* UNREQUITTED LOVES * (MIA)

The rest of their time in Geneva was quiet but busy…they toured the city and Mia sketched some of the interesting buildings in Old Town while Urs explained some of the history. She was fascinated by the way residents embraced the winter season, rather than bemoaning the cold and, today, ice. During the night there had been a freezing rain which coated and everything, except for the streets, was left as a glossy, thick coating that made the city look surreal. Hoses had been employed to add to the thickness of such things as benches that became ice seats and statues that took on another look entirely with their heavy coats of rime.

Urs pointed out what the Genovese called ‘Prisoner Trees’ for some unknown reason, every branch sparkling with a thin sheen of crystals. They walked along the waterfront amid the hundreds of tourists taking photos of the yachts and smaller boats that now looked like ice sculptures, shared hot ciders from a cart at quayside and eventually wandered back to the condo, tired, cold, content and laden with copies of the world and local papers from the kiosk near the Grand.

Urs poured over the articles on the Command Performance…all good, all with accompanying photos, one even with Mia in the background, and all with interviews with some of the attending dignitaries.

For the next few hours he was kept busy on the phone, answering calls from friends and cast members who had read the news releases and called to share their exhuberation.

Mia had changed into a long green robe and curled up as far as her tummy would allow on the leather sofa in the Lounge, totally immersed in a Geneva guide book that Urs had found for her in the library. When he had finally had enough of the same phone calls again and again, he disconnected the ringer and flopped in a chair near her, silently watching for a few minutes until she raised her head to glance at him.

“You look like you’re planning a tour for the spring…you want to see everything…Right?”

She chuckled and nodded.

“Right…but why do we have to wait until Spring? Most of these places claim to be open year round…we could do some tomorrow ...that is if you aren’t too tired.”

He groaned but grinned.

“Woman, you’re insatiable…don’t you ever burn out? Alright …tell me what you have in mind.”

“Well I would like to finish my sketch of the gate into Parc des Bastions and see the Mur de la Reformation…the statues of the Reformers sound amazing…what a lovely city motto…’Post Tenebras Lux’ and how appropriate…’After darkness, Light’…. A lovely economy of words….and I wonder how many people realize that it was Henry Dunant, the recipient of the very first Nobel Peace Prize, who started the Red Cross, right here in Switzerland in 1864, just after the Geneva convention was penned and that the headquarters is here…and the largest United Nations building other than in New York is here in Geneva…and we could visit Carouge…it’s only 2K south of the city…”

“Whoa, Stop! I surrender! Mia, if we do everything including the artists workshops in Carouge we’ll have to stay a month…how be we just see a few things tomorrow and save the rest for Spring? I vote for the Red Cross museum…haven’t been for a few years and it has new exhibits. Now go put on something comfy and we’ll go to the pub for dinner…unless you want fancy again?”

He raised his head from where it had been resting on the arm of his chair and looked at her hopefully.

“The pub sounds great…I won’t be long.”

He smiled as she skittered down the hall, wondering if she had mentioned so many places to sightsee because she really just wanted to see one…had he picked the favorite? It didn’t matter…eventually they would see them all, that was a given.

**

The trip in the morning to the Red Cross and Red Crescent Museum was amazing, leaving them subdued and over-come with the massive scope of the problems faced by the dedicated workers.

Just across from the UN buildings they entered through a trench cut into the hillside, emerging into a glass courtyard and surrounded by the reflected images of themselves beside a group of stone figures, bound and blindfolded, representing the continuing violation worldwide of human rights. Urs paid for the tickets and joined Mia who pointed out the quotation from Dostoyevsky above the ticket desk… ‘Everyone is responsible to everyone else for everything.’ There was no suitable comment to make so they continued into the museum, donning the headsets for the audio guides.

In chronological order the history of kindness was traced, from the good Samaritan to Saladin to the founder of the Red Cross, Geneva businessman Henri Dunant. In 1859 he experienced first hand the Battle of Solferino in Italy and witnessed the reality of battle, the suffering of soldier and civilian alike who perished as they lay, no assistance to be found from any quarter. He was so shaken by the experience that not only did he campaign over the next 5 years with the result of the major world powers signing the Geneva Convention as a guideline for the conduct of war, but also the establishing of the International Red Cross which to present day offers non-judgmental aid to casualties of war as well as natural disasters.

They breathed a sigh of relief when they reached a more positive exhibit, though they both agreed that it was important to know about the early years and the inhumanity that led up to the creation of the organization. At the last, after the eye-opening Wall of Time which chronicled victims of the natural disasters that the Red Cross had been instrumental in succoring, a small display mentioned that the entire facility had been constructed and was maintained totally on outside donors, not using one penny of Red Cross funds.

Outside, in the crisp winter air they paused for a moment, holding hands, only now aware that they had done so throughout the tour.

“It sort of makes you realize how fortunate we are, doesn’t it?” Urs said with just a touch of pride that it was a Swiss who had started the creation of all this.

“Our problems seem so petty, compared with what some people go through…it’s strange…I knew that the rules of war were called the Geneva Convention but didn’t really put it together…You must have a great deal of National pride that it was a Swiss that orchestrated it.”

They turned away and began strolling along the busy walkways, neither ready to do any more touristy things today.

“We learned all about that in school, when I was quite young…it’s always been a favorite charity of ours, they do so much for so many …Pol, Magda’s husband, is a volunteer with them…he’s a helicopter pilot and his company loans him out regularly for mercy missions.”

“Is there a branch office in town?”

“Yes…it’s attached to Mountain Rescue…and yes, I’ll take you by and we’ll see if there’s anything we can do…it’s one of those things that keep getting put off, but we’ll make time.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX…CLASSES

After all the visiting and running around before Christmas and the New Year they were happy to be home and relax, settling into a routine that was both fun and calming.

As promised, they stopped by the Red Cross office and found that there were things that they could volunteer for, other than the obvious donation of funds. They both signed on for on-call work, ready to man the phones whenever Urs was not away working and for Mia to do computer work for them, organizing files and in an emergency, helping to keep track of the teams in the field. Each Sunday night they were to call in with the day or days they would be available the up-coming week, the plan being to synchronize it with the evening when they would be attending birthing classes. Urs suggested that they make a day of it: Red Cross during the day, out for dinner at a local restaurant then on to birthing class…and Mia agreed.

Their first tour of duty at the Red Cross was more orientation than work, the regular volunteers and 2 staff members eager to put them at ease and show them the ropes. It was a happy crew that worked in the little office with much larger store rooms at the rear, full of equipment that would be needed in case of emergency. Members of the Mountain Rescue team on duty came in to be introduced and the atmosphere was one of family, friends, not in the least filled with anxiety.

“Don’t get too comfortable with the party atmosphere,” Kam, the medic advised as he lolled in a chair with yet another coffee.

“When it’s crunch time it’s entirely different…we work hard when necessary and play just as hard. There’s no room for error when you’re dealing with lives and if part of one our mountains comes down that’s exactly what will be at stake…avalanches are a big danger of course, it goes with living and working in the Alps. You will be expected to go through your contact list quickly, rallying the volunteers, arranging for the snow mobiles, ambulances, a waiting area for the families and those not badly injured…and in worse case scenarios a temporary morgue. Hopefully we won’t have a bad one this winter but we do have to be ready.”

They discussed what they had learned over dinner at the Local, both opting for the pub that they had first shared a meal in with Paco. He came into the pub as they were finishing dessert and plopped himself next to Mia, admiring her expanding waist line with a grin and a friendly pat on her bump.

“Perking right along, aren’t you? I haven’t seen you since Mami’s at Christmas…she tells me that you spent New Year’s Eve in Geneva…and I saw something on the telly…was that you, Mia behind those Politicians at the Grand? Damn guys…they keep jerking around and not really doing anything constructive about Global Warming…what’s it going to take?...having the polar bears sun bathing on the beach at Nice before they get it?”

“Don’t encourage him, Mia…once he gets started about government you can’t shut him up…but I do agree…there’s too much foot dragging and not enough action…this is an immediate problem that needs something done, now!! We’re doing our little bit for the community though it isn’t about warming…Mia and I have volunteered at the Red Cross…we did our first tour of duty today.”

Paco grinned.

“Will wonders never cease? I’ve tried to get him interested so many times but he was always on the road somewhere…I do my bit for Mountain Rescue so we may have shifts that over lap…bring some cookies in with you, just in case…have to keep the energy up, you know.”

Urs glanced at his watch and rose to collect their coats and pay the bill.

“We have Birthing Class, our first one, in about 15 minutes so we have to go…Mia, I’ll meet you at the cashier.”

Paco helped her on with her coat and rested his hands on her shoulders for a moment, leaning down to kiss her cheeks.

“Thank you,” he said and she raised her eyebrows in question.

“For making my brother so happy…I’ve never seen him so relaxed, so ready to embrace life here in this little town…it’s so different from where he has to live for his work and you’ve made it a haven for him….Thank you, Mia.”

She opened her mouth to say something but he put one long finger over her lips and grinned.

“No need to say anything…I’m not blind, even if Urs is…he’s waiting for you…I’ll be by the farm in a couple of days.”

**

The classes were held in the basement meeting room of the Town Hall, a bright and cheery room with mats on the floor, tables at the far end laden with home baking and jugs of milk, coffee {for the Dads or partners} and juices for the Moms. Near the front of the room and the chalk boards, were stands with blown up pictures of babies before and after deliver and happy families, photos of Moms and partners during the process and a desk with an instructress sitting on one corner talking to some of the early arrivals.

Urs found them both seats in the rows of chairs, looking around with interest at the 6 other ladies who appeared to all be in different stages of their gestation and their husbands or partners, some embarrassed, some content to be here, most guys he recognized from the village.

The Instructress called them to order and introduced herself.

“Hi, everyone…My name is Alix…I’m a neo-natal nurse from the clinic as well as a registered midwife. I don’t know if any of you are using a midwife for your pregnancy and delivery but believe me the process is the same, no matter who you use. What we would like to do is help you through this marvelous adventure, acquaint you with what will be happening to your bodies and for you first timers, {primiparas in medical jargon} we would like you to have the knowledge necessary to make this a joyous occasion, as pain and trauma free as humanly possible…without the aid of drugs.

“We don’t pretend that sometimes it’s necessary to ‘take the edge off’ and there is nothing wrong with that…if it happens to you, don’t feel guilty…pain levels are different for everyone and how effectively you can manage them are also.

“This session we need to talk about nutrition, exercise and a few basic tricks to help you manage the discomfort in the early stages.”

She went on to describe exactly what was happening, the stages that the fetus was working through and the medical changes to the mother’s body. Mia glanced at Urs a few times, worried that all the proper names for women’s parts might be bothering him but he was listening raptly, trying to understand, though he did notice and smiled, took her hand in his and held it against his thigh.

The time flew by and all too soon it was time to close the meeting for the night. Everyone drifted back to the refreshment tables and the room filled with anticipated questions: ‘When are you due?’… ‘Are you using a midwife?’… ‘Have you had a problem with weight gain?’…’Have you noticed any of those Braxton Hicks contractions she told us about?’

Urs collected Mia after half an hour, noticing that she was tiring…it had been a busy day…and he wanted her to himself for a while, to talk about what they had learned and work on the project that the nurse had given them.

He bundled her into the car for the short drive home and broached the subject of the project immediately.

“So what do you think you would like for music…I never realized that it would be so important during labor and delivery…I mean I know you like music, thank gott since the house is always full of it but at a time like that? And she hinted at dancing? DANCING!!! Won’t you be just a bit busy?”

Mia laughed at the incredulity in his voice.

“I’m sure she didn’t mean the Samba or Tango, Urs…we’ll find out at the class in two days…and I think it’s an excellent idea to have music during labor…and what better way to welcome Baby into the world…if you don’t mind I would like the first music he hears to be you singing…we must have something on tape that would be suitable…I think for this I’m going to let you assume the roll of Musical Director and chose the tracks.”

Somehow the chore felt more like a privilege to him and his heart swelled with pride that she would trust him so.

**

The dancing was explained at the next session and left Urs with a dilemma….he found slow dancing very sensual and of course that was what was indicated, just another form of the walking that was so good for the woman, letting gravity and movement spread her pelvis and aid the child in it’s journey into the birth canal…the added benefit was that the father would be holding his woman in his arms and allowing her to lean on him during contractions when she would be too busy coping with the cramping to focus on her balance.

They practiced a bit in the meeting room and he found that concentrating on the pauses while contractions were simulated meant that his body behaved…much to his relief.

The various comfort positions and their reasons were discussed and he learned how to give back rubs to ease the tension, the correct procedure for timing contractions, in short how to ease as much of the pain and stress as possible….it was a good session, one that left him feeling like a participant in this great adventure.

Two more weeks and they finished the classes but kept the phone number handy in case of questions for Alix.

It had been a busy though happy time for them, shifts at the Red Cross, the birthing classes, a quick visit to Dr. Weiber, Urs finished his projects in the workshop and somehow they had sandwiched in a night on the town at one of Paco’s gigs at the ski resort.

It was a celebration since Mia had received a substantial payment from a delighted client and orders for more illustrations from the author’s friend…her name was being passed around now as someone who did outstanding work…soon she would be able to pick and chose her clients.

“I think you should let Nate handle your contracts, Little One…you really can’t afford to have your address or e.mail passed around too freely and he would be very discrete…I’m not sure but I think he will likely suggest a company name for you, for privacy reasons and set up some sort of way for payments to come in, someway that doesn’t need your name, just the company name.”

She glanced at him, his face glistening in the shadows and reflected light from the dashboard as they wound through the hills to the resort.

‘He’s always thinking of how to protect me…and this is a great idea…I wondered how to handle it…I think that jerk ripping him off has made Urs look at financial matters in a whole new light.’

“Great idea…I’ll call him first thing on Monday and set something up. Urs, are you sure we’re dressed alright for this do tonight? I wouldn’t want to let Paco down.”

He grinned and stole a peek at her though it was hard to see much in the dim interior.

“We’re talking comfortable casual but with class…these are well to do tourists so there will be a lot of cashmere and designer jeans as well as tees and khakis. Haven’t you ever been to a rock gig before?”

Mia grimaced and then laughed.

“The last one I went to was at the ACC, you know where your friends played in Toronto…I was almost 16, had green streaks in my hair and had straightened it, wore really heavy black eye makeup and the most ripped up tees and jeans I could find in my messy room…and black lipstick and nail-polish…I remember there was a lot of screaming, you couldn’t even hear the music and no one sat down….I don’t even remember the name of the group…I tried standing on the back of the seat to see better and fell and the next thing I knew I was being passed around over the heads of the crowd…it was such a hoot…I didn’t find my friends again until the next day.”

He was laughing at the image of her with straight, green streaked hair and found it too funny for words.

“Were you high?”

“NO!…I liked to be different from my friends so I didn’t smoke, drink or do drugs, not even pot…..I was just high on life and in a bit of panic worrying about Mom…that was just before she got the results of her tests…for me it was the end of being a teenager and for her…a death sentence.”

They were silent for a moment then Mia produced one of her skilled subject changes.

“I noticed you brought the new Malmsteen…are you loaning it to Paco or joining in?”

He grinned.

“I brought them both…it’s called sitting in and yes I hope to…I want to let Paco use the yellow YM and then when he tries to give it back I’m going to give it to him. He deserves to have a great guitar…he’s better than I ever was.”

“But why? Is it his birthday or something?”

Urs shrugged and even in the dim light she could see that his face flushed.

“He’s my brother….that’s reason enough.”

**

Paco had reserved a table for them near the stage but off slightly to the right. Urs seated Mia and left to get them drinks while she looked around the busy room at all the partiers.

It was a lively crowd, some wearing their affluence as Urs had guessed they would, others looking very casual and comfortable but with the odd touch of wealth about them…Philippe Patek watches, well worn but designer jeans, even messy hair cuts or dos that must have cost what most people pay monthly for rent. The predominate mood in the room was of fun, laughter coming from all quarters as people mingled, table hopping among friends, teasing, talking about the days runs on the hills and with no small amount of anticipation for the music that was soon to come.

She got the impression that Conspiracy was well liked, that these people were not just here because it was the only live entertainment in town…indeed, there were a number of Hotels at the ski resort that offered live acts…this one was a hard venue to get into unless you had pull…like a brother in the band.

The lights dimmed and the crowd quieted somewhat, collectively turning to watch the stage then bursting into cheers when the stage lights came up and the 5 musicians were spotlighted.

Urs arrived back just as the music began to swell, the band wasting no time as they started a cover of Deep Purple’s ‘Smoke on the Water’. He grinned at Mia as she sat open mouthed, watching Paco wailing, playing a mean guitar and prancing in his best rocker strut. He was dressed in a black leather vest {no shirt}with tassels of silver hanging from grommets on the chest and black leather pants that looked to have been sprayed on, his arms streaked with tattoos {temporary she hoped}, hair gelled into a spiky bristle and looking even taller with his knee high leather boots with 5 inch stacked heels.

It wasn’t long until she was aware of Urs keeping time on the table top and her own body with a mind of its own was swaying to the heavy beat.

The noise was deafening when the track ended and it was a few minutes before Paco could make himself heard over the mic.

“ALRIGHT!!! ARE YOU READY TO PARTY?”

The crowd yelled back at him and he went right into the next track, then the next, all covers, then changed gears with a few minutes of chat.

“ARE WE HAVING FUN YET? There’s a rumor going around that we have some famous people in the audience tonight…I know one who should be a familiar face to a lot of you, Opera star, tenor extra-ordinaire, MY BIG BROTHER…URS BUHLER…STAND UP, LITTLE GUY AND LET THE PEOPLE SEE YOUR PRETTY FACE!!”

Urs did as requested but shot Paco a look that told him he would pay for the ‘Little Guy’ and ‘Pretty face’ comment.

“You know before he was led astray into the highbrow world, Urs used to sing and play the axe with Conspiracy… in fact he was our front man… in the second half I think we might get him to join us again and see if he still remembers how to make real music …..READY TO DANCE? LETS DO IT THEN!!!”

Once more they were off and the floor became crowded with people gyrating to the beat and sounds coming from the stage.

Urs was leaning back in his chair when Mia looked at him and she grinned when he shook his head.

“Not a chance, so don’t even ask….anyway it’s a bit wild for Baby.”

“For both Babies,” she said with a laugh. “The big one and the little….no worries, I remember what happened when we tried to teach you how…now if Paco just plays a slow one we can practice for the delivery.”

He smirked.

“Then I’m safe and so are your toes…there isn’t a hope in H**l of hearing slow music tonight.”

Another half an hour and the lights dimmed…it was intermission time.

CHAPTER TWENTY SEVEN

They went back stage so Urs could give Paco one of the Malmsteens that he had left with Security. Mia was amazed at the transformation of the guys…now relaxed and sipping on cold brews to soothe their throats, they appeared more like the ordinary men she had already met…at least Bran and Paco did, the other three were unknown personalities to her but she had difficulty relating the boisterous personaes she had seen on stage with the quiet, almost shy men who rose and shook her hand.

“Did you bring cookies?” Paco asked as he spied the roomy shoulder bag that she had draped over one arm, an eager look on his face.

Mia laughed at him and handed over a large plastic container from the bag.

“Urs warned me that you all have voracious appetites…and I can see why…such energy on that stage…it was amazing…it’s no wonder you sleep for 12 hours after a gig.”

They spent a pleasant 15 minutes with the band, the musicians admiring the YM and asking Urs to adopt them after he gifted it to Paco, Mia listening to them joking and talking about the covers they would do in the next set, pleased to see that Urs was bursting with eagerness to give his new YM a try in public.

Security came to the door with 2 pretty young things, asking for autographs. They flirted shamelessly with Paco and Bran, looked for a few seconds at Urs and then away as he pointedly came over to stand beside Mia, resting his hands on her shoulders and bending down to whisper to her.

“Care to run interference for me, Little One? Paco would have my hide if I cramped his style.”

She laughed and reached up to pat his hand.

“Then how about you help me out of this chair…it’s getting to be a struggle now, getting up and down from low things.”

He came around in front of her and took both hands, pulling her to her feet and gently into his arms, just for a moment, but enough to make her heart flutter…and the girls to abandon him as out of bounds.

