed. I suppose I'd better call her huh?" She asked as she pulled her mobile from her pocket and searched for the number she wanted.

Lauren smiled while she delivered the news her mother and huffed a quick laugh when she heard her crying. She closed the phone then looked to David with a concerned look on her face.

"Emma?" David queried with a quiet sigh while Lauren nodded. "It's ok. I'm sure she'll be happy for us." He smiled as he wiped a tear from her cheek. "Come on, let's go and tell them." He asked as he took hold of her left hand and pulled her back into the lodge.

All eyes turned to face them as the door banged shut behind David. Lauren took a deep breath then told them the news without smiling.

To her surprise the first person to vocalise their congratulations was a smiling Emma while Stephanie danced joyfully around the room and David's mother sniffed.

Tuesday

"Uh-oh I think someone's got out of the wrong side of the bed this morning." Emma exclaimed as she, Franky and Ria watched Lauren storming through the lounge in the direction of the lodge's kitchen.

"I'll go and find out what's wrong." Franky nodded as she stood with Frank in her arms, having just finished nursing him.

"Here, give him to me." Emma smiled and held her arms up, offering to look after the baby.

"He needs changing."

"I know." Emma giggled and wrinkled her nose as Frank was placed into her arms. "I'll sort him out, you go and see to Lauren."

Franky laughed as she stroked a hand over Frank's head then turned and headed for the kitchen where she found Lauren slamming cups onto the countertop.

"I think David's mother would appreciate having some crockery left by the time we leave." She stated as she took hold of Lauren's hand and made her lower the cup she held gently to the counter. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing." Lauren snapped and turned away sharply.

"Lauren." Franky sighed, folded her arms gently across her chest and watched Lauren snatch the fridge door open.

Lauren turned to face and sighed heavily when she saw the look on her friend's face. A look that seemed to say 'Ok grumpyguts, out with it. You're not leaving this room until you do.'

"It's David." Lauren huffed as she finally tied the belt of her robe.

"What about him? He's still happy you're pregnant isn't he?"

"Ecstatic." Lauren nodded. "It's just.....It's just what he said when we woke up this morning."

"Which was?" Franky queried with raised eyebrows.

"He's decided we're going to hire a nanny for our baby. Wouldn't listen to my objections." Lauren huffed and shook her head. "I've already missed out on watching one child grow up, I'm not going to do it again, Franky. No way. No way I'm having a nanny or au pair."

"Did he give a reason for wanting one?"

Lauren closed her eyes and nodded lightly before replying.

"He's worried that I'm going to suffer from post natal depression again and I can understand that. It was different when I had Stephanie though, Franky. I was miles away from my family and friends, I had Nick's mother on my back twenty-four seven, telling me I wasn't good enough for her son, telling me I was doing everything wrong. She really ground me down. You know how bad I was when I came home."

"Yeah I remember." Franky nodded.

"I tried to tell him that I probably wouldn't be like that again. I have family and friends who would support me, friends who know what to look out for. He just wouldn't listen to me, so I left him in bed and came down here to cool off." Lauren sighed heavily. "I know he only suggested it because he cares, but he should listen to what I think as well. Shouldn't he?"

"Of course he should." Franky nodded. "But so should you Lauren."

"What's that supposed to mean? I do listen to wha......"

"For instance, are you planning on being a stay at home mum or going back to work?"

"I'm not sure yet." Lauren shook her head. "I do love my job and I can't see myself giving it up at the moment, but that could change over the next few months."

"So let's say you do decide to go back to work. Who's going to look after the baby? You won't be able to take it with you, will you now? There are no creche facilities at the rink, so it means you either give up your job, put the baby with a childminder or do what David wants, doesn't it?"

Lauren blew out a long breath while she thought about what Franky had just said. She really didn't want to give up her job, but quickly realised that someone would have to take care of the baby while she was at work. She thought about asking her mother for a few moments then decided that, as much as her mother would love to do to take care of her grandson or grandaughter, it wouldn't be fair. Her father had just retired and her mother was due to retire in the new year, they'd already made plans to see the world, something they had planned on doing for years and it would be unfair to ask them to give up their dreams. Babysitting now and again would be ok though.

"You're right." Lauren nodded. "Guess, I wasn't thinking straight and........" She paused to smile and shrug. "...flew off the handle again."

A quick cough from the doorway caught both Lauren's and Franky's attention and they turned their heads to see David standing there looking a little sheepish as he looked at both women.

"I'm sorry Lauren."

"No, I'm sorry. Shouldn't have gone off like that." Lauren smiled.

"No, but I should have listened to what you had to say rather than behaving like a dictator." He apologised with a quick smile and a shrug.

"Yes you should." Lauren nodded and closed her eyes while Franky busied herself with filling the coffee maker. "You willing to listen now?"

David nodded and the two moved to sit at the large wooden table that stood in the room.

"Ok. I agree we should hire an au pair or put the baby in a nursery if, and only if, I decide to go back to work after it's born. I missed out on so much with Stephanie that I don't want him or her being completely raised by someone else."

"What if you suffer from post natal depression again? Who's going to help then? You know what most of next year's schedule is like." David protested.

"David, I won't be alone this time. I won't have a witch on my back putting me down all the time and I'll have my friends to keep an eye on me." Lauren reminded with a quick glance toward Franky who appeared to be ignoring the conversation the two were having. "She wouldn't let me get in that state ever again."

David sat back in his chair, folded his arms and looked at Franky while he remembered the conversation the two of them had had about how bad Lauren had been when she'd returned to town. How she'd walked around in a daze most of the time, not bothering to get showered or dressed most days. The times Franky had caught her staring out of the lounge window with tears streaming down her face. How she'd helped Lauren get her life back together even though she hadn't known why she was so depressed. How she'd told him that she would always be there for the woman she considered her sister.

"Ok." David nodded. "We'll only hire an au pair or put the baby in a nursery 'if' you decide to go back to work." He smiled as he reached over the table and placed his left hand on top of Lauren's right. "I'm sorry."

"It's ok." Lauren smiled as she stood and moved around the table to sit on David's knee. "So are we still going into town with your parents?" She questioned with a smile after placing a gentle kiss on his lips.

"Well I was kind of thinking we could........" He beamed in reply.

"David!" Lauren blushed when she caught the suggestive look he was giving her.

David laughed out loud as Urs came into the kitchen, sneaked up behind Franky and wrapped his arms around her waist from behind.

"What's that smirk for?" Franky questioned David as she turned round to face Urs.

"Nothing." David shook his head and gave her his usual smile.

"Oh my God, you didn't?!" Urs gulped and flushed bright red quickly realising that David and Lauren had heard himself and Franky making love the night before.

"We all did. I'll give you two one thing." David grinned and nodded slowly as he and Lauren stood to leave the kitchen. "You've both got stamina." He teased with quickly raised eyebrows before Lauren yanked him across the threshold.

"Damn! I still don't know what Spelunking is." Franky exclaimed to a very red faced Urs through her giggles after the couple had left.

_________________