* I'll Take Care Of You *

She could hear the sigh on the other end of the line, one of relief she thought.

“Geena, Ricky will be home soon. He has been working at his internship with a local photographer today but I expect him any time soon. I have to admit that he knows me so well that he knew there was something going on. He knows that you have located him and we’ve both been eagerly waiting, hoping you would call. As soon as he gets home I’ll have him call you.”

They exchanged a few more pleasantries then disconnected and she turned to stare at Seb who had heard one side of the conversation as he watched her face, trying to gauge her reaction.

“Well?”

She stared at him for a moment then he lips curled in a beaming smile.

“He’s going to call me …he should be home soon and Anna is going to have him call me.”

She burst into happy tears and he hugged her, making soothing sounds, smiling as well, as he rocked her gently back and forth.

Half an hour later the telephone rang and she picked it up on the second ring, not wanting to appear too anxious and needing a moment to calm her voice.

“Hello.”

“HI…is this Miss Kerrigan?”

His voice was young, just beginning to deepen and just a tinge of nerves showing.

“This is Geena…Ricky?”

“Yeah…Hi. My Mom…I mean …”

“Wait…Ricky, lets start off as we mean to go on. Anna is your Mom, she has been for all these years and always will be. Please, call me Geena.”

“Thanks…well she said you called and that I should call you back if I wanted to meet you…and I do. Do you live very far away?”

“Actually I live in London when I’m not traveling with my work but I’d be happy to come up to Sheffield any time that is convenient for you. My schedule is pretty flexible. My fiancé and I could drive up there easily enough and stay over the night in a Hotel. We could maybe go out for the afternoon or for dinner, with Anna too, of course. I would love to meet both of you.”

“How about this weekend? I have a football practice early Saturday morning but the rest of the week end is free….is that too soon?”

She breathed a sigh…he sounded so eager.

“It’s perfect…Ricky thank you…this means so much to me.”

“Me too, Geena. Call Mom when you get here and we’ll arrange something.”

“I will…Bye”

“Later.”

She replaced the hand set and raised her hands to the ceiling in a cheer.

“He wants to meet me…oh Seb, he wants to meet me.”

She heard the sound of a cork popping and looked up to see that he had opened a bottle of champagne, one she wasn’t even aware he had.

She laughed as he poured the bubbling quaff into two flutes, handed her one and raised his in a toast.

“To healing 15 year old wounds.”

“I’ll toast to that,” she answered.

“And to the love of my life accepting my marriage proposal…you called me your fiancé.”

“So I did…I guess then you better make an honest woman of me, Monsieur Izambard.”

He nodded at her flute and she glance into the depths to see a circle of gold and a lovely solitaire diamond.

“I’ve had it for months, carried it everywhere, in hope that someday…”

Geena was laughing and crying as she fished the ring out of the flute, cleaned it by insertion briefly in her mouth and held it out for him to place on her finger.

“Mon Petite, I need to hear the words. Will you be my wife and let me cherish you forever?”

“Yes, my patient lover, Yes!”

The tender moment lasted for hours, long past the dinner that they forgot about, past the phone calls when they merely glanced at caller Id then forgot, breaking only when the champagne ran out and they had to switch to a lovely young Cabernet Sauvignon. Geena made them a snack around 10 while Sebastien booked a suite at the Sheffield Marriott and arranged for a car on Friday afternoon. He wandered out to the small kitchen to watch Geena as she arranged crackers on a tray with fruit and cheeses and 2 small jars of Tapenade from the Spanish boutique, humming softly and swaying to the rhythm, clad now only in a lacy deep green bra and matching panties.

“Your underwear is so much prettier than mine,” he pouted, tweaking his ‘Smilie’ boxers, a joke present from David on his birthday.

She turned and appraised him for a moment, sampling one of the crackers.

“Hmmm…I would have thought you would be a ‘thong’ type of guy. Maybe I should get you some.”

“Thong?...what is this thong?”

She leaned to his ear and to describe the garment in question, laughing when his eyebrows raised and he shook his head wildly.

“This sounds like what our tall friend calls a wedgie and I know for a fact that it is very uncomfortable. David showed me once, too quickly for me to stop him. No, my precious…do not inflict this ‘thong’ on me.”

“Then I think nice tight Calvin Kleins… or you could go commando?”

“This one I know…”

The Smilies disappeared in a flash and she moved closer, suddenly no longer interested in food as lovely blue/green eyes smoldered and that sweet Frenchie beckoned her into his arms. Who needed food when you had a Frenchman to keep you happy?

CHAPTER SIXTY-FOUR

Anna and Sebastien watched discreetly through the café windows as their two loved ones walked on the extensive grounds of the hotel, pausing to exchange words now and then, once the tall young man reaching out to take the shorter woman hand and hold it while they walked, keeping it in his as they continued. They made a striking pair, both with that burnished mahogany hair, thick and wavy, Ricky’s just a little long as if he needed a hair cut or perhaps preferred it that way. Seb couldn’t help smiling as he thought that Urs would approve.

The tension had been thick in the morning when they waited for the car they had sent to arrive with Anna and Ricky, but once they had arrived it eased almost at once, the young man with the so familiar hair and eyes, smiling shyly at Geena and coming to her to give her a hug.

“I think if I had seen you on the street I would have recognized you. I see you in the mirror every day.”

He was very unaffected, polite and well spoken, meeting the eyes of the person he spoke to in a very mature fashion and, except for a bit of hesitation when it came to asking questions, not suffering overly from nerves.

“It was lovely of you to send a car for us, Sebastien. I really dislike driving in the downtown traffic,” Anna said as Seb took her coat and settled her in a comfy chair in the Lounge.

Room service had sent up the requested tray with tea, coffee, juice and biscuits and Geena poured for everyone while Anna admitted that she had recognized Seb’s name and was a fan.

“We start our first world tour in January and Geena will travel with us part of the time, so unfortunately we won’t be in the UK much until around May of next year.”

“That’s something I’d like to do after I graduate,” Ricky said. “Not the music part…people would stone me if I tried to sing for them…no, I would love to document a World tour….all that traveling, seeing so many places, taking action shots behind the scenes…a lot of work but it would be fun.”

“We’ll see how our success goes…if we’re still around when you graduate we’ll talk,” Seb said with a grin.

“Geena, you said you do a lot of traveling with your work…what do you do?” Anna asked.

She had anticipated the question, had been asked it on other occasions and was ready with an answer.

“I’m a medical doctor, trained in relief and rescue and I work for a multinational security organization. We often get sent out for varying lengths of time to help out…disasters, wars, political kidnappings…pretty well anything where people might be injured and the country of origin can’t cope…we have to be ready at a moments notice so we don’t plan anything personal too far in advance…it’s interesting and worthwhile work…I can’t imagine doing anything else.”

“Cool…I thought about being a doctor, or a teacher like Dad was, but then I got a camera for my birthday and joined the Camera club at school and now I guess I’m hooked.”

They talked for nearly two hours, about Seb’s career, Ricky’s school and friends, what everyone was doing for Christmas, the places Geena had been, the part time job Anna had taken lately working in the local library, books they had all read and liked and suddenly Seb realized that it was lunch time.

He invited them to the restaurant downstairs, said he had a private room reserved so they wouldn’t be disturbed and they all went down to continue their ‘getting to know you’ chat over a meal.

Now Ricky and Geena had decided to walk off some of the meal and both Seb and Anna knew that it was time for them to be alone and deal with some of the more delicate discussions…why did you give me away?...why did you wait so long to find me?...are you happy?.. Have you had a good life?

Anna claimed laziness and Seb opted to keep her company so the two red-heads collected their jackets against the blustery day and went out to walk on the winding pathways.

They had been gone a long time and only now seemed to be returning, stopped one last time just under a swaying tree while Ricky used a tissue to wipe something off of Geena’s face and she did the same for him…Tears? They entered the building and joined their party at the table, rosy cheeked, smiling and ready for a hot drink.

Geena took Seb’s hand under the table and squeezed it. Yes, she had been crying but was smiling widely now, content with how this so important meeting had gone. He felt his heart swell with relief.

“I think we need to celebrate this day,” he said with a grin. “Who wants cake?”

**

Urs had only been back at his flat for half an hour when he finished unpacking, had the dust covers off of everything and booted up his lap-top to see if Maggie was on line.

‘Hey little Mami Bear…you there?’

‘Just chasing the boy-friend out so I can talk to you…Good trip?’

‘Pretty flight attendants…not that I noticed of course.’

‘LOL…okay you win…the house is echoing without you here. I put on a stack of CD’s to keep me company…are the others back yet?’

“Don’t know…I just unpacked and then sat down to call you…I’ll have to go out to the little market near the school and get some essentials, but at least the lady has been in recently and done the necessary …watered my plants and vacuumed a bit. You didn’t have dinner did you?’

‘Wasn’t hungry…and don’t nag me, Urs…it’s hard to cook for one.’

‘Ah but you aren’t, remember? Promise me that when we finish talking you will go eat something…’

‘Yes, Dear, I promise!! And how about you…are you going out or to the school or meeting up with the guys?’

‘I thought I would drop by for a few minutes, just to see how Camille is doing…’

‘Say HI for me, Luv…Urs don’t search through your bag for that pale blue tee shirt…I snitched it so I can sleep with it’

LOL…I know…I saw the edge of it peeking out from under your pillow…I traded scarves with you, left you my black one and took that soft grey one…your scent is still on it’

‘LOL… anyone would think we were lovesick teenagers…we’ll get through this, my Love and anything else that gets thrown at us. Together we can do anything’

‘It would be easier if I didn’t love you so much, Mama Bear. What keeps me going is the memories, so many memories and not just of amazing lovemaking. Loving you is so much more than just sex and I don’t think I ever understood that until I fell in love with you. You make me very happy, my little wife and I can barely wait to hold you close again…. These weeks will go fast and then I’ll be home….we have so much unfinished business to take care of.’

‘Including that secret room…can you at least tell me when it will be done?’

‘Before Christmas, I promise…you aren’t planning on going out and picking the lock, I hope.’

‘LOL…as much as I would like to, no…that would be betraying your trust and I won’t do that…’

‘Thank you Luv…now go have some dinner while I go see if I can cadge a meal out of Cookie. I’ll talk to you again tomorrow…I love you.”

“Just smile at her and you know she will melt…I love you too, my Swiss.’

Her little teddy bear appeared, waving and huge red lips sent him a smacking kiss, complete with sound effects. Again he had forgotten to ask how he could do that so he just laughed and sent her x’s and o’s and signed off.

Maggie sighed, remembering that she had promised to eat. Actually she felt better now, having spoken to Urs, even if it was in cyber space.

She went to the Kitchen and opened the refrigerator, thinking to maybe have some fruit and yogurt and drew in a sharp breath when she saw what he had left for her.

The small round, cut glass platter contained a broiled chicken breast, a portion of finely diced potatoes and a small dish with a mixed salad, all covered with a plastic wrap and on top two roses, one white, the other red, wired together with a silver bow. Underneath was a card, carefully penned in Urs scrawling penmanship with a list of the Language of roses and his signature, followed by a heart surrounded with the x’s of kisses.

When had he done this? And how? He must have looked up the list of meanings on line and she felt a surge of pride that he had gone to the trouble of mastering his ‘labtop’ well enough to find the site.

She glanced at the list and found what she already knew to be the meaning, wanting to read it in his own hand as if that made it more precious, as if he was there saying the words.

Two roses, twined together…Commitment….the white rose for purity and spiritual love, the red for passion and respect.

She took the slender stems and removed the water vials from the bottom, angle cut them again and placed them in a bud vase to place on the counter where they could be seen…at least they could by anyone who didn’t have eyes welling with happy tears.

With a smile she took the food and nuked the potatoes and chicken to heat it and tasted the salad…perfect…just the right amount of oil and vinegar dressing.

She sat at the counter in the kitchen, listening to the CD he had made for her, enjoying the food and the rose message from her romantic lover/husband, thinking of him, of their life together even when apart.

**

Urs wasn’t surprised when he returned from the school to find a note under his door. Seb was back, eager to catch up on news and offered an excellent new Red if the Swiss was interested.

He laughed and went up to Seb’s suite, tapped on the door and entered to find all three of the men in the Lounge, sipping wine and regaling each other with tales of what they had been doing.

Seb offered Urs some wine, poured a glass and went on with his tale about meeting Ricky.

“He really is a nice young man. Geena is so relieved, knowing that he has had a good life, that he’s happy and doesn’t hold any grudges against her. His adoptive Maman is a lovely woman, very caring and mature, very open to having us be a part of the boy’s life. We will keep in touch, maybe even visit at Christmas time for a day, definitely in the summer when he is out of school.”

“What are you doing for Christmas, David?” Urs asked nonchalantly, managing to keep from grinning.

“Home…to Denver…Petra’s parents are coming over too. After the time they spent with my folks in London they decided they really like each other and Mom invited them, so we don’t have to spend half the time here and half in the US.”

“Will they have enough room what with your sisters coming home too?”

“No problem…we’re in the country, about 2 miles out of town and there’s an old bunkhouse that used to be for the hands when it was a ranch. Dad has always kept it up to use for guests and it’s really cozy.”

“And my Dove and I will spend part of the time with family then go to Marbella and stay in our new house,” Carlos interjected, not to be outdone. The news was met with astonishment since he hadn’t mentioned it before.

He explained that they had decided while in Madrid and fell in love with the place at first viewing, that the paperwork was nearly finished and that his Gerald was ‘over the moon’, planning on furnishings, decorating…and that it had a lovely pool which was secluded enough that they could swim naked if they wanted.

“Does Gerry swim? I could give her lessons if she does not…” Seb teased and received a glare and raised brow.

Urs roared with laughter.

“I’ve seen you swim, Frenchie…remember at that Hotel in…was it Toronto?…you do more splashing than actual swimming. Better leave the lessons to me.”

“My Gerald is an excellent swimmer, Herr Seal in the Water and Monsieur Froggie. And you have your own mujeres to play with.”

Seb refilled the glasses and opened another bottle to breathe.

“So, Urs, is Maggie getting really round…and how is the house coming along?” he asked with a grin.

“Maggie is glowing…and she’s only gained 6 pounds so she’s only round in the tummy…but it’s so amazing. We can feel the Baby moving now, these little kicks at her womb, sometimes several, one after the other like he was exercising or something, sometimes it’s a kind of long stroke like he was stretching. It feels incredible.”

He had a dreamy look on his face that stopped the others from teasing. The only comment brought him back from his memory of the wondrous feeling of his child moving inside Maggie’s body.

“Wow!! I wish I had my camera…your face says it all, Urs,” David said with just a twinge of envy.

Urs was uncomfortable being quite so open and changed the subject.

“The house is coming along great. They finished outside and are working on the interior since we already have a bit of snow. Yanni thinks we can be in by Christmas or at least the New Year.”

Talk of the New Year lead to talking about the tour, discussing the release of the Ancora CD in a few short weeks and suddenly the 3rd bottle was finished and it was past time that they should retire. The day tomorrow would start very early with an interview at GMTV and would be filled fully for the rest of the day.

Urs got ready for bed, following his usual routine but his mind wasn’t there in Chelsea. Instead he thought of the little house in Switzerland, of his tiny wife and of the feelings he was swamped with when he lay his hand on her bump and felt their child moving.

He was smiling and content as he wiggled into a comfortable position in the big, empty bed, her scent filling his senses from the soft grey scarf that he had wrapped around the pillow.

CHAPTER SIXTY-FIVE

Urs had missed Seb’s announcement of his engagement to Geena so it wasn’t until the next day when they were in the people mover that he found out and offered his congratulations.

“I hope you two will be as happy as Maggie and I are, Frenchie. For such a long time I was against getting married but there’s something about meeting the right woman that makes your mind suddenly see the reason. It isn’t about having regular sex, although that’s a bonus…it’s about the sharing, the love that goes both ways, the little silly things like deciding on what color to paint your bedroom and finding ways to make your partner happy because you love to see her face light up, because making her happy makes you feel good. It’s knowing that this special woman is going to continue to love you even when you’ve done something stupid, and you will, trust me you will.”

David chimed in from the seat where he was stretched out, trying for just a few more minutes of rest before the interview.

“And don’t keep secrets…they always find out.”

Urs choked out a laugh.

“UN Huh!! So you got caught too? Man I’ve learned my lesson…I was really a dumb-a** and Maggie found out about something that I didn’t tell her about and she got so frightened…I was really scared for her and the Baby, but it worked out and she forgave me. Never again!!”

“So what do we say in the interview when they ask about someone special in our lives? We going public with this or not yet?”

Urs considered the question for a few moments, his face serious and eyes hooded.

“I don’t know about you and Pet, but I don’t think I want to do more than say that there is someone very special in my life. The tabs already broke that piece about us at the Ball…I’d like to leave it at that for a while yet.”

“Me too,” David admitted. “I’m not ready to share quite that much of my private life right now. I’m not going to hide the fact that we are a couple but I’m not going to push the envelope …maybe after the last two of us fall, then we can make a group announcement.” He laughed as he said it, thinking that he hoped someone would still care by that time.

Surprisingly there was a small crowd waiting outside GMTV when they arrived, though it was still early, only 5h45 and a misty rain was falling. They walked along the front edge of the waiting ladies, smiling, shaking hands, posing for pictures, genuinely touched that these people would come out and wait in the cold dawn for them.

After the interview and performing one track, they went for yet another fitting, a meet and greet at a Book store, lunch with some Sony BMG execs, then a photo op for the book that would come out on the tour, on to the Zoo for more pics which involved a lot of hurry up and frozen smiles as they tried to look natural though they often had to hold the same ‘impromptu’ pose for 15 minutes or more. They ended the tiring day with a session at the office, signing posters for the boutiques that would be open at each concert, forming an assembly line to do each one personally, a touch they had insisted on rather than having the signatures printed on the posters. They wanted to establish a personal feeling between themselves and the fans and were prepared to fight for it, right from the start, even if it meant writer’s cramp from all this signing.

They were tired when they had the people mover drop them off near the shops in Chelsea, no one having purchased any supplies yet.

Carlos left them to go for take-away while Urs, Seb and David entered the little market and found something to tide them over for the night.

Both Pet and Geena were working tonight, just as well since Seb and David were too worn out to be good company. They plodded up the stairs to their flats, waving at Urs as he went into his own.

“Transport will be here at 8 tomorrow, guys,” he called out as they vanished and he went inside. He kicked his shoes off, remembered that they were his dress shoes and placed them neatly in the closet, using the kit on the floor to give them a dust off, was satisfied with the shine and shut the door, slipping out of his suit jacket and draping it over a chair carefully. He was out of his trousers quickly, putting them with the jacket, both ready to be dropped off at the cleaners…he would wear the dark grey tomorrow.

He booted up his laptop and left it to start while he opened his deli dinner and collected an icy cold beer from the frig, a habit he had picked up in the States where people were horrified to think that some people drank their beer warm.

It was after 9 in Willisau and he took a chance on Maggie being home until he realized that she was likely at choir practice. But there was an e.mail and he clicked on it eagerly.