“Would it be alright if I used the Loo here, instead of fighting with the lineup at the Ladies? Then I should get back to our table.”

He was waiting for her when she had accomplished her mission and came back into the dressing room.

“I’ll take you back, get you another drink…it’s so crowded I don’t want you getting jostled.”

“Are you nervous?” she asked as they made their way through the patrons and approached the table.

He glanced at her and grinned.

“NO…this isn’t like singing…I could do it with my eyes closed…and if I mess up…well it’s so loud anyway, who would notice?”

Mia raised a brow at him.

“You would…and maybe me…play for me Urs….and for yourself.”

He touched her cheek with one hand, a gentle caress that she wanted so much to keep against her skin…but he was gone and she sighed, readying herself for the performance to come.

Even Urs slid into the rocker personae when the lights came up, flashing in seemingly random patterns as the band swung immediately into a cover of the ACDC favorite, Thunderstruck. It was a good showcase for the Malmsteens and for Urs’ talent, the chording intricate and constant, the beat heavy. He pranced around the stage, joining Paco sometimes as back up vocal but often drowned out by the audience who felt it their right and obligation to participate…and they did, loud, raucous, totally into the music, dancing to exhaustion, screaming the lyrics out as the band encouraged them.

Mia wanted so much to get up and dance…the music filled her, the changes in Urs perhaps even more of a revelation to her than the others in the band. He had stripped to a bare torso and borrowed a tight leather vest from one of the guys, the snaps barely holding the front closed with the pressure of his toned chest. She giggled when he came to her end of the stage and flashed her a big grin, tossing his head so that the long dangling ear ring he had clipped to one lobe swirled and twinkled at her.

They went right into a Dire Straits track, another good one for the guitars, Money for Nothing, which just happened to be one of Mia’s favorites. Next came a slower track, though just as amazing and with even more guitar solos…another Dire Straits cover, Sultans of Swing.

A few minutes of chat from Paco while the audience and band caught their collective breaths and they started a set of three Ozzy Osbourne covers, Paranoid, Crazy Train and Bark at the Moon. The atmosphere was wild, enthusiastic, noisy, people gyrating with or without partners, the band drenched in sweat from the hot lights, constant movement and the strain of keeping up the pace of the heavy beat and rich background music.

Urs enriched Paco’s voice with a lighter harmony that blended beautifully, all the while keeping up the licks that the track called for…then he had a short solo, sort of a duel with Paco on the other YM that had the crowd cheering when they ended it with grins and went back to singing. It was amazing, draining, energizing and for Mia breathtaking as she watched how much fun the guys were having.

Urs was glistening with sweat, his hair curling wildly, his grin never ending, dimples deep, eyes crinkled, clearly long overdue to let his ‘hair down’ so to speak, like this. When Bark at the Moon came to a crashing end, he high fived Paco and left the stage, even though the audience demanded more, he didn’t reappear for several minutes until he came from the side, dressed in his own clothes, minus the ear-ring, freshly scrubbed and went directly to their table to sit next to Mia.

Paco of course made a big deal out of it,, asking him to stand for a moment while the crowd did the strange “Hoo, Hoo, Hoo!!” that so often was the acclaim that rockers got in appreciation…and then they were off again on the last set of the night.

“I’d forgotten how much energy that takes,” Urs confided in her as he guzzled a beer that someone had sent to their table and eyed her juice, still thirsty.

She grinned and passed him the glass.

“It was amazing…the only downside was that I wanted to get up and dance….you looked so different….and your playing was…I don’t have the right words to describe it…I just know that it filled my senses, took me back to being a teen…I loved it…Thank you for bringing me.”

The harried waiter appeared at their table with several beer and two glasses of juice on a tray, explaining by hand movements that someone at another table sent them in appreciation…he placed the juice in front of Mia and the only words she caught with all the noise around them was Frau Buhler and trachtig…someone had noticed that she was pregnant and not drinking liquor.

She heard Urs snicker beside her and reached out with one small booted foot to kick him in the ankle, then smiled at the waiter and thanked him.

“Don’t you dare laugh…it was a very kind gesture…and you can have one to ease your throat.”

**

The last week of January Urs had to fly to Dublin for a week, needing to do some final tweaking on his latest CD. This one was a compilation of arias and unknown to Mia he also wanted to record some Andrew Lloyd Weber tracks, just for her. It would be easy to do since the orchestra was already in house and the tracks were well known.

He arranged with Paco and the girls to keep an eye on Mia, without telling her of course since she was so determined to not be a bother to anyone. He had noticed that her hormones had made her prone to mood swings lately and was hoping that the girls at least could keep her busy enough to not flip out while he wasn’t around to run interference.

Like the day before he left…he heard her pounding her little fists on the wall in her Loo and called out to her, asking if she needed any help.

“NO!! Yes…ARGHHHHH!! There’s nothing you can do …except maybe get me a mirror so I can see my feet.”

She came storming out of the Loo, breathing fire, a bottle of nail polish in one hand, her other fist clenched as she padded bare foot past him, heading for the under the sink garbage container.

“Whoa! Why didn’t you say something? I’m a champ at putting polish on nails…used to do it for the girls all the time.”

He steered her to a kitchen chair, placed another opposite and sat on it, raising her foot to the lip of the chair between his knees.

“You can’t do that!! What if someone came in?”

He looked at her with a small grin.

“Listen to what you said…do you realize how silly that sounds? No one will come in…and if they do they’ll think that I’m putting polish on these tiny toes because you are unable to reach them at the moment….”

She scowled.

“So you think I’m silly?”

He looked up from opening the small bottle and smiled sweetly.

“Sometimes…it’s the hormones, Liebe…not your fault…now be a good girl and don’t move.”

Reacting patiently and calmly to her rant had the desired effect of calming her and she found the experience soothing….between the foot massage and the excellent job of putting polish on her toes after shaping the nails gently, she was relaxed and smiling when he finished and made a quick foray into the bedroom for her slippers.

He made them each a hot drink, warning her not to disturb his masterpiece for a few minutes and they sat at the table chatting, forgetting all about the temper tantrum.

“Remember a long time ago we had a brief conversation about a nanny…and I mentioned my cousin Ciara? Magda is going to drop by this afternoon with her…she and Matthieu live in an apartment in Zug at the moment…he’s a retired Guard, both in their late 50’s…Ciara used to work in nursing, Neo Natal, mostly. They never had kids…something about an accident that made Matthieu sterile so they did a lot of fostering. I thought if you liked the idea we could rent that small place closer to town for them…at least for a while and if it works out then we could either build a cottage here or add on to the kitchen end of the house.”

Mia laughed at his machinations.

“The Master Planner at work, I see….Urs I have thought about it and I just can’t make a decision without meeting your cousin…if we click then I guess we could give it a try….would you hire Matthieu too, maybe as a handyman?”

He grinned.

“You read my mind…Matt’s pension isn’t huge and I think they’re struggling a bit…he’s big and strong and won’t take a handout, so a job would let him keep his pride…that’s important for a man.”

She raised an expressive brow at him.

“For some women too…alright, let’s meet this lady and see what happens.

**

Once again Urs was right. Ciara was a lovely lady, warm and loving, her nature gentle but efficient, her attitude that of a doting grandmother. Mia had instant rapport with her and the afternoon went all too quickly, full of talking about the upcoming birth, Ciara’s views on caring for newborns and toddlers, basically centered around loving attention, much as Mia hoped her own ideas came across.

Ciara promised to drop by with her husband in the next few days, just to see how Mia was progressing and to keep her company for part of the days while Urs had to be away and they left, both anticipating a lengthy, happy relationship as they shared the care of the expected child.

Urs was leaning against the wall in the foyer, a smirk on his chiseled face when Mia turned to look at him after closing the door.

“I hate to say I told you so…”

“This time I’ll let you get away with it…she’s delightful, Urs…you were right…I feel like a heavy load was just lifted from my shoulders…Thank you.”

“Only the best for our boy…and his Mami,” he said with a cheeky grin and she gave him a jab in the ribs as she passed, laughing.

This time when she took him to the airport it was with a lighter heart, knowing that she would miss him…but that he would be back…soon.

**
Nature Boy says: I miss you!! It’s cold and dreary, raining and the dampness goes right through to my bones…Okay, enough complaining…we had a great session at the studio, got so much work done that I may be able to come home a day early….

Selene says: You’ve only been gone just over 24 hours!!! But I miss you too!! It was a lovely day here, nice and crisp and clear…I was up really early and saw the deer out at the trough just after the sun came over the mountains…there seem to more of them every day…Paco should be by tomorrow and I’ll have him go out with some more feed…what great news about coming home early…let me know and I’ll wedge Baby and I behind the wheel to pick u up.

Nature Boy says: It’s good that we got that adjustable seat or you’d never get out of the car without assistance…I never realized what a hard time short…round people have.

Selene says: Careful there…you may have to atone for remarks like that!! Magda called earlier…all the girls have decided to have Girls Night Out here day after tomorrow…Ciara is coming too this time and maybe even Mami…It’s a good thing you aren’t home…we’re going to do facials and Ilsa wants streaks put in her hair…I might get mine trimmed a bit…it’s getting unmanageable.

Nature Boy says: NO!!! If you must get something done wait until I get home and I’ll treat you to a trip to the salon.

Selene says: Silly…I’ve never been to a proper stylist…I always cut my own, in the shower, just by feel…I figure if I make a mess it will grow. Do you realize that since February is a short month there’s only 4 and a half weeks to go? Of course Magda says that we can’t count on Baby arriving on time…she says they tend to have their own timetable.

Nature Boy says: Well there’s always a ride on the bumpy back roads if he’s late…though I think Friedrich tried that and it didn’t work…You aren’t planning anything like dying your hair are you?

Selene says: Well I was thinking about going blonde…I’ve heard you like them…..

‘Oh mein Gott…I can’t believe I had the nerve to type that’

Nature Boy says: Used to…but then I matured…they no longer hold the same appeal. U R kidding…right?

Selene says: Just trying to wind you up… Missed your company at Red Cross this afternoon…nothing much was happening, which is a good thing but so deadly boring…Paco came by for a few minutes, had a run to rescue a snow-mobiler who ran out of gas and told me he would be by tomorrow…I invited him to stay over and he agreed so long as I don’t give him another black eye.

Nature Boy says: you do realize that he’s going to get as much mileage as he can out of that incident…he has this amazing memory for ‘WRONGS’ done to him…

Selene says: I told him he’s safe…haven’t had a bad dream for days…and he needs to learn how to duck. Are you going out for dinner tonight?

Nature Boy says: Yes…in a few minutes…a couple of the techs from the studio have invited me to join them at the local for a pub meal…that’s another thing the Irish do well…good wholesome food and lots of it…and maybe a glass or two of Guiness. It’s a great place to visit…I’ll bring you here one day, in the summer time when it’s the prettiest.

Selene says: Mom was an O’Malley…I could try to look up any ancestors….and would customs let me bring back any real Shamrocks…the plants I mean not just the touristy things?

Nature boy says: LOL…We’ll find out, Little One…there’s so much world out there that I want to show you, and Baby when he’s older…you’re going to have to think of a name for him soon…we can’t keep calling him Baby…it would sound funny when he goes to University.

Selene says: I’m way ahead of you…I have my heart set on one already…thought I would let you pick the middle name…I want to call him Antonio, Toni, after the most important man in his life …do you mind? Please say you don’t mind Urs…I have my heart set on it.

The screen remained ominously blank for 2 long minutes. Then….

Nature boy says: Sorry…I couldn’t think of an adequate response…. I definitely don’t MIND…I’m honored, humbled, gob-smacked…delighted…Thank you….why didn’t you tell me when I was home?

Selene says: the word ‘gutless’ comes first to mind…it’s easier on line…I was so afraid you would say no… and I really want to do this Urs…it feels so right.

Nature Boy says: ‘Gutless’ is not a word I would ever use to describe you…you are one of the bravest women I’ve ever known, the only one who has come close to deserving Sophia’s pearls.

Selene says: We have to talk about something else or I’m going to be a puddle….my hormones are still all over the place and you know how I react to praise even on the good days…grace is a skill I have still to learn…I started the illustrations for the novel Pia sent me…she really is a very descriptive writer…I can almost visualize the scenes as I read the chapters…this should be fun, it’s all about pixies and faeries…I’m going to use one of the programs, either Bryce or Painter…if this lot sells I’m planning on splurging and getting Photoshop…it’s the best but it costs around $500.00 Canadian so I need to curb my impatience and use what I have.

Nature Boy says: Just don’t get so rich and famous that you don’t need me anymore…I would be lost without you.

Again there was a pause then she answered.

Selene says: I will always need you in my life, Urs. Now go meet your friends for dinner…I’ll talk to you tomorrow.

She signed off abruptly with her dancing hippo and a whole line of stars.

Urs sat staring at the screen long after she was gone, wondering about what she had typed, trying to read between the lines. Only the buzzing of his room phone brought him out of his trance as he answered, promising to be right down to join his friends.

CHAPTER TWENTY EIGHT…BEST LAID PLANS…

He was able to come home so early that he decided to surprise her but his grand plan backfired.

Luzern was right in the middle of a massive blizzard that canceled all flights in or out and he was stuck in Geneva over night. The unexpected visit meant that the condo hadn’t been readied for him…the furnishings were covered with light dust cloths, nothing had been laid in for him to eat, in short, none of the details that he had grown accustomed to having Mia handle had been done.

He went out for a quick dinner, then rushed back to the condo, booting up the ‘puter and hoping to catch Mia on line.

Nature Boy says: Hi Snowy lady…u there?

There was a very brief pause then she came on.

Selene says: HI…I didn’t expect to hear from you now…thought you would still be in the studio….and I don’t have any choice about where I am…there’s so much snow that I may not get out again until spring except by snow-mobile…and we had to cancel Girls Night…Paco promised to come rescue me on his machine if needs be, but the house is warm and cozy…a bit lonely…but I have enough sense not to try going to town….I’m worried about the deer though…this kind of storm must be really hard on them.

Nature Boy says: DON’T EVEN THINK OF GOING OUT TO FEED THEM!! Mia, I mean it…they’re used to surviving…they’ll just find a sheltered spot and wait it out…it’s after the storm that they need the extra help and I’ll be home then…I was going to surprise you…I’m in Geneva but all flights to Luzern were cancelled because of the widespread storm…as soon as I can I’ll get a flight home.

Selene says: You may have trouble getting here…I didn’t want to say anything but the side road hasn’t been plowed for 2 days…I don’t think they can get through and of course the motorways are the first concern….I left the outside lights on in case anyone has trouble on the side road and needs help…I remember how lonely and dark it looked in the pass when I first came through…I longed for a sign of life somewhere.

Nature Boy says: U sure U R alright? The power and gas are still on, lots of wood for the fireplace?…I know how well stocked you keep the pantry and freezer so that shouldn’t be a problem…and what about the Baby, sorry, our little Toni?

Selene says: I saw Dr. Weiber 3 days ago, just made it home before the storm… and he says that things are right on schedule…he isn’t expecting an early delivery so stop worrying…I feel fine…like a little duck that waddles her way through this nice warm house.

Nature Boy says: you forgot ‘fat and sassy’…a fat and sassy little duck…you’re going to make me pay for saying that aren’t you?

Selene says: Count on it!!! You still remember how to slow dance, Partner?

Nature Boy says: LOL…the things I’m willing to do to keep you happy!! Actually I finished the CD of tracks for the delivery room and I’ve picked something with a special meaning for the first music he hears…I had to adapt the words a bit and I’ve taped it…I don’t think I will be in any shape to sing right then.

Selene says: from what I read in the books you bought, I should be doing all the work…how come YOU will be in rough shape?

Nature Boy says: Sympathy pains…remember I’m an artiste, very sensitive, LOL…and I don’t react well to pain, mine or others.

Selene says: Now he tells me…you mean I’m going to have a woosie partner?

Nature Boy says: Hey…I remember what that means…never fear…somehow I’ll call up my reserves…and panic after it’s all over. Seriously Mia, I promise to be there for you…can’t let all this training go to waste.

They chatted for a while longer then she signed off, saying that Toni was demanding a pit stop. She promised to come back on just before bedtime so he left his laptop on while he puttered around the condo, noodling on the piano for a while, checking the weather channel on TV and waiting for the now familiar beep of the computer that would announce that she was back on.

**

Mia was restless, not eager to go to bed where she knew that her nightly torture was waiting for her. It seemed that the more she allowed herself to think about Urs, the more she loved him, the more often she was plagued with those unwelcome night terrors. She didn’t dare daydream or have erotic thoughts about the gorgeous Swiss…that was a surefire way to wake the sleep-time monsters…and it was impossible not to think sweet thoughts of him. The nightly IM chats she had with him touched a nerve deep within, the easy camaraderie when it was possible to say things through cyberspace that were often kept silent in real life…those chats often caused her to think rather amorous thoughts and later regret her rash pondering, in the darkest moments of the night when evil could creep in and torment her.

She puttered in the office for a while, listening for the beep that would mean a message from Paco but heard nothing and went downstairs to mix up one of Mami’s panaceas for a good sleep…the usual mug of warm milk with honey and cinnamon.

The mug went flying when she suddenly heard someone pounding on the French doors at the front of the house…no one came to the front…no one they knew, anyway, definitely not Paco….and she hadn’t heard a motor…but then the storm was in full spate and the wind howled around the house.

Cautiously she snuck a peek out the glass panels and saw a large man, snow covered, someone she didn’t know…at least not Bryan or Dad, definitely not Milo… the light over the door, on an automatic sensor, had come on when it sensed movement.

She called out through the glass, hesitant to open the door just yet.

That was when she saw that some of the snow on his face and the hand that was spread across the pane of glass was bloody.

“Bitte…helfen sie mir…Ungluck…”

Even with her limited German she knew that he was asking for help, that there had been an accident. She opened the door and he staggered inside in a swirl of snow.

Mia got him into a chair in front of the fire, trying to piece together what he was saying as she assessed his condition. Something about his car and snow, about seeing the lights…and children!!

“Kinder…Mein Gott…you have children in your car?” she said completely forgetting to try to communicate in German.

“Ja…my Englander is not good…kinder und frau… car…”

It took a few minutes while they struggled with the language barrier and she finally gave up and went to the foyer and grabbed her cross country skis, showing him and pointing to the outside. He nodded and between them, with a lot of sign language they prepared for the trip down the long lane.

When they were ready, Mia paused in the foyer, thinking that perhaps she should let Urs know, but then shuddered when she thought about his reaction…Cyberspace would burn up when he tried to use his back of the house voice to yell at her…best she tell him after. She joined the bundled up man, his broken arm immobilized as well as could be done and they slowly made their way on top of the snow out to the half-buried car.

**

It was hours later, nearly two in the morning when he finally heard it and he was almost frantic when he clicked into IM and answered.

Nature Boy says: WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN? It’s way past your normal bedtime and I’ve been so worried…I beeped you a couple of times and didn’t get an answer…are you alright?

Selene says: I’m glad U R in Geneva…U R going to be so angry with me…there was an accident out on the road and I skied out to give them a hand…I took the sled because the guy that made it to the house said there were 2 children in the car…Urs, I couldn’t leave them to freeze…the mother was totally useless, just kept whining and crying and their Papa had a broken arm…we got them back here and patched up…Paco will be here as soon as he can but that might be morning so I put them to bed, full of hot chocolate …Please don’t be angry…I’m freezing cold and tired and I miss having you here to handle things for me…especially since I know you’ll be beating yourself up because you can’t be…

Nature Boy says: U R right…I feel so guilty…but proud of you…are they badly injured, other than the broken arm? Locals or tourists?

Selene says: Silly German tourists who took a wrong turn…they couldn’t stop for fear of getting stuck, so they just kept going, hoping to reach somewhere to seek refuge… and slid off the icy roads when they hit a drift…they took out our mailbox …the mother is a bit …choked at her husband for getting them lost and in an accident…he was just concerned about the kids, a 5 year old boy and a 6 year old girl, both of whom only were cold since they were in car seats……I put them all in the blue bedroom so the kids won’t be scared being in a strange place…I don’t know much first aid so I just put his arm against his chest and taped it down but he’s in a lot of pain…and yes, I will lock my bedroom door tonight…I’m just waiting to hear back from Paco.