“Gruezi, Liebe:
I did as promised and found the lovely dinner you left for me. What a nice surprise…and the roses with the card that explained what you felt….so romantic and beautiful and so perfect to fill the void your absence left in my day. Thank you Liebe…you spoil me and I love your for it.

Kosta and I spent part of the day out at the farm today while Heidi went into the shops and picked out colors for the cottage. I stopped by the office for licenses and made an appointment for my road test tomorrow since the weather is supposed to be lovely again. Wish me luck.

Urs, the crew finished the mantle on the fireplace today and it looks outstanding, that lovely gnarled wood imbedded in the fieldstone is so striking. What a great idea you had!! They’ve also finished the base for the counter in the games room and Yanni says they should take delivery of it in the next couple of days and it will only take an hour or so to install it. We weren’t allowed to walk on it yet but the floors in the Lounge and Kitchen are in and drying…they look even better than the picture. You will be so pleased when you get back…the guys are moving everything along so fast!!

I think I should learn Morse code since I’m sure all this kicking that Junior is doing must have a message in there somewhere. Today has been a very active day…maybe a football game or at least practice. And he seems to be a hungry little devil too, at least something is stimulating my appetite…and yes I am sticking to healthy food, just lots of it.

Tonight is my first choir practice and I’m as nervous as if I were doing a performance…maybe that’s what the food cravings is all about…I’ve always nibbled constantly before going on stage and this kind of feels like it. I do hope it works out…you know how I feel about music and I really would like to meet some of the people who have lived here for so long. Marc called today and offered to give me a ride since both he and Sonja are in the choir and they have to go right past. I really like your friend, Urs, and can hardly wait to meet his wife.

Last night I slept with your tee shirt on my pillow and it was so comforting that I dreamed of you…we were up in the meadow, near the stream and it was summer, the flowers were blooming and the sky was so clear and blue…you told me you loved me and the words came out of your mouth in musical notes, swirling around in the breeze and wrapping around me gently, then they became butterflies and flitted off across the grasses while we held hands and watched…I woke up from the dream, all warm and cozy, breathing in your scent and I knew that I could wait forever if need be for you to come home…nothing would change, not the way I love you or the faith I have in your love for me…then the baby did one of those stretching things he does and I felt that precious part of you inside me and everything fell into place. Do what you must, what your talent demands of you. You owe it to yourself to give your best to this project, to make it work, to bring your voice to the world. I love you because of who you are and what you do with your life, not in spite of it. We will be here to welcome you home, no matter how long it takes.

I love you, my lover, my husband, the father of our child…..I will always love you.

Your Maggie’

He read the e.mail a second time, then used his new skills and printed it to put in a folder, something to read again if he needed bolstering. For a moment the thought about sending her a reply but decided to wait, hoping to catch her on Instant Message when she got home from practice.

What she said made him feel relief. He had been dreading the tour, the separations, but now…now he felt that they would cope, that somehow it would work out, that being apart but still connected would make them stronger.

He tidied up from his dinner and went for a shower, lay across the bed to wait until she should be home …and woke to the insistent ringing of his alarm at 5h30, exhaustion taking him into a dreamless sleep throughout the night.

**

‘Good morning, Liebeling:

Sorry I didn’t send you this last night. I lay down on the bed for just a few minutes to wait for you to be on IM and the next thing I knew it was morning. Your message to me was just the tonic I needed to relax after a killer day and the scent of your scarf around my pillow wafted me into such a restful sleep I don’t even remember dreaming.

How is it you always know just the right thing to say to make me feel better…about being apart from you, about missing you so much and missing being able to feel the baby moving? Your words seem to leap out of the screen and wrap around my heart, soothing the pain of not having you near. I still miss you but knowing that you are patiently waiting makes it less of a wound.

We have another busy day today…some last minute sound bites and an editing session that Simon insists we attend…then it’s off to meet the hair and grooming people so they can see what they have to work with. I have to be braced for that since they will probably want to cut my hair and that just isn’t going to happen.

Geena and Seb are engaged now, finally. It sounds like the meeting with Ricky went very well. He sounds like a great kid…I’m sure that Gee will be messaging you about it and maybe this coming summer we’ll get to meet him. We should think about having everyone over to visit for a few days when the tour ends, for some R&R and to get to know our Baby. Speaking of which I have some things coming for the nursery the day before I get back. It will all go right out to the farm and Yanni will store it in the workshop…NO PEEKING!!

Good luck on the test today, Luv, though I’m sure you’ll Ace it. I will be back from the running around about 6 your time so I hope to catch up with you then.

I love you.

Urs XXXXX

PS: There’s only one cookie left!!!
PPS: Look under the dress socks in my sock drawer…something for Good Luck!!’

Maggie smiled when she rose from her sleep and checked her mail. Yes, there was something from Urs and though she had been disappointed last night not to have a return message, as she had hoped he had slept well. She laughed at the whine about the lack of cookies and wandered into the bedroom to check out his sock drawer.

He was always planning some little surprise for her, something endearing or to make her laugh, some little thing that meant so much to her, that made her smile. An idea came to her and she giggled thinking that there was something that would make him happy…it just required a phone call.

She opened the sock drawer and rummaged under his dress socks…well not actually rummaged since that implied being messy and she knew how annoyed it would make Herr Neatness Personified. Underneath the cubicles that held his black silk socks was a small silver wrapped package and she took it, sitting on the edge of the bed to look at the tiny card before opening it.

‘For my own personal Andretti…I will risk my life and limb with you any day…Urs’

Inside the flat box was a silver keychain, shaped like an Irish Cladagh ring with the clasping hands, a small Emerald on the delicate feminine hand, the spare key for the Peugeot dangling from the loop.

She laughed and went immediately to the foyer and put the ring and key in her pocket for the test later in the day.

She went to the computer to check if he was still on but it was too late, so made herself some breakfast and thought about the choir practice last night.

Marc and Sonja had been on time, of course and they chatted briefly on the short drive to the church. Sonja was tall and slender, reminded her somewhat of Petra with her blonde hair, willowy figure and ready smile. She told Maggie about Urs during their school years, admitting that he didn’t know it but before she fell so hard for Marc when she was 18 she had a major crush on Urs, who was at that time the lead guitarist and singer of a heavy metal band.

“He had this killer way of smiling, kind of lowering his chin and looking up at you through his lashes…it made all the girls wild, including me but I think I was all of 13 then.”

Maggie laughed.

“He still does that. The woman who does the cooking at our school in London nearly swoons when he turns that smile on her. Strangely, he doesn’t realize the effect it has on women.”

“Right!!” Marc said with a tinge of sarcasm.

“I’ll bet he practices in front of a mirror. Although, in school if it didn’t sing he didn’t pay much attention….except for bosoms…he’s always been a ….”

“MARC!!” Sonja cut him off before he could get into trouble but Maggie just laughed.

“When are you due, Maggie?” she asked, not wanting to let Marc put his foot in his mouth again.

“About April 9th, Dr. Mandel figures…which means I can only go on the tour for about a week the end of January. Urs is going to try to be home for the delivery but we just can’t be sure if his schedule will allow the travel time.”

“Mandel is wonderful…I had him for both of ours and had no problems…and if you need a good pediatrician for after give Dr. Moya a call. She’s great, about our age with 2 of her own.”

They arrived at the church and went inside to join the others as they shed coats and boots and gathered in the tiers to each side of the altar.

Sonja introduced Maggie all around and there were a few comments, about hearing her singing with Urs last Sunday, about the fact that they were happy for Urs to have found someone…one elderly lady expressed her opinion that it was ‘about time that young man had a family’.

The choirmaster came in and when everyone had settled he asked Maggie to do some a cappella bars to get a feeling for where she belonged in the various sections.

He frowned, realizing that though she had been note perfect she had held back.

“My dear…if I wanted someone who can whisper well, I would have brought my mother to practice. Open up…let me hear what you have.”

She raised a brow at him, recognizing a challenge.

“May I accompany myself, Herr Knoefler?”

He nodded and moved aside so she could get to the piano but she went around him and went to the standing harp, ran an arpeggio on the strings to test for sour notes and settled herself to perform O Holy Night, one of her favorites.

She started the intro and saw him frown slightly, unsure what she was doing since she preferred to speed up the tempo of the old favorite, just a bit. Then she began to sing, holding nothing back, her voice raising to the ornate beams of the vaulted ceiling, filling the quaint church, every corner, pew, crevice, spilling out the door when a late arrival opened it to enter. When she finished and the last note finished vibrating along the stained glass of the windows, there was silence as she tilted the harp back into place and rejoined the choir, waiting patiently to see if she had passed her quality test.

Herr Knoefler cleared his voice then began to laugh, joining the incredulous twitter among the choir members.

“Don’t look so stricken, Frau Buhler. People, I think we just found our soloist for the Christmas services. Please stand with the sopranos, Frau…may we call you Maggie?”

“Of course…thank you.”

“Stand in front of me, Maggie, or no one will be able to see you,” Sonja said giving her a little nudge.

Thinking about the evening she smiled. It had been fun, even a bit exciting, meeting so many people and getting to use her voice again. She had invitations for brunch, phone numbers of half a dozen women who made her promise to drop by when ever she had a chance. It was a start.

She cleaned up from breakfast and went in to have her shower, trying to organize her day around the dreaded test, then laughing when she thought that there was no way she could fail. She already had the magic key chain to help her through whatever the examiner threw at her.

**

She scurried home to make sure she was on time to talk to Urs, full of all sorts of news but mostly just wanting to share everything with him.

He wasn’t on yet when she booted up Millie and she slipped into the kitchen to make a hot chocolate, still a bit chilled from being outside. Winter, whether it was official or not, was here as far as she was concerned and it was beautiful, cold but beautiful. Just for good measure she put an extra log on the fire, replaced the screen securely and had just picked up her mug again when Millie shrieked at her, as she had been asked.

“HE’S ON…WAITING FOR YOU!!!”

She laughed and slipped into the office, easing into the chair and peering at the screen which had a single line of message.

‘HI…Millie says to wait..’

‘Sorry my Swiss Lover…it’s bloody cold in here and I was adding fuel to the fireplace….Urs I passed!!! I am now legal!! And it’s all because of your magic keychain!! Thank you, my darling!!’

‘LOL…I think your skill likely had more to do with it but Bitte! How was choir practice last night?’

‘Excellent…Jules wants me to do a solo of O Holy Night at Christmas…they put me in the soprano section and I’m right in front of Sonja….I met so many people it’s hard to keep the names straight but then I bumped into Helene downtown today, she’s an alto and after my test we went to Marc’s coffee shop and met up with Janti and Nicole…they told me all sorts of stories about you when you were a teen…. I can’t picture you being such a Nerdy guy….sorry love, I’m babbling…your turn.’

“LOL…. No problem…I like it that you’re making friends…and those girls have never told the truth in their lives. Next you will be believing that I had long hair that looked like it had been electrified, thick glasses and didn’t discover girls until I was 15….and that was an accident.’

‘I think I have to hear about that sometime…it’s hardly fair you know…you know all about my first time…I should know about yours.’

‘There’s a world of difference…my first time lasted about 12 seconds and I hate to even think about it now, it was very embarrassing since the girl was quite experienced and gave me a black eye for being so fast.’

‘Oh Urs…you certainly have come a long way…LOL’

‘Have you talked to Mami today? She hasn’t been online for a couple of days.’

‘Every day…she has a touch of flu, nothing serious but enough that she won’t risk visiting Shannon or me…doesn’t want to spread her germs. Papa is making her soup and babying her. Oh and he says the upholsterer has our chairs and sofas done, just waiting to hear a delivery date.’

‘BRB….. someone at the door….’

‘K’ she waited with a grin on her face, checking the time and pretty sure she knew who was delivering something, just as promised.

‘I LOVE YOU!!! You know who was there, don’t you? Andy said to tell you Cookie has added a few extras just to be safe…..OMG…you should see it, there’s squares and 2 pieces of that Chocolate layer cake she makes and a bunch of different cookies….ummmm…this one is peanut butter. Baby you have to get the recipe for that cake…the icing is fabulous…Tami, I can’t reach the forks from here!’

‘Sounds like you need to go to the gym soon… no gym and no sex, makes Ursy a fat boy….I read somewhere that sex is an excellent form of exercise.’

‘LOL the way we do it sure is…alright then while I’m away I better go work out….I won’t need to when I get back to you, my insatiable wife.’

‘Promises, promises…I’ll remember this, M’Lord….do you have a busy day tomorrow?”

‘Very…we’re off to Glasgow first thing, staying overnight after an appearance on TV, a signing and a special short program at a local center. I’ll take my ‘puter so we can chat later in the evening.’

‘When you come home I’ll give you a tutorial in setting up the camera and using it. The picture won’t be wonderful but it’s better than nothing.’

‘Baby the guys and Pet should be here any minute and I have to hide the goodies before they force me to share…we’re going to Pronto for dinner since it’s so close….what are you having tonight?’

‘You don’t want to know.’

“Maggie!!’

‘Rosti.’

‘You’re right…I don’t want to know. Oh well soon you can make it for me. I love you.

‘I know Urs, and I love you too, so very much.’

One more time he swore as he remembered too late about the cute icons that she sent at the end of her IM.

Just in time he put the large tin of goodies away and there was a tap at the door as his friends walked in.

“You have chocolate on your mouth…what have you been eating, something that Maggie sent?” Seb was looking around for the stash but Urs just wiped his lips off and grinned, waiting by the door until Seb gave up. They all went out for dinner without eating dessert first.

CHAPTER SIXTY- SIX

“I would like to pick you up, Urs since Kosta is really tied up getting their things moved into the cottage…but…”

He wondered at the hesitation he heard in her voice, a bit disappointed since he had been excited enough about being done early and had called on the land line to tell her the flight time.

“But? Baby I thought you would be happy.”

“And I am, I just don’t know if you want to run the risk of someone seeing me with you…my clothes are getting really tight and it’s pretty obvious that I’m with child. I don’t want to cause you any problems.”

“Maggie, I’m not ashamed of the fact that we’re expecting a baby, and never, NEVER, ashamed to be seen with you. If someone sees us together, then so be it. The fans know that there is some-one very special in my life and if someone takes a photo then I would never deny the truth. I will not hide the way I feel about my beautiful wife or the child we have created. I’ll wear a sign that tells the world if it will make you happy. Please…come for me…I need to hold you again.”

She sighed, he hoped with relief, and promised to be there when he came through Arrivals.

“I’ll be the one with the huge smile and the very round tummy. Be warned, Papa Bear…Baby and I have really blossomed this last few weeks.”

He laughed.

“I can’t wait. They’re calling my flight…see you in a few hours, Geliebt.”

It wasn’t a long drive to Lucerne so Maggie took the time to change the sheets on their bed, had a shower and smoothed fragrant lotion on her skin, then went to the Kitchen to check on supplies for dinner…just in case they got around to eating.

When it was nearly time to leave she put on the only things that looked relatively presentable, wondering if she should try in the next couple of days to talk Urs into a shopping trip for some maternity wear. The few things she already had no longer were useful for anything except working and since they planned on this being the first of many times the expenditure would be logical…very Swiss she thought with a laugh.

It was a lovely day for a drive, the fields on either side of the road covered with fresh snow, the mountain peaks in the distance glistening in the sunlight. Traffic was light until she reached the turn off for the airport but even that was manageable with her new skills. She found a parking spot quite easily and left Urs old wool jacket in the car, tugging the heavy grey sweater that Inga had knit for her, trying to close it over her tummy but giving up after a minute as she walked rapidly into the terminal.

She checked the arrivals board and noted that her timing was perfect…his flight status changed to arrived even as she watched and she took up a good viewing position among the crowd waiting for friends and loved ones.

It wasn’t long until the first passengers began to straggle out of the double doors, the seasoned travelers who had very little luggage and most of those who had been in first class and cleared customs quickly.

“Maggie…I thought I recognized you. Urs coming home today?”

She turned to her side and was surprised to see one of the older tenors from the choir, Magnus if her memory served her, a jolly widower who had mentioned that before he retired he had delivered milk for years to Urs family home.

They were still chatting, about his 3 day jaunt to Geneva to visit his son and of course she couldn’t be rude and watch for Urs so when he walked into the arrivals area she missed seeing him.

He spotted her immediately and felt his breath catch at the sight of her.

Her hair was wild, curling freely, just the way he loved it, her skin actually glowing, maybe from the chill outside air or maybe from her condition…and she had certainly ‘blossomed’. She had never looked more lovely to him and he wound through the crowd just as a man who looked vaguely familiar bid her good bye and she turned to search for him.

Her face lit up when their eyes met and she grinned, taking a few steps toward him. He dropped his carryon handle and took her hands, holding them out to the side.

“Look at you….you look incredible!!”

It didn’t matter that there were people all around, that anyone could snap a quick picture. He wrapped his arms around her and held her tight, bending to kiss her neck, whispering ‘How I’ve missed you!!’ in her ear and then kissing her, not the toe curling kisses of their private time but also not the chaste ‘Hi how are you?’ peck on the cheek that some of the other passengers had received from their loved ones.

After a few minutes they separated, Urs collected his carryon and hand in hand they walked out to the parking lot.

He couldn’t stop grinning, glancing down at her, making a mental note that she should go shopping soon but personally he liked to be able to see her not so little bump.

She gave him the keys to unlock the car and he set his luggage in the back seat, then raised an eyebrow when she held her hand out for the keys.

“Uh…you want to drive home?”

With a grin she pulled the card that had come with the key chain out of her sweater pocket and read the message out loud…’For my own personal Andretti….I’ll risk my life and limb with you anyday…Urs.’

He laughed and handed the keys to her, closing the door after she slid into the driver’s seat and he walked around to adjust the passenger seat to his longer legs and climbed in beside her.

“Before you do up your seat belt, I need a proper kiss.”

She leaned to him with a smile.

“I just happen to have one that’s been waiting for you,” she murmured as he cupped her face with his hands, lost himself in her eyes and feasted on her sweet mouth in a kiss that had no beginning, no ending, only sensations, a give and take of love, yearning, commitment and promise.

“How I’ve missed being able to touch you,” he murmured against her hair when they came back to reality.

“So many times I almost began a sentence, wanting to share something with you or to ask a question… the nights were the hardest…I would reach for you and then remember.”

“Let’s go home, Andretti… I’m glad you’re driving actually. The last few days have been crazy and for once I didn’t sleep on the plane.”

She pulled smoothly out of the parking lot, concentrating on the traffic and Urs watched surreptitiously, hoping that she wouldn’t notice and get nervous.

They pulled onto the motorway and got up to cruising speed and she laughed, glancing at him once, briefly.

“You can breathe again, Urs, and stop watching me…I really do know what I’m doing.”

“I guess I can’t get away with saying that I just like looking at you?”

“Not this time…if you frown any more you’ll make a unibrow …relax!!”

“Alright… I have been checking out your driving…you are very good….you must be a natural.”

“You of all people should know how quickly I learn new things.”

He grinned and rested his hand on her thigh.