Nature Boy says: Somehow I WILL be home tomorrow even if I have to leave my luggage and ski in…Gawd I hate being separated like this…

Selene says: don’t do anything silly…one of us being foolish is more than enough!!...I’m fine, Toni is fine and I know you’ll be home as soon as you can…Now get some sleep and I’ll e.mail you any updates…

Nature Boy says: Sleep? I don’t think so…I’ll nap on the sofa with the computer handy on the coffee table…and when I get home we’re getting a snow-mobile so you aren’t trapped there if this happens again.

Selene says: OHHHH a new toy!!! Lovely…I like toys!! Go to sleep…I’m going to take the laptop down in front of the fire and get warm…

A trio of dancing snow men pranced across the screen, singing Jingle Bells as she quickly signed out, not giving him any more time to yell and making him smile as he signed off as well.

He set up the computer on the coffee table just as he had promised and lay back on the sofa, glancing briefly out the windows at the light snow that still fell here in this southern area…there was nothing he could do but wait, but he didn’t have to like it.

**

It was two very long days before he could get home and then only because Pol agreed to drop him off.

His mobile had rung as he was watching the weather news on TV, too keyed up to sit, prowling like a caged tiger in front of the screen and hurling insults at the forecaster who seemed overflowing with more and yet more bad news…..no more snow but the roads were still impossibly clogged.

“JA?” he fairly snarled into the phone then heard familar laughter.

“Pol? What’s up? Not bad news?”

“Nein, Nein,” Pol hastened to assure him. “I’m in Geneva, just dropped off some patients that needed more care than the clinic could give them…I’m heading past the farm and thought you might like a lift. When I saw her at the farm, Mia told me you were stranded in Geneva.”

“Why were you at the farm? Is she alright?”

“The father…you know about the German tourists, right? Well he had internal injuries that turned septic so we did a Mercy run and brought them here…Mia is fine, a bit tired but in full bloom…she looks soooo ready…Urs I don’t have a lot of time…you want a ride or not?”

“Dummkopf!! Where and when? And can I bring one suitcase?”

“The Red Cross helipad…20 minutes or I’m gone without you….and one case only…I’m loading supplies as we speak.”

He was packing one handed even as they finished their call, closed the mobile and rushed around, packing the barest necessities, most of his things not even unpacked since he hadn’t expected to stay long. In four minutes he was out the door and in the lift, at 6 he was hailing a cab and at 14 he was racing across the lobby of the Red Cross building to squeeze past the closing doors of a lift to the helipad, smiling in apology to the other passengers that he had pushed to the back wall in his haste.

Pol was warming the engine when he burst onto the roof and raced to the open side door of the stuffed full chopper, threw his suitcase in and climbed into the co-pilot seat with a sigh of relief.

The noise made it impossible to chat so he just grinned and accepted the ear muffs that he was handed. Within seconds the rotor noise became unbearable and he held the muffs in place to ease it, only relaxing when they were 100 feet up and Pol eased the collective to gain forward momentum.

After a few minutes they reached their assigned altitude and Pol relaxed a bit, handing Urs the throat mike and keying his own on to make conversation easier.

“Set a new land-speed record didn’t you? Sorry to be so strict about the time…I have to be on Riggi ASAP so I’ve just time to drop you and lift off again…this is Mia’s fault anyway…she bribed me with promises of a thermos of hot coffee and a treat…don’t tell Mags…she has me on a diet.”

Urs glanced in surprise at his tall, slender brother-in-law and Pol shrugged.

“Doctor said something about blood sugars…thinks I may be a candidate for type two Diabetes, so Magda is watching what I eat…no sweets, low fat…it’s like I’m being punished for something I didn’t know I did wrong.”

Urs sympathized appropriately, thinking how he would hate it if he couldn’t have sweets.

The trip was breathtaking. All of this part of Switzerland had been dumped on with a major amount of snow, covering the mountains and valleys, coating the forests and rocky outcrops, but now the storm was over. The sky was a deep, cloudless, icy blue, the peaks and valleys clearly outlined against the skyline like shaggy cakes, freshly frosted with fluffy meringue. Eagles circled below them, the occasional forager struggled through the drifts and the blowers and plows snaked along the winding roads sending up crystal fountains of snow as the roads were cleared. Here and there the landscape was broken with the steeply inclined roofs of homes, smoke coming straight up in the still air from fireplaces that kept the inhabitants snug and safe.

Pol asked Urs to watch for the Red Cross flag of those needing assistance as they passed over the homesteads but they saw nothing, the homes mostly those of locals who had all been through this many times before and knew how to survive.

They wound through the valleys and after nearly an hour and a half came around a slope to find the farm laid out in pristine glory below them.

Smoke came steadily from the 3 chimneys, the lane was indistinguishable under a blanket of fresh snow, but tracks of snow-mobiles curved around the house and they could see someone come out to climb aboard a silver and green Artic Cat near the back deck. Paco was here, that was his machine and they watched as it came across the field, pulling the small sled behind, to the spot that already had the disturbed snow from Pol’s previous visit.

The driver stopped well out of danger and dismounted, a short, tubby figure, made even more so by the over sized garments she had borrowed for the quick trip…she removed her helmet and shook her hair out, grinning at Urs surprised face looking at her from the side window.

He was out of the cabin and racing to her, bent over for safety while Pol adjusted the rotors to a slow idle before following.

“Where’s Paco?” he said as he folded her into his arms and breathed in the clean, fresh scent of her.

“And Hello to you too, Urs…your brother is sleeping…he worked 53 hours straight and is zonked…I put him to bed and borrowed his machine…Gott that was fun…haven’t been on one in years but I guess you never forget…kind of like riding a bicycle…”

“Hush Woman…You’re babbling…Hello…I’m so happy to be home…”

He still hadn’t released her when Pol came around the chopper and approached.

“Mia…did you forget my treat?...I forgot to ask…you won’t tell Magda will you?”

She pulled away from Urs and, laughed as she reached in the sled for a thermos and a plastic box.

“Of course I didn’t forget…and Magda already knows…Pol I seldom use real sugar in my baking or more than just a hint of butter so everything is almost fat free as well…I just don’t usually tell anyone until they become addicted to my sweets…so you see you can eat all you want…guilt free.”

He gave her a hug, took his pay-off and was back in the chopper winding it up before they had Urs’ luggage stowed in the sled for the trip to the farm.

Urs let her drive again, quite content to ride behind with his arms around her gravid body, his head tucked into the curve of her neck to escape the wind. With his undeclared knowledge of his true feelings for this tiny woman, it was exquisite torture to be so close and know that, for now, he would not get closer. He wanted the trip to the house never to end.

CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

The days stretched into weeks and they kept busy, Mia using the new program that Urs had surprised her with, the longed for Photoshop and Urs working on his Opera with a new intensity that he felt was a side effect of the love he had for this woman.

His music filled the house, inspired, melodious, full of hope and desire and Mia often found herself humming some of the Aria’s as she worked.

His other occupation was watching her like a hawk. The slightest grimace or twinge and he was alert, wondering if it was time, so much so that she teased him mercilessly, even announcing her intentions when she was about to get up from her seat in front of the fire for one of her increasingly frequent Pit Stops.

“Just the usual…don’t panic, Partner…I’ll be sure to let you know.”

They continued to volunteer at the Red Cross, to visit Mami and have the girls, Ciara and Matthieu { who incidentally Mia adored} or Paco over for meals, sometimes with husbands and kids along, sometimes just Girls Night when Mia would insist that he go out with Paco or some friends…he went, but only after being sure his mobile was charged and in his pocket.

And for some unexplained reason he insisted that they practice their slow dancing now…and Mia didn’t argue about it, willing to take any opportunity to be held in his strong arms.

March 6th they were dancing to a lovely melody on one of the Il Divo CD’s and as she nestled close to him, her head against his chest, her breath warm and soft through his tee shirt, he almost lost the rigid control he had on his emotions and told her…but then…

“We’re so lucky,” she murmured softly as the lovely strains of Ti Amero wafted over them, embellished with a beautiful chant that Mia wasn’t sure he was even aware of singing along with the CD. She had waited until the track ended then sighed with contentment before she spoke.

“Why do you say that?” he asked breathing in the fresh scent of the Honeysuckle lotion she preferred over heavier perfumes.

“Not many people could maintain a business arrangement like we do and have it become such a close friendship as well….I feel so comfortable with you Urs…you never judge, never ask for more than I’m able to give…and you appreciate what I try to do…you really are a very unique man.”

Inside he groaned, knowing that now was not the time. He hugged her just a bit closer and answered.

“I think we get along well because you let me be who I am… a man, faults and all…and you don’t nag…you really expect very little that I’m not able or willing to give…we just work beautifully as a team, Mia and ….and I hope we will always be together.”

‘Almost said it…if she doesn’t read between the lines then she isn’t ready…’

She glanced up at his face in the dimmed lights and for a moment her heart leapt…

‘I’ve never seen him look at me like that before…as if…NO!! don’t…please Urs, don’t spoil what we have….I love you, desperately, but I can’t give you the intimacy you deserve… please, don’t love me…!!’

The mild back ache she had been silently enduring all day, now gripped her abdomen in a rolling contraction that took her breath and her feet stopped moving as she clutched at Urs shoulder and gasped.

“Do…do you have your watch on?” she whispered, leaning her head against his chest again.

He leaned back so he could look down at her.

“Of course…what a thing to ask a Swiss m….why are you asking? Is it time? Should I be timing contractions?”

It was passing and she looked up at him with wonder in her wide eyes.

“It’s happening…It’s really happening…after all this waiting…”

Urs kissed her cheek and helped her to one of the firm chairs that she had taken to sitting on, the soft ones far too difficult to get out of. He left for only a second for the pad and pen he had been carting around for days, his little book for keeping track of the spasms…he noted the time and then came over to crouch at her side.

“You must tell me when the next one starts so I can time the length …how could this happen so suddenly?”

She patted his hand where it rested on her bump.

“I should have known…my back has been aching all day and I feel so…so energized. Then again maybe it was our excellent dancing.”

She smiled timidly into his eyes and his breath caught as he saw the emotions she didn’t mask.

“Urs…I’m so scared…what if you weren’t here? I couldn’t do this without you.”

He cupped her face with his gentle hands.

“But I am here and I won’t leave you…take my strength…we’re ready for this, Liebe…we’ve trained for the breathing, practiced dancing, tried all the positions that they suggest…I even know about massages….we’re going to have a baby, our little Toni…together we can do this.”

He felt the contraction before she stiffened and said ‘NOW’ through gritted teeth. He noted the time then concentrated on getting her to breathe the way they had learned in class, easing her pain as best he could, not letting her fight the contraction as her birth canal stretched and Toni moved further down.

They timed one more contraction then Urs called Dr. Weiber and was advised that she had likely been in passive labor for several hours, since Urs had said she now was experiencing contractions at 4 minute intervals, lasting 62 seconds. The doctor advised heading to the clinic immediately.

Mia was impressed at how calm Urs appeared, getting her pre-packed bag from the foyer and placing it in the idling Audi, helping her with her coat and boots and holding her while she breathed through the next contraction, patiently helping her to the car and settling her comfortably.

He waited momentarily, not driving out immediately and smiled when she raised her brow in question.

“Just waiting for the next one, then we’ll go…I can’t help you much when I’m driving.”

Soon they were on the road and once again she was impressed with his control…he didn’t speed, well not much anyway…and held her hand as much as possible during the trip, letting her rest quietly in between.

They had already done the registration a week past and were whisked right in to a comfortable labor room, the décor soothing with butter yellow walls and furnishings like a hotel room, all except the high bed with a large light suspended over it.

Urs busied himself with the stereo and CD’s while Mia was gowned and examined, then when she was sitting on the edge of the bed came back to her and let her lean into his arms.

“Frau Buhler is progressing nicely, Herr Buhler…she is at 8 centimeters already so it won’t be much longer…perhaps you would like to walk for a bit, Frau…that will speed things along…”

She looked up at the Doctor and grinned.

“We prefer to dance…as long as Baby allows it.”

Urs helped her off the bed and slipped her robe over her shoulders, smiling as she grinned at him…

“Told you I would get even for that ‘fat and sassy’ comment.”

He laughed and wrapped his arms around her, raising hers to go around his neck the way they had practiced. And so they worked through that stage of delivery happily, pausing now and then while he held her in strong arms and assisted her breathing, rubbing her aching back when he felt the tension…until her water broke with a gush that wet the bottom of her robe and his boots.

Suddenly the urge to push was extreme and Urs coached her breathing as he helped her back to the high bed and lifted her up, speaking softly to her so she wouldn’t lose her control and begin pushing before the doctor was in position.

Without any more preliminaries, as a team, they delivered Toni from his watery incubator, the lyric voice of the man who would be his father singing gently to him as he was welcomed into the world, his version with a double meaning for his beloved as well, done especially for this moment, of ‘You Are My Miracle’ a perfect counter point to the lusty wail of the healthy new born boy.

Just as they had planned, Urs took Mia’s hand in his and they cut the cord together with Toni laying on his Mami’s flattened abdomen.

The staff allowed the proud couple to hold the tiny infant for a few moments, Urs first, then he placed Toni in Mia’s arms, tears streaming down his face as he watched in awe.

“He’s perfect…I’m so proud of you Mia,”…he began but was overcome with emotion and could only stand with his hand on her head, caressing her messy curls.

Mia smiled as the nurse took Toni and the boy let out an angry wail at being disturbed.

“He has his Papa’s voice,” she said and Urs knew she meant him.

His chest swelled with pride and he bent over her, nestling his face in the crook of her neck, not able to contain his emotions any longer, he whispered to her in Dutch, proclaiming his love yet knowing that she couldn’t understand…..

“Ik hou van jou, van jullie beide!” {I love you, both of you!}

**

TONI’S WELCOME…YOU ARE MY MIRACLE

I will tell you everything you’d ever like to know
All the stars you wish upon,
I will make them yours.
I’ll speak to you in poetry
To fill your dreams with light,
Make sure your every fantasy comes out right.

So many things you’ve never known
I will show to you
I’ll find reason in your world that will hold true
I’ll always hear your laughter
Through every sigh and tear,
And cherish every chance to hold you near.

You are my Miracle
You are soft and pure, just like the air I breathe
You…heart of my heart
There’s a secret that you hold
A love that so completely
Holds my soul.

Strength I simply never found
I will find for you.
I believe our future holds
Love that will see us through.
To be with you a lifetime,
For this I humbly plead
Your love forever fills my every need.

You are my miracle
And it’s crystal clear, like endless summer skies…
You..heart of my heart…There’s a secret that you hold
And it fills me so completely…
Will you share with me
Your love forever more?

**

Urs felt like he had been hit by a very large truck when he came out of the room while the nurses tidied Mia up. He was almost staggering as he walked to the reception area, pulling his mobile out of his pocket to tell Mami and the rest of the family the good news…Only a few steps into the room he stopped in his tracks at the sight of most of his immediate family waiting for him.

“Well, how is she?”

“Is he here yet?”

“How big is he?”

“Is Mia alright?”

“Do you need to sit down?”

The questions were fast and furious, the last one from Mami and he nodded as she tugged him forward into one of the chairs and sat next to him, Ciara on the other side

“How…How did you know? It was so fast…I didn’t have time to call you.”

“That woman from the choir…you know the one who should be delivering now too…she was here because she had false labor and saw you coming in…she phoned Magda and it didn’t take long for everyone to know. Tell us…”

He smiled proudly.

“March 7th, 2008 at 14 minutes past midnight….Three point 3 Kilos, very healthy…wrinkled and loud, very loud…lots of very dark hair…and all the right number of fingers and toes…he’s perfect…and Mia is tired but fine…She was amazing, absolutely amazing!!…I’m going back as soon as they take her to a room. It was so fast…one minute we were dancing, then the next it was every four minutes…by the time we got here, they were almost continuous and then….”

No one pressed him for anything further…the look of awe on his face was enough.

CHAPTER THIRTY

Life as they had known it took on a new existence once they brought Toni home.

Mia had agreed to being moved up onto the second floor and giving up her former quarters to Ciara who would occasionally need to sleep over. Somehow, Urs magically transformed the two bedrooms opposite the Master suite into a Nursery with bath and a bedroom and bath for Mia. Mia thought she detected Mami and Ciara’s touch in the nursery, everything in pastel shades, not too babyish since Toni would eventually grow into a little boy, but at the moment comfortable for the newborn child: stuffed animals, the mobile that Urs had brought back from L.A., a softly padded rocking chair that he admitted buying and keeping secret in the workshop and cabinets for the stacks of diapers and clothing , likely enough to do him for the first year…SOMEONE whose name started with U R S, had been a little over zealous shopping!!!

Her room, when she inspected it, was full of her furnishings from downstairs but with a few embellishments: a Baby Monitor on the bedside stand, a luxurious robe and gown with matching slippers spread over the foot of her bed, atop the new emerald velvet duvet cover and 2 crystal vases of red roses on the vanity table where some thoughtful person had arrayed her favorite lotions. She also now had her own stereo and a stack of CD’s, all her favorites of course. All of this too, had his unmistakable thoughtful touches, no cards necessary.

This room had a fireplace and it was freshly lit, snapping and crackling merrily as she lowered herself carefully into one of a pair of soft wingback chairs flanking the hearth and Urs handed her Toni, who was making ‘Feed me!’ sounds.

He hadn’t yet been able to watch as she nursed the boy, each time finding something that had to be done and not sure why.

‘It’s a natural thing…why do I feel so…what…am I jealous of Toni?…not possible…he’s a baby…but I do envy him, his tiny hands on her skin, his mouth…let face it, his mouth is where I long for mine to be…Grow up, Fool!! …some father figure you are!!’

He purposefully turned back and watched them together and felt his heart flutter…not with the lust he had expected but with a pure love that was nearly painful in intensity.

‘I wish I could capture this moment and hold it in my heart forever…the woman I love and our son, bonding as only mother and child can…it’s so incredibly moving…’

He moved over to sit on the arm of the chair and caressed Mia’s curly hair, smiling when she looked up at him.

“Got over your nervousness did you? Look at the greedy little thing…I’m so glad he doesn’t have teeth.”

He chuckled and Toni squirmed, almost as if he recognized the sound of Urs’ voice.

“Urs, you’re sure about not getting him circumcised are you? It isn’t too late…we could have it done at the clinic.”

She had asked the afternoon after the delivery and he adamantly vetoed the operation, without giving any explanation….until now

“Liebe, I know they didn’t cover this at the classes we took…an old school mate who is a doctor now, told me it’s very painful and they don’t give the babies anything to dull it except maybe some Brandy…it takes about 10 minutes to do and …lets just say that removing a third of the foreskin can reduce the sensation he would have when he becomes a man…and it’s unnecessary…most guys don’t ever have a problem with it being too tight, even guys who are…well endowed…”

She raised her brows in silent question to him and he nodded.

“Yes, I’ve been told I am and no, I’ve never had a problem…now for Gott’s sake change the subject…this shade of red is not a good color for me.”

She smirked and he tugged on her hair in retaliation then laughed…it was funny after all…they had shared possibly the most intimate moment a man and woman could share outside of sex and he was embarrassed to talk about body parts…?

When Toni finished nursing, in very Swiss, methodical fashion emptying both sides equally, Urs took him and gently paced, rubbing the tiny back until an enormous burp came from the rosebud mouth. Almost instantly Toni fell asleep, not even waking while Urs changed him, wrapped him securely in a soft blanket and replaced him in the cradle he had bought for Mia’s room.

“You really are very good at that,” Mia commented when she returned from tidying up in the Loo.

“The trick is to do the exposed part fast… or risk getting sprayed…boys are bad for that.”

Mia clicked on the stereo, adjusting the music so that it was soft and soothing and joined Urs where he stood watching Toni sleep.

His arms went around her as he held her back against his chest and murmured in her ear.

“Welcome home, both of you….he’s so perfect, so beautiful…does your heart ache too when you look at him?”

“Yes…I want so much for him…love and happiness, peace, health…and this family you are sharing with us will give him all those things…”

“And more…Mia,…”

That one perfect moment evaporated like smoke with the intrusion of the girls, each of them eager to share in the joy of having this new life home where they could at last see him, the clinic having very strict rules about visitors.

Urs groaned deep inside but put a happy face on as his sisters cooed and exclaimed over Toni. They finally were convinced to let him sleep and to allow Mia to at least sit for a while. She was slow going down the stairs, talked into it after Ciara appeared to catch up on her reading while Toni napped. Urs offered to carry her, but true to her independent nature she merely raised an incredulous brow at him and persevered…..carefully.

The return upstairs was another matter though, when she fell asleep sitting in her chair in the Lounge and he didn’t ask, just picked her up and took her up to tuck her under the duvet in her bed, dropping a kiss on her brow as she murmured a sleepy ‘Danke’.

**

Fortunately for the new parents, Toni was a good baby, content with the nutrition he got from Mia at regular intervals, willing to sleep most of the time in between. By the time Urs had to leave again, when Toni was 5 weeks old, he was sleeping from his late night feeding right through until sun-up, perfect timing since Urs got in the habit of attending to him first thing and bringing the sweet smelling, freshly washed and diapered baby to his ‘Little Mami’ before heading to the gym for his morning workout. He swore that Toni knew him, that he seemed happy to hear his voice and feel the big hands on his tiny body…Mia teased him about it but she thought that he was right. The baby made different cooing sounds when Urs was talking to him or singing as he so often did…almost as if Toni was singing along.

Urs would be gone for a week this time and arranged for Ciara to stay …of course Paco would be around, even more so now, since the baby fascinated him… after the first few days when he had been afraid to hold him, he overcame his initial fears and now often carried the tiny body around, snugged against his chest, talking softly about all the things that Onkle Paco would teach him.

In only a few days Mia was back on her feet, annoyed with her saggy belly and determined to firm it up…she hit the gym most mornings right after Ciara helped her with Toni’s bath and by the time his christening day arrived, at the little church where she would sing in the choir again, soon, she was almost back to normal…except for a very full bosom, more so than usual because of nursing.

The day of the christening came, just hours before Urs had to leave and the church was packed with well wishers, mostly family, all of whom had been kept in the dark about the full name of the child.

So when the pastor anointed his head with Holy Water as Paco and Magda held the child between them and pronounced that ‘henceforth he shall be known as Antonio Getzi Buhler’ there was a collective sigh among the congregation…and not a few tears at the appropriate commemoration of the loved one that dear Tante Sophia was at last with.

There was just enough time after the service for Urs to hug Mia and tickle the drowsy baby before he had to change quickly and climb in the truck beside Paco for a fast trip to the airport. He would be exhausted when he returned, the trip being to promote his new CD in the UK with 15 appearances during the 7 days…he would return on April 17th, the day that Toni was 6 weeks old.

**

Mia had added SKYPE to their computers and after his first few failed attempts at using it, Urs loved it. She often came on IM while holding Toni for a few minutes, passing him off to Ciara after Urs checked out how much he seemed to have changed in only a couple of days.

Nature Boy says: I’m nearly counting the hours until I can come home…it’s worse now than before…I have two of you to miss.

Selene says: That should mean twice as much fun when you do return…so what are you doing with all your free time, now that you don’t have Toni to cuddle and diaper and burp and aren’t collecting him before and after nursing…you must be bored silly…

Nature Boy says: Of course…but I’m making do with nasty TV interviews and signings at music stores and traveling from one end of the UK to the other…I actually have about 4 hours daily to shower and sleep…forget about eating…if it can’t be done on a plane or bus, then I don’t bother. I need my oh-so-efficient assistant back to schedule these things with a little more compassion…I think Stan’s office forgot that they are dealing with a human male and there’s only so many hours in a day…and only so much Urs to go around.

Selene says: All part of my master plan to point out how much you need me…actually I promise that the next thing you have to do I will have the reins firmly back in my hands…so you can rest easy…this is only a temporary glitch…and when you get home you can recover…most of the snow is fading fast and I actually saw some of the bulbs we planted peeking through out near the alders.

Nature Boy says: Someone is trying to beat the door down…have to go…we’re heading for Nottingham in…well 10 minutes ago…Kiss Toni for me. I MISS YOU!!!

He signed off quickly and she smiled as she looked up at Ciara holding the little boy.

“He looks tired…but happy…what do you think about taking Toni to Luzern to meet him when he comes home?”

“Not into the airport, Subigkeiten {Sweetie} but surely in the car…too many germs in the airport and too crowded …I think it’s an excellent idea…we could surprise him.”

“That’s what I was thinking too…would you mind going with me? I really would like to do this and it will only be possible with two of us.”

So they planned the outing and let Urs think that Paco would be picking him up.

**

Urs pushed his way through the automatic doors and scanned the crowd for his tall, thin brother…nothing…his memory of that other arrival nagged at his mind and he smiled, glancing at the pillar where the covered waste receptacle {garbage can} always was…and did a double take….Mia was sitting on top, dressed casually in jeans and a jean jacket over a green tee shirt, waving and grinning as her eyes met his, looking young and voluptuous, her wild hair fairly dancing as she raised both arms and waved them back and forth.

He laughed and once more sent the porter to wait by the door, winding his way through the people meeting other passengers until he stood in front of her.

“Don’t tell me…some kind man lifted you up there…again…”

“Not this time…there’s only one of me now and I vaulted up…it’s easy if you have a good run at it…Welcome Home!!”

He reached for her, grinning when he found her waist easily this time and lifting her straight up, then hesitating…

“Toni?”

“He’s with Ciara…are you going to put me down?”

He grinned but felt a little twinge of disappointment…Toni was only 6 weeks old…did she already feel comfortable leaving him, even for half a day?

“Soon…I need my hug first,” he answered and collected her to his chest, kissing her cheeks and sighing when she slid down his body… her feet touched the floor and she wound her arms around him, hugging until he couldn’t breathe.

“They’re in the car,” she murmured against his chest and he laughed aloud, taking her hand and racing through the scattering of people, making the porter jog to keep up as they entered the parking area.

Ciara saw them coming and got Toni out of his car seat, just in time since Urs had the door open and was leaning in, reaching for him, such joy on his face that her heart swelled with emotion.

He was crooning to Toni, in German, in that singsong voice that the baby liked, when Mia came up behind them, having dropped back to wait for the poor porter. She opened the boot and paid the man, turning to look at the picture this strong man made, holding the baby against his chest, the tiny hands waving in the air…was he trying to control them, to touch his Papa’s face?

“He’s laughing…look, he’s really laughing!”

“Of course he is,” Ciara said with a grin, not mentioning that this was a new skill that Toni had been exhibiting since yesterday.

“He’s happy to see his Papa.”

“Can I hold him on the trip home?”

“NO!!” both women said at once and he laughed.

“Urs, he has to sit in the car seat…for safety reasons…and he likes riding in the car…he’ll fall asleep before we hit the motorway.”

Mia smiled at him, fully aware that he knew this …they had even discussed it when they bought the Audi.

It was just as well anyway…both Urs and Toni were asleep before they had gone more than a Kilometer, Toni securely in his car seat, Urs buckled in but with his head against the window, one long fingered hand resting against Mia’s hip as she carefully drove both of her men home.

CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE….SURPRISE!!

Urs was home now until the end of May and he was loath to spend the time resting even though Mia tried her hardest to get him to recover from the pace of the UK visit.

Toni, however, was a big help since she often found the two of them snuggled into Urs’ favorite chair, both napping or on a blanket on the floor with Toni curled up in the crook of Urs’ strong arms, against his chest as they both rested from the tickling and laughing that always seemed the little boy’s reaction to Urs silly talk. She would drape a blanket over them gently and smile indulgently, then go back to organizing his work life so he wouldn’t be so tired next trip away.

Mid May while she was in the kitchen and Urs was on the blanket with Toni, his excited voice had her running in a panic to the Lounge.

“Watch this!!”

He proceeded to turn Toni onto his back and they both laughed when the little body flipped itself neatly over onto his tummy with a grin…was it possible for a son to be like his father even if there was no blood tie? It must be so, since Toni had his father’s smile, the dimpled but chubby cheeks and the sparkling {but Green} eyes. Perhaps it was a question of seeing what you wanted to see.

Work was started on the Studio and daily, when she could be pried out of the garden, Mia would strap on the baby carrier and inspect the progress, keeping out of the way of course…that is until Urs discovered how much fun it was to cart the child around. It felt wonderful to have him nestling against his chest and he did it at every opportunity

They planned out the garden areas, got a crew in to work on the orchard and spent a lot of time in the local garden centre, buying hardy plants and truckloads of soil, keeping to a Natural theme as much as possible. Gradually the property took on a look of having been planted with all sorts of lovely things for years and as the weather warmed they spent most evenings outside, sometimes bundled in blankets, just enjoying their home.

The final tweaking was done on the touring that the Company would be doing, starting near the end of May and continuing until the final concert in Geneva on September 24th.

Mia brought Urs the revised schedule as he sat on the deck with Toni, enjoying the sunset and he traded paper for Son, looking at it with a practiced eye, at first with trepidation, then a smile broke across his face as he saw how much free time he would have and how often they would be able to join him..

“This is wonderful…22 dates but it will take just over 4 months to do it…and this fax from Stan…is that accurate? He says that nearly all the seats are already sold in the pre-sales and to the season tickets holders.”

“And there are a few real bonuses…David’s family has invited you to stay with them at least for one night when you do the Denver performance…and Toni, Ciara and I will be with you off and on…almost a week in the LA area, then you have all of July off and then we’ll meet up again in Paris on September first and when the tour is finishing in Geneva at the condo…all those days with lines through them are days off…you can sightsee or rent a bike or come home…what ever you need to get relaxed.”

He bounced up out of the lounge chair and hugged both mother and son, carefully, ever mindful of the tiny body between them. Toni thought it was the funniest thing he had seen in his 2 and a half months and chortled happily.

“Oh and Urs…if you check out your contract…every one of the venues has signed off on a vegetarian buffet and a quiet room for you…we should have asked for it before.”

He laughed and hugged her again.

“There was no ‘WE’ before, that’s why touring was so stressful… now you’ve come into my life and everything is falling into place…when Nate called earlier it was to say that my old agency opted to settle out of court and he has cleared the cheque through the bank…it will more than cover the cost of the farm with some left over to pay off the L.A. house…I think I’m going to have to give you a very big raise.”

Mia blushed furiously and managed with some difficulty to escape his embrace before she completely lost her composure…it just felt too good, breathing in the fresh, clean scent of him, feeling the warmth of his muscular arms around her body…she had begun to tremble and moved out of range, trying to speak casually and hoping he wouldn’t notice how much his hands on her body affected her.

“At this rate Toni will be assured of going to University…you already take very good care of us…and I make enough now from my art work…there just isn’t time to spend it all.”

Urs noticed…but then he noticed everything about her.

“You don’t like talking about money, do you?” he said with a sweet smile, giving her an easy out, though he half believed that what he said was true.

She turned her face to him, surprised that he was so intuitive and grateful that he seemed not to realize that her unease had more to do with his physical closeness than anything monetary…Still…

“Not when it comes to our arrangement…you really are very generous with Toni and I, Urs, more so than is necessary…and I like to pay my own way…sponging off of you is not something that I can continue to do and retain respect for myself.”

His eyes darkened and she saw the muscles of his jaw twitch as he gritted his teeth, holding what appeared to be a flare up of temper at bay.

“Don’t say that…don’t even think it…You more than pay your way, Mia……don’t deny me the pleasure it gives me to take care of you and Toni…it isn’t an obligation or a chore…it’s something I do selfishly, to feed my soul.”

He spun on his heel and walked away, going toward the tree line, a tense, rigid figure with a long stride that ate up the distance.

She had hurt him, that was plain to see, but wasn’t sure how. For a few minutes she watched as his figure grew smaller in the distance, then Toni’s heavy weight in her arms drew her back to reality and she carried the boy inside for his nap.

‘Scheisse!! I never thought of that…she’s right though…she makes enough money now with her art work to support them both… why is it that every time there seems to be a perfect moment coming up, something happens …some word or some body, some thing that twists what we were talking about and reminds us both of the business arrangement we have… what would she do if I just blurted out how I feel, told her that I want her, as a woman, a wife, that I want more than anything for her to love me too? And now she thinks I’m angry with her…Ah Mein Liebe…I’m not angry…I’m scared to death that you don’t need me anymore…that you’ll take Toni and leave…’

He went past the feeding station for the deer, through a copse of trees and down a small hill until he reached the sloped banks of a stream, just below the wide waterfall that bubbled over some rocks, a peaceful spot under most circumstances but today the beauty eluded him. For nearly an hour he sat on a mossy log and thought about their lives together up to this point, all the fun they had enjoyed, the work they had accomplished, how close they had become…the memories calmed him and when her soft voice spoke to him at first he didn’t react, thinking it was just another pleasant memory.

“Hey, Nature Boy…you ready for a coffee? I’ve brought a thermos…”

He looked up at her, standing beside him, smiling timidly and he reached out a hand to her.

“I’m sorry…I over-reacted. I do like doing things for you and Toni but I also understand how you must feel now that you are making such a success of your talent. You came into my life and filled a void I didn’t know was empty and I dread the thought of losing you.”

She stepped closer and he moved a little further on the log, tugging gently on her hand until she sat beside him.

“I’ve spent most of my life being made to feel inadequate…for not being a boy, for being a normal rebellious teen, often being blamed that Mom wasn’t getting any better…nothing I did was ever good enough. And then the incident with Milo happened and for a while I felt like it was what I deserved. Then when the test was positive…it was like suddenly I had a purpose, a reason to live, to excel and be strong. So I ran, not really away but towards a better life…I had no real plan, it was as if something pulled me, some unknown force was waiting to give me a chance to do something special with my life. And then I met you…even that first night I knew I could trust you…I’ve never been afraid of you, Urs, never felt the need…somehow I knew that our meeting was meant to be, for what purpose I didn’t know…and still don’t really. I do know that living here, with you, working with you makes me feel worthwhile … you give me so much of yourself…and I feel like I finally have a loving family…it’s something that I keep wondering if it is all a dream and that someday I’ll wake up to find this new life gone, vanished like smoke…I don’t want that to happen, not ever. If there are times when my independent nature rules my heart, it isn’t out of malice…I hate it when I hurt you…it makes my heart ache. Talk to me, Please…”

Urs still had her hand in his, twining their fingers together and now he squeezed it and raised her fingers to his lips to kiss them gently.

“We both made a mistake back at the house…it upsets me when you belittle the value that you bring to our relationship and I assumed too much, even thought that you would maybe leave me now that you have enough income of your own. I know better…I’ve always known that the money isn’t what keeps you here. We’ve made a home together, someplace that I yearn to come back to each time I’m away and someplace where I think you are happy. The thought of you taking Toni and leaving me alone…it makes me lash out, trying to protect myself from the emptiness that your absence would leave in my life.”

They sat quietly, holding hands, shoulders touching, watching the stream, absorbing and analyzing what had been said and implied.

“Urs…I like the arrangement we have now…it’s all I’m capable of, emotionally, at least for now. Maybe I should be seeing a therapist about what happened and about the nightmares that are always related to it…I don’t know…all I’m sure of is that the thought of being…intimate…terrifies me…and I won’t allow that to come between us… I can’t promise to never leave you, only that there will always be a place in my life for you…and Toni loves you…you are his Papa, that will never change…I know how you love him…I could never take him away from you.”

She wasn’t aware that her cheeks were wet with tears until his hand came up and gently wiped them away.

“What we have, Little One, is a relationship based on something much more precious and intimate than making love…it’s trust and caring, loyalty and decency, pride and honesty, peace as well as fun. I am attracted to you, but more for the purity of your spirit than the lushness of your body…just promise me that we will always talk about whatever is troubling either of us…we can work it out…promise to trust me and I will promise to never hurt you…Mia, we can have a good life together.”

He knew that he had gone as far as he could without actually declaring his love for her. Gently he hugged her against his chest and kissed her brow.

“Now, what was that you said about coffee?”

By the time they wandered back to the house to see if Ciara had Toni up from his nap they were chatting easily and laughing, talking about taking Toni to Disneyland…Urs claimed that no-one was ever too young to go and Mia thought that at 3 months he would find it scary, not fun.

“Then we’ll get one of those digital cameras and take pictures when you and I go…we’ll just have to go back when he’s 3 or 4 years old.”

“Urs Buhler, are you using your son as an excuse to go to see Mickey Mouse?”

“You bet!! Be honest…you want to go, don’t you?”

She raced ahead of him but called back with a laugh.

“YES!!!”

Laughing again, he sped up and chased her all the way to the house.

**

Urs would be leaving for New York on May 28th, enough time before the company’s performance at the Met on the 30th to wind down and hopefully get over the jet lag of such a long flight.

The week before, May 22nd, was Mia’s birthday and though she said nothing to remind anyone that it was coming up, there was a buzz of secret plans for the day, especially when he mentioned the special day to the girls and commented that she hadn’t had a celebration for over 10 years. In the Buhler circles that was unthinkable and the phone lines over-heated with calls back and forth, plans, revisions and more plans.

Mia was naively unaware that anything different was happening… until the morning of her natal day when she woke and found that her room had been transformed during the night.

Somehow, the Prince of Romance had managed to creep into her room, unheard, and covered every surface with bouquets of sweetly scented flowers in an assortment of vases, bowls and any handy container he could find. There were orchids floating in crystal bowls on the bed-stand, tall, elegant roses in vases on the vanity table, delicate Camelias resting on moss and polished pebbles on a silver tray, sprays of fragrant Carnations standing tall and proud…even flowering plants on the marble counter top in the bath.

He must have been anxiously waiting to hear movement in the room since she had just made one laughing circuit to inspect the blossoms when he knocked at the bedroom door and asked if he could come in.

She quickly pulled on her robe and opened the door, smiling and her eyes glistening with happiness that he had remembered…and acted on that long ago memory.

“Urs, thank you so much…I didn’t know you remembered…just take a deep breath…doesn’t it smell heavenly in here?”

He pulled his hands out from behind his back and presented her with a large package, wrapped in silver and with a huge green bow.

“And your special day is just beginning…you can open this as soon as you nurse Toni…who by the way is being especially good today…almost as if he knows that this is YOUR day.”

“After???? Why can’t I open it now?” she asked with a grin, tugging at the bow and looking at him with pleading eyes.

“Alright…I’m such a soft touch when your eyes get all big and shiny like that…go ahead.”

He was just as eager as she was as she fiddled with the tape on the package, urging her to rip the paper…she wouldn’t, saying it was far too pretty, that she wanted to save it.

When the box inside was revealed she still had no idea what was to come and gasped when she lifted the lid.

“Leathers!!! You got me leathers…are you going to teach me how to ride?”

She pulled the supple black leather out of the box and admired all the shiny zippers and buckles, the pants that would fit snugly everywhere, the short jacket with straps and buckles to adjust the fit, the soft leather gloves, even boots that would come nearly to her knees with a nice Cuban heel that would make her appear taller.

Urs stepped back to the door and reached down, his hands appearing again with a helmet, silver and black with a full, tinted visor.

“I couldn’t figure out how to wrap this…it has your name on it…well sort of…”

‘Eine Kleine’ was printed on the helmet in shining silver script, words she knew meant Little One since he called her that so often.

“Later, maybe when I’m home in July I’ll give you some lessons, but today we’re going for a ride…Ciara already knows, she’s going to take Toni to Mami’s for the day, along with some of the extra bottles that you used the pump to fill…and I have a few surprises for you while we’re sightseeing…so get a move on, Lady…your chariot awaits!”

He gave her a hug, and kissed the top of her curly head, grinning as she whooped with glee and scurried into the adjoining bath to get her day underway.

CHAPTER THIRTY TWO….A “HISTORY” PRESENT

The surprises never seemed to end as Mia nursed Toni and received a small gift wrapped package, supposedly a special present from him. She could hardly contain herself but waited until Urs had taken him to burp and then tore the wrapping open to reveal a flat jewelry box in lovely emerald green velvet. Inside was a charm bracelet, in silver, she thought though Urs corrected her with one word… ‘Platinum’. Two charms hung from it, one a tiny smiling baby with green eyes, holding a tiny Aquamarine in his chubby fist {Toni’s birthstone}, the other a green eyed angel carrying a lovely Kelly green emerald, which of course was Mia’s.