“Ja, seems to me I remember teaching you some things and you caught on fast…with some practice.”

His fingers refused to stay still, massaging her thigh until she gasped and he stopped, remembering that she was driving.

“When we get home perhaps you need a refresher course.”

She chanced another quick glance and smiled, that sultry look that he knew so well and they spent the rest of the trip talking about safe subjects…the house, the choir, his Mami’s recovery from the flu.

**

Yvette watched from across the room as Frank played on the floor with Hans, thinking how very different this gentle man was with her son. Laurenz had never mistreated the boy but had never seemed to be able to relate to him as a person, never getting down and enjoying the interaction of the little fellow as he tried to explore his world.

Frank, on the other hand had taken to the child instantly when she finally relented and invited him to the estate for a meal and to meet Hans.

He looked up and smiled, catching her intent gaze as Hans used him for a ladder to get to his feet again, at the stage when walking was a lot of ups and downs and anything solid was fair game to get back on his tiny feet.

“You suppose he thinks that I’m a giant toy you’ve been so kind to provide?”

She laughed, that little tinkling bell-like sound he had come to love, one that was seldom heard the first days of their classes together. Now it seemed she had more to smile about and he treasured each time she let herself relax enough to laugh. He looked at her as if for the first time, admitting to himself that this was not just a woman he desired, though he did and suffered for it often. He loved her with a purity of emotion that made him shiver, unsure yet hoping, that there would be a future for them, a very long future.

“I love you, Yvie,” he said softly as Hans took a handful of hair to use as a handle and walked around the tall man to deposit one of his very wet kisses on a willing cheek. Frank’s eyes never left hers. He saw her pale, then a smile started on her rosy lips, sent from eyes suddenly glistening.

“Frank, I…”

He pulled Hans onto his lap and belly kissed the boy, making him giggle and squirm, then looked up at her again, cutting off what she had tried to say.

“You don’t need to say it, Love. I can wait as long as it takes. Right now I think this young man needs some drier clothes. Seems I tickled him until he lost control and he’s a bit soggy.”

They put Hans down for his nap after the clean up and stood near the window in the nursery, watching him fall into a contented sleep.

“I love you too Frank. You are the man I should have met, long ago but wasn’t ready for. Frank you know it may be years before I’m free.”

He gently put his arms around her, wanting to ease the tension he felt in her shoulders, the controlled way she had tightened her arms over her bosom.

“You are free, Little One, just not legally yet. You have taken control of your life and I love how strong you have become, more every day. We have all the time in the world, Yvie. Just let me be here for you and Hans. There’s no rush for more.”

For the first time her kiss was not quite as chaste as it had been, the edges of her control blurring and it was only with a great deal of effort that he kept his body in check. He loved her and she was worth waiting for, however long it took.

**

The Peugeot pulled into the cleared spot in front of the little house and Maggie shut off the motor. By the time she had opened her door, Urs had his carryon and computer case out of the back seat and was bounding up the steps to the front door. He fished his keys out of a pocket, opened the door and rushed inside, coming back out as she started up the steps and he swept her into his arms to carry her inside.

He leaned back against the door, locking it with one hand and smiling at her as she stood staring at him in amusement.

“Now, exactly where were we?” he murmured, reaching out to take her shoulders and pull her closer.

She trembled at the look of naked desire in his hooded eyes.

“I think it was something like…here and maybe here…” she whispered, easing his jacket over his shoulders and letting it slip to the floor as her hands inched under his tee shirt and she stood up tall so her mouth could reach his neck for tender kisses and nibbles.

They shared a soul searing kiss, plucking at clothing, leaving a trail across the floor to the fireplace, pausing for only a second as Urs added logs to the embers in the cooling fireplace and covered them with the thick throw from the sofa. Under the downy softness he touched her mounded belly reverently then rolled her to her side to spoon against her.

“Let’s see if you’ve forgotten your lessons, little student,” he murmured against her neck. His busy hands made her moan and she squirmed a bit, proving that she had paid attention to every detail ….just as wild and eager as he was to reach for the stars again, unwilling to wait, not needing more than a touch, a soft caress, to feed the yearning, too long denied.

Urs raised himself off the soft comfort of Maggie’s body, pulling the throw off his head, just long enough to glance at the fire, then dove back underneath, laying on his stomach with his head on Maggie and a hand on her bump.

“It’s still cool in the house,” he announced and she laughed.

“Not under here,” she said and felt him smile.
“That’s why I came back under…it has nothing to do with wanting to touch you.”

“I think we just set a new land speed record,” she teased.

“Team work…isn’t it wonderful?”

“You let them cut your hair… still it looks good, especially now that it’s gone curly again…the tie from it must be somewhere in here.” Her hand was playing in his curls and smoothing his hair back behind his ear.

“We compromised…it’s still long enough for a short ponytail and I’m supposed to get it straightened for concerts, at least all but the ends.”

“Silly a**es…don’t they know how wild it will make the fans if it’s left to curl?”

“Maybe that’s the point…they don’t want wild fans. We won the argument about rose petals and about sitting on the edge of the stage so we had to let them win something and I guess hairstyles was it.”

“Won’t it make you nervous, sitting there and being so vulnerable? What if there are crazies in the crowd and some one pulls you off the stage or touches you inappropriately?”

“Baby, we love our fans and have to trust them. We’ll see how it goes but I think most of the fans will show respect for what we’re trying to do.”

“Urs…”

“Yes, Liebe?”

“I’ve had enough rest.”

He chuckled and raised his head, sliding his hand up from her mound until it met an obstacle.

“Me too,” he answered, his voice gone husky and he began their journey again, slowly this time.

CHAPTER SIXTY-SEVEN

The only light on in the dark house was the fireplace when they woke from a short nap and peeked out from under the cozy throw. Faintly through the windows they could see a street light had come on…it was early evening and they had spent enough time under the comfort of the throw for the house to be warm enough to think of something other than desire.

Urs stomach made his hunger known in a soft growl that made them both laugh and he pulled her up to her feet to give her a swat on her firm bottom and a nudge towards the kitchen.

“I didn’t eat on the flight, the food just looked so unappealing, even in first class. Should we get dressed and go out or…?”

She smiled at him and gave his cheek a pat.

“I’m way ahead of you, Lover. I know what you really want now that you can think of something else.”

He laughed and admitted that even more than food he really wanted to see how far along the work had progressed on the house.

“Do you mind?”

“Of course not…I asked Dieter to leave the lights on…I knew you would want to go out…and I have something ready to take with us so we can have a picnic once we get there.”

He swept her into a Bear hug that left her breathless.

“Woman, it’s no wonder I love you….Let’s go.”

“It’s just a tad too cool to go au naturel…best if we throw some clothes on first,” she said with a giggle and escaped to gather up their discarded clothing and head up the stairs to the loft.

Urs fed the fire, banking it so it would last for hours and joined her just as she slipped into warm, stretchy sweats and a matching jacket that refused to stretch far enough to be done up. He dressed quickly and met her downstairs to take a wicker hamper from her, laughed when they reached the car to see her slip on his old jacket that she had left in the driver’s seat.

“I know it’s not fashionable but its warm and actually zips up.”

“And it looks better on you than it did on me…I think a shopping expedition is in order in the near future, Little Mami.”

It was a nice clear night, a waning moon but still the sky was fairly bright and there was a reflection off of the light snow cover. The gate was closed when they arrived and Maggie hopped out to open it, thinking how much nicer it would be when the new one went in since it would have a remote switch in the car…then she laughed at herself for becoming lazy. She shut it behind the car and slid back inside.

“You can see the glow of the lights through the trees,” Urs said with a little catch of anticipation in his voice.

“I’ve never come out at night,” Maggie said. “I wanted to see it all lit up the first time with you.”

They rounded the last curve, clearing the trees and roses and Urs let the car coast to a stop as he stared at their home. He slipped the gears in neutral and reached blindly for Maggie’s hand, holding it tight against his heart.

The crew had left most of the lights inside and outside the house on and it glowed with a radiance that reflected off the wood work and the sloped yard of snow, the tall windows glinting with yellow and gold radiance. There was a warm, welcoming feeling about the openness of the building, as if the uncovered windows were beckoning to come closer, to enter into the warmth and be wrapped in love, to be treasured.

“It’s our dreams come to life,” Urs whispered, not wanting to break the spell. “All those squiggles and lines we drew on so many sheets of paper, ideas that we had, wishes…. It’s exactly what we hoped for …and more.”

He wrenched his eyes away from the sight of the house to look at Maggie and saw that her face was awash with tears, Happy Tears, he knew and he unclipped both their seat belts and hugged her as she laughed shakily against his chest.

“I think we’ve found our ‘Somewhere’, my darling Swiss. Naming the farm Irgendwo was a stroke of genius.”

He laughed and kissed her brow before releasing her and putting the Peugeot in gear to approach the building, slowly.

“So that means two moments of brilliance…one when I claimed you for my wife, the other naming the farm.”

She laughed at his logic.

“There have been some others but I didn’t mention them…I would hate for you to become conceited.”

“I’m Swiss…we do aloof and quiet, but not conceited.”

They drove around the back and parked in the large cleared area. Urs carried the basket as they went hand in hand up the steps to the back terrace, one that would be used extensively in the summer months since there was an L shaped extension at one end that contained a summer kitchen, both of them considering that air conditioning was really not all that healthy for you….and they loved the idea of actually being able to cook outdoors.

Maggie gave Urs the key to the large glass doors and he opened them and motioned her to step inside. This doorway entered into the Mud Room off the Kitchen area, a rather inelegant name for a room with shelving and hooks for coats, benches for removal of boots, entrance to a small room that housed a very utilitarian shower, toilet and sink…a handy spot for anyone who didn’t want to traipse through the house if they were particularly grubby.

He drew in a sharp breath at first sight of the actual kitchen…as far as he could tell it was finished, merely waiting to accept the boxes of utensils and other supplies that still sat in storage. The counters gleamed, the woodwork shone with coat after coat of veneer, the appliances were in and waiting patiently.

“Is there anything left to do? I can’t believe it but so far I haven’t seen one thing that needs finishing.”

She laughed and spun in a circle with her arms out, then grabbed him and kissed him soundly.

“Surprise!!! There’s only a bit more to do in the games/music room then we can move our things in. Yanni and Dieter told me yesterday that we can be in by the weekend. They had an extra team that couldn’t work outside on another property and they’ve been working around the clock.”

They left the basket in the kitchen, removed their shoes and explored, going from one room to the other, so pleased and for Urs so stunned with the surprise, that the grins were permanent and words began to be repeated.

“Better than I had imagined!”
“Look at that…it looked so good on paper but I wasn’t sure!”
“Wow!!”
“…come see this!”

At the top of the house they finally checked out the master bedroom with the large ensuite bathroom, the giant tub with whirlpool jets that snugged up against a wall of glass looking out over their property and the glass shower stall with handy bench at one end and multiple nozzles that could be used all together or separately. There was a working fireplace in the suite and Urs raised his brow remembering the fluffy white, faux-fur rug that Maggie had insisted on, knowing now exactly where she planned on putting it. The walls were a raspberry red, a color he hadn’t been sure of at first until she had placed a strip of fabric against his teak wardrobes and he realized how perfectly it brought out the grain and color of his pieces. Now when he looked at the subtle color of the stone in the fireplace he knew that this was a room that would feel like home to him after the traveling he was sure was in his future.

He stood running his hand over the stone surface and Maggie realized that his eyes were glistening, ready to spill.

“Urs…Love what is it?”

He laughed at himself but curled an arm around her and kissed the top of her head.

“I’m a bit overwhelmed by everything…I’m 35 years old, able to work at a job I love, married to the woman who holds my heart, about to become a father and for the first time in my life have a home, somewhere I belong, with family, my own family, not as part of a family and in some very nice but temporary digs that belong to someone else. I actually belong here, with you, with our child, children I hope and it feels so good, so right. This is our dream, Maggie and it feels like God has given us a gift….it’s only beginning, this adventure we are creating. I feel…frightened and awed, eager and excited, like I can do anything so long as I have you and our home. Am I making any sense?”

She smiled and hugged him, stood up tall to reach his mouth and just before their lips met whispered ‘Welcome home, Urs…Welcome home!!’

**

They nuked some of the food Maggie had brought out and had dinner, albeit a very late one, in the mostly finished Kitchen, planning what needed to be done the next day.

Urs wanted to touch base with Yanni and see exactly what was left to do. He knew that one of his jobs would be to contact the sound engineers about the wiring and installations in the music room/studio and he was eager to have a few hours to finish the nursery, unknown to Maggie he had all the actual work done, now it was just a matter of setting everything up and collecting the handmade items that he had commissioned, through Inga, from a group of the ladies from the church.

“How is the David thing going? Are you guys still determined to go through with it?”

“You bet,” he said with a boyish grin. “Simon has offered the Sony jet to get us all over there without David knowing, and the Millers have said that there are about 40 people from the Denver area who want to help out. Some of the ideas offered are a bit too wild so we had to say that we already have everything planned…we don’t want anyone getting hurt or frost bite or anything. Mrs. Miller came up with a suggestion though,, that I think will have everyone rolling on the floor laughing…except Pet and David of course. She thinks we should…”

By the time he had described what David’s mother had come up with Maggie was laughing so hard she spluttered her hot chocolate across the counter and broke into hysterics at the astonished look on his face.

“Your fault,” she shrieked when he came around the counter to retaliate, tickling her senseless.

When she finally calmed down and sat on his lap to wipe the chocolate off his face, she was still smiling but frowned and paused.

“Urs…they don’t have any traditions like Chivaree in Switzerland do they?”

He chuckled.

“No, thank god or we know what Stretch will do to get even. We will have to be very careful for a long time, not give him a chance.”

“Just keep me pregnant…he won’t do anything mean to an expectant woman…will he?”

“Now that’s an offer I will gladly accept…Seriously, Liebe, we’re talking David here…he won’t do anything mean to anyone, just embarrassing and funny…. and evil and insane….Yep, we’re going to be in BIG trouble.”

She could tell from the huge grin that he could hardly wait.

CHAPTER SIXTY-EIGHT….FINISHING THE NURSERY

Urs was awake in the morning long before Maggie, from years of habit his body clock rousing him with the sun. He fed the dying fire and thought how essential it was to get moved into the farm as soon as possible. This little house was charming but he worried about the cold and his little wife having to cope with it.

He came back to their warm bed and slid in to cradle her against him, wrapping his cooled body around hers and sharing her heat. She stirred a bit and murmured his name then was gone again, breathing lightly and exhaling softly against his chest, making the curly hair stir.

Of all the things he missed when they were apart this tender closeness was the one he missed the most, the way she had of completely giving her keeping into his care, of trusting him, trusting that she would be cherished and kept safe from the world. He felt as he had before they had loved that first time…awed that she would give herself to him and no other, that of all the men in the world she had waited for him, chosen him above all others. She was a strong woman, there was no doubt of that but had no problem with letting him be a man, the head of their growing household, her partner in whatever the future held for them. He was swamped with emotion as he held her and thought about their days together, their future….. with Maggie he could be himself, just Urs: strong yet caring, intelligent but playful, romantic and sometimes just a bit cheesy, cautious and adventurous, wildly amorous and patiently tender…everything that made him the complex person that he was. The only changes that being with Maggie had made in him were good ones…more confidence, less moodiness caused by loneliness, the deeply fulfilling contentment that loving and being loved empowered him with each and every day.

He inched his hand down to her bump, wondering if their Baby was awake yet, left it there when he felt little flutters against his palm, smiling as he thought about being a father. There was so much he was eager to experience….the delivery, if at all possible and he was determined that he would be there, somehow. The thought of holding his child, carefully, was a bit frightening but how he wanted to! He chuckled quietly…he wanted it all..the changing diapers, bathing their baby, watching Maggie feed him…or her, bringing Baby to her for nocturnal feedings, using one of those Snuggli carriers to take his firstborn out for a walk, safely pressed against his chest,….everything.

He napped for a few minutes, immersed in his thoughts and when he woke it was to find that Maggie was gone. He could hear her humming softly in the bathroom as she brushed her teeth and stole in to lift her hair and give her neck a ‘Good morning’ kiss.

She rinsed her mouth and turned to him for a proper kiss, tasting all minty and fresh.

“Good morning, Liebe. Oh My!!!....and just what have you been dreaming about?”

“My girlfriend….and a shower,” he answered with a grin and untied the belt to her robe, letting it fall to the floor as she leaned against his lean body and raised her face for a toe-curling kiss.

They had mastered the confined space of the small shower stall, ignoring the bumped elbows and the cold tiles, small annoyances that did nothing to cool the need they had for each other.

When they were sated…and clean, Urs wrapped Maggie in her fluffy robe and braided her wet hair, her little trick for somewhat controlling the unruly waves that occurred when she let it dry naturally. He pulled on a soft pair of sweat pants and a matching shirt and they went down to make coffee and breakfast.

“I suppose I should wait a bit to call Yanni,” he said as he glanced at the clock.

“He usually checks out the site about 6h30 so I’ll bet you can catch him on his mobile. He’s very like you in that respect…an early riser.”

Urs keyed in the preprogrammed number and was answered on the first ring.

“Had breakfast yet?” he asked with a laugh.

“Urs!! Maggie said you were due back soon…actually no…I’m a terrible cook…I was going to head out to the farm and grab a take out coffee on the way.”

“Come by the little house and we’ll buy you breakfast…Maggie makes a killer omelet.”

“Deal…I’ll stop by the bakery and get some fresh croissants. See you in a few minutes.”

He glanced up, smiling to see Maggie taking cheese, some vegies and fresh eggs out of the frig.

“Thank you for the back-handed compliment, Luv. Will you take care of the coffee?”

“You bet…” he stole a quick kiss and a caressing squeeze to her bottom as he went past, making her laugh.

He scooped ground coffee into the French Press and filled the kettle, putting it on to boil, then went in the Lounge to choose a stack of CD’s, turning the volume down so they could all talk when Yanni arrived.

The coffee had just finished steeping and Urs was plunging it when the knock came at the door and he called out for Yanni to come in.

He entered with a bag that wafted heavenly scents around the room, toed off his boots and came in to kiss Maggie’s cheek and shake Urs hand.

“Um…it smells great in here. I should find me a woman who can cook.”

Maggie laughed as she folded the last omelet over on the griddle and slid it off onto a warm plate.

“All I knew when we first met was how to microwave things…Mami has taught me a lot since then.”

“Ah…Tante Inga is a marvelous cook…. Danke, Urs,” he said as he accepted a mug of coffee and the two men sat at the small table in the alcove off the kitchen.

Maggie put the still warm croissants in a basket with a soft cloth to cover them and placed plates in front of the men with fluffy cheese and vegetable omelets, little rounds of perfectly browned sausage meat and sliced fruit, added a small tray of assorted conserves and butter and joined them with a smaller version for herself.

Urs poured them all a large glass of juice and told Yanni that he had been to the house the night before and was astounded with the progress.

“Ja, we made much better time than we had hoped…having that extra crew so they could work 24/7 made about 3 weeks difference.”

“Baby, you’ve really outdone yourself. This is superb!”

Urs reached out to caress her cheek, his mouth much to busy with food for a kiss at the moment.

Yanni agreed and also complimented her on the conserve that he saw had a hand printed label.

“This is wonderful…did you make it too?”

She blushed furiously and nodded.

“I…Uh…I had lots of free time while Urs was away…there wasn’t much I could do at the farm except get in the way so I begged some extra elderberries that Inga had frozen and her recipe and practiced …this was my first attempt.”

“All these hidden talents are beginning to come out… if you keep on cooking like this I’m going to get fat,” Urs said as he took another croissant and lathered it liberally with the conserve.

“Oh, I rather doubt that… not with all the exercise you enjoy,” she answered with a smile and raised brow and he laughed, getting her inference to his libido rather than the gym.

He cleared his throat and turned to Yanni.

“So how much work is left to do? I don’t want to rush things but as you can see this place is tiny and cold. The sooner I can get Maggie someplace warmer, the better.”

“Exactly what Dieter and I thought…how about on Friday we do a walk through inspection and if everything passes, I’ll turn the keys over to you Friday afternoon? You need to have a crew in to install the specialized equipment for the studio, but that can be done anytime. Have your handyman available then too, though he’s been out often and I think understands all about the storage and maintenance of the power cells. He’s a nice guy, very capable and quick to grasp what he’s told. Good choice.”

“Kosta and Heidi already moved all their things in but they didn’t want to move until we do. they insisited on doing the decorating on the cottage themselves…I helped with the lower stuff…they wouldn’t let me climb the ladder.” She pouted and Urs grinned as he took her hand.

“Good or we would have had a few words.”

“Yanni what do you suggest about moving in? Is there someone we could hire with a good strong crew? Some of our things are pretty bulky…like the piano and my teak wardrobes.”

He laughed and Urs frowned, not seeing the humor.

“I would say that the person to contact is Onkel Nikolai. At one time or another nearly every person in the area with any Buhler blood in their veins has been out to visit him while he was in the workshop, as well as half the town that just knows your family …and of course they had to have a quick peek at the house… I’ll bet if you supply some lunch and maybe beer there will be more helpers than you can use. Everyone is happy to see our famous home town boy come home…and everyone who meets this sweet woman of yours loves her. Make a party of it.”

The ‘sweet woman’ was blushing bright red again and Urs eyes nearly disappeared from the grin as he scooped her onto his lap.

“That’s how I felt the first time I saw her too but it took me a while to give in…. at least a month.”

“Not fair…I was still blind then and only had your voice to go on…. how lucky that you didn’t turn out to be incredibly ugly.”

Yanni stared at her in astonishment.

“You were blind?” he glanced at his watch and groaned. “I wish I had more time, there’s a great deal that I don’t know about you two but today I’m booked so solid. Urs the guys are going out for a few beer tonight…join us? There’s so many old friends that would really like to see you again.”

Maggie could see that he was tempted but didn’t want to leave her alone when he was just newly home.

“That would work out nicely, Urs…I have choir practice tonight.”

She was pleased to see his face light up and he nodded at Yanni as his friend rose to head for the door.

“Maggie, thank you for a lovely breakfast…you don’t happen to have an unmarried sister do you?” he grinned as he pulled his boots on and shrugged into his coat.

“She laughed.

“Afraid not…but I’ll keep my eyes open for someone perfect for you.”

Urs closed the door behind Yanni and fed the fire yet again, returning to the kitchen area just as Maggie started washing up from their meal. He slipped his hands around her waist and nuzzled her neck with his mouth.

“You sure you don’t mind if I go out drinking with my rowdy old friends?”

“Of course not…. Just don’t get silly and break off any important parts.”

“I promise,” he said with a laugh and nibbled her ear lobe making her shiver. He took a towel and began drying the few dishes, stacking them and putting them away as she wiped down the table and counters, gave the cook top a quick wipe and rinsed the sink out.

Urs waited until nearly 8 before phoning Nikolai and caught him just as he was finishing breakfast. After a few minutes of chatting he mentioned that it looked like this coming Saturday would be moving day.

“Ja, that is what we thought. I hope you don’t mind but your Mami has organized half of the Canton to help….the women will bring the food and beer, maybe even some wine. Just a moment…”

He could hear a conversation between his parents then Nikolai came back on the line.

“Mami says that you are to convince Maggie to supervise, directing traffic and tell what goes where. You might as well agree…you know how bossy this old woman can be sometimes.”

He heard a few well chosen words, then laughter from his Papa as he ignored what he knew to be idle threats and Urs laughed as he pulled Maggie in to his side, ignoring her raised brows except for mouthing ‘Later’.

That taken care of, they dressed for outdoors and took the Peugeot downtown. Urs dropped Maggie off at the market, mentioned that there was a store near Marc’s coffee shop that he thought had maternity wear, then went on out to the farm to finish the Nursery. She insisted that she was fine walking home, that they needed very little, nothing heavy and after all it was less than a mile on well shoveled sidewalks.

They parked for a moment to let her out and she was surprised to see Kosta pull up behind them in the red truck with Heidi beside him, smiling and waving.

“Urs Buhler…this isn’t co-incidence is it?”

“No, Love…I called while you were in the bathroom….Humor me, Baby, Please… you know we still have to be careful. Kosta is going to give me a hand and Heidi will be good company while you shop. You mad at me?”

She sighed. “No…I can’t be mad at you for taking such good care of me…. Especially when you’re right.” She gave him a chaste but thorough kiss good by and slipped out of the car to join Heidi who was now waiting on the sidewalk.

The two vehicles left and the women looked at each other and laughed.

“He loves you, you know,” Heidi said with a smile.

Maggie smiled and nodded.

“I know…. I’m very lucky that we found each other.”

Heidi gave her a friendly hug then took her hand and tugged her towards a women’s clothing shop down the street.

“Let’s see if they have anything to keep Junior warm.”

They laughed and headed out to shop.

**

Urs and Kosta made good time out to the farm, the roads having been freshly plowed and almost bare of snow or ice. The driveway was good as well, the trucks that had come in just before them had cleared a path and Kostas went in front of the Peugeot to finish it with the blade on the truck lowered. Urs noted that they had chosen the height for the solar lights along the drive perfectly…they were mostly on a small rise of the ground and still a good couple of feet above the drifts of snow.

There were several wrapped parcels just where he had suggested they be left, in the cupboard in the mud room and he and Kosta shared them, carrying them up to the Nursery, where Urs fished the key out of his pocket and opened the door.

“Maggie has not seen this?” Kostas said as he looked around. It was obvious that there was still some work to do setting everything up but his first impression was that the space had been done with love…and it showed.

“No…I wanted it to be a surprise.”

Kostas smiled at the eager look seeking approval on the younger man’s face.

“She will cry…it is beautiful, my friend, very beautiful…a place of welcome for your child.”

Urs face colored a bit. He wasn’t accustomed to praise, not from men and wasn’t sure how to handle it so merely began unpacking the items they had carried upstairs.

They worked well together, finished hanging the sheer curtains that would be more for decoration than necessity since these windows had the glass that could be darkened to shade the room from the bright southern exposure. Urs moved the cradle, taking it across the hall to the master suite…according the books he had devoured it was customary the first few weeks to keep the baby in the parents’ room.

He placed the cushions on the rocking chair that Nikolai had made, then painted white, tied them in place while Kostas put the mattress in the crib and dropped the side to place the mattress pad in and struggled with the fitted sheet. “It’s tight fit,” he murmured as Urs lifted one end.

“I know…I made it that way…there shouldn’t be more than a finger width of space so the baby can’t get a hand or foot stuck.”

He pointed out the connections, all hidden but set so that the crib could be adjusted as the child grew.

Urs helped him and they finished the crib with a soft duvet, made by one of Inga’s church ladies. He was a bit embarrassed when he pulled out a stuffed Teddy Bear to sit in the crib but recovered nicely when Kostas commented.

“Perfect. Just the right touch.”

They hung a mobile of tiny animals over the crib and tested it of course, the music was just right, soft and harmonious as the figures slowly danced in a circle.

By this time Kostas was just as eager as Urs to put the final touches on the room, placing the fluffy carpet on the floor and adjusting it to just the right spot, unpacking the box of toys and stuffed animals and arranging them on the shelving just so. They made up the day bed which Urs explained was for a sitter or in case the Baby was fretting and one of them decided to spend the night in the room, just in case.

Urs unpacked the baby monitor but didn’t put the batteries in yet… after all they were only half way through gestation.

He washed his hands in the little ensuite washroom with the baby sized tub in a counter that would be about waist high on Maggie, didn’t want to dry them on the stack of fluffy white towels on the shelving, so after hesitating for a moment he wiped them on his jeans….then he unpacked the dainty sweater sets, touching the soft, delicate work before putting them back in the plastic covers. The ladies had also made a couple of lacy shawls to be used as blankets, perhaps when they took the Baby to church and a silky white christening outfit with lots of lace and ribbons and tiny rosettes, some pink and some blue. This too he had to fondle then replace carefully before going on to the more mundane things…sheets, books to be read, a soft white throw to drape on the back of the rocking chair, a changing table with another mobile to amuse the child while he was being dressed.

They finished the room with pictures, family photos in plain white frames, photos of himself and Maggie, or family members, or friends, spread about on the walls, the smiling faces soon to become familiar to their son…or daughter, for now, just creating a warm welcome.

The two men stood back and surveyed the room, checking for last minute details. The walls were painted in a soft blue, so light as to almost seem white and most of the furnishing had been done white, the only piece in the room in natural wood, the day bed and the lined wicker baskets that Urs had used to store several bags of diapers, small blankets to wrap the child in, a couple under the changing table for the tiny garments they would need. He had added his own touch and flashes of color with an old German lullaby, the painted musical notes on the valance around the top of the room, and the mobiles, the muted tones of the stuffed animals that he couldn’t resist buying.

Their last job was to repair the three holes in the jamb from the lock he had put on and the three in the door frame. Kostas teased him about that, betting that if she had wanted Maggie could have easily by passed it.

“She promised not to, so the lock was basically to keep everyone else out,” he admitted as they shut the door and picked up the small amount of garbage, heading down stairs.

They found a crew laying sturdy plywood ramps over the front and back steps when they left the building, preparing for moving the heavier pieces of furnishings. Most of the men called out to them, mentioning that they would be here for ‘the party’ on Saturday and Urs laughed.

News, in a small town, spreads faster than wild fire.

CHAPTER SIXTY-NINE

Maggie was home when he got back, sitting in the Lounge in front of the fire chatting with Heidi. They finished their conversation and the older couple took their leave, heading home to make dinner while Urs and Maggie did the same thing, working together in the kitchen, then eating in front of the fire for the warmth.

“I bought a couple of things at that shop but they really didn’t have much. I did get a jacket that will close, so that’s a plus but for anything else I’ll have to look in Lucerne or maybe wait until London. How did your work go today?”

“All finished…tomorrow if you like we can go out and you can see what you think.”

“I like, definitely I like…I’ve been waiting so long for this. No hints?”

He merely looked at her with that little boy smirk and a raised brow.

“Meanie!!”

He sighed.

“I know…I mistreat you something terrible. Just wait until I get you out in the forest, no one around to protect you from my evil desires, no one to hear your screams…”

“MMMMMM!!! I can hardly wait.”

He laughed at her and claimed that she was much too eager.

They cleared up from dinner and snuggled again on the sofa.

“Heard from Simon this week?” he asked, playing with her fingers, then when he thought they felt too cold, sticking her hands under his shirt to warm against his washboard stomach.

“Just a quick ‘thanks’ for the manual I sent about that new device…. and I think that was just from the secretary. I had one minor call from CASPAR, nothing serious, just another of those damn safe/panic rooms that some one got locked in. And Pet talked to Millie…seems David was asked to do another plan for a small op. He’s getting rather well known now. I think Simon will put the whole team on Emergency Only status for the time when you guys are on tour.”

“Baby, is Marc picking you up tonight or will you take the car?”

“It’s my turn to pick Sonja up…you didn’t want the car did you?”

“No, no…it’s hard to say how freely the beer will be flowing tonight…I shouldn’t drive. It isn’t very far. And I don’t know how late I’ll be, so bank the fire and go to bed when you get back. I’ll try to be very quiet when I come in.”

She took his cheeks in between her fingers and pinched, not hard but enough to shake his head a bit.

“Just have a good time, enjoy your friends, let your hair down a bit. You deserve to relax for a change. Do you remember the code for the alarm?”

He rattled it off and she nodded.

“See, I’ll be fine. I’ll set the alarm and go to bed like a good girl. Yikes… look at the time…I have to go…Sonja is always ready on time.”

She slipped on her new coat and slid her feet into boots, grabbed her gloves and bag, came back for a kiss, then scurried out to the car, unplugged the heater and was off.

Urs thought about changing but decided not to…the pub wasn’t fancy and neither were his friends. He fixed the fire as best he could, thinking how much of a relief it would be to get moved into the farm and half an hour after Maggie left he was out the door, alarm set, door locked, keys in his pocket, walking briskly through the crisp night air to the old neighborhood pub, the same one where he had downed his first legal beer so many years ago.

**

Urs stamped his feet to knock the snow out of the treads of his boots and entered the smokey, dim room, the long tables crowded with people laughing and talking as they shared the large steins of beer that the bar maids carried from table to table, holding them in strong fingers above the heads of the revelers.

He spotted Yanni immediately, standing leaning over a portly man that he should remember but couldn’t place at first. The man laughed and instantly a name flashed into Urs mind.

Ulrich, Rick to his friends…no wonder he hadn’t recognized the young man who had been a bean pole in school and now was a good 280 pounds …or more.

Yanni looked up and spotted Urs and waved him over.

It was old home-coming week as the men made room for him and joked about his long hair, his toned body {he too had been skinny back in school days}, asking about his career, how long he was staying and what time the work would start on Saturday.

Someone poured him a beer as he fielded questions, asking a few of his own when faces paired up with names and the years of absence left holes to be filled.

An hour and several steins later a few of the men got up to play billiards and he found himself with Yanni, Dieter, Enea and Cyril, discussing the changes the council wanted to make to some long established traditions, dates of festivals, decorating the downtown for Christmas and the unthinkable…banning horse drawn sleighs on the downtown streets during December and January, a peak period for tourism.

When they finished solving the problems with government, out of the blue Yanni brought up the subject of Maggie’s sight.

He poured Urs another stein and settled back in his seat, prepared to hear what that little tidbit of news had been about.

“It’s true. When I first saw Maggie she was conducting an orchestra from the school she started for music students. I didn’t know at first that she couldn’t see but by the time I did I was hooked. I was seeing someone else at the time, a relationship that should have been over but you know how it goes…you just hang on, more out of habit than anything. I gave her a ride home, her and her guide dog, Jessie and…well I kissed her and that was it, game over. After that she was all I thought about. A few months after we got together she was attacked by a couple of crazy guys. They killed Jessie and while Maggie was recovering she also had the operation to fix her eyes.”

Yanni stared at him and sighed.

“I have the feeling that that’s just the bare bones of what happened but it’s all we’re going to get. You still are almost as closed mouth as you were years ago.” He clapped Urs on the back nearly knocking him off his chair.

“You seem happy and that’s all that matters.”

“I remember the last time Anika was pregnant…it would have been a long time between Saturday nights if I hadn’t had a bit on the side. I guess you don’t have to worry though…you probably can get a bed warmer any night you want when you’re on the road,” Enea said, raising his stein to guzzle the dreggs of his beer. His tilted head suddenly was going further back as his chair toppled backwards, impeled by Urs foot, followed by Urs coming over the table to grab the front of his shirt.

Dieter and Cyril pulled Urs off, backing him up to the pillar holding up the low ceiling and speaking quickly.

“He’s not got a happy marriage, Urs, mostly his own fault but when he drinks he runs off at the mouth.”

Calm was restored and Enea drifted off shortly after to drink with other, more sympathetic friends.

“I can’t stand men like that,” Urs said, still angry as he downed another stein, chugging this one quickly. “They don’t have the skill or patience to keep their women happy and won’t take the blame.”

Franz appeared just then and joined them, catching up on the gossip and teasing Urs about ‘the party’ on Saturday.

“Scheissedragg!! Is there anyone in Switzerland who doesn’t know about our moving day?” Urs said with a roaring laugh.

“Not likely…Mami has been busy getting all the troops ready. Yanni, Dieter, you guys did an amazing job…so fast and such a big job.”

“It was pretty easy…they had it all planned out exactly what they wanted and then just turned us loose. I wish all jobs would be so worry free,” Yanni said and Dieter nodded in agreement.

“I usually hate to see the owners snooping about but it was a pleasure to see that pink hard hat every day or so, always keeping out of the way, never interfering and only having good things to say when I would go out and see what she was watching. She’s a very nice lady, Urs….you got lucky, my friend.”

“Don’t I know it…we’re a matched set….with my Maggie, every night is Saturday night.”

He didn’t realize what he had said until the men at the table began laughing, banging on the table and raising a glass in toast to Maggie.

“If any of you repeat that you’re dead men!!” he yelled to be heard above the racket and Franz leaned over to gasp out the fact that their silence could be bought…next round was on him.

The rest of the night passed without any more slip ups…he thought, the last hour or so not exactly clear. Franz offered him a ride home but he had enough sense to realize that if his brother couldn’t walk without bumping into the tables on his way to the rest room he probably shouldn’t be driving. He took Franz keys and hid them, so well that he couldn’t remember where, but at least he wasn’t going to allow his only brother to risk his life. They left together, neither knowing what time it was, heard Reto, the pub owner say something about letting Shannon know Franz was with Urs, and they headed out for the little house.

Twice during the 3 block stroll they managed to get lost. Once Urs sat down in a snow bank and curled up, saying good night and it was only because of a neighbor’s barking dog that he got back, unsteadily, to his feet and kept going.

He couldn’t find his key, asked Franz if he had it and got no reply…Franz was having problems staying awake by this time. Once more he searched his pockets, found the key and opened the door, yanking Franz by the sleeve into the house and they both staggered to the Lounge and flopped on the sofa, completely oblivious to the strident alarm that reverberated through the house.

Somewhere in the recesses of his mind Urs was aware of Maggie, turning off the raucous call of the alarm, speaking on the land line to let the police know that all was well, then standing laughing quietly at the two Buhler boys.

“Maggie?”

“Yes, Love…lift your foot up Urs…lift your foot up so I can take your boots off.”

“I love you…”

“I know you do…and I love you too….”

She left his line of sight and he floated, only coming back when she tried to lift him off the sofa.

“Too heavy…Don’t!!”

“You’re right,” she said with a laugh.

She took one arm and pulled, yanking him off the sofa to land on a pile of blankets and pillows on the rug in front of the fireplace. She covered him with a thick blanket and fluffed the pillow under his head, going back to Franz and settling him under a blanket on the sofa.

She put another log on the fire, checked that the door was locked and stood looking at the two men, sleeping off their night out with the boys. They would be so sorry in the morning, but for now, they were home and safe. She called Shannon to let her know that Franz was safe, got a sleepy Danke and went up the stairs to the loft.