Urs finished his coaxing of the air-bubble from Toni and came back to fasten the bracelet around her wrist, handing her another small package, this one the size of a quarter and she knew it was more charms…sure enough this one contained a tiny pot of flowers, each miniscule petal formed with gems, and an artists easel complete with a landscape that had been delicately painted and enameled. He clipped them onto the bracelet and stood back to admire the effect, his smile showing that he was well-pleased with his efforts.

“Now everytime you look at it you’ll be reminded of how proud I am of what you do, who you are.”

Before Mia could dissolve into a puddle of emotion he dragged her from the room and downstairs, followed by Toni and Ciara.

Matthieu was in the kitchen, surprising them all by producing breakfast and when they had eaten the tasty omelettes and were leaning back replete, he ushered them into the conservatory with yet another surprise…presents from himself and Ciara of gardening books, hand tools and 6 more plants for the stands he had already built in the glassed-in room.

Mia was over-joyed, just a little over whelmed by such a display of love…it was something she hadn’t expected and of course was not accustomed to…but there was little time to dissolve into the tears she felt near the surface as the phone began ringing with well-wishes from the family.

**

One more charm for the bracelet was added as soon as they were ready to go …a replica of a Harley motorcycle in remembrance of her first ride. Urs clipped it on and gave her the hug and kiss on the cheeks that she had been aching for all morning.

“I want more than anything to make you happy,” he murmured against her neck, loath to let her go from his almost fierce embrace…and she snuggled closer, quite content to stay were she was.

“You always make me happy, Urs…it’s a gift, a talent you have that you share without restraint….it’s one of the reasons I love…being here with you.”

‘OMG…I almost told him…courage, Girl!! Bite your tongue!!...you can’t spoil what you have …it would be so unfair to such a generous, giving man…’

They got underway mid-morning, after a short tutorial around the parking area behind the house, getting Mia used to riding pillion without being nervous. Ciara, Matthieu and Toni had already left for Mami’s, taking the Audi and Urs had packed the panniers of the Harley with a few extras…a brand new digital camera for Mia to take shots of anything interesting she saw, water bottles, her small sketch book and pencils, the extra breast pump and bottles, and some items that he had tucked in before she came out, a bit self conscious in her new leathers.

‘Oh Mein gott…she looks incredible…so this is what she looks like in form fitting clothes…and not pregnant…it sure didn’t take long for her to slim down….all that exercising really worked…Scheisse, I feel drunk, like all my blood has pooled somewhere other than my head…and tight leather pants are not really comfortable right now!’

“Wow!! I did a good job guessing your size…you look like an old hand at bike riding, like you’d been doing it for years. Ready to go?”

They did a few circles of the parking area while he explained that she should just follow what his body was doing, not anticipate and if she was nervous at all she had only to pat his stomach and he would pull over.

“Where are we going?”

“You’ll see…put your hands on my ribs and enjoy the ride.”

They took the now familiar route into Luzern, driving well within the speed limit at first as Mia adjusted to the new sensation of riding behind him.

She wasn’t sure which thrilled her the most, riding on the powerful Harley with the throaty rumble vibrating through her body or snuggling up against his back, feeling his muscles contracting as he controlled the heavy machine. Even over the scent of the motor and fuel she could detect the light fragrance of his after shave and shampoo, something she loved to inhale while he was away, from the Lounge chair he always sat in or from his pillow when she couldn’t stand his absence any longer and made a daring foray into his room to lay briefly on his bed…while Ciara was busy with Toni of course.

Gradually she became accustomed to moving with his body as they sped along the motorway, the traffic somehow not bothering her…she put her faith in Urs’ skill.

They couldn’t have asked for a better day. The air seemed cool on the bike since they had no protection except for their clothing but in reality it was a warm spring day, cloudless, the sky a shade of blue that artists tried in vain to copy.

Twice they pulled into rest stops, not so much to take a break as for Mia to photograph the landscape, the brilliant green of the fields, dotted here and there with the cattle that had just been brought out of the farmsteads and would soon be taken to the upper pastures.

“Brown Swiss are really pretty cows,” she commented idly as she took another series of pictures and Urs grinned at her.

“They are actually really sought after for their milk production…one of the best in the world…they live longer, produce longer and adapt well to almost any climate…and their milk has a higher fat content so it makes better cheese…and I think you are becoming prejudiced…you like anything Swiss.”

‘If only you knew!’ she thought and smiled.

“And on top of all that they’re pretty,” she said with a chuckle at his obvious pride… “I can’t imagine living anywhere else now…I love the logic, the accomplishments of the ancestors, the natural beauty, peace, grandeur, the cows…it’s home to me now, Urs. I feel like I’ve finally found my place on this earth…if I ever have to leave, it will break my heart.”

‘Danke, Mein Subspeiten Jesuiten {Thank you, my sweet Jesus}…..’

His heart did a little victory dance as he listened to her speak of his homeland with such love.

“You are one of us now, Aramia….we would have to track you down and bring you back to us.”

He hugged her and took the camera, taking some candid photos of her then urging her to get back on the Harley since they had a reservation and didn’t want to be late.

“A reservation…for what?” she asked but he just grinned, dropped the visor of his helmet and gunned the motor, causing her to grasp his waist firmly as they began to move.

They entered Luzern and took a street unfamiliar to her at first until she saw the Lake ahead of them and the dock spearing out into the calm water…a steamer bobbed in the gentle waves at dockside and people were boarding.

Urs pulled up to a special gate and identified himself, pushing the bike up a ramp while Mia followed, removing her helmet and shaking out her hair.

Once the bike was securly strapped down he joined her at the upper deck railing.

“This is really the best way to see some of the small villages around the edge of the Lake…actually Lake Luzern is called the Lake of the Four Corners since there are four tributaries that empty into it with lots of coves and small bays…and of course the view of the mountains is outstanding from this vantage point. Over there,” he said raising his long arm and pointing north, “ is where the Kussnachtersee joins Lac Luzern, and you can see the Riggi Massif just to the east…Kussnacht am Riggi lies at the foot of the slopes…great skiing and hiking in the summer months…there’s an amazing cable car to take you to the top…wonderful view.”

“Are we going there today?”

He grinned and threw his arm around her shoulders, hugging her again but leaving his arm in place.

“Not today…I have something else in mind. We’ll disembark just past Brunnen at Vitznau, on the other side of the Lake and then take the bike inland a short ride.”

He reached in his pocket and pulled out another of the little gaily wrapped packages.

“Hold your wrist out,” he said with a little grin when she laughed.

This time the charm was a little silver steamer riding on a foam of mother of pearl and with a ruby Swiss flag flying from the silver mast.

“You are such a romantic, Urs Toni Buhler….you make me so happy my heart is full, almost to bursting.”

He took her hand and tugged her away from the railing, smiling as he led her towards the companionway to go up one more deck for a better view.

They watched, taking photos of the villages they passed, enjoying the fresh air and smooth voyage until both began to feel hunger pangs and went down one deck to snag a window table in the café and have lunch.

All too soon the steamer pulled in to the dock at Vitznau and they rolled the Harley down the ramp into the quaint village. Like most of the villages in Switzerland this one had been maintained perfectly, the houses gleaming with fresh whitewash and frescoes painted on the half timbered outer walls, the windows framed with ornate shutters and bordered with wooden planters full of flowering geraniums. As always, tourists were everywhere, some European, others with English as their first language so that the voices raised in praise of the sights was a hodgepodge of cultures but all happy, all enchanted with the almost fairytale like atmosphere.

They mounted the bike again and sped out of the town, heading along a twisting road at the base of the mountains, passing fields of gentians just coming into full bloom, groups on bicycles out for a tour, up and down hills, across valleys until they came to the town of Schwyz and Urs paused in the central square, Hauptplatz to park the bike and remove his helmet.

“This is where it all started,” he said with evident pride. “Those two peaks you can see are the Mythen and this town gave us both the name of our country and our flag. Way back in 1300 something {1315} the joint forces of Schwyz, Unterwalden and Uri united to defeat the Habsburgs at the Battle of Morgarten and after that, all the people were either called Schwyzers or Helvetia… eventually it was called Swyzerland. That building over there is the Pfarrkirche St. Martin, a lovely old church in the Baroque style and over there is the Rathaus. It was built in the 17th century as a town hall and when we get up closer you can see the depiction on the façade of the Battle of Morgarten….And down there is the Ital-Reding-Haus, a mansion built in 1609 and there you can just see the Haus Bethlehem, see that wooden building…it was built in 1287…and there’s a museum of History that used to be a granary, Forum der Schweizer Geschichte where you can see examples of daily life from the Middle Ages to the end of the 17th century.”

Mia’s eyes were glowing as she looked from area to area, her hands up to her mouth in dismay.

“This is better than Disneyland…so much history in one little town…oh Urs…I want to see it all!!”

He chuckled and put his arm around her shoulders.

“I thought you might be mildly interested…let’s get some water and then we’ll start.”

Mia’s ‘mild’ interest held no bounds as they went from one historical site to the other, listening intently to the guides at each building, reading the signs {Urs of course acting as translator}, taking photos when allowed. Her favorite was the last one they visited, the forum with the long name she tried vainly to pronounce or the wooden house with the tiny rooms and low ceilings that made her feel tall…Urs had to stoop to go through the doorways and duck the herbs hanging from the wooden beams.

They ended up back at the Harley in the late afternoon and reluctantly climbed back aboard to begin reversing their journey, Mia’s bracelet now sporting several more charms: a replica of the Baroque church, a tiny copy of the Charter between the three Cantons, sealed in paper thin poly with a silver frame, a figure wearing the costume of the Swiss Guard in the early 1600’s and a replica of the wooden house, made from actual pieces of the wood that was used to construct the flooring and found when the house was salvaged.

Back in Vitznau they had to wait for a few minutes for the next steamer. They separated to use the public facilities, a necessity for Mia since she wasn’t nursing or using the pump all day and her body didn’t understand, just kept producing. She used the pump, changed the nursing pads and came back to join Urs just as the steamer approached and they began their voyage back across the lake to Luzern.

This time they sat on the upper deck and Mia took out her sketch book, roughing in the mountain scenes that they saw while Urs sat with his arm around her shoulders, watching with fascination.

“What are those little numbers that you penciled in…what are they for?”

She smiled at him then kept on with what she was doing.

“Memory is not always accurate when it comes to color, so I make a note of what I should mix and in what ratio to achieve the colors I saw…I do it now while it’s still fresh so that later I can remind myself…like that copse of lighter colored trees about halfway between the two foothills…I’ll need 3 Phallo blue to 2 Burnt Sienna with just a smidge of Titanium White and a hint of Cobalt for brightness.”

“We need a painting to go over the fireplace in the Den…will you do one for me?”

She stopped moving her pencil and turned to look at him.

“I would be honored, Urs…tell me about your favorite place…or show me a photo…and I’ll paint it for you.”

“I can do better than that…when I’m home in July I’ll take you there…it’s in the mountains, a hidden valley, the one where Getzi and the partisans had their base…the one where we think Sophia spent the last months of the war. We would have to hike in but it’s worth the trek.”

Her eyes were sparkling as she grinned at him.

“You always know just the thing that will keep me happy… planning, anticipating and I love to hike and camp…. to actually see where they hid out…I can hardly wait for July. Thank you. This has been the best birthday I’ve ever had!!”

“And it isn’t over yet…c’mon, pack up and lets go down to the bike…we’re almost there.”

The sky was darkening when he pulled off the motorway at the small village of Hergiswil and parked in the lot of the largest building, Glasi Hergiswil. The sign informed any who read it that the glassworks had been established in 1817 and was open until 1800H.

The first thing that was noted on entering was the shelves of intricate glass works, obviously products that had been created here: bottles, vases, bowls, platters, even sinks and ornamental glass very similar to the Chihuilly exhibit Mia had seen at the ROM in Toronto {Royal Ontario Museum}.

They browsed through the displays then stepped into another room, unzipping their jackets since the heat was oppressive. Here they were separated from the working area by thick sheets of glass that allowed them to watch as the glassblowers dipped their long metal poles into the furnace vats of molten glass, twirling them with an amazing skill and blowing on the glass through tubes to create works of art right before their eyes. One of the elder artists gave Urs a slight nod and picked up a long pole in his gloved hands and Urs directed Mia’s attention to him as he began to work.

Urs had seen it before and spent much of the time watching Mia, her eyes huge and unblinking, holding her breath at times, squeezing his hand until his fingers lost their feeling. When the large, oval bowl was finished to the artist’s pleasure and detached from the metal stand, put on a rack to cool, she finally drew a deep breath and sighed.

“That was incredible…I kept expecting it to break of crack or…something terrible….Urs that bowl would look perfect in the dining room…you know, on that antique sideboard of Tante Sophia’s…can we find out how much it is?”

He smiled and leaned down to kiss her brow.

“It’s yours, Liebe….Herr Niederer seldom blows anymore but he agreed to do one for your birthday…it has to cool slowly for 36 hours and then we can pick it up.”

It was too much and she threw herself into his arms, wrapping her arms around his neck and kissing his face with abandon. It was a few minutes before she drew herself away and he reluctantly let her go.

The artist had come into the enclosed room and bowed to her, wishing her a happy birthday and she thanked him profusely, blushing when he said that it was a pleasure to make something beautiful for such a beautiful lady. They shared a glass of wine in the office with the elderly glass blower, who it appeared owned the business along with his sons who now did most of the work along with about 100 employees. Herr Neiderer had retired 18 years earlier when he turned 60 and now just enjoyed life, blowing glass occasionally when the mood struck him or going to Geneva to attend the Opera, something he claimed to enjoy even more since Urs had taken on the role of principle tenor at the Grand.

He held his hand out to Mia and she went to shake it but was surprised when he turned hers over and dropped something in her cupped palm.

“Als sie…Glucklich gerbustag, hubsch Eine Kleine,” {for you…Happy birthday, Pretty Little One} he said as she looked down at the tiny, perfectly formed glass vase of red roses, the petals of rubies, the leaves emeralds, she knew without asking.

“No break…never….speziell Formel…” he tapped his forehead to indicate that only he knew the secret, special formula that would keep her precious charm from ever breaking.

Mia was still in shock when they finally left the elder man who couldn’t stop smiling at the pleasure he had seen in her eyes.

“What a kind, sweet old man…how did you talk him into that? I’m just blown away…”

“Herr Niederer is a fan…we traded…I got him seasons tickets and the special silica for his glass…and the stones of course and left it up to him. I’ve always admired his work…Mami has a couple of his pieces. So you liked our little side trip I gather?”

“Don’t ask me which part of this glorious day was my favorite…I could never chose.”

“Good…I like to make you happy…” he said with a grin and pulled her helmet down over her head, donning his and waiting for her to get on behind him. Her arms came around his chest and he didn’t make her move them to his ribs…it just felt too good.

They pulled back onto the road and gained speed, heading south-east in the now darkening night, the headlamp creating a cone of light ahead of them as they wound through the hills and forests in the glorious sunset, to their home.

CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE…

Dinner was ready when they arrived home and waiting for them…along with the family, a mound of more presents and a laughing baby boy who, though he was sleepy and decided that his bedtime snack had just walked in, was happy to see them, waving his hands in the air and laughing as Urs bent over him, snuggling with Mia when she picked him up and nuzzling her chest …she got the distinct impression that he had enjoyed his meals out of a bottle but there was nothing like the real thing….and she was ready… after a whole day of producing but not using except to take the pressure off in various washrooms with the small pump, she was more than ready. {Edit note: added for you gals who remembered even though Ree didn’t…LOL}

Urs took him for a quick change while Mia indulged in a very fast shower to remove the road dust and back-wash from the engine, then they traded, Urs going for a shower while she nursed the sleepy boy.

He was done and in his crib when Urs came back, all freshly scrubbed and with his hair starting to curl wildly, clean shaven for a change…in honor of her birthday he said but she thought he really was just tired of the beard.

They turned the monitor on and went down to join the others, full of tales of what they had done and seen. Everyone was surprised over the number of charms she had on her bracelet, most knowing about it but not the fact that Urs had decided to commemorate the entire trip with little tokens.

For a while she opened presents, some funny, some endearing, all thoughtful and appreciated by her. There were even drawings done by some of the nieces and nephews who beamed at her comments and gladly accepted the offer of coming by for fun lessons in the studio.

Dinner was buffet style, all the favorites of everyone…Mami and the girls had outdone themselves and before long the entire family was collapsed in the Lounge, groaning from too much ‘Just one more’.

A half hearted discussion was entered into about staying over since it was late and the children, who were visibly beginning to droop, should go down soon. Friedrich settled it easily by declaring that he couldn’t drive after sampling so much of Urs’ wine collection and for a few minutes there was chaos as parents collected children and hugs and kisses were distributed as little bodies were herded up the stairs into bed.

“I knew there was a reason for furnishing all those bedrooms,” Urs murmured from his chair, his eyes heavy and smile soft.

“What surprises me is that the girls didn’t even argue about who got which room,” Mami answered with a little laugh, as always her hands not able to be idle so she was knitting what looked like yet another sweater for one of the grand kids.

“Do you suppose they’re growing up at last?” Paco asked the room in general and glanced at Urs, both of them pausing for a second and then as one, grinning, shaking their heads and saying ‘NEIN!’

Mami looked at Mia, comfortably perched with her feet tucked under her bottom on a pillow beside Urs chair. Her cheeks were rosy, eyes shining still with happiness, nearly the same glowing green as the soft silk blouse and full brocade skirt she wore.

“I heard you have a new program for the computer, Child…have you done any work on the new book with it?”

Mia grinned at her.

“It’s amazing…I’ve done a bunch…the story is all about pixies and faeries and it’s such fun to do the drawings….Urs brought me the program when he came back from Dublin…I’m afraid he spoils me.”

“Do not!!...it’s as important to your work as the YM is to mine…sort of…like the Studio…anyway, it’s fun making you smile.”

Mami insisted on a tour of the new Studio when she learned it was finished and in use so Mia took her out, going through the Den and out a connecting door, clicking on the light so they could see the spacious area.

It had been built with south facing windows for the light and automatic blinds that could be drawn at the push of a button. There was no fireplace in this area, the little smoke seepage would be bad for the canvases, so it was heated with panels under the wood flooring and units mounted in the wall. French doors lead to the deck outside and there were ledges built around the walls for hanging paintings to dry, sketches to be studied, easels for works in progress and a new PC, dedicated to her work, on a roomy desk beside the drafting table.

She had been busy and Mami strolled the room, admiring the finished art work that would soon be tubed and sent off to the author.

“We took so many photos today…I can’t wait to download them and do some landscapes, just for fun. Mami, this has been the best day…and such a surprise! I wasn’t aware that anyone even knew.”

Mami laughed.

“He does like to plan surprises…and he’s so good at keeping secrets…” she got a strange, introspective look on her face. “Perhaps a little too good sometimes.”

**

The last few days before Urs and the Company left for the US were busy but quiet. The weather co-operated, dewy mornings but mild and sunny days, the kiss of the sun on the earth making the fields burst almost over night into flower. Urs took Mia on a few gentle rides around the farm, refused to take Toni out, saying that the back wash of fumes wouldn’t be good for him, a statement that made Paco roll his eyes when he heard it.

“Man!!…being a Papa has changed you…where is that biker dude gone?”

Urs smirked as he stared down his brother.

“Still here, just a little more mature…there’s something about seeing a child being born that makes you grow up…and it was about time. But I figure when he’s about 6, I can get him his own little bike.”

“A pedal one, of course,” Mia said coming up behind him and having heard the tail end of the conversation.

“Of course!” Urs said but the grin he shot at Paco said otherwise.

**

Once again the house felt like the heart of it was gone. This time the separation wouldn’t be quite so traumatic though, since Urs left on the 28th of May for New York and the company would do NY, Washington, Boston, Chicago and Atlanta before jetting across the country to Denver and then Los Angeles where Mia, Toni and Ciara would join him on June 11th at the new little house for almost a week.

As always they kept in touch daily through IM.

New York:

Nature Boy says: Hi Family!! I was so jet lagged this morning that I actually went looking for Toni to get him ready for his morning nosh!! LOL Much better now that I’ve had some coffee and worked out for a while, nearly drowned in the shower until I turned the temperature to cold…that sure woke me up. We had a great rehearsal this morning…the venue has amazing acoustics…With the time difference I assume you’ve had dinner and are nearly ready for bed…wish I was there to get my good night kiss and to cuddle Toni before he goes down for the night.

Selene says: It won’t be long until we’re in L.A. and you can visit Mickey Mouse!! LOL I started a list of things we’ll need to bring for Toni…traveling with a baby is no easy chore!!

Nature Boy says: Not to worry…just bring yourselves, that’s the important thing…you may be surprised with how efficient I can be when needed

Selene says: WHAT HAVE YOU DONE THIS TIME?

Nature Boy says: Not much…just set up the house with things he needs…it’s your fault…you taught me how to use the Internet and now I find that I like it…u can do anything online!! Don’t be angry with me, Little One…

Selene says: You know I can’t be angry with you…at least not for long…there just better not be any miniature Harleys in that house…Urs, he can’t even sit by himself yet.

Nature Boy says: I suppose I can see if they’ll take it back.

Selene says: URS TONI BUHLER!!!!!

Nature Boy says: ROFLMAO!!! Even in cyberspace you are so easy to wind up!! Is your face all red and are your eyes squinchy? I should have turned SKYPE on first.

Selene says: It may take a while but I will get even!! Where you this much of a tease with your sisters?

Nature Boy says: Sometimes…but honestly, I do some of my best work with you…Seriously, I do miss you and Toni…I’m counting the days until L.A. ….oh and I had a text message today from David…He’s going to be home when I get to Denver, both him and Sarah, his girlfriend…this is going to be a fun trip…..he’s worse at pulling pranks than I am.

Selene says: duty calls, in the form of a very hungry little boy…one of these days I’d like to meet your friend…he really sounds like a nice person…and he has an amazing voice.

Nature Boy says: Go feed our boy and give him a hug from me…I’m chatting with some of the cast and we’re going for an early dinner…then I’m going to crash early and try to get my body clock back to normal.

This time he was first with the big red lips that sent a kiss across the miles and he smiled with satisfaction as he closed the computer down and took a bottle of water into the Lounge to relax for a while with some of the other members of the Company.

**

Washington:

Nature Boy says: what a difference in the audience between laid back NY and here…maybe because it’s the seat of government or something but everyone here was in tuxes and gowns, diamonds glittering everywhere…kind of like the Command Performance in Geneva…but they really liked us and I’d love to come back sometime…not much time to look around since, as you well know we are off to Boston in the morning….beautiful venue and great acoustics again.

Selene says: turn your SKYPE on…Toni just finished nursing and is heading for bed but if you hurry you can see one of those, ‘don’t bug me, I want to go to sleep’ smiles.

Nature Boy says: Mein gott how I miss seeing him…he is probably the most beautiful baby ever born…Mia is it hot there?

Selene says: Sorry…I was so anxious for you to see him that I forgot how low cut this top is. That better?

Nature Boy says: Much!! Please try to remember that I am definitely not a Saint!!

Selene says: Urs, you’ve seen me uncovered, nursing Toni…

Nature Boy says: trust me…it’s not the same…I got a text from Nate today…he mentioned that he suggested the name Cygnet Sketches for your company…do you like it?

Selene says: Yes…I faxed him my OK so he’s getting things rolling …I already have two more clients but small ones, just covers…that’s good since it’s all I have time for.

They chatted for a while longer then Urs signed off…. watching her as she typed and pulled up the errant strap of her tank top that constantly slipped off one creamy shoulder became just too much for him and he needed a cold shower…NOW!!

He headed for the bedroom and adjoining bath, thinking about Mia as he stripped his tee shirt and jeans off, made it down to his shorts and knew that the cold shower wasn’t going to work.

‘I give up!!…OH, my Sweet Mia…if you only knew what you do to me…I long to be inside her, to feel her tight and wet around me, to feel her body vibrating with need and those gorgeous breasts filling my mouth….this isn’t the same, not nearly as fulfilling… but… the alternative is to call one of the girls in the company and I’m not willing to do that….gott, I can just picture her…here in the shower with me, the water cascading off her shoulders, those little hands clutching at my arms, her eyes getting heavy with longing as I love her….’

Once again he fantasized about the woman he loved, relying on his fantasies to give him the patience to wait for her until she was ready…he shuddered as he reached the peak, whispering her name as his seed spilled into the shower….tension relieved, he leaned his forehead against the cool tiles of the shower, letting his breathing and body return to normal, not really sated but at peace…for now.

**

Boston, Chicago, Atlanta…all the venues were outstanding, the houses packed to capacity, the pace hectic but manageable, especially since they all knew that Denver and Los Angeles would mean free time for everyone.

It was a special treat for Urs to be able to see his friend David when they arrived in Denver. He checked into the Marriott but repacked enough things for an overnight trip to the Miller’s home and left the Hotel within minutes of arriving, the address for their suburban residence right where Mia had left it for him, in his Blackberry…another of the new gadgets that she had trained him to use.

He thought of how much his life had evolved since she had come into it…he now was part of the modern world, embracing the technological age, using the tools that science had developed, actually feeling quite proud of himself that he understood most of the technical jargon now.

David spotted the taxi when it pulled into the driveway and came flying out of the house, well over 6 feet 3 or 4 of huge grin and bright sparkling eyes, whooping with glee as his long legs made short work of the yard and he tackled Urs in a bear hug.

“Man it is so good to see you!! You look great!! And happy…there must be a new woman in your life…who is she, tell me all about her…not another one of your blondes with limited IQ I hope?”

Urs was laughing too hard to speak at first and then stood back and eyed his friend.

“You’ve gotten taller, Stretch…and yes there is, no she isn’t blonde or dumb and I’ll tell you what I can but later, privately.”

He had noticed that David’s parents had come out on the patio and were watching them with indulgent smiles on their faces, clearly accustomed to their son’s exuberant ways.

It was hours later, after Urs had been installed in the guest room and they all enjoyed a lovely Tex-Mex meal…easy on the hot sauce for the Swiss, though David teased him and called him an Alpine gringo… that the two men declared they were going for a walk to help digest dinner.

For a while they talked idly about Il Divo, about people they both knew, then David pulled up at a bench in the park they had been wandering through and plopped down.’

“You need to talk about it don’t you? Tell me, buddy.”

He listened without comment while Urs began at the beginning, not holding anything back, awed that his formerly so private friend was unburdening himself this way.

Urs eyes were tormented as he finished telling David what had happened up to now and David felt totally speechless, a condition he was seldom in.

“It’s driving me crazy…I think about her all the time…and I love the boy…He’s my son, in everything except blood….David I love Mia so much and I just don’t know what to do about it…So many times I’ve almost told her but she’s so …so skittish when it comes to intimacy…and I understand that but Scheisse…how long can I wait without breaking? I think she loves me…Paco says she does…or at least I think she would if she let herself, if those memories didn’t interfere. If I tell her how I feel and she leaves me…I can’t conceive of life without her.”

David cleared his throat and tried to think of something intelligent to say.

“Urs…buddy I don’t know what to say…did you want advice, ‘cause I don’t think I have anything really wise to say….except I think you have to go on as you have been…something like that takes time to get over…and except for the knowledge of how she actually feels about you, the two of you have built a great relationship…everything but …well everything but the sex. I guess you have to decide which is more important…tough decision, being a guy and all…we do tend to be ruled somewhat by our nether regions. If you manage to keep your vow of no other women…well just count me as one vote for your Sainthood. I know that I couldn’t stay loyal to Sarah if it wasn’t that she joins the tour now and then and I love her the same way you love your Mia. How in H**l do you cope?”

Urs smiled.

“Lots of cold showers…and callouses,” he raised his right hand and wiggled his long fingers.

David threw his head back and chortled with laughter.

“Ever the efficient Swiss…some things never change….I wish I could be of more help.”

Urs nodded and they both stood to head back to the house.

“You’ve been more help than you know, Stretch…I needed someone who isn’t involved to unburden to…and, ‘TAG’, you were it. Thanks for listening.”

By tacit agreement they changed the subject, talking about David’s SRO solo performance in Chicago, Urs new CD that was doing really well in Europe and the UK and the secret plans that Il Divo had for their 2009 tour.

It was with a lighter heart that Urs entered into the conversation around the poker table in the Miller’s den for a friendly, low stakes game, not even flinching when David warned him that he had become really good at Texas Hold ‘Em…then Urs proceeded to be the big winner of the night, cleaning his friend out easily.

CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR

Matthieu had decided that he would come with them and it was just as well. Even with Urs assurances there still was a fair pile of luggage to collect when they arrived at LAX and waited for the carousel to spew out their pieces.

He took over, pointing out the brightly tagged cases with the neon orange pom-poms to the porter while Mia and Ciara occupied a fretful Toni, who it seemed had endured quite enough traveling, thank you, and wanted to snuggle or sleep.

Urs was waiting impatiently for them when they finally made it into the arrivals lounge and scooped Mia and Toni into his arms for a hug that left her breathless and Toni chortling happily. He seemed to recognize either Urs face or his voice and his mood lightened, his little hands, that he now seemed to have more control over, going up to pat the happy face of the man who couldn’t wait and had to tickle his round belly right away.

They somehow made it out to the limo he had hired for the trip, the Jeep he had at the house much too small for all the luggage and people and they settled back in comfort to enjoy the humid, burnt toast air of the San Fernando Valley.

“He’s heavier…is he eating solid food now?”

“Well if you call mushed sweet potatoes, carrots and watery cereal ‘solid’, then yes he is,” Mia answered with a laugh.

Urs made a face and grinned at Toni.

“Don’t worry, little man…Mami’s cooking gets better…first you have to get some teeth.”

“And the minute he does, he graduates to a sippy glass,” Mia countered and Urs laughed.

Toni kicked his feet against the padding of the baby seat as if he understood and didn’t approve.

Matthieu unclipped his seat belt and removed his jacket, sweating profusely and Urs apologized.

“Sorry…I read somewhere that air conditioning isn’t good for babies so I asked the driver not to turn it on…it takes a while to get used to the humidity here after home.”

They powered the windows down a bit and Urs asked about some of the ongoing work on the farm. The normally taciturn older man waxed eloquent about the progress on the gardens, how well the vegetables they had planted were doing and how the fruit trees in the refurbished orchard had lost their blossoms and were setting fruit.

Mia and Ciara exchanged amused glances, both aware that Urs really was interested and watching as Toni succumbed to the motion of the limo and fell asleep.

It wasn’t too long before they left the crowded freeway and entered into the city itself, driving through several neighborhoods that clearly needed some gentrification and actually into Bel Air where the differences in life styles became more and more obvious. They slowed and turned into a gated property, the driver keyed a code into a remote laying on the dash and the tall wrought iron gates swung open.

“You said it was a little house!!...Mein Gott, Urs…that was a bit of an understatement!”

It could have been anywhere in Europe, a tall two and a half storey structure formed of natural stone and half timbers, fronted and shaded by tall Ponderosa Pines and lush shrubbery, a much smaller version near the gates that closed behind them on the crushed stone drive that circled around to the front entrance. Stone chimneys dotted the roof line with small windows in the upper floor that Urs explained were former servants quarters and now housed a fully equipped gym.

“There’s a nice pool and deck out back too, fenced off so we don’t have to worry when Toni starts to walk…we can teach him how to swim…Mia you can swim, can’t you?”

“Like a fish,” she admitted with a smile, still a little in awe over his ‘Little House’.

He shrugged his shoulders at the stares he was getting.

“This is the States…everything is Super Size here….and in usable square feet it’s smaller than the farm. It’s kind of empty inside in some of the rooms though…I wanted to wait and have some help deciding what to do about furnishings…my one and only use of a designer didn’t turn out all that well.”

Mia patted him on the arm and promised to have a few suggestions.

‘Kind of empty’ was an understatement, like saying the Alps were ‘Tall’. The house was so empty the rooms echoed, the only places that contained much in furnishings other than the sparsely furnished bedrooms and fully equipped gym, were the kitchen and family room which housed all the needed appliances, table and chairs and a sectional sofa and large screen TV.

Still, it was a lovely house and the possibilities were endless. Ciara and Mia wandered from room to room, full of ideas, exclaiming over the crown molding and high ceilings with medallions in plaster, the French windows and deep alcoves built in, the wide staircase with rich patina of wood gleaming on the banisters and steps.

“It originally was built for some movie star, back in the 30’s…Ida something or other and maintained by her estate after she passed on…I didn’t even have to do much other than refinish the floors and I just had the couple who have been here forever as caretakers look after that. They kind of come with the place and live in the gatehouse…he supervises the gardeners who come twice a week and she keeps her hand in checking up on the housekeeping service….though there isn’t much to do except dust. Come see the pool.”

Urs had found them wandering from one room to another and herded them out to the patio, through a wrought iron gate and into the pool area.

This deck had been provided with new loungers and tables, sunshades that were folded up at the moment and a pool with water so clean and clear that only the slight ripple from the inflow showed that there was indeed water in the oval area. The enclosure and fencing was softened with flowering shrubs, Oleander, Urs said and he made a face which Mia interpreted to mean he didn’t like them.

“No…they’re beautiful but it’s just that they are poisonous…I’m going to have them replaced with something else, maybe golden showers or bougainvillea…something we don’t have to worry about Toni getting sick if he snacks on petals.”

“Can’t we just teach him not to ‘snack’ on them?” she asked with a smile but she could tell by the way he braced his shoulders and his jaw set that he wouldn’t be moved on his decision.

“I’d rather not take a chance, Aramia….trust me on this one.”

‘Pick your battles, girl…he knows more about plants than you do…and it’s so precious of him to be thinking of Toni’s safety like this.’

“Of course I trust you Urs….and defer to your judgement…I don’t know as much about plant life anyway, especially here.”

They all changed to swim suits and lounged around the pool for most of the afternoon, Toni in the shade in the net play area that Urs had provided and the others splashing in the pool or lounging, napping off jet lag.

Urs came back from a swim and sat on the edge of the double lounge while Mia smeared sunscreen on his broad back.

“You tan so easily…don’t you ever burn?”

“Not really…I guess because I spend a lot of time out doors, my skin has toughened up…and I’m really careful to grease up…Actually it was hotter in Denver…poor David turned beet red when we went for a walk and that was only for a couple of hours…actually it was quite nice…we went out into the foothills…and I saw a Rattle snake!!”

He felt her shiver and laughed.

“You don’t like snakes? You would have hated this one then…I almost stepped on it and it was…”

“DON’T!!! I don’t want to hear about it!!...snakes make me feel creepy, Urs, even the little ones that aren’t poisonous….there now, you know my secret fear…and don’t you dare be like most guys and tease me about it…at school the boys used to catch garter snakes and try to stuff them down our shirts…nasty little monsters!!”

“The snakes?” he said with a grin, almost sure of her answer.

She gave him a dig in the ribs that made him yelp.

“The BOYS!!”

He laughed and rolled over taking her with him and tickling her until she was laughing so hard the tears streamed.

Mia was pinned to the Lounge, on her back, with Urs torso laying across her chest and one of his hands brushing her hair back from her face.

‘OMG…he’s going to kiss me…NO, Urs, Please… I do want you to…I just can’t…’

He looked down into her eyes and the thoughts of kissing her and telling her how much he loved her evaporated…for an instant he thought he saw love, desire, eagerness…but it vanished, replaced by a fear that made his own desires pale and fade.

‘Mia…my own precious Little One…it breaks my heart to see you look at me with fear in your eyes….’

“I’ve missed you…there’s no one to tease when you aren’t around…sit up and I’ll do your back.” He levered himself up into a sitting position and waited for her to move in front of him.

“I have rehearsal then the performance tomorrow but the day after is a free day…I thought we could do the Disneyland thing then.”

“Wonderful…I haven’t been since I was about 10…I’m sure it’s changed a lot.” His hands on her bare back moved the straps of her black one piece suit and rubbed lotion into her skin, making her feel warm and fuzzy, about to purr with contentment.

“How do you feel about leaving Toni with Matt while you and Ciara come to the performance? He offered while you ladies were upstairs.”

“Matt is very good with him…I think he used to help a lot with the fostering…he seemed to know all the right moves…almost as well as you do….and Toni is comfortable with him…thank you, Urs…I would hate for Ciara to come all this way and not have some fun and as for Matt…we haven’t converted him to liking Opera yet…but we’re working on it.”

**

Urs and Mia went to the nearest Ralph’s Super market for supplies then worked together to make dinner, the whole family opting for the nice sheltered patio at the back of the house and steaks done on the built in BBQ. Ciara and Matt insisted on cleaning up after and left Urs and Mia to take Toni with them and browse through some online sites for furnishings for the house.

The selection was enormous but it wasn’t long before they had at least decided on the basics, enough to make the house livable and they clicked on the icon that offered next day delivery…for a premium of course.

That accomplished, they strolled back out onto the deck and watched the sunset.

“What a shame that the air is so thick here…it’s really a lovely state and if you look past how built up it is and some of the poor areas it’s really pleasant…why is it that I keep comparing here to Switzerland? And why don’t we ever see run down houses or garbage on the streets back home?”

“You can’t compare them, Mia…Switzerland is a very small country so the amount of problems we have are in direct proportion to the population…and we’ve had a lot longer to work things out. Each of the Cantons has laws about keeping your property well maintained and it’s ingrained in everyone right from early years to have a pride in their homes and country. It isn’t any different here than any other large country. I’m sure even in Toronto there are areas you didn’t want the tourists to see.”

She looked at him in surprise, taken aback that he was defending the places they had driven through on the ride from the airport, but she thought about his comment and decided that once again he was right.

“I can think of a few…places that made me feel a bit guilty that I had so much, yet complained about my life….”

He settled back in the Lounge chair with Toni snuggled against his stomach, sleeping contentedly.

“Sit with me…I’ve missed having you near enough to chat with in the evenings.”

Mia snuggled beside him then turned on her side with her knees pulled up and snuggled her head against his shoulder.

‘I shouldn’t do this…but I can’t help it…I need to feel his warmth against my cheek, breathe in the scent of him….’

Without commenting Urs moved his arm, snaking it under her head and pulling her just a bit closer, leaning his head back against the cushions and closing his eyes to savor the tortured bliss of having her come to him like this.

‘It’s a good thing Toni is in my lap…otherwise I don’t think I could stop myself from leaning down and tasting her lips, kissing her until she begged me to love her…or ran screaming from the house to catch the next plane home….it’s never enough…I get a kiss on the cheek, I want her mouth…a hug and I want her to tear my clothes off, to be skin against skin…once again my ‘nether regions’, as David would say, are controlling my brain…but oh what a rush, having her choose to be so close…’

Neither was willing to indulge in conversation now, concern that too much might be said foremost in both their minds and they were silent, relaxed and for a while in sweet dreams until Toni woke from his after-dinner nap and wanted play time before his late night snack and bed. The ploy of bumping his schedule an hour daily for the past week had worked and he was more or less on L.A. time now. They did manage to hold him off for another hour by introducing some of the new toys, bears, and mobiles in the nursery but at last Mia fed him and they put him down for the night and retired themselves…each to a lonely bed.

CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE…

As always the performance had been outstanding, the audience enthusiastic and the cast buoyed up by their success.

Urs had opted for a limo for the girls since they were ‘dressing up’ and they piled into one for the return trip after sharing several glasses of bubbly with the cast backstage.

Ciara had been to the Opera in Geneva before, but in the stalls and this had been her first experience in a balcony seat…she vowed to never go back to regular seating again now that Urs had spoiled her.

“We even had our own waiter and those tiny little appetizers on a real silver platter,” she said in a hushed voice and he hugged his cousin, pleased that he had been able to give her such a nice treat.

“So what do you and Matt have planned for tomorrow while Mia drags me around Disneyland?”