Urs seldom drank much, this was something she had learned over the time they were together, so tonight he must have really over indulged. She hoped that he had enjoyed his time out…he so seldom had any time just for himself. She snuggled into the covers, hugging his pillow, his scent still lingering, content just to have him under the same roof, looking forward to teasing, only a bit, tomorrow.

**

Carlos relaxed in the warm caress of the sun. It had been a busy day, getting supplies into their new home, arranging for new furnishings…their home had been purchased without anything except the few odd pieces and of course the kitchen appliances and they hadn’t felt comfortable leaving it up to the agent to choose the furnishings they would have to live with for several years. Yesterday upon arrival in Marbella they had blitzed the local stores, buying bedroom furniture and lounge chairs for poolside, stayed in a hotel last night and today were here to accept delivery. Now the bedroom was at least livable and this afternoon they would go into the city and do a round of the stores to pick what was necessary for the rest of the house…but for now, he wanted nothing more than to relax and maybe peer through half open eyes at the bikini clad form of his love as she swam lazily in their pool.

Sixteen years they had been together…sixteen years of ups and downs, mostly ups he thought with a smile, years of getting to know each other, of fierce screaming matches when they disagreed, of making up again with equal fervor. Really she had been little more than a girl when she was first propelled by the strength of her lovely voice into the world of opera he already lived in. He had been attracted to her, right from the first glimpse, but subdued his feelings…he was older, more experienced, more worldly wise in affairs of the heart. It took determination on her part to break down the wall of resistance he put up…and how happy he was that she had persevered. Their temperaments were perfectly suited, both Spanish and prone to extremes, their chosen careers the same. They had carved a lifestyle out of their commitment to each other that not everyone understood or would be able to deal with, but for them it worked.

He glanced around at this villa they had purchased, this refuge that they needed from the fame that was fast laying bare most elements of their life. It was perfect…room to entertain or be private, elegant, in a climate that they both missed when traveling, space for a child should their attempts to conceive bear fruit.

He flipped over to the other side, thinking that it was good that they didn’t have staff yet, that there was no one to witness the glaring whiteness of his exposed bottom as he sunbathed nude.

The cool spray of pool water made him jump and he raised up to see his Dove smiling cheekily at him as she tread water and prepared to splash him again. The challenge was not to be ignored and he roared with laughter as he leapt up and jumped into the pool to reach for her slippery body.

A man could never have too much practice when trying to make a baby.

CHAPTER SEVENTY

Maggie tiptoed through the Lounge to attend to the fireplace in the morning. She wasn’t as good at banking the fire to last through the night as Urs was and woke up chilled, the last embers almost dying out as she removed the screen and put in a small log, waited for it to catch then piled in another. She replaced the screen and turned to look at the two men, both still out of it, both looking as if they hadn’t moved at all in the night.

She went in the kitchen to make coffee and glanced at the clock….7h22…it was probably time that Franz was up or he would be late for work, so she went back to the Lounge and put the stereo on, not too quiet, hoping that would ease him back into the land of the living.

Whether it was the music or the coffee, she didn’t know, but it wasn’t long until they began to stir. She poured two mugs of coffee and carried them to the Lounge, along with a bottle of headache painkillers and greeted them with the cheeriest voice she could muster without bursting into laughter.

“Gutten Morgen, mein Herren!!”

“Shan, not so loud,” Franz whispered keeping his eyes firmly closed.

“Not Shan…it’s Maggie come to torture us,” Urs said and tried to pull the blanket up over his head.

“Actually, I’ve come bearing gifts…fresh coffee and headache pills…but if you don’t want them….”

“Leave and I’ll hunt you down, fiendish woman,” Urs growled and tried to sit up, groaned and sank back into the nest on the floor.

“Have pity, Maggie…shoot me!”

She laughed, not holding back and enjoying watching them both wince as her voice reached their throbbing heads.

“This is called a ‘self inflicted wound’…no one forced you to get this drunk, so you won’t find a lot of sympathy. Now, Franz up you get and get some of this coffee into you. It’s almost gone half 7 and don’t you have to get ready for work?”

He bolted upright, grabbing his head as if afraid it was going to fly off, then released one hand to clutch at his stomach. One second more and he was flying out of the room to the bathroom, slammed the door and, hopefully made it to the lav in time.

Urs was a bit more circumspect, easing his way up to a sitting position, shading his eyes against the light in the room and sighing when he got upright without any mishaps.

“Coffee?”

“Here, Liebe.”

He took a sip and held his hand out again.

“Pills?”

She gave Urs his medication then set Franz’ pills and coffee on the side table, folded his blanket and sat on the end of the sofa to watch as Urs began to feel a bit more human.

“Did you have a good time?”

He peeked out at her from under his sheltering hand, his eyes not yet all the way open and lined with red veins.

“I think so…some of the night is kind of a blur.”

The land line rang and he groaned at the strident noise as she scooted to the kitchen to answer it.

“Good morning, Maggie…is he up yet?”

It was Shannon. Maggie could hear the sounds in the background of the twins laughing and banging something, maybe spoons on the table.

“Good morning Shan…only just and neither of them are in very good shape.”

“Franz’ truck is here…the keys were dropped through the letter slot…probably Reto …he lives a couple of doors away and usually walks back and forth. Maggie, I don’t want you to think that either of the guys do this regularly…maybe once a year Franz will go on a bender…and I’ve never known Urs to get falling down plastered…at least not before. It must have been one Hell of a reunion.”

Maggie laughed.

“We may never know…Urs doesn’t seem to be able to remember much. As soon as Franz finishes up in the Lav, I’ll send him home…the fresh air will be good for him.”

“He’ll call you a cruel woman, but it is really the best thing. I’ll call you later.”

Franz came back out, looking pale under his tan but much more comfortable. She let him down the pills and finish his coffee in two large chugs then pushed him towards the door.

“On with the boots, little brother. Time to face the music. Shannon has more coffee for you and your clothes are all ready for work.”

“You are a cruel woman, Maggie Buhler!! Alright, I’m going…Urs, if I live through today, I’ll call you.”

Urs just waved and held his mug out for more coffee with a pleading look that he hoped would make Maggie take pity on him.

“It’s in the kitchen,” she said with a grin. “I’m going for a shower.”

He stared at where she had been, then laughed…okay, time to take care of this ‘self inflicted wound’ himself….he just wished he could remember if last night had been worth it.

**

It was mid morning and after a good long walk before Urs felt well enough to start up the Peugeot and head out to the farm. He had notified the techies about installing the sound equipment and arranged for a date a few days before he had to return to London and now had nothing pressing to take care of. It was time to let Maggie in to the Nursery.

Kostas was right…first she gasped, then cried, then looked at every last detail, turning to him often in wonder, stunned speechless by the love and thought he had put into creating such a calm and pure haven for the Baby. All those hours he had spent pouring over the Baby and Child Rearing books had paid off…he had considered esthetics, safety, mood, everything that a new born and new parents would need, right down to the day bed in case of illness or in the unlikely event that they would leave their baby with a sitter.

She touched everything, the little sweater sets, the soft covers, the smooth wood-work of the crib he had made, the fluffy towels, sight read the music score around the valance and smiled eagerly when he offered to sing the words for her.

She sat in the lovely rocking chair that Nikolai had made and listened as he crouched in front of her, closing her eyes and imagining that she sat there holding their child while he sang to both of them and her eyes welled with tears again.

“Urs…the cradle you made…where is it?”

He had a sheepish grin as he stood and pulled her up to her feet.

“According to the books, the baby usually stays in the room with the parents the first few weeks…so I put it in the master suite.”

She wrapped her arms around his waist and hugged him until he had trouble taking a breath but he endured it quietly, wondering if he was turning blue…at last she eased her grip and he gulped in a deep breath.

“Have you been lifting weights while I was away? You really are strong.” He feigned having broken ribs and she laughed at him, pulling up his shirt and kissing the swell of his rib-cage to make it better.

“You forgot the other side,” he pouted and sighed when her mouth willingly moved over and kissed there too.

“Maggie, I feel like I should apologize for last night…I don’t know what happened really. One of the guys said something that ticked me off royally and I kind of lost it, then there always seemed to be another stein in front of me and we were all laughing at something that Cyril said about his kids and…I really am sorry.”

“No, you really are silly…you didn’t do anything wrong, you lovely man. So you had too much to drink…so what?…you didn’t hurt anyone, you managed to make it home and most of all you’re entitled to let loose now and then.”

“but…”

“Urs…shut up and kiss me.”

He grinned down at her and pulled her closer.

“I can do that.”

And how well he did it was evident when he finally let her go and she clutched at him, unable to stand without help on feet that had curled toes and knees suddenly gone weak.

“We don’t even have our bed yet…” she murmured against his chest as her hands worked up under his tee shirt.

“Minor detail,” he answered as he lifted her a bit and walked them across the hall into the master suite, locking the door behind them.

He let her go in the empty space where they would soon spend so much of their life, dropping his jacket to the floor and watching with his head lowered and his eyes smoldering as she took off layer after layer of clothing, placing it in a heap on the polished wood of the floor, revealing that lovely milky white skin, her shoulders that were lightly freckled, her full breasts, enhanced because of the baby and the nipples now turning brown, and the swell of her tummy that cradled their child. She looked up and caught him watching and smiled shyly.

“You are so beautiful, more each time I see you. Your body is perfect for me, the one woman who fulfills all my fantasies.”

His voice had gone husky, deep, as he reached for her and gently touched her, wanting to crush her against his body but holding back, treasuring each flutter of his hands on her skin, skimming the curves and hollows, enjoying the catch of her breath, the glazing of her eyes.

He had removed his shirt and now she loosened his belt and unzipped his jeans, holding his eyes prisoner with hers as she hooked her fingers in the waist band and took them to his ankles, along with his shorts.

Later he didn’t remember taking off his socks or stepping out of his jeans, just the delicate touch of her hands and mouth as she loved him, the feeling of her skin, her silken hair as they became one, this special first time in their home, where they would share their lives over the years.

It was well after the lunch hour when they left the still dry tub [which fit perfectly for two] and sat together on the built in window seat, cuddling and catching their breath.

Urs glanced down into the parking space and noticed a couple of trucks and one van, laughed as he thought how astute he had been in locking the bedroom door.

Maggie looked up at him and he nodded toward the view outside. She scooted back from the window when she saw the vehicles and blushed.

“I wonder how sound proof these walls are?”

He chuckled and stood her up, giving her a pat on the bare bottom as she sped over to the pile of clothing and began to dress.

“I’m very quiet…you’re the one that makes all the noise.”

“Were we in the same tub, Swiss Lord? I seem to recall something almost like singing in a very male voice…something about dying and not caring.”

He gathered her into his arms for a squeeze on his way to collecting his clothes.

“See what you do to me? Now that is something I remember about last night…one of the guys making a remark about only making love on Saturday nights.”

“Like those women I overheard in the washroom that time…the poor things.” She gave him a hug and an appropriate pat on the front of his jeans as he did them up.

“Not everyone is as lucky as I am to have such a talented teacher.”

She escaped out the door before he could grab her, looking back and laughing as he pulled his tee shirt out to let it hang loosely.

He was still grinning when he joined her downstairs as she talked to a couple of the crew who had come out to lay thick rubber backed tarps over the new flooring, preparations for the move on Saturday.

Cyril nodded at Urs as he approached but kept on talking to Maggie.

“…and doing it that way will mean less congestion on the stairs. They will have to bring the big pieces in through the French doors, like the piano, the sofas and chairs and those teak wardrobes I saw in storage, and then up the main staircase.”

“Sounds like you plan on being here too, Cy,” Urs said. “Didn’t you get enough of the place with all the work you guys have done?”

“Wouldn’t miss it…in fact I think most of the crew will turn up, on their own time of course. We all would like to see the finished product so to speak …and it’s a party, who wants to miss a party?”

“Personally I think I had quite enough party last night. I don’t remember much after being on the table with Franz, trying to remember the words to Smoke on the Water.”

Maggie looked at him with a grin.

“You didn’t tell me about that little tidbit.”

“Let’s just say it was not of recording quality.” He quickly changed the subject, asking the guys if they had much to do today.

Didier shook his head.

“Nein, just these tarps and then we’re off to a small job for Dieter. We don’t often get anything this extensive…or as much fun.”

They left the men happily discussing ‘the party’ and drove back in to town.

**

David and Petra had decided to stay in London for his time off, since Petra was scheduled to man the computers at Base for most of the days. It turned out to be a lucky decision since little Paul caught a cold, gave it to David who was minding him and Pet had two sick boys to greet her when she came home at night.

He kept up pretty well with all the housekeeping type things, the place was always neat when she got home, dinner keeping warm for her in the oven, and usually both her patients curled up in a sorrowful mound on the sofa, napping, a box of tissues and a waste basket beside them. The air did reek slightly of camphor and chicken soup but at least they were gradually mending.

Fortunately they were past the stuffy nose, unintelligible speech stage so she was able to ask David how they were, but only if she was very quick at catching him between naps.

The 6th day Paul suddenly was better and back to his old self, eating again and wanting to play. David made a heroic effort to keep up and when Pet announced that she was home for 3 days, kissed the top of her head and clutched his tissues as he stretched out on the sofa and slept the clock around.

When he woke the next day to a quiet house he was better…no headache, no aches and pains at all and he could take a deep breath without dissolving into a coughing fit.

There was a note from Pet… ‘Gone to the grocers…back about 3’.

He bustled around tidying up from his long nap, had a shower and a shave for the first time in a week and brushed his teeth twice, needing to get rid of the camphor taste from the syrup he had been swilling for days. He threw his jacket on and went out to the street, hoping to be able to help Pet manage Paul and bags of groceries and was just in time as he saw her coming out of the store, Paul in one arm, trying to fit him in the folding stroller and some heavy looking bags in the other hand.

His long legs took him over the distance before she struggled much longer and she looked up in surprise when Paul started his singsong ‘Da! Da!’

“David!...are you better now too?”

He grinned at her.

“Twelve hours sleep was all it took…here, Sweetie give me the bags and you can put Paul in the stroller.”

“My hero!” she said with a grin, strapped the wiggling boy in and gave him a quick kiss, liplocking for the first time in a week.

“Mmmmm…I’ve missed that.” He did a Carlos imitation of wiggling eyebrows, succeeding in making her laugh rather than the amorous look he had tried for.

“Me too…and that’s the first real David grin I’ve seen for days. I’m so glad you’re better. I haven’t had a good night’s sleep since you got sick…my bed was too empty.”

He nodded and smiled at a neighbor who was going the other way but managed to growl at her, just loud enough for her to hear.

“Don’t count on sleeping much tonight either…I’m BAAAAACK!!”

**

They cuddled on the sofa after Paul was down for the night, David stretched out and Pet between his legs, leaning back on his chest.

“It’s nice to be able to smell something other than cough medicine and that nasty rub. You smell delicious, Mrs. Miller.”

“It’s that nice L’Air du Temp you got me. I love it…I never used to wear scent… there’ve been so many changes since you came into my life.”

“Good ones I hope.”

“The best!!” She tilted her face up to him for a kiss and he gladly obliged.

He sighed.

“I’ve had so much sleep that now I’m not tired at all,” he murmured against her head when he finally released her mouth.

“Neither am I,” she answered and he could feel her hold her breath waiting for a reply.

“Then let’s not waste time…bedroom and naked, my little wife.”

She giggled and ran down the hall, shedding garments on the way and he grinned, following at a more leisurely pace but eager to make up for the week of abstinence.

**

The woman was rather plain, small and dark haired and very dead. Laurenz sat on the edge of the chair, staring at her crumpled form, cursing himself for having lost control and ruined a good thing.

He would have to move again, have to create a new identity, a source of income…and of course cover his tracks so no one would connect him to this current murder.

Not that he considered what he had done was wrong, just inconvenient.

She had been wealthy, considerably older and needy, ripe for the plucking and had come at a time when he felt antsy, like the people who sought him so diligently were getting closer.

It hadn’t taken much to ingratiate himself into her secluded world, to convince her that she was the love of his life, that he had felt an instant rapport, an attraction. He laughed now at how gullible she had been, accepting his lies because the truth was unpalatable, accepting him into her world, her bed, rather than continue the existence she found so dreary.

He had worried about this day coming, had prepared for it by hoarding every last Euro she gave so freely, as well as what he had taken without her permission. Money was not a problem. Because of the time he had spent amusing himself with her, gradually dominating her more and more, he had neglected the cause that burned inside him. Now it was time to move on, to develop another plan, the ultimate goal being to get revenge on his brother in law, Urs, and to get his Yvette and Hans back.

It wasn’t difficult to roll her battered body into a sheet and toss it in a handy wheelbarrow. The villa was isolated, small and without servants,{dismissed at his insistence so they could enjoy their passion privately…he didn’t want to share her}, so no one observed when he trundled back behind the barn to the old well with the rickety boards covering the top. He removed the sheet and tossed her body on to the center of the boards, pulled it off by the bruised and bloody legs when the boards gave but didn’t collapse and did it again, this time with more force. There was a splintering sound and she was gone.

He returned to the house, packing the bloodied sheet in a plastic bag to take with him, and cleaned, removing as much of his presence as possible from the rooms, setting aside whatever he found of value as he went.

By nightfall he was ready, the sporty Mercedes packed, the villa dark and trashed a bit as if from a burglary, the road map laying on the passenger seat as he revved the motor and considered his options. He would have to dump the car and for that he felt a pang of remorse. It really was a nice car to drive, but then he could afford to get another one…he still hadn’t been forced to tap into all of the accounts that he had amassed before…before he had been so cruelly deprived of what was his.

Perhaps Lille, he thought as he eased down the drive, pleased when he heard the patter of rain on the roof…even the gods were helping to cover his tracks. No, he had done Lille and it was winter…he craved the sun. He looked again at the map and planned a route to the south of France, noting the places where he might find another lonely woman to amuse himself with while he made plans.

He was almost happy as he turned on the head lamps and brought the car up to speed, heading south, to the sun.

CHAPTER SEVENTY-ONE….POSSESSION

On Thursday, while Urs and Nikolai were attending to last minute details, like making sure the kegs of beer and cases of wine would be delivered on time, Maggie and Inga went in to Lucerne on a shopping expedition. They browsed the shops, more like sisters than inlaws and Inga egged her on when Maggie was appalled at how much money she was about to spend.

“You never cease to amaze me, Little One…you don’t even blink an eye, spending so much money on a house, yet the thought of several hundred Euros on yourself makes you faint. It’s about time you treated yourself or you will have to spend the next four months hiding in the house.”

Maggie laughed and placed her credit card on the counter.

“I’ll take them all,” she said, indicating the pile of clothing that they had selected: specially designed but alluring lingerie, soft, versatile tops, several pair of stylish trousers, 2 sweat suits of matte jersey, tights in several colors, a thick down jacket, a knee length wool coat and a pant suit in black wool. Inga added the 2 short dresses that Maggie felt she would get little use out of and the clerk quickly rang them all up before her reluctant customer could change her mind.

They went for coffee, then on to a cheese shop to buy a couple of wheels of ripe cheese for the party before pointing the Peugeot towards Willisau.

“Are you nervous about Saturday?” Inga asked once they were on the motorway.

“A bit,” Maggie admitted. “So many people are doing us such a big favor…and I don’t know what to do about the children…I don’t want any of them getting hurt.”

Inga laughed and reached over to pat her on the arm as she navigated the traffic.

“Not to worry, Dear. Heidi is going to have the wee ones at the cottage with 2 of your new cousins who are also expecting…I think Althea is in her 7th month and Henna is due any day…. and they won’t come until nearly noon anyway. We’ll let the men do all the lifting and carrying of loading the trucks.…it makes them feel superior. Once they start unloading you can tell us where you want things and we can take over the unpacking.”

She was silent for a moment and then spoke seriously.

“It’s what friends and family do in a small town, Dear. It must be a bit overwhelming to you but you are part of a very large family now and we all love Urs…so everyone is prepared to love the woman he has chosen to spend his life with. Just be yourself and they will love you just as Papa and I already do.”

Maggie smiled and glanced at Inga, a quick look since she was concentrating on driving safely.

“Before I met you I was so nervous…I had heard all the old mother-in-law jokes and didn’t really believe them but I thought that there just might be a ring of truth. Now I know how false they are. I love you and Papa…not just because of Urs, but because of who you are as people and how you have taken me into your lives, making me feel I belong. Danke, Inga. You have taught me so much about how to be a wife, offered me unconditional friendship, taught me how to cook. You are the mother I’ve been missing for so many years and I just love you.”

“And today I also taught you how to spend money!!” Inga joked, lightening the mood as she once again patted Maggie’s arm.

They drove to the homestead and saw Urs peeking out the door and waving, so Maggie got out of the Peugeot to join Inga and sent him out for the wheels of cheese. She was wearing her new coat and he spun her in a circle as he passed, admiring it, teasing that he was happy to see that Junior was no longer suffering from frostbite.

Nikolai was making a pot of hot chocolate when they had divested coats and boots and joined him in the nice warm kitchen.

“You look cold, beautiful ladies…does the heater in that little car not work?”

“It’s temperamental…worked fine on the way to Luzern and not at all on the way back. Urs, we will have to take it in to be fixed soon… there’s still a lot of winter left.”

He had brought the wheels of cheese in to place on the counter and came back to give her a proper kiss hello and rub her rosy cheeks with his hands to warm them.

“”First thing on Monday… then I think we should keep it for a spare car, maybe get you a nice Volvo wagon, more room and excellent safety features… you drive well enough already to handle something a bit bigger and Volvo’s even have seat warmers.”

Inga had disappeared into the little office area just off the kitchen and came back out as they all sat sipping their hot drinks.

“I have something for you, Dear. We have a family tradition…when my daughters move into their first home I give them a little house warming gift. It may be too hectic on Saturday so I want you to have yours now.”

She handed Maggie a carved wooden box, Nikolai’s work she knew at a glance. One glance at Urs and she saw him smiling…he knew what it was and the pride on his face told her that it was something special, something she had earned, just as she had earned a place in this family.

Inside were card files, alphabetized and hand written, all the recipes that had been tried and tested in the Buhler family for years, possibly generations. She pulled a few partly out for a brief inspection …Rosti… Gerstensuppe….Alplermagrone…Zuger Kirschentorte…

She tried to say something but her throat was constricted and she threw her arms around Inga, crying and laughing, finally able to murmur ‘Danke’.

When Urs had dried her cheeks and nestled her on the comfort of his lap, hugged her securely against him, she calmed enough to thank Inga properly.

“You can’t know how much this means to me. Thank you… and Papa for making this beautiful box. It’s a lovely tradition and God willing, one we can keep going.”

Inga huffed a laugh.

“Not this time, Dear One…this one is a boy…you’ll see.”

“A girl the next time, maybe,” Maggie answered.

“We’ll see how you feel about that after April,” Inga teased.

Maggie smiled and finished her drink.

“Well logically speaking we have to fill all those rooms up with something.”

Urs glanced at his watch and set her back on her own stool, taking the mugs to the sink to rinse.

“We need to go, Liebe, if we’re going to get Millie disconnected and packed up to go out to the farm tomorrow. And I have to switch vehicles with Kosta so we can load the file cabinets on the truck in the morning.”

Another round of hugs and kisses and they were off, Maggie snug and warm in her new coat, clutching the recipe box and the treasures within to her chest and waving at the couple on the front step as the dogs stood on each side…Maxine, who refused to venture out after the first snowfall, was sitting in the window watching as well.

“I’m very proud of you, Geliebt…my parents can spot a phony instantly and they would never have given you Mami’s secret recipes unless you met their rather strict standards. Not that they would have been rude, they are almost never rude …they love you Maggie…I was so sure they would and today proves how right I was.”

“Thank you for sharing them with me Urs,” she said, sitting as close as she could and resting her hand on his thigh. “I love them too.”

**

It took a couple of hours to dismantle all the equipment in the office and box up the files in the cabinets to make them lighter to move. They worked well together, Urs doing the crawling around under the desks to disconnect everything and Maggie trying hard not to enjoy the sight of his firm, jeans clad bottom sticking up in the air as she wrapped the cables and secured them so they wouldn’t get tangled.

“You really should patent that tush,” she teased, dropping the cables in a box with the wireless mouse and other small pieces.

“’Tush’? What is this?” he said getting to his feet and grinning at her.

She wrapped her arms around him and took a cheek in each hand for a good squeeze.

“This is your ‘tush’, my Luv, and you have a very, very nice one.”

“Woman we have work to do, behave yourself,” he said but it was a feeble attempt to restore order since his hands had developed wanderlust.

“Isn’t it Saturday night yet? Remember, I’m in the second trimester.”

He kissed her gently and took her shoulders to hold her away from him.

“Maybe it will be Saturday night AFTER we get our work done,” he said, teasing her with that sultry look that she knew so well. “…and have dinner,” he added and laughed when she pretended to pout.

**

“So how did the shopping go?” he asked when they were doing the dishes after dinner.

“I’ve never spent so much on clothes at one go in my life…Mami is a bad influence on me.”

He wrapped the damp tea towel around her neck and pulled her closer.

“Do you like the things you found…and do they fit?”

“Yes and Yes…”

“Then that’s all that matters. We can afford it, Luv. Start thinking about yourself for a change. You deserve to be comfortable…and to have clothes that will keep your bump warm.”

“I also bought 2 dresses that are totally impractical, very pretty but for parties…I won’t likely ever wear them so I feel guilty about it.”

“London…we have at least one dressy affair to go to…and I wondered what you thought about having a New Year’s Eve party? We have plenty of room and it could be a kind of thanks to everyone for helping with the move. You could wear one of your fancy dresses then.”

“OH, Urs, could we? I would so like to have a party. I know everyone goes to the homestead for Christmas but no one has said anything about New Years Eve. We could start our own tradition.”

“It will be a lot of work, you know that don’t you?”

“I know but I love the idea. I’m sure Heidi could help and….”

She forgot what she had been trying to say as he kissed her, feeding off of her mouth like a drowning man, buoyed by her excitement, devouring her lips with his own, dueling with her tongue to caress the soft recesses of her mouth.

“I love the way you look when you get excited…your eyes sparkle and you sort of…vibrate.” He removed the towel and nodded at the sink still full of soapy water.

“Are we done here?... it feels like Saturday night to me…”

“Close enough,” she said and reached blindly into the water to remove the plug and let the water out, her eyes never leaving his. He dried her hand gently on the towel and draped it over the edge of the sink.

“I have to bank the fire.”

She smiled.

“Shower first?”

“Later…much later.”

She was under the covers in the cool loft when he made it up the stairs. Urs leaned over the bed and placed his hands on either side of her, bending over to kiss her softly. She loosened his hair and mussed it so that it fell forward and tickled her cheeks.

“That’s better…the Rock God…slightly wild and dangerous…it’s a very hot look for you…and I like it.”

He stood and started removing his clothing, taking his time when he saw her raise up on one elbow to watch, wetting her lips, her eyes darkening and cheeks flushing.

He sprang free from his jeans and shorts, fully aroused, darkened and thick with the flush of extra blood that had rushed to his groin just by watching her eyes. She reached her free hand out to let her fingers touch him, trembling with anticipation, her little pink tongue peeking out between her teeth as her fingers curled around his shaft and moved the outer sheath.

She raised the duvet and Urs slid into the bed, molding his body to hers, engulfing her in his warmth.

“Tell me what you want,” he whispered against her neck as he lay a trail of fire from her ear lobe down over her collar bone, along the throbbing pulse point in her neck, up to the corner of her still swollen lips.

“You know,” she gasped, her nails digging into his back as she tried to get closer.

“Tell me!”

She told him and he smiled, a wicked look that made her shiver, then he devoured her mouth again, wild and hungry, dominating, possessing, taking what she offered and demanding more .....She was pliant under his plundering mouth, his searching fingers, accepting the positions he curled them into, arcing in orgasm when his fingers entered her, again when he sucked the wetness from her sex, moaning when he spooned her body against his and thrust inside, his mouth sucking hard against her neck to leave his mark…..he knelt and flipped her to her back, one smooth leg curled around his butt and the other laying against his chest, her ankle hooked over his shoulder and she rocked against his groin, taking him inside her warmth, his nimble fingers caressing the nub of her pleasure….again she climaxed but he wouldn’t let her go, taking her up once more, increasing the rhythm as she clutched at the bed linens, eyes half closed, gasping….

“Come with me, Love,” he rasped out, his voice throaty, rough with desire, moaning as they flew over the crest, crying out her name as she screamed with release and bucked, internal spasms clenching his shaft, milking the seed from him in a pleasure that was almost too much to bear. He lifted her leg from his shoulder to drop it on the sheet, raised her upper body against him and cradled her head against his shoulder, letting the shudders flow through locked bodies, whispering in her ear.

“NEVER, Never has a woman taken me where I go with you….You are amazing…my lover, mistress, wife….”

“I have an excellent teacher,” she whispered against his neck, her breathing still ragged, though she found the strength to wrap her arms around him and tangle her fingers in his curls. He lay her gently back on the sheet as he softened and slid from her body, stretching his legs out to lay partly on her slick body.

Urs kissed her tenderly, tasting his own body on her swollen lips, the musky scent of sexual release heavy in the air. He pulled the duvet over their sweat slicked bodies as they murmured words of undying love to each other, turned off the small lamp and fell asleep, locked together, shivering still from the afterglow.

**

The walk through took several hours as they inspected everything, going from one delight to the other, checking into closets, the controls for the windows, removing socks to see how warm the floor really was, feeling the sealed walls of the underground rooms to check for dampness. The bedrooms echoed a bit, though the rooms were not huge, merely empty, each of the 7 bedrooms and accompanying baths done in a different color with the corresponding inset of stained glass in the entry door: sky blue, willow green, butter yellow, ripe peach, copper and sand, the purple shades of eggplant, dusty rose and of course the master suite which was done in raspberry red. The rest of the house had been done in crisp white to accentuate the golden glow of the wood, except for the kitchen which was an eclectic mix of modern and old, stainless steel and enameled black against white walls, tiles and marble, framed in the deep golden glow of timbers. The floors throughout were durable stone or bamboo which resembled hardwood but was a renewable product, literally a grass rather than a tree which would take decades to re-grow. At every turn they had used the principles of Environmental Awareness: Reduce, Recycle, Re-Use. Many of the beams had come from the demolition sights of old houses or barns, the old cooker had been refurbished and gleamed with pride in the kitchen, several bathrooms had made use of huge old claw-footed tubs, sanded and resurfaced, even the summer kitchen had been constructed out of treated barn board, salvaged when the unstable outbuilding had been taken down, and local stone from the excavation of the rooms cut into the escarpment.

Yanni and Dieter explained the workings of the solar collectors and the storage cells in the dramatically changed basement area and gave them a detailed but easy to follow manual. Maggie caught on quickly to the control panel in the office for the heat and lighting on the property and Urs left her to it, techie things not exactly his forte.

They went up to the cottage, crossing the bridge over the little rill and shared coffee and biscuits with Heidi, signed some papers and shook hands all around as the keys were handed over.

All that was left now was to move in to their dream home and begin the rest of their lives.

CHAPTER SEVENTY-TWO

Kostas and Urs went back in to town with the truck to move all the office stuff and Heidi joined Maggie back in the main house. It was the first time Heidi had seen the nursery and she felt much as Maggie had upon first sight.

They went across the hall so Heidi could see Urs other handiwork…the cradle, and again she was amazed that he had a talent that was so diametrically opposite from his skill as a singer.

“Still waters and all that I guess. He never ceases to surprise me.”

“Me too,” Maggie said with a little laugh. “He is such a complex person and at the same time you can read his emotions so clearly on his face. And such a romantic!! He’s always surprising me with some thing he does or little presents that come while he’s away, just to remind me that he loves me.”

Heidi nodded her head, understanding perfectly.

“Kosta still does that…one day I even found a lovely gold bracelet in the sugar bowl and when I asked him why he just said because he loves me. They are both very special men, my friend.”

They hung the extra clothing that wouldn’t be needed tomorrow in the closet, left the boxes of things for the wardrobes and went down to the kitchen to put away the boxes of goods that the men had brought in before leaving. Urs had opted to take Maggie out to dinner tonight rather than trying to cope with having food left over in what promised to be a very busy morning and they would stop in the morning at Marc’s, on the way to the farm, for coffee.

From somewhere Kostas produced a hand cart and the work of bringing the gear inside was quickly accomplished, then Urs insisted on doing the installation of Millie and all the components, while Maggie supervised. If it wasn’t done quite as neatly or smoothly as she would have done it, he was never made aware…she merely enjoyed the view and the caring gesture of him doing work that would be awkward for her.

**

Urs entered the bedroom in the little house to find Maggie fielding yet another phone call. It had been call after call, the entire time since they rose in the morning, the only respite, a short break when she let the machine pick up any messages while they showered.

She finished the call and ticked off something on the steno pad she had carried with her all day….the lists of things to do and what needed attention, now had more check marks than blanks…it was all coming together nicely.

“Aren’t you happy now that we took so much time to label everything in storage? Tomorrow would have been chaos if we had to open every box to see what was inside.”

“Yes, Dear. It’s another first for me. Moving was never something I had to cope with before, so I’m very happy that I married a logical, organized Swiss. Pretty smart of me, don’t you think?”

She grinned at him and he came over to nudge her back on the bed and lean on his hands on each side of her head.

“Marrying me was the best move you ever made…for both of us.”

The phone rang again and she sighed then answered, trying to ignore the man who nibbled on her neck, unbuttoned her shirt to do a Carlos eye-brow imitation as he eyed her lacy peach bra and lay his face against her bump to feel any movements on his cheek.

“…Heidi already has lots of stuff for the kids…juices and those cookies that Mami makes. If you want to bring something else, that’s fine but not really necessary.”

She listened for a moment then laughed at something that Althea said.

“Right…Right…yes Mami is having a great time organizing this…we couldn’t have done it without her. Althea, Urs is being a pest so I have to go….No, nothing serious…you know little boys…they need lots of attention.”

She laughed again and disconnected, switching over to the machine again and placing the phone beside her as she gave her special ‘little boy’ the attention he craved.

**

They left for the farm early in the morning, stopping at the coffee shop for coffees and fresh hot croissants. Marc was behind the counter and grinned when he saw them and chatted while he filled two thermoses, one with fresh juice. the other with coffee and passed them two take- out mugs for the trip.

“We’ll be out before noon, just have to wait until all the staff is in. You two look excited.”

Maggie grinned back at him.

“It’s a big day for us, Marc…. And I get to meet so many new faces…I could hardly sleep last night.”

“Well tonight you can sleep for the first time in our new house…let’s get going, Luv...I have to pick up Kosta and meet a crew at the storage to load the trucks…and you need to set up your ‘Command Post’.”

They went on out and saw that Kosta already had the truck idling, the lane and parking area was cleared with a nice turn-around for the trucks. He was waiting just inside the house when they walked in, Maggie carrying her zippered folder with the Master files of where everything was going and the contents of the boxes, Urs with a folding table and chair under his arms.

They set up the “Command Post’ as Urs had named it, the spot halfway between the back stairs and the main staircase where Maggie could sit and direct traffic.

Urs set up the table and gave her a bear hug and a lengthy kiss.

“That will have to last you for a few hours…promise me you won’t be lifting anything heavy…there no need since there will be lots of willing hands. Promise?”

“Yes, you bossy man, I promise.”

“You’re vibrating…and you look amazing…I like the new sweater …feels great…I mean it looks great,” he said with a laugh, stopping his hands from wandering over the soft chocolate brown cashmere turtleneck. They had both worn sweaters today, Urs an old comfortable black one over a tee shirt since he would be in and out and Maggie because they had turned the thermostat down in the house due to the doors being open for most of the day.

She saw Heidi coming over the bridge as the men left and waited in the mud room for her, taking off her boots and putting on trainers. Heidi went in the kitchen to make a large, borrowed, urn of coffee and Maggie set up her file on the small table.

“Perfect weather for this Mags,” Heidi called out from the kitchen. “Not a cloud in the sky and hardly any wind.”

“I know…we got lucky. I brought Urs digital camera out…I’d like to take pictures of the move, sort of a chronicle of who was here and what was done…could I get you to do that until the babies arrive? Urs says one of his nieces is a whiz with a camera and will take over when she gets here. We thought it would make a nice memento for those who helped….maybe some shots of all the babies and little ones at the cottage too.”

“You should take some of the empty rooms first to show the difference …here give me the camera and I’ll start on the top floor…that coffee will take a while.”

Heidi sped off and Maggie wandered through the empty Lounge, touching the gnarled wood of the fireplace mantle, the varied colored stones, sat on the hearth and gazed out the windows at the sloping field and the drive. The sun was just nicely up now, making the snow sparkle and the drooping branches of the trees with their burdens of poufs of snow glisten, as the new day crept down the mountainsides towards the towns in the valleys. Here and there in the fields the brown dried grasses and natural boulders poked through the drifts, creating bluish shadows on the sheltered side, the only break in the smooth blanket of shimmering white that coated the land.

She walked over to the tall French doors, the front entry where they would bring in the larger pieces. Kosta had efficiently cleared the parking area on this side, the steps and veranda as well. It was a lovely, wide veranda, would be perfect in the summer for sitting out and looking over the far off mountains, the glimpses of the town through the trees and the fields leading up to the house. She felt a tug at her heart as she thought of sitting out here, watching their children or waiting for the welcome headlights of Urs returning home from a tour or a concert, or being out with the guys. She smiled as she thought that it was very unlikely that he would repeat the night out that had taken a half a day to recover from but she did hope that he would keep closer to his friends now that his home base was here again.

Even as she watched she saw headlamps turning in at the driveway…it was too soon for any of the trucks to be arriving from storage…this must be some of the commissioned furnishings being delivered.

By the time the first trucks from storage turned into the drive Maggie and Heidi had taken delivery of the sofas and chairs for the Lounge, bedrooms and games room, the dining Table and chairs had been brought in and set up and the marble topped games table was in place with the chairs placed around, just waiting for occupants. The beer kegs were set up in the bar, all ready to go and the cases of wine had been placed in the cooler or racks, depending on the color. Neither Maggie nor Heidi had been allowed to do more than suggest where everything was to go… apparently the delivery men had been given strict orders. Both women smiled at this attention to detail from their men.

It wasn’t long after the delivery trucks left that the big vans began coming up the drive, 2 large rentals in the forefront and others, so many that Maggie stopped counting. She watched for a minute longer as one of the big vans pulled up in front of the French doors. Urs leapt out, waving at her, grinning. He blew her a kiss quickly and jogged to the back to fling the gate open and vault up on to the tail gate.

The back door opened and Franz walked in carrying a large box with a number drawn on the side with marker pen…she scurried to her files and directed him to the yellow bedroom…the move had truly begun.

**

Maggie felt as if her legs were going to fall off at any second. In theory this thing about directing traffic had been a grand idea but as the day wore on and everything had been unloaded, in reality it was necessary to scoot up and down stairs from one location to the other answering questions about what should be done with items, where exactly things should be put, were the white dishes going to be for every day or was that the colored ones?…of course each question meant yet another trip to the furthest reaches of the large house.

Several times she thought that name tags would have been an excellent idea as the hasty introductions became jumbled and she no longer was sure if Karla was married to Hector or was she Urs niece or…?

She kept seeing Urs, mostly at a distance, lugging one end of a head board, carrying boxes, coming down the back stairs empty handed since that was the exit stairs, the wider main staircase used for an entrance. He looked up and grinned when he helped carry in the piano with 5 other men and set it up in the far corner of the Lounge. He had stripped down to his tee shirt and looked adorable, his face all sweaty and his hair escaping from the tie-back, curling around his face and neck. She was leaning against the kitchen counter and he raced over to give her a quick kiss before the teasing of his crew had him rushing off to bring something else in.

Suddenly it was lunch time and the women who had arrived around 11 produced a spread of food on the folding tables put up on the veranda. Everyone piled plates up and found a place to sit and eat.

Mami appeared with a plate for Maggie and literally dragged her into the Lounge, pushing her into a chair with a little kiss on the brow.

“Put your feet up, Dear, and rest a bit. I’m going to find that old man of mine and make sure he eats something.”

She was still watching the clusters of people around her when a young woman came and sat on the floor by her feet.

“I’m Emilia, Urs 4th or 5th cousin, I never can get all that number stuff right. You broke my heart you know. I always wanted Urs to wait for me to grow up so he could marry me and you stole him.”

She didn’t look particularly angry so Maggie wasn’t sure how to take her.

“Just kidding, don’t look so scared. Actually I used to have a big crush on him but that was before I met Henri. We’re getting married when he finishes his compulsory service.”

Maggie laughed.

“I’m not scared, just confused. I’ve met so many people today I can’t keep the names straight.”

Emilia sat with her for a while, pointing out various groups of people and explaining who they were, some relatives, some friends. Urs joined them after a few minutes and slid into the huge chair beside Maggie, adjusted her onto his lap and wrapped his arms around her.

“So I see you’ve met the infamous Emmie. I remember when you were in around 13, you used to follow Franz and I everywhere. What’s this I hear, little Em, about you running off with a man in uniform?”

The young woman laughed and explained, going on at length about her Henri while Urs nested his head against Maggie’s neck.

“He sounds like a fine man, Em…I’m happy for you. How about you Luv…how are you holding up?”

“Let’s just say that I’m glad of a break. What are we doing after lunch?”

“Papa has us sorted into crews to put beds together, wire the stereo system, TV and such, put up the rack for the billiard cue sticks, the dart board and chalk board for keeping score, some of the ladies are going to make beds when we get them done…we need to put on lamp shades and ceiling fixtures, hang pictures and mirrors …and by that time we’ll all be ready for a beer and dinner and we should be done.”

Emilia spotted some friends and excused herself, leaving them alone briefly.

“Did you get something to eat?” she asked him, snuggling closer.

“A bit…I was talking to Marc and Sonja and Mami passed me a roll with some meat. You didn’t eat much, I can see your plate is almost untouched.”

An aunt and uncle stopped by their perch and chatted for a few minutes, asking about Urs upcoming tour, then an elderly woman stopped to speak to them and Urs stood, offering their chair to her.

“You’ve always been such a polite boy. And you would be his little bride. I’m Tante Sophia, Nikolai’s elder sister. I’ve heard lovely things about you, Child.”

“Danke, Tante. I have your recipe for Alpermagrone.”

“Ah, Yes… so Inga has passed on the recipes…Good. Traditions must be kept alive.” She reached out a weathered hand and patted Maggie’s bump gently. “How long until your son arrives? Another 4 months?”

Maggie smiled.

“Yes…and Mami says it will be a boy too.”

“Tante, I’m sure we have some Kirsch…would you sample it and make sure it is a good batch?” Urs said quietly with a tiny smile at the old lady.

“Why, yes, I could do that for you, boy. I’ll just chat with your young wife here while you fetch it.”

Maggie sat cross legged on the floor beside the chair while Urs went to the games room and poured a small glass of Kirsch. Maggie was laughing at something the elderly lady had said when he returned and as always a small crowd had gathered around to hear what this well loved senior was talking about.

The afternoon wore on, the work getting done with a lot of laughing and talking, the pace not as hectic now that they were no longer out in the cold weather. Tante Sophia had fallen asleep in the big chair, not really out to the farm to help but as the eldest of the family also not one to be left out when a party was in progress.

By late afternoon nearly everyone had finished their assigned projects and gathered in the Lounge and Kitchen, a few of the men drifting off to try out the pool table in the games room. Steins of beer began to appear and the children, who had spent the day in the Cottage, came to visit and inspect the house, some playing quietly in one end of the Lounge, some carried by mothers, a few napping on the sofas or the thick carpets in spite of the voices carrying on conversations around them.

Tante Sophia asked Urs to play for her and he obliged, playing a medley of some of her favorite pieces, then Nikolai brought out Urs violin, a surprise gift that he had brought from the homestead for the music room. He tuned it and relinquished the piano to Franz to perform a duet, then murmured something to Franz and searched the room for Maggie, locking eyes with her and nodding for her to sing with them. She recognized the piece of course, Morgen by Richard Strauss. She was reluctant but Urs walked a bit toward her and she joined the brothers in song, the haunting Strauss’ piece in German which spoke of sunny days and a happy future.

When she opened her eyes at the end of the piece it was to find that a couple of the men present had produced guitars from somewhere and she blushed furoisuly as Urs came to her and lowered his instrument to kiss her lightly and whisper ‘Danke’.

Franz began the intro for another song and the guitars picked up on it immediately. Maggie flashed him a smile and lost herself in the music. She saw one of the men hand his guitar over to Urs and sang to him as he played, letting her voice soar, expressing her love for him with Celine Dion’s the Power of Love.

‘The whispers in the morning
Of lovers ssleeping tight
Are rolling like thunder now
As I look in your eyes.

I hold on to your body
And feel each move you make
Your voice is warm and tender
A love I could not forsake

Cause I’m your lady
And you are my man
Whenever you reach for me
I’ll do all that I can.

Lost is how I’m feeling
Lying in your arms
When the world outside’s too
Much to take
That all ends when I’m with you.

Even though there may be times
It seems I’m far away
Never wonder where I am
‘Cause I am always by your side.

‘Cause I’m your lady
And you are my man
Whenever you reach for me
I’ll do all that I can

We’re heading for something
Somewhere I’ve never been
Sometimes, I’m frightened
But I’m ready to learn
Of the Power of Love

The sound of your heart beating
Made it clear
Suddenly
The feeling that I can’t go on
Is light years away.

“Cause I’m your lady
And you are my man
Whenever you reach for me
I’ll do all that I can

We’re heading for something
Somewhere I’ve never been
Sometimes I’m frightened
But I’m ready to learn
Of the power of love
The Power of Love….’

Urs gathered her into his arms and kissed her, totally oblivious to the house full of people until the cheering and clapping finally registered and he released her to grin self consciously.

“She made me do it,” he announced with a laugh that drew laughter from the onlookers and a brilliant blush from Maggie.

The music continued even as one of the ladies announced that dinner was ready and people began to meander to the kitchen counter where a buffet meal had been set out.

She was surprised to find several of the choir members milling about along with the choir master, even more pleased and surprised when Tante Sofia approached and kissed her cheek.

“The boy made a good match, Child,” the elderly lady said, patting Maggie on the cheek and moving on toward the Kitchen.

**

They had separated again after dinner and now Urs realized that it had been at least an hour since he had seen her flashing smile or heard laughter from across the room. He wandered through the crowd, not as much of a chore now since people had started to leave for the past half hour, some coming to say ‘Good night’ some merely waving as they went, smiling, out the door.

Mami caught his eyes as she was helping a couple with two small children get all their gear together and mouthed ‘Office’ so he went in that direction.

She was sitting in the computer chair with her head on the desk, dozing, clearly tired out by the busy day and he crept up to lift her into his arms.

“Urs…I’m sorry…I just needed a few minutes…”

“It’s time you took our heir to bed, Liebeling. Everyone is leaving …Heidi and Mami can handle the last few stragglers.”

She nestled against his neck and clasped her arms around his shoulders.

“My ankles are swollen…I’ve never had a problem with my ankles swelling up before.”

“You’ve never been pregnant before, either. Let me carry you…I’ve been wanting to hold you all day.”

They wound through the people, receiving thanks for the party, giving thanks for the help, no one seeming the least upset that Maggie was retiring and being carried up the stairs.

Urs took her into their room, the first time she had seen it finished, even the bed made…and a vase brimming with at least 2 dozen red roses on the night stand, another single perfect rose on her pillow.

“You bought me roses…Urs, they’re lovely, thank you,” she said as he placed her carefully on the edge of the bed and knelt to take her shoes and socks off.

“I thought we should start our new life off in the manner we would like to continue….Luv your ankles really ARE swollen. Should you maybe ice them or something?”

“I think getting off my feet will help…Urs…I know it’s Saturday but…”

“But I don’t think it’s going to be Saturday until morning, Baby. I’m almost too tired to breathe. Let me help you get ready for bed, then I’ll go see the last few off, a quick shower and then I just want to hold you close all night.”

She was asleep when he came back up, still asleep when he finished his shower, dried off and slid into their new bed, turning off the lights with the master switch. He pulled the soft red satin sheets up and pulled her gently into his arms to snuggle against his chest, smiling when she sighed and reached her hand up to twine her fingers in his hair.

“I love you,” she whispered sleepily.

“And I thank God you do. I love you too, Geliebt.”

One deep breath and he joined her in dream land.

CHAPTER SEVENTY-THREE

It had been a week of enjoying their new home, of finding their favorite spots, tweaking the already lovely rooms into just a bit more perfection and fielding phone calls and having brief visits from the myriad of friends and relatives who had been at the ‘party’.

So many people came by, phoning first of course, but wanting to see how everything looked when the view wasn’t crowded and eager to let the young couple know how happy they had been to help out.

It turned out that a lot of pictures had been taken and they sorted through them, choosing the best or the funniest to have copied and put in small albums.

Now they were back in London, attending meetings, shopping and touching base with friends. The new album was about to be launched and the guys were very busy with interviews, signings, photo ops, flitting from one place to the other in a dizzying round of appearances that left them exhausted but exhilarated as well. Plans for the tour were more or less finalized, all the crew and staff had been chosen…now it was just a question of seeing what the response was to the new CD and getting ready to go.

Maggie spent her time while Urs was busy with work, catching up at the school and with Gerry, Geena and Petra. They spent one entire day shopping for new clothing, at Urs request the three friends refusing to be thwarted when they found stylish maternity wear that looked amazing on her.

That night Urs leaned back against the headboard while Maggie showed him all the outfits that she had given in and bought. When she put the last item on a hanger and safely hung it in the rather empty closet, he held his hands out to her and grinned.

“Did you leave anything in the stores for the other expectant ladies?”

She frowned and looked a bit serious until she realized that he was teasing.

“Actually you haven’t seen the last few things… they also had some very nice lingerie,” she said with a smile and unbuttoned her shirt to give him a peek at the lacy black bra she wore.

He perked up immediately, watching as she disrobed, almost dancing for him, enjoying the eager, avid stare of his honey colored eyes, coming to the edge of the bed and reaching over to undo his belt and ease the pressure on his suddenly far too tight jeans.

Before his hands reached her shoulders to pull her onto his body, the insistent buzzing of his mobile shattered their peace and he groaned, wanting to but not able to ignore it.

He talked on the phone for a few moment, setting Maggie gently down on the edge of the bed and adjusting his clothing as best he could with one hand.

She sighed and got up to pull sweats out of the drawer and beginning dressing while he finished the call.

“A car will be here in 5 minutes to take us to Base,” he said with a quick kiss on top of her head as she slid her feet into trainers. “Remember where we were, Luv… it was starting to get interesting.”

Maggie laughed at him as they hustled to get ready, Urs stripping off and donning all black gear, Maggie in a navy outfit since she knew that she would not get any further than Base.

“Did they give you any details?” she asked as they went down in the lift.

“Only that the rest of the team was on their way in. The timing really sucks…tomorrow is the launch of the new CD…the day is already booked solid with appearances.”

“It must be an emergency or they wouldn’t have called. The last time I spoke to Simon he said he was going to pull your cards until after the tour.”

A familiar face was waiting in the car at the curb…Peter, Maggie’s old driver, She had suggested to Simon that Peter would be an asset in this capacity and obviously he had taken her advice.

They chatted a bit about Peter’s newest addition to his family, a long awaited girl as a sister for the 3 boys he and his wife already had.

“And I see that congratulations are in order for you and Herr Buhler, Lady Margaret.”

“It’s just Maggie now, Peter….now that we are colleagues. Thank you, yes…we expect our little bundle of joy in early April.”

It didn’t take long in the sparse evening traffic to reach Base and they entered to find that the others had just arrived as well.

Pet was on the computer, coordinating the event and David had his head bent over a table full of maps while Carlos, Seb, Gerry and Geena peered over his shoulder.

As second in command in Maggie’s absence, Mother nodded at the team and indicated that she would be with them in a moment.

Brian came in while they waited and nodded at everyone, dressed in leathers and looking a bit sleepy. He came over to Urs and Maggie , gave her a hug and admired her bump with a grin.

“Do you know what’s going on, Tiger?” she asked with a frown.

“Just that they needed a bike to deliver a passenger….part of Player’s plan I think.”

They didn’t have long to wait before Petra handed off the ‘Puter to someone Maggie called Fairy.

“Alright, not a lot of time so let’s get you lot up to speed. A snitch or someone working deep cover for Six has informed them of a three prong attempt at disrupting the transportation lines….another terrorist attack against the UK. We have drawn the smallest of the groups, because of the size of our team and the fact that as usual Six is strained to the limit with the others. David has come up with a plan to intercept them in a fairly secure area that will pose little threat to the populace if we, God Forbid, fail.

“Urs, as the most agile and physically fit of the team the major thrust of the plan will be on your shoulders. Brian will deliver you to the van that the terrorists are in. You will need to transfer from the bike to the van and disable the driver…he is apparently the one who will be carrying the remote detonation device and once he is disabled there should be a small window before the others make an effort to reach the device. Hopefully by that time the vehicle will have come to a stop and the rest of the team can subdue them. It’s the best we could come up with on such short notice.”

Urs had paled when she instructed him to ‘disable’ the driver. He knew that the only way the man would be disabled enough to not be a threat would be to kill him. He hated killing, as always had a hard time justifying it, even now when he knew there were no other options. He felt Maggie slip her hand over his and squeeze.

She understood and sympathized….and knew that he would do what was necessary. Somehow her rapport made it easier, still not palatable but easier to bear.

“”Player, have you considered that these people may be able to detonate manually when their plan goes in the crapper? It may be wise to keep some distance between the team and the vehicle after it stops….at least until you’re sure that they are away from the explosives,” she asked and David nodded his head in agreement.

“I thought of that…the team will be wearing body armour, just in case, except for Urs…it would be too awkward for him to clamber onto the vehicle with it…Sorry, buddy,” he said with a wry smile in Urs direction.”

“Maybe you could loan me your Superman suit,” Urs quipped and they all laughed nervously.

“What I don’t understand is why Urs has to get on the vehicle? Why can’t he just take the guy out from the motorcycle?” Brian asked.

“Apparently the side windows are reinforced…the chance of a single, accurate shot is next to impossible….no, it has to be from in front, through the windscreen and from a motorcycle that’s too chancy…the angle is all wrong.”

Ever punctual, Urs asked about the timing.

“They will be on this stretch of road at 22h20. Our spook will transmit a code when they turn into the street, here…” he indicated a point on the map. “The team will then tail them, discreetly and close in when they reach this point…” he indicated another spot. “Hopefully the other teams will be acting against their targets at the same time.”

David looked around at the grim face of his friends, wondering for a fleeting moment how many of them would return in the same condition…if at all. He banished such negative thoughts from his mind and grinned at them.

“Lighten up, guys…. Pretend it’s a game…. The armoury is open so go suit up.”

Maggie went with Urs, insisting that he at the least wear a light Kevlar vest. She checked his weapon of choice, a matte black Glock, handed it to him and smiled when he checked it again and tucked an extra clip in his pocket.

The others suited up in body armour and an array of the short stocked Uzi Minis, looking like armed, black clad Pilsbury dough boys. They donned helmets with internal radios while Urs and Brian tried the fit of several bike helmets, finally settling on the most comfortable and carrying them in their hands as they went back in the computer room.

It was just gone 21h when they left the office, leaving Pet and Maggie in a silence that fairly screamed at them at first.

Geena and Gerry had been unanimously elected as drivers for the two pursuit vehicles, Gerry’s additional job to identify the friendly among the terrorists and make sure he ‘escaped’ their net, if possible. Geena hoped fervently that her extra skills would not be needed.

Maggie could still feel Urs lips against hers, their last kiss long and tender, full of promise to be careful, to come back, asking her not to worry but knowing full well that she would.

She put her finger tips lightly to her mouth, as if by touching her lips she would be able to feel him.

Pet reached a hand out to her, also trying to be brave since David had opted to add to the scant numbers of the crew by going as well. They clasped hands and smiled feebly at each other.

Maggie drew in a deep cleansing breath.

“Can I get you a coffee or tea, Pet? I need something to do, something to keep my hands busy.”

Pet turned back to the computer and prepared to run tests on the communications again.

“Gallons of coffee would be nice about now…thanks Mags.”

Maggie went to the far side of the room for the beverages, choking back the tears she wanted to shed. She hated this feeling of helplessness. Mission were easier if you could keep busy, keep your mind from thinking about all the things that could go wrong of all the things that could happen to those you loved. She sighed as she thought that of all her shortcomings, her impatience was the hardest for her to deal with. But it was not time for tears, not now…when they were all back and safe, then she could let go and cry with relief, privately so Urs wouldn’t know how upset she had been to not be with him, sharing whatever dangers he faced, covering his back if at all possible. Now her job was to have faith in him…he was in excellent physical shape, smart and courageous…she had to trust him. She poured the coffees and returned to wait for this hateful night to be over.

**

The two women waited, listening to the sparse interchanges between their team members as they too waited, now on the approach to the street where the vehicle, a silver grey American made van, would soon be approaching. All around them there was the hum of other computers humming softly as the operators tracked movements across the globe, surveillances in other countries, satellite reports, news tidbits and the progress of the other teams out tonight on missions.

The voices of their team sounded crisp, unstrained as they answered Mother’s queries. In the background they could hear the idling motors of the two vehicles and the bike, the rustle of paper as Urs once more studied the van he would have to leap onto from the moving bike.

They heard Brian ask him why he took his riding gloves off and Urs terse reply.

“Not much to hold on to…bare hands is better.”

They could hear the zipper of one of the saddle bags then Brian commenting… “Gymanst’s chalk…good thinking!”

Maggie was staring at the large wall clock. It was 22h19 when she heard the long beep of the code and simultaneously, Gerry murmuring to her passengers “Here we go!”

On the screen in front of Pet they saw a moving dot turning onto the street and saw the first of their vehicles pull out behind it, keeping back a bit so as to not appear to be following. Half a block further and the motorcycle pulled out, passed the car and appeared to be gaining on the van. The second car pulled out from a driveway staying well back.
The target sped up slightly but the chase vehicles held back, not matching the increased speed and it eased up when the occupants decided that they were no threat, merely local traffic.

Brian sped up, overtaking the van in an area where the street lights were conveniently not functioning, weaving slightly as if inexperienced or drunk. He watched in the rear view mirror as the driver glanced at him and then back at the road.

“Now!” he said, swerving close to the rear of the vehicle again and Urs flipped his feet up onto the seat, reaching for the hinge of the rear door, stepping off the bike with his left foot, onto the bumper of the van. Quickly he wedged the toes of his right foot into the handle of the doors and reached with his right hand for the rain gutter, a quarter inch groove which ran above the door frame. With just his finger tips gripping the narrow groove he forced his body up, limpet-like over the solid back doors until his torso was on the roof. Now there was nothing to hold on to and he had to stretch from side to side, keeping low to lessen the wind resistance and slither the rest of his body up until he was spread eagled on the roof. He took a second to calm his breathing, chanced a glance at how far they had come, noticed that Brian had passed the van and was now weaving slightly in front of it, giving a great imitation of a drunken rider. He could faintly hear cursing in some Middle Eastern language as the van slowed a bit, not wanting to get too near the inebriated infidel in front.

It was almost time…he slid the Glock from his shoulder holster and inched forward, reach the front, ready for the final push that would allow him to lean over the windscreen and take his shot.

Ahead of them Brian became very erratic and tilted the bike too far, laying it down to skitter along the pavement, showering sparks as the metal scream with friction and spun in a circle.

Now however the plan went to Hell in a handbasket. Instead of slamming on the brakes as they had hoped the driver swerved, trying to get around the bike, throwing Urs off balance for a moment. He recovered quickly and leaned over the windscreen, identifying and taking his shot in one swift move.

A hole and cobwebs of cracks appeared in the windscreen followed immediately by a fountain of blood as the driver’s head exploded. His body leaned forward, pressure increased on the gas pedal and the van shot forward, the collapsing body skewing the steering wheel and veering the van towards the smoking bike.

Brian had rolled out of the way and was scrambling to his feet, took a glancing blow from the out of control van that sent him spinning across the sidewalk. On top of the van Urs had nothing to hold on to and slid onto the hood of the van, grasping at the only thing he could find…the wipers. His weight was too much and they snapped even as the van hit the immobile bike and he flew through the air, impelled by the impact, managed to roll as he landed but the air was knocked out of him and he lay in a heap on the grassy verge.

The two chase cars had stopped and Team Ceol spewed out of the doors, weapons trained on the van, calling out in English and the Pashtu phrase they had practiced for just this event to ‘come out…Hands up!’

The first one out was the Spook and Gerry identified him, calling out in the mikes to let him go as he made a break for the building nearby.

The next two were forced to their bellies on the ground and covered while Geena used plastic ties to secure their hands and patted them down for hidden weapons. David and Seb checked for any others in the van then joined Gerry who had raced to Urs side, found that he was merely out of breath and maybe bruised, ran to Brian and laughed when he lay there and remarked that he was getting too old for this s**t.

Local authorites arrived in minutes, always the last to this kind of party and after David showed them their ID for CASPAR, took the remaining terrorists into temporary custody. The clean up team from CASPAR arrived and Team Ceol gathered, got in the chase cars and headed back to Base, bruised but victorious.

**

Urs choose to soak his bruises in a long soak in the tub, whined a bit until Maggie joined him and she sat behind him giving his tense shoulders a massage as he sighed and inspected some of his bruises.

“The makeup girl better be good at her job tomorrow or I’m going to look like I’ve been in a bar fight,” he said as he found a tender spot on one side of his jaw. “A little lower, Liebe…yes…Gawd that feels good…you have magic hands, Maggie.”

“Bitte, Luv. Did you hear that the guys you caught are singing like birds…they are saying something about wanting to be killed, to be martyrs for the cause…and they said that their target was the children’s hospital in Stowbridge. Balin said they had enough chemicals in the back to bring down the building, a crude detonation device but the chemicals would have caused all sorts of chain reactions in the electrical system.”

“Were the other two teams successful as well?”

“Yes, but with injuries….4 in hospital and 2 terrorists dead.”

He leaned his head back against her and sighed.

“This feel so good…I could stay here for hours.”

She laughed and gave him a quick kiss on his curls.

“The water is already getting cold. Come to bed and let me hold you while you sleep. It’s gone 2am and you have to be up around 7 at the latest.”

So that’s what they did and after he fell asleep with her arms around him, she had her cry of relief that he was home and safe.

CHAPTER SEVENTY-FOUR

The new album was an outstanding success!!...Sales skyrocketed on that first day as people with long standing orders picked them up and new fans rushed in to the stores in droves to get their copies. Management was smiling, the guys were stunned nearly speechless and Simon relented enough to actually cancel an afternoon photo op in order for his tired and happy Divos to go home early for a bit of rest before changing for the party that Sony BMG was throwing as part of the launch.

Urs came home, hung up his suit, set the alarm and collapsed on the bed, asleep before his battered body had even found a comfortable position.

Maggie had been at the school and came home to find him crashed across the bed, his legs dangling off the edge and his head missing the pillow by a good 6 inches. She smiled as she looked at him.

His jaw still had traces of the makeup that had been used to hide the large bruise where his face had hit the pavement before he rolled to the verge. There were several more, she knew, on his right hip but hidden by his shorts, another on his right arm near his shoulder and one he couldn’t explain on his left leg.

She fetched a soft blanket from the cupboard and drew it up over him, carefully, so as not to wake him but as she neared his chest his arm moved and he grasped her wrist, taking her hand and placing it on his chest with his hand on top.

“I’m lonely..” he said in his little boy voice and peeked his eyes open to smile at her.

“I’m sorry…I tried not to wake you.”

He tugged on her wrist and she let him pull her down to sit beside him on the bed.

“You didn’t…I wasn’t sound asleep and sensed that you were here. The new CD is a success, Luv so Simon gave us some time off to get ready for the party tonight. Have you decided what to wear yet?”

“Urs, I’m really not sure about this…it’s your night…yours and the guys and I don’t want anyone speculating on who the preggers gal is with the gorgeous Swiss tenor… There will be a lot of Sony big shots there tonight and they might not be too happy about this kind of publicity.”

He sat up and wrapped his arms around her swinging his legs to either side of her.

“Then they can get another tenor. I’m a private person, Maggie and because of that I haven’t gone public with our personal life but I’m not ashamed of you or the fact that we have created a precious baby. We will go to things like this together… or not at all…and if the press takes a photo then we’ll deal with whatever happens. We are going to be together a long, long time so the world may as well get used to thinking of us as a couple.”

She sighed and leaned back against him.

“The black and white…it’s dressy and perfect for an evening affair, feminine but not flashy…or the pink lace two piece…you pick one.”

He hugged her and laughed.

“Let’s make a statement…I pick the turquoise satin.”

“Definitely not…that’s for a night of dancing and out with friends.”

He was working on the buttons of her shirt as he laughed.

“You could go wearing just this new lingerie…very sexy, especially this little bit of lace right here.”

The lingerie inspection took so long that suddenly there was only time left for quick showers and donning of suit and the long black and white gown. Maggie found her mother’s old black velvet cape in the back of the closet, Urs put on his newest Armani, a knee length black wool coat and they were off.

**

Urs watched as Maggie worked the room, drifting graciously from one group to another, glancing across the room at him now and then to smile and share a secret longing look or a grin before turning back to whatever conversation she was involved in. She looked lovely, impeccable in her new black and white layered gown which floated around her as she moved and he felt a surge of pride at the way she handled herself, her natural charm aided by a regal presence, the boarding school training she drew on, calm and poised, so completely unlike her normally bubbly, open ways, yet perfect for this private party of music industry executives.

She had been nursing a seltzer water in a martini glass and Urs brought her a fresh one, slipping his arm about her waist as he stood beside her and waited for the long winded CEO to finish his tale.

“I do hope that you continue to have such amazing successes, Alan. It must feel very rewarding to have chosen so wisely.”

‘Alan’ smiled at her praise, preening a bit and turned to include Urs in the conversation.

“Herr Buhler…I’ve just had the most remarkable conversation with Lady Buhler…a most astute young woman. I did want to congratulate you on today’s success. Remarkable…shooting right to number one on the charts so quickly.”

“Thank you…yes we’re very happy with the progress to date. I hope you will excuse us, Sir, but there is someone over by the piano who would like to meet my wife.”

“Of course…remarkable, just remarkable.”

Maggie managed to stifle her giggle long enough for them to make their escape but couldn’t resist hissing at Urs…’If he had said ‘remarkable’ one more time I think I would have been tempted to scream at him. Thanks for the rescue.’

He leaned over to give her a quick kiss on the cheek.

“I thought your eyes were beginning to look glassy. Need a break?”

“Yes, please…”

He took her arm and led her through the crowd, nodding and smiling at people as they went, opened the French doors and they stepped out onto the balcony.

“Ah, the fresh air…why is it that the rich think that those nasty cigars add to their panache…the air fairly reeks from them inside.” She made a face and rubbed her hands up and down her bare arms.

Urs took off his suit jacket and draped it around her shoulders.

“Urs…you have to be careful not to catch cold.”

“We won’t stay out long. I think Petra and David are about to make their escape and we probably can too. We should probably all leave together, since the party is sort of for us…it’s really about Sony making it’s investment back and I guess to encourage us to keep working hard.”

“I’m proud of all of you…you put so much of yourselves into the album and it shows…you deserve their respect.”

“ And you did very well…feeding you to the sharks brings out the regal in you.”

She laughed.

“I just kept telling myself I was Swiss and above all the simpering some of the underlings were doing. I don’t care who they are…kissing butt isn’t my thing.”

He grinned and hugged her.

“Come on, lets go find the others and get out of here.”

Everyone else was ready too, they found when the others were located and they went enmasse to the man who had been Host for the night, telling him they had endured a very long day and would have another tomorrow, that they hoped he didn’t mind, they enjoyed the party so much but had to leave now. His wife never took her eyes off of Carlos during the farewells, in spite of the fact that Gerry was by his side, looking incredibly lovely in a silver gown.

Geena, in a Helen of Troy type gown of unadorned white and Seb in his best Armani, David with his tie already loosened and Pet looking stunning in a slender column of black met them at the coat check and with very little further fuss they exited the building.

They were standing on the sidewalk waiting for the taxis to pull up and hunching shoulders against the chill wind that was blowing.

“Geena is hungry,” Seb announced. “She was nervous and didn’t eat much of that rubber chicken dinner, so now she wants a hamburger from Uncle Sam’s.”

“OH!!! Urs could we go too? My mouth is watering at the thought of an Uncle Sam’s burger.”

“Of course… Your appetite just never rests does it?”

“Not lately,” she said and rubbed her bump.

It was a good choice, one that everyone opted for and the result was two taxis traveling with the group to the unpretentious all night diner. A few heads turned when they walked in, dressed for a night on the town and laughing as they made their way to the back and put several tables together, arranging chairs for everyone.

The server, Anita her name tag said, was a transplanted New Yorker and she got in a conversation with David when he recognized her accent, then they had to admit who they were when she paled and stammered…’Il Divo’.

“We’re in disguise…don’t give our cover away,” David teased and Anita blushed and passed the menus out, taking their orders for milk shakes or sodas.

Coats came off and hung over the back of chairs, ties were loosened and the tales of some of the bores they had met at the party ricocheted around the table. Anita came back with their drinks, took the orders and left again, offering them the gift of privacy by not hanging around to talk about their music.

While they waited for their food to come David asked Carlos how the move into their new place in Marbella had gone and the Spaniard whipped out a small plastic album to show the photos that Gerry had taken of the house, grounds and furnishings that they had found. He offered an invitation to come anytime and occupy the guest house, remarking on the privacy of the pool and the fact that it was possible to swim or sunbathe nude because of the hedges.

“Now that’s a scary thought,” Petra said with a wry smile. “Il Divo caught on film at nude pool party…photos on page eleven….”

The comments raced around the table as all the others opted not to go for all over tans.

“Such cowards,” Carlos said with an eyebrow wiggle and Gerry laughed.

“You may not have noticed but my Carlito is being very careful when he sits…his sunburn is still a bit tender…and peeling…not a pretty sight.”

Carlos was saved further embarrassment by the arrival of Anita carrying 5 large platters with their orders and her fellow server with the last three. The servings were gigantic, in true American style where nearly everything was giant economy size.

Urs stared at the platter in front of him, then looked at Maggie’s which was even bigger.

“Coronary on a plate,” he mumbled but grinned as she began to tackle hers.

“What do you call that?”

“Truckers special…two patties, served open faced, one with cheese, bacon and mushrooms, the other with chili and topped with fried onions and an egg, over easy…. Home fries, of course with gravy, and then for something healthy a small green salad…” she grinned at him as she started on her first mouthful.

Urs had ordered a Hawaiian burger, again two patties but served with sliced pineapple and ham and a large order of both fries and a spicy coleslaw. He wasn’t sure how to go about eating such a mountain of burger so followed Maggie’s lead and used his knife and fork at first, then seeing David attack his in both hands, picked it up and hummed with pleasure at the taste.

There wasn’t much talking for a while as they all indulged, pausing now and then to sip their drinks, the neophytes wondering why they hadn’t ever come here before.

“Maybe because we don’t all want to look like Pavarotti,” Seb said as he paused to take a suck of his strawberry milk shake.

Urs finished all he could of his meal and sat back, watching the others as they began to slow down. Maggie’s hunger had abated and she was ignoring the rest of her fries but had managed quite nicely on the bulk of the two halves of her burger. He laughed at her as she made the traditional time out signal with her hands and leaned back in her seat.

“I think Baby is saying he’s had quite enough…he’s kicking up a storm.”

He slid his hand over on to her bump, unseen by the others under the table and smiled when he felt the sharp flutters against his palm.

As always, his expressive face took on a dreamy look and his lips curled in a tender smile.

“It’s like magic, isn’t it?”

The voice in his ear was Geena who missed little and had leaned over to whisper to him when she noticed what was happening.

Urs grinned at her and sat up straighter, curling his arm around Maggie’s shoulder and stroking her bare skin, almost without realizing what he was doing.

“Each time I get such a feeling of awe… it’s almost as if he was trying to communicate with us.”

“There are theories about that…some say that the baby can hear what is going on in the outside world, that you can predispose them to like classical music or jazz or even great literature by singing or reading to them in utero…there are even devices that play music that the Mom can wear to play CD’s.”

Urs face lit up with interest.

“Where can I get one of those?... We have to try it.”

Geena laughed at his eagerness and promised to find one for Maggie.

While they waited for the cheque Urs asked if they all had made plans for the New Year and learned that none had anything promised yet.

“We have decided to have a New Years Eve party, kind of the start of establishing a tradition. There’s lots of room so if any or all of you would like to join us we would love to have you. Mostly it will be friends from town and relatives…should be fun. Maybe we could squeeze in some skiing before we have to be back in London…some of the runs around Engelberg are already open.”

They left the invitation open since no one knew exactly what they were going to do, not yet and shortly after, the guys split the bill four ways and settled up, each adding a hefty tip in appreciation for the privacy and great service.

Petra asked Anita for her full name before they left and wrote it down in her tiny day planner.

“The guys won’t be in concert in the UK until April 11th but if you still are in London just check at the box office…there will be a ticket for you and a friend waiting for you…kind of an extra thank you for the great service.”

They bundled up again against the chill night air, hailed cabs and headed home.

CHAPTER SEVENTY-FIVE….SHOPPING & PLOTTING

Urs was awake and dressed in sweats before the sun rose in the morning, making noises about going to the gym but meeting little enthusiasm from his partner. She pulled the covers up over her head and burrowed into the pillow, only sticking out one hand to pat him on the cheek when he leaned on the bed and teased her about being lazy.

“Later…like maybe May or June,” she whimpered and he pulled the covers down enough to see her face, concerned that maybe she was ill.

“Are you alright? Do you feel well? Should I call Geena?”

She opened her eyes fully and stared at him.

“Where do you get all this energy from? You worked all day after being up half the night riding around on top of a van and getting pitched onto the road, then the party and a late dinner, then we came home and if I remember rightly we were very busy for nearly 2 hours…. Although it was two lovely, breathtaking hours… and now you want to workout? There’s only one reason I would even consider staying awake right now…and you have far too many clothes on for that. Have a heart, Urs…let me sleep.”

He kissed her quickly before she could dive under the covers again, grinned and said he would be back in two hours.

True to his word he arrived back just in time to grab the first glass of orange juice from the machine as she fed orange halves into the top, barefoot and wearing only a slender scrap of lace she claimed were bikini briefs and a very tight old tee shirt of his.

“Good workout?” she asked leaning her head back for a good morning kiss.

“Great…Good sleep?” he asked when his mouth was free again.

“I should have gone with you…I don’t sleep well without you now that I’m used to having you close again.”

“Shower? Or can you stand to be near me?…I’m pretty sweaty.”

She turned and buried her face against the wet tank top that covered his chest.

“I always like the way you smell…. Natural and outdoorsy and like you’ve been working with wood and lemon oil…but I like your Bulgari body wash even more. Let’s go.”

**

“How did we ever get our backs clean before we met?” she teased as she soaped his back with long strokes, following with the loofah and applying pressure to stimulate the skin.

“How ever it was this is definitely more fun…there’s an itchy spot just below my shoulder blade…yes…ah!!!...that feels so good.” He moved forward to let the spray run over his shoulders and down his back, taking the foam down his hairy legs and into the drain.