“Excuse me? ‘Drags’ you around? Are you implying that you really don’t want to go?” Mia said from the other side of him, her brows raised and eyes sparkling.

“Well no…I can’t very well let you go alone, can I?...and alright…it was my idea and yes I want to go with someone who I can share the fun with….and David is busy.”

He laughed when she scowled and pretended to be put out.

“And I’ll have more fun with you than David anyway….though you may be too short for some of the rides…they do have height requirements you know.”

“She could wear high heels…very high heels,” Ciara spoke up, entering into the teasing.

“What is this…Pick on Mia day?...or tell short jokes day? Enough you two!!! Cee, I’m only an inch shorter than you are…and you, Herr Wind-Mia-Up…I can still stand on a chair and deck you.”

Suddenly it was just too funny as she looked at them both staring at her, wondering if she was really angry, if they had gone too far and she began to laugh.

By the time they pulled up in front of the gates and waited for the wrought iron panels to swing open they were all laughing and telling lame jokes, giddy from the champagne and life.

They went in and admired the new look of the rooms that now had a scattering of pieces, delivered that morning and finished off the night with a light meal in the kitchen, joined temporarily by Matt who said he preferred to babysit during the day…Toni slept too well and wasn’t any fun at night.

**

They headed for the Magic Kingdom just before noon, taking the Jeep since Matt and Ciara had opted for a quiet day of lolling around the pool with Toni playing under the awning in his roomy net play-pen, everyone well greased because of the sunshine and reflection from the water.

With the help of the GPS Urs maneuvered the Jeep through the warren of confusing streets and found the parking area for Disneyland with ease.

There was an air of excitement that seemed to flow from the distant gates. Urs hopped out of his seat and came around to Mia and lifted her from the Jeep, his sunglasses up on top of his curly hair, his face slightly shiny from the sunscreen that Mia had insisted they both don back at the house.

Both had worn jeans and tee shirts for comfort, Urs with boots on and Mia wearing sneakers, daring him with a look, to comment on needing higher heels…wisely, he didn’t.

“Let’s just be kids today,” he said with a grin as she threw her usual large shoulder bag over one shoulder and looked up at him. “No responsibilities, no duties, no stress, just two kids out having a good time. We can eat junk food, laugh at all the silly stuff, pretend to be scared of the creepy things, buy tacky souvenirs …what do you say?”

“I say…RACE YOU TO THE GATE!!”

She laughed and sprinted toward the main entrance, ignoring the buses that cruised the lot to pick up the far flung visitors.

Urs let her get a lead then raced after her, not catching up quite as fast as he had envisioned…she was fast, nearly too fast for his long legs and he just caught her as they reached the massive flower bed in front of the kiosks, grabbing her waist and pulling her back to stand against him as they both laughed and caught their breath.

“Oh that felt good…I forgot how much I love to run…used to do it all the time as a kid.”

“Warn me next time so I can come prepared…boots are not great for running. Let’s go.”

They got their day passes stamped, the ones Mia had purchased on line and entered Main Street USA loaded down with maps and brochures that gave the times of parades, fireworks, events at the various venues….Urs bought water for both of them and put them in his small day pack hanging from one shoulder and they planned which areas to do first.

There really wasn’t much that they missed during the miles they put in during the day. The memories and photos told the story, to be relived again and again: Urs breaking the rules and swinging from a hanging branch in the Tree House, grinning like a naughty school boy, Mia shrieking with feigned fright and wearing a huge grin when the Hippo charged the Safari boat, both of them still white knuckled on leaving Space Mountain, both with wet Tee shirts after the ride down the Matterhorn {Urs took photos since he thought that Mia looked especially good in a wet tee shirt}…they ate hot dogs as they walked around, stopped at the Old Fashioned Ice Cream Parlor for a decadent sundae, actually had photos taken with Mickey as he mimed his happiness to see them. Late in the day they had a Creole dinner in the dimly lit patio restaurant of the Pirates exhibit and watched the Main Street Parade from the little grassy area near Sleeping Beauty’s Castle.

The fireworks display was a fitting ending to a wonderful day and they watched from the bridge to the castle, Urs leaning back on the cement wall with Mia tucked firmly against his chest and his arms around her. Her little hands lay on his arms and she clutched at him each time the spray of colors spread across the sky. He missed most of it, too intent on her touch, the way the colors reflected off her sweet smelling hair.

The last multiple shower of color and fire spread across the sky, sending sparkles earthward and she sighed.

“Thank you for this day, Urs. It was perfect…I’m so glad you wanted to share it with me.”

They strolled back down Main Street and stopped in the boutiques for souvenirs: Tee shirts for everyone, Mickey Mouse and Minnie dolls for Toni, a snow globe of Disneyland for the office as a paperweight and a silver charm of the Castle for Mia’s bracelet.

They took the bus back out to the Jeep, both totally walked out and headed back to Bel Air in the dark night, Mia so tired that she slipped out of part of the seat belt and rested her head on Urs thigh, asleep before they got to the freeway.

**

Toni was mildly fussy in the morning, something that had Mia concerned but not Ciara.

“He’s teething, Liebe…just starting…see how red his lower gums look …and the way he shakes his head lunging for something to bite on…I thought it would happen soon, poor wee man. The only thing we can do is ease his discomfort, give him cold things to chew on and lots of attention...it will be just as hard on you as him, trust me.”

They had planned that Mia would go to San Francisco for the day for Urs performance that night but she wouldn’t leave him and he was relieved…he had to go but at least one of them would be with the fretting boy.

Urs caught the commuter to San Francisco and went about his duties as best he could but his heart was still in L.A. Twice during the day he called home to see how things were going…once he could hear Toni in the background, grizzling unhappily and Mia trying to soothe him. He talked to Matt who tried to ease his concern and it was with great difficulty that he prepared for the performance.

On the way to the airport immediately after the performance, he called again and spoke to Ciara who told him that both Toni and Mia had just managed to get to sleep so he asked her not to wake Mia.

When he stumbled into the house, tired, concerned, he dropped his small case in the foyer and went straight to Mia’s room, guessing that they would both be there. She was sleeping, on her side, Toni in the bed with her and he gently lay down beside her, draping one long arm carefully over her with his fingers just touching the warmth of the suffering little boy. And they remained just that way until morning.

**

Their last full day in California they stayed at home, nursing a not-quite-so uncomfortable teething child, rubbing his gums with frozen cores from pineapple, pacing with him to help him rest and just doing the age old TLC that parents had been coping with since time began.

“Thank goodness we’re in business class, going home tomorrow,” Mia remarked in a lull in the nearly constant care that the poor wee boy demanded. “At least there’s more room to pace. Urs I’m so sorry to spoil your free time like this.”

He looked over Toni’s head at her and smiled.

“You really are silly sometimes…don’t you know that I’ll feel worse once you’re on the other side of the world and I can’t help….You look tired, Liebe…get some rest for a few minutes while he’s quiet…I don’t imagine you’ll get much during the flight.”

She couldn’t resist cupping his cheek with her hand as she passed next to him, heading for the lounge on the pool deck. He leaned into her touch and turned his face to softly kiss her palm, secretly pleased when he saw her shiver.

‘So you aren’t quite the Ice Maiden you’d like everyone to think you are…do you still suffer from the night terrors?...are you just managing to keep them from everyone? …Little Love, I want so much to help you heal but other than by being patient I just don’t know what to do…’

Toni stirred against his chest and nuzzled his rosebud mouth against Urs, looking for something to chew. Letting him chew and suck on a long {clean} finger had worked earlier so Urs touched his index finger to the tiny mouth and smiled when the boy latched on, grinding his gums against his Papa’s flesh, working at popping those lower teeth through.

“If you do that when your Little Mami nurses you, I’m surprised she doesn’t have you on a sippy glass,” he said softly and was rewarded with the first smile of the day from the soothed child. He paced , enjoying the feeling of the child against his body, humming softly to him, knowing how much he was going to miss them both when they left in the morning.

“No problem, Son…we’ll be together again very soon…and hopefully you can show off your shiny new teeth…one week from tomorrow, then I’ll be home for nearly 2 weeks…I can’t wait to see the gardens…and I’ll take you out to see the deer…your Mama says she thinks they’re bringing their fawns sometimes now… that’s a baby deer, just like you…and if you’re feeling better I’ll put you in the carrier and take you up to the falls…it’s never too early to enjoy the beauty of Nature.”

He kept talking softly to the boy, rambling on about anything that came in his head since the sound of his voice seemed to have a hypnotic effect as Toni watched Urs lips moving, trying to reach up and touch where that soothing sound was coming from.

Mia could hear him from where she had stretched out on a lounge and smiled.

‘How could we have been so lucky…to have this lovely man in our lives, so patient, so loving…Toni adores him…and Urs must be the worlds best father…he should have about a dozen children….and maybe he will…but not with me…’

A wave of self pity swept over her as she thought of him with a brood of children…and another woman to bear them …and she shook it off, angry with herself for allowing such thoughts in her mind.

‘Selfish B***ch!! You should just want him to be happy and if not with you then with someone he chooses!!...Isn’t that what real love is?.....Wanting what makes the one you love happy, regardless of how much it hurts?...I don’t deserve this man…but Toni does…alright, girl…time to not think about pink elephants or the tears will come and then he’ll be upset, wanting to know why I’m crying…don’t think about pink elephants, don’t think about pink elephants, don’t think…’

She laughed quietly but Urs heard her and glanced over, raising his brows when he saw her smiling.

“Just thinking about pink elephants,” she said quietly with a grin and he shook his head, not able to figure that one out…sometimes women were such a mystery!

**

With one of those amazing complete-about-faces that children are prone to, Toni was back to himself in the morning, cheerful, bubbly and laughing, still no visible sign of the troublesome teeth but at least seemingly not in any pain. Neither Mia nor Urs questioned why this had happened, they just enjoyed the respite, for their sakes, the others on the flight and Toni’s of course.

Urs was leaving from LA at nearly the same time so accompanied them to the airport and spent some quality last minute time with his little family before doling out hugs and kisses at the International departure gate and scurrying off for the long trek to his gate, his flight only to Seattle.

The International flight was long, but thankfully uneventful. Toni slept a great deal of the time, tired out from his teething ordeal of the past few days and Mia did as well, and for the same reason. Without any major problems they landed back in Geneva and spent the night at the condo then drove home the next day, missing Urs but happy to be home.

**

Selene says: that one day off was the calm before the storm…Poor little man is suffering again, even worse this time…I do hope his teeth hurry and come through…one thing that works for him is to freeze those little rubber rings almost solid then give him one while playing one of your tapes…he particularly like Johannes Passion for some reason…Go figure!!

Nature Boy says: Our boy has good taste!! Get Paco to try him with a few Ozzy tracks and see what happens LOL…it rained constantly in Seattle, both days so I didn’t go out, just played hermit and thought about coming home in a week…Toronto today is very nice, clear and warm so I went for a walk …actually took the trolley out to that park you spoke about…High Park… and walked around for several hours…it’s lovely, and I really like the areas that haven’t been manicured as you called it…and the swans…they’re still nesting so were very territorial but pretty none the less….and I went for that dinner of Korean food you suggested on the Queen Street…Kurt and Zef went along too….excellent except that I ate too much…it was fun cooking it myself on those in-the-table BBQ’s …tomorrow it’s the ACC, which I know you remember fondly and then we’re busing to Montreal for the last performance of this leg.

Selene says: I’ve finished a bunch more of the pixie and faery pictures and don’t have to send them off until after you come home…that new program is wonderful…it constantly amazes me what can be done with it that couldn’t with the old ones I had…oh and I have news…PACO IS SERIOUS ABOUT HIS NEW GIRLFRIEND!!!! He’s completely over the moon about her…and just a little nervous about you meeting her…something about you scaring off the last one he thought was the real thing….I like her…her name is Adrianne, she’s from Kussnacht am Riggi, straight dark brown hair and brilliant blue eyes and comes up to about mid chest on him…I won’t tell you any more and prejudice you for or against…you aren’t going to give him trouble are you?

Nature Boy says: who me? I’ll check her out and then decide…have to protect our boy’s honor you know…there are a lot of predatory females out there.

Selene says: And you would know because..?

Nature Boy says: time to change the subject…do you think you will be able to pick me up next Monday?

Selene says: I plan on trying…it depends on how the teething situation goes…but we’ll talk again before then…I walked out with Toni almost to the feeding station today, hoping it would distract him…there are so many flowers in the fields I’ve never seen before…I need your expert eyes to tell me what they are…but then I need you here just to be close, to talk to, to help with Toni…he really loves you Urs…I can see it in the way he reacts to your touch or your voice…just like him, so many times during the day I want to tell you or show you something and then there is this feeling of despair when I remember that you aren’t here…Sorry…I don’t mean to depress you but we did promise each other to be honest and talk about things that bothered us.

Nature boy says: Strangely it doesn’t depress me to hear you say that you need me…it warms my heart…there have been few times that someone other than the family has NEEDED me, just me, Urs, the person, not the singer to fill a role or the date to pay for an expensive evening or the star to be interviewed…it’s what makes what we have so very special…it won’t be long now and just plain Urs will be home, where he longs to be.

Selene says: You will never be plain, Urs…you are likely the most complex, unassuming, multitalented man I’ve ever met and with all that, still natural and true to yourself…it is what makes you unique and loved by so many….I am proud to know the real you…there is no one else I could ever consider sharing a son with…and thank gott for cyber space…I would never have found the nerve to say that to your face!!

Nature Boy says: Turn your SKYPE on…I want to see your eyes when you say that.

Selene says: No…I can’t…it was difficult enough when you couldn’t see me… you’ve never asked for more than I can give…please don’t start now…

Nature Boy says: Promise to be honest with me…promise that if you want or need more from me you will be honest with me…no matter how long it takes.

Selene says: I don’t want to hurt you.

Nature Boy says: Please, Mia, Promise me…

Selene says: I promise…

Nature Boy says: then that’s all I ask, for now. Kiss Toni for me…have to go crash.

Abruptly there was a line of purple X’s on the screen as he signed off and she sat immobile, wondering just how much she had admitted without meaning to.

Urs also sat staring at the screensaver for long minutes, a silly grin on his chiseled features.

‘Paco was right…she loves me…or could if she would allow herself…but she’s scared…of what? Of me? Or just of intimacy? Am I the reason she suffers from the nightmares? When she thinks of loving me, does the memory come back to torment her? I know she still has them, though she seems to have better control now…I can always tell…those mornings when she looks like she’s the sole survivor of a train wreck, her eyes shadowed, skin pale, sometimes with a hint of makeup on to hide the evidence….ah Liebe…if only you would let me teach you about physical love, the wonder, the ecstasy, the sharing and giving….there is so much gentleness, tenderness that I could show you, that we could explore together …and we will…in time…’

It was definitely fantasy time, his body told him with wave after wave of heat and he gave in gracefully, her words spurring him on as he re-played them in his fevered mind, at the last, only her name escaping his lips.

CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX

The North American leg of the tour ended and Urs came home to find that Toni’s mood had improved but he still demanded attention almost constantly…and needed it since he went through stacks of bibs and little shirts to catch the drooling until Ciara lost patience and went to town and bought ones with plastic linings…He still drooled even in his sleep, but at least the bibs caught and held most of it. Finally, the day that Urs was to head out on the European part of the tour he yelped when Toni latched on to his finger, making the little boy laugh and Mia to come running….the two bottom teeth were through, not much mind you, but enough to see if you played with his bottom lip and managed to avoid the lunging little mouth that still wanted to bite.

Mia gave him his favorite teething tool, the icy cold hard core of a pineapple and propped him up so Urs could take a picture. The wee hands still had to do some practice before they obeyed commands so it was priceless watching him trying to get the pineapple to his mouth…before he became frustrated Mia helped and peace was restored.

The schedule had changed somewhat with the opportunity to go to London on June 30th for a performance on July 3rd which was to be taped then edited for distribution to the general public as well as at a future date in movie houses, something that the Cineplex Corporation had started doing in North America and had proved to be very popular. It only meant a week out of the planned break and everyone agreed so he was off again.

Mia was just as pleased to have him away for a while, not that she was tired of his presence, far from it, but Urs 37th birthday was coming up on July 19th and she had plans. In fact most of the family was involved in the secret and with his natural intellect and keen intuition he was bound to figure out that something was up. They did everything they could to finalize the arrangements before he came home…too many secret meetings and numerous unexplained phone calls just wouldn’t do, not with Herr ‘I Know You’re Up To Something’ in residence.

“We must pretend to plan a party or he will know that we have something devious in mind…we always have a party when he’s home and we can treat it just like any other year,” Mami said with a sly grin as she helped Mia pack up supplies for Paco to pick up.

Mia laughed and wondered if she would get to be so smart as the years passed.

‘That is assuming of course if we are still together years from now…I can’t allow myself to think about not being with him…it would just be too painful…courage girl…you can do this…and he is so worth it…”

She smiled at Mami, noticing the questioning look and trying to ease her mind.

“You know there’s something I’ve wanted to ask you so many times and we always get talking and I forget…what is your Christian name…I always call you Mami, well everyone does, but I was curious…do you mind me asking?”

The older woman laughed.

“I’ve been Mami for so long or Oma to the grandkinder that I seldom hear it…Anya…my given name is Anya, after my mother.”

“Very pretty…feminine but strong…I think my Mom just called me Aramia because she liked the name.”

Mami closed the canvas case she had been packing and met Mia’s eyes straight on.

“Child, do you love my son?”

Mia felt her face pale then flush and for a moment felt dizzy at the blunt but soft spoken question….then a sense of relief swept over her and she smiled, just a hint of her lips curving.

“Yes…but I can’t tell him…I’m not sure if he cares for me…other than as a good friend…actually I hope, in a twisted way, that he doesn’t….I love Urs too much to hurt him, Anya, far too much, though it tears at my heart to try to hide it.”

Anya put her strong arms around the trembling young woman and hugged her close, giving comfort as a mother always does, with love.

“We will not talk of this again, not until you feel ready…but you do need someone, not of the family, to talk to…sometimes just saying our problems out loud, to an impartial person, makes everything seem clear.”

They broke apart but Anya held her hands and listened as Mia hesitantly explained a secret that she had been hiding from everyone all week.

“I know…and I’ve made an appointment to see Dr. Stadtler, just to talk things out…somehow the night terrors I suffer have something to do with the love I have for Urs…I have to overcome this fear and the dreams…I hate being in fear all the time…fear of sleeping, fear that Bryan or Dad or Milo will find me and try to take Toni, fear that Urs will try to stop them and be injured, fear of telling Urs honestly that I love him….fear of being rejected by him….if he does and wants someone else it will tear me apart but I want what is best for him, what will make him happy and if it isn’t me, then I have to somehow go on from there.”

“No matter what happens, you will always be part of this family, Child…we love you…” ‘and my dummkopf son does too…but I can not interfere….’

“What do you think of this lovely girl that Paco is so taken with? Do you suppose that he is finally ready to settle down?”

Mia recognized the adroit subject change…after all she was so good at it herself. She held back the emotion that Anya’s vow that she would always be part of the family had caused and they chatted for a while about Paco and Adrianne, both quite taken with the girl and the changes in the attitude of the former ladies man, Pasquale Buhler, the Prince of the One-Night-Stands.

**

With editing and retakes it wasn’t until July 10 that Urs could get back to the farm but he arrived full of energy and buoyed up by the success of the taping. He had brought a copy home and they watched it that first night back, having to shush him frequently as he pointed out some minor flaws that no one else saw. Mia actually paused the player and went to the workshop for a roll of tape that she threatened him with whenever he opened his mouth, an act that made him laugh so hard he fell off his perch on the sofa and she tugged him in front of her so he sat with one of her hands close to his smiling mouth, ready to stop him at a seconds deep breath.

The next few days before his planned birthday party, to be held at Mami’s as always, so he thought, he spent a great deal of time outside, taking Toni out to the feeding station and the waterfall, checking on the progress of the gardens and orchard…and trying to figure out why 2 afternoons Mia went to town for several hours, alone, without any explanations. She avoided answering his queries, just saying she had something that needed done and it was personal.

Finally his natal day arrived and he woke, early as always but this time to find that Mia was already up and Toni had been nursed and fed the revolting mushy cereal that he seemed to like.

The boy was displaying the newest trick he had just learned… sitting up… according to Dr. Wieber he was very strong, probably because he was played with so much, and this new skill was about 3 weeks early in development. Urs didn’t find it unusual…after all HIS son was an exceptional child…nothing would surprise him.

“Happy Birthday, Urs,” Mia said with a smile as he came in the kitchen and poured himself a coffee.

Toni reacted to his presence by banging on the tray of his chair and grinning, no more interest in mushy cereal…he wanted his Papa!

“That’s all I get?...no hug or kiss…?”

He grinned as she pointed out that he might appreciate it if she tidied the little face first.

“Good idea…but his Mama looks clean…”

She stood up tall and pulled his head down for a very brief kiss on the mouth, another on his cheek and released him so she could clean Toni up.

Urs put his coffee over near the center of the table, safely away from little hands and scooped the boy up, dancing around the room with him, getting all the baby hugs and wet kisses that he needed.

“What would you like for breakfast, Birthday Boy?”

“How about Birchermuesli?...I like the way you make it.”

“Good choice…Matt brought in some fresh strawberries, the last of the crop for this year I think…we should look into getting those ever-bearing ones for that corner patch…Toni likes them too, sort of mushed into his porridge.”

“You won’t be happy with them, Liebe…not as sweet and they’re really prone to disease…we might be better to just get more of the ones we have and freeze them like you’ve been doing.”

She nodded and smiled at him while she scooped oat flakes into a bowl, added a handful of shaved almonds, grated half an apple over the top and some sliced strawberries and blueberries from the bowls in the frig, then set it in front of him with a bowl of vanilla yogurt next to the place-setting. She placed a very large glass of fresh orange juice in front of him and waited. He drank it down in one go and held the glass out for a refill from the jug she held.

“Fresh orange juice, birchermuesli, coffee and my two favorite people…It doesn’t get any better than this.”

Mia took Toni to his play area to give Urs some peace while he ate his breakfast and browsed through the daily paper. She refilled his coffee and he looked up from the weather page and smiled his thanks.

“So when do I get to meet this new girl of Paco’s? He’s been very careful to keep her hidden from me so far? Is she ugly?”

Mia laughed.

“No…she’s really quite lovely…you’ll meet her today…actually you get to spend the next 2 and a half days with her, so if she survives then I guess Paco can keep her.”

Urs turned around sideways in his chair and made a grab for her as she skittered away.

“What’s going on? You’re up to something…what do you mean I get to spend 2 days with her?”

“Well you see…back off, Buhler,” she threatened him with a little clenched fist but her eyes were laughing….”we tried to think of something really special for your….Urs I can’t tell you if you don’t let me go…” He had succeeded in trapping her against the frig door, both of them laughing too hard for coherent speech.

“Tell me…I know where your ticklish spots are…”

“We’re going camping…Pol will be here in half an hour and we’re going camping, even Toni, ‘cause Dr. W. says he’s healthy and strong and he can go too.”

His face split in a dimple making smile and he hugged her, lifting her off the floor and whirling her around until she was dizzy.

“How perfect!! I haven’t been for so long…and Toni can go too? Are you sure?” He released her and headed out of the kitchen at a dead run, calling back over his shoulder….

“I have to pull all the gear out of the store room…the tent will need airing and the sleeping bags…”

“STOP!!! It’s already done…we snuck everything out of the house and Pol took it all up yesterday when he dropped Paco and Adrianne off…food, tents…everything…I mean it is your birthday so we wanted everything to be ready for you.”

She reached in the pocket of her jeans and fished out a small package, holding it out self-consciously to him.

“I didn’t know exactly what to get you…you seem to have nearly everything… but I thought this might please you.”

He came back and accepted the small package then looked in her eyes and smiled.

“You already give me more than I deserve every day…but I love surprises!”

Eagerly he ripped the paper off and opened the small velvet box inside then pulled out the finely wrought silver chain with a Celtic cross hanging from it, a small bright blue sapphire embedded in the swirling design.

Instantly he knew why it wasn’t his birthstone.

“That’s Toni’s birthstone…what a wonderful idea, Liebe.”

Her face flushed red as she explained.

“The jeweler said that if you ever have more children, their birthstones can be added since it’s such an intricate design…kind of like a Mother’s Ring but more masculine.”

He raised a brow at her and grinned.

“Guess I’ll have to have a bunch then…there’s lots of room.”

The mere idea of him with a ‘bunch’ of children made her blush as she remembered her thoughts on the deck back in L.A.

He sat down so she could fasten the chain around his neck then stood back to show it off.

“Perfect…you could even wear it inside your dress shirt, for luck when you do interviews.”

Her face flushed again as she thought of the cross nestling in the dark curls she had seen many times on his broad chest….and to make matters worse he leaned down and kissed her cheeks in thanks.

“I have something else for you, I hid it in the store room since you’re so snoopy.”

She went into the adjacent room and came back with a very small square package, the size of a pocket book and a larger one, boxed from the rectangular shape.

He opened the larger one first to find a black leather guitar case with his intials in silver script, just the perfect shape and size for his new YM.

………………….UTB………………….

“Perfect…the YM doesn’t fit right in the old one and there wasn’t enough support…I was always worried that it would get damaged. Thank you, Liebling.”

He made short work of the smaller package and inside found a folded silver double frame…when he opened it there was a picture of Toni, in one of his laughing moods, his eyes sparkling and dimpled cheeks, that so resembled his own, creased in a huge smile…the second side was a photo of Toni with Mia, both laughing as she held him high in the air, her love for the boy evident in her eyes, his little chubby hands reaching for her as he giggled happily.

He didn’t say anything at first and she thought maybe he found it a bit presumptuous that she would include a picture of herself.

“I was going to put a picture of Mami in the other side but she insisted that you would want this one instead…I can change it if…”

“NO!!...it’s so perfect…and exactly what I need for when I’m away….you have no idea how much I love this, Mia. I think I need another Birthday hug.”

He folded her into his arms without waiting, dropping his face to her neck and gently kissing the smooth skin just below her ear, murmuring his thanks again, making her tremble and sway with a swoosh of giddiness. She clutched at his sides for support…and because she had no choice, the need to be close to him over powered her.

Before they completely lost control, they heard the sound of rotors as Pol arrived.

CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN

Urs acted as a hyper travel guide as they skimmed over passes and valleys, heading nearly due south, pointing out towns they passed over and other places of interest. It dawned on him only 15 minutes into the flight exactly where they were going and at first he seemed disappointed.

“We’re going to the Leventine Valley, aren’t we? …to Lago Sambuco?”

Mia chuckled.

“I wondered how long it would take you to figure it out…Yes …but Urs, you don’t seem happy… I thought you said it was your favorite place?”

“It is…and I’m happy that you chose it…but I wanted to be the first to show you and for us to hike in.”

She smiled and didn’t take the opportunity to wind him up…it was his birthday after all.

“I thought that’s what you would want…so I haven’t been up to get the site ready, just Paco, Pol and Adrianne did it…and Pol is going to drop us off at the Lake and we’ll hike in from there…Alright?”

He grinned and gave her a hug with some difficulty since Toni was between them in his carrier.

“I get to tote the little hitch-hiker then…it’s not a hard hike, Mia, it’s not right to the top, but so worth the effort…and I won’t go too fast for you.”

“No, sweat, Sport…I’ll try to keep up,” she said with a sarcastic laugh.

**

Lago Sambuco was man made, he told her, so named for the wild elderberry bushes that thrived in the area and were now farmed to produce the famous liqueur, and she listened intently even though from the bit of research she had already done she knew some of it. At the time the Resistance used this area, the lake didn’t exist, the valley was deeper and used mainly as a summer pasture for the herds of cattle and sheep that they saw on the slopes as they continued southwards.

“All through this area there are summer huts for the shepherds, to sleep in and cook, sometimes to house a sick animal in the shed to the side. The local villages make a party out of the changing seasons and moving the herds from valley to alpine pastures…lots of parades and feasting…contrary to the belief that we are a staid and quiet country, we Swiss will use any excuse to party.’

“What a lonely existence, being so cut off from the world for half of the year.”

“Not really…they keep busy…some collect medicinal wild flowers and herbs, some are artists or writers who do their best work without the constant interference of society…if I could lug a piano up here it would be perfect for working on my Opera…some make cheese and hang it to cure from the rafters of their huts…and of course there are always hikers dropping by, some spending the night alongside in their tents…and now and then someone from home goes up with mail and supplies….and in winter when skiers or snow-mobilers get caught in a storm, they can shelter in one of the huts if they’re lucky enough to find one.”

She shivered as she thought about it.

“I like winter, but I don’t think I would want to spend it on the mountain…this year I would like to try skiing again though…probably the bunny hills until I remember what to do.”

He smiled and nodded.

“You’ll catch on fast…you’re in good shape and that’s the main thing…and I don’t plan on working much until January or later, except on my Opera…it’s getting to the point where I need to spend some serious time on it.”

**

They hovered over the lake to take some photos and then Pol landed in the parking area near the dam.

Urs helped Mia and Toni out, then busied himself with his backpack, checking their supplies, while Mia nursed Toni and got him ready to go.

He was almost asleep when Urs shouldered his backpack, clipped the chest strap and then shrugged into the baby carrier, the adjustable chest type he preferred. Mia wore a smaller back pack, stuffed with something that she wouldn’t divulge though it didn’t look heavy and they said good bye to Pol.

“You sure you don’t want to get away for a few days too?” Urs asked with a grin, knowing well how the kids sometimes drove the quiet man crazy.

“Not this time…Mags and I are going to Geneva, without the brats for the weekend…some sweet young thing traded me, fuel for the trips up here, for a weekend at your condo, complete with dinner out and tickets to a play…hope you don’t mind…Mami is keeping the kids until Tuesday…and I’ll be back to pick you up, up top, on Monday afternoon, late, I think around 5. Have a great time, guys.”

They hurried away to avoid the backwash from the rotors, turning at the trail head to wave as Pol waggled the machine side to side then arrowed north across the lake.

Within minutes of leaving the parking area they had lost sight of civilization and become immersed in the pastoral alpine meadows, scents of summer and flowers everywhere, the breeze caressing their faces as they walked at an easy pace on the winding, slight incline.

Toni had fallen asleep, laying in his carrier which Urs had fashioned in ‘sling’ mode…he would adjust it so that the little fellow faced out later and could enjoy all the new sights.

They walked on for half an hour, both too lost in the splendor that Nature had spread at their feet to indulge in idle chatter. Bright blue butterflies flitted from patch to patch of wildflowers: clusters of snowy white Edelweiss, neon blue Gentians, butter yellow vanilla Orchus and masses of Alpenrose, a distant cousin of the Rhododendrons of North America. Higher up they could see that the deciduous alders and wild elderberry shrubs gave way to the conifers, Pine, Fir, Balsam, higher still were the moss and lichen covered rocks that seemed to move with Ibex and elk that ranged freely, unafraid of the distant humans.

Urs stopped, staring intently over a grassy hill with sandy mounds spread out at intervals.

He glanced at Mia and pointed.

“Marmots…cheeky devils and not dangerous…like a land form of creek otters.”

She could see them now and hear the high pitched chittering whistle as the territorial animals warned the strangers away from their dens.

“At this rate we won’t make camp before night fall…there’s just so much to take photos of.”

They walked a bit further and then stopped for a drink of water.

“Urs, are we near where Getzi was laid to rest?”

He looked at her in surprise.

“How did you know? Yes we’re very close…I would like to stop there if you don’t mind…I should have brought Sophia’s ashes up with me…I did promise her, years ago but I’ve never had a chance…and today was such a surprise.”

“I hope you don’t mind…I have them in my pack…Anya told me about the promise and I know how you always try to keep your word…at first I thought that a birthday was not an appropriate time but granting her wish to be with the man she loved is a happy occasion, not sad…is it alright?”

He cupped her cheek with his hand and smiled.

“More than alright…it’s perfect…I can’t think of a better way to celebrate. C’mon…it’s only about a half K from here.”

They left the narrow trail and wound through thicker shrubs, down a gentle slop into a narrow valley, around an outcrop of boulders and Urs came to a stop.

“There…below that hill where the cairn of rocks is for a headstone.”

He folded his long legs and sat on the fragrant grass, reaching for Mia’s hand as he reminisced.

“She was never with a man, you know…back at that time, ‘proper’ young woman did not have sex before marriage…You could talk to Tante Sophia about anything, no subject was taboo and I went to her once when I was about 14 and so confused…I sort of had a girlfriend but she wouldn’t ‘do it’ and I went to Tante all full of angst and anger. She told me then that she and Getzi had wanted to wait and once he was gone she never felt that strongly for another man. She said that if what I felt for Staci was real then it would be worth the wait…if it wasn’t and the urge faded then what we felt was infatuation, not real love and it was still good that we waited.”

“I wish I had met her, Urs.”

He smiled and squeezed her hand.

“You are much like her a lot of the time…keeping your counsel, especially when you think that talking about private things will hurt the listener, listening when that’s all someone needs….it was about 5 years before she died that I came up here with her for the last time…we used to do it now and then but the last 15 years it was becoming increasingly too much for her so sometimes I would come myself and just leave him messages from her. The last time, she told me about seeing the Nazis shoot Getzi….she skipped over what happened then, just said that she rolled the soldiers’ bodies into a ravine and dug a grave for Getzi, there, using the only weapon or tool she had, a heavy bush knife, piled rocks up to mark the spot and took the supplies on up the mountain to the cave.”

Mia took the small urn out of her backpack and passed it to Urs, the copper cladding on the outside lightly edged with verdigris over the past winter.

He looked at it, weighed it in his hand and sighed.

“It isn’t much, is it…all that’s left of a very special person.”

“She isn’t in there Urs, merely her mortal remains…the soul that made her the person you love is already with Getzi…this just completes the circle.”

She helped him out of his backpack and took Toni’s carrier, watching from a few feet away as he knelt and dug at the slight mound of mottled earth under an Alpenrose that grew bountifully at the base of the cairn. Once the hole was done to his satisfaction he placed the urn in it and tilted it on it’s side, letting the top fall out, then was immobile for several moments though she thought he seemed to be speaking very softly….she was quiet, not wanting to intrude on this very private moment. Then he used his palms to fill the hole in again, brushing the earth back under the shrub so that no one would know that anything had happened in this spot.

He came back to Mia and just held her close for a moment, not talking until at last the pain of remembering left and the peace of knowing that Sophia and Getzi were together, just as he had promised, made him smile.

“Thank you…I’ve carried the burden of not keeping that promise for over a year…once again, you’ve lightened my heart.”

**

The trail now was steadily upward, into the tree-line, winding through the lush growth until they reached a stream and followed it in a gentle rise to a plateau with an open area that was sheltered on 3 sides by forest.

Smoke rose from a campfire, a canvas cache hung by rope from a sturdy tree limb, deadfall logs had been rolled into place to form seats and two tents had been set up on the perimeter, one bright blue, the other yellow, a pile of windfall branches had been gathered to fuel the flames for cooking and Paco and a pretty woman were just approaching the campsite, Paco carrying a pail with water from the stream, the woman with her shirt pulled up to make a container and full of what looked like bounty from Nature’s garden.

Toni woke when Paco boomed a greeting and Mia was busy with him for a while, enough time for Urs to meet Adrianne and be instantly won over. She was another Nature lover and knowledgeable about the plants that were edible, clearly besotted with Paco, feminine but cheeky and strong…someone who would keep his younger brother in line… and, more importantly, happy.

They sat around the campfire, sipping at the coffee that Paco had made in the old enamel pot, looking right at home, all dressed for the rough terrain in long, thick pants and well worn hiking boots, because of the altitude, throwing their jackets over their shoulders.

Mia sat on one of the logs, secretly amused when Urs rose and draped his red and black checked jacket over her chest and the baby…apparently it was alright for him to catch sight of her exposed to nurse their boy, but not Paco, since he shot his brother a warning look.

Adrianne was itching to get her hands on the baby and took him as soon as he finished his meal. She wandered around the campsite, talking to him, explaining about the strange accommodations and the sheltering trees and rubbing his warmly clad back while he worked on his air bubbles and played with her hair.

“I’d like to show Mia the view from the top of the ridge,” Urs said as he finished his coffee and rinsed out the mug, hanging it on a stub of broken branch poking out of one of the nearest trees.

“Go, birthday boy…we’ll be fine…I have some gigantic pork cutlets we traded one of the shepherds for early this morning… wild pig…nothing like it!!...I’m going to thread them on a spit, remember how we used to do it? And Rianne has some stuff she wants to roast in the coals…something she claims is wonderful…you get to try it first and if you live, then I will.”

Urs and Mia wandered off, going just a little further up the ridge until they had to scramble up the rocks for the last bit and finally came out on a flat space that looked out over the valley below.

It was incredibly beautiful, made more so when he told her that it had been the lookout for the Resistance…the cave where they stored their supplies was nearby, behind a low waterfall, but here, on this very spot there was always someone on watch. He showed her where names had been scratched into the rock face, faded now from the elements but still a few letters discernable.

They were quiet for a few moments, standing looking out over the valley, Mia leaning back against his body and with his arms holding her safe…in case she found the height making her dizzy, he said.

“I have to tell you something…I think it will make you happy…I know you worry about me because of this fear I have so often…well I think it’s getting better…I’m seeing someone.”

She felt him stiffen, his body vibrating with tension, the arms around her suddenly vise like, just a little scary and she gasped, hoping he hadn’t heard her sudden intake of breath.

“Someone I know?” He asked and she could hear the pain, almost anger in his voice.

“I…I don’t know…Dr. Stadtler…that’s why I’ve been going to Luzern twice a week.”

She felt his arms flex, the muscles harden …

“Mia, he’s married!!”

“What has that….” She tried to turn to face him but his grip on her was too strong, almost as if he was afraid to let her go.

“Urs…I’m SEEING him…professionally…I needed someone to talk to…to get over this consuming fear I have…and I think it’s helping.”

She felt the tension leave him and his body rebounding by trembling violently….she turned to face him and smiled.

“You thought I was…dating him? Or more? Urs Buhler!…I have enough men I care about in my life…I certainly don’t need a married, older psychologist.”

“Why couldn’t you just talk to me?”

She shook her head and smiled again.

“Haven’t you ever just needed someone you can talk out your problems with, someone not too close to the situation, just to be a sounding board? You and I…we’re too close, Urs, and so are the others in the family…this is working I think…and when the time comes I’ll talk with you about it, but not yet. I thought it would make you happy that I’m at least trying to control my fears.”

‘Hang on, Fool!! What did you do at David’s…she’s only doing what you did and here you’re giving her a hard time…but oh mein gott it scared me at first!!’

“I am happy about it, Liebe…I misunderstood and I should have had more faith in you. I’m fortunate to have good friends I can do the same thing with…when you’re ready to talk to me, I’ll be here for you.”

**

The original plan had been for the girls and Toni in one tent and the guys in the other…it appeared that the night alone with each other on the mountain had escalated the relationship between Paco and Rianne and shortly after dinner and chatting around the campfire for a while, they disappeared into the yellow tent, the one that DIDN’T have Toni in it…he was all snuggled down for the night in the center of the double sleeping bag in the blue tent.

Mia and Urs glanced at each other across the dying campfire… and laughed.

“Does this remind you of the first night we spent together? …except that was a single bag and we were both so tired that I don’t think either of us moved much all night.”

“Mia are you alright with this? I can drag Paco out of the tent and make him sleep in the other one with me…”

She rose and collected some water in her clean mug to go and brush her teeth.

“I’ve never been afraid of you Urs, not really…sometimes you surprise me but I know I can trust you…we shouldn’t spoil what they have ….by the way, you like her don’t you?”

He grinned and tousled her hair.

“Yes…I think she’s just what he needs….now go get ready for bed, Woman.”

It was not erotic, not even particularly romantic but they curled up in the big sleeping bag with Toni between them, zipped it closed against the cool night time air and both slept in peace and contentment throughout the night, breaths mingling above the tiny head of their son, hands or feet touching now and then as one or the other moved….Perfect…Pure…Love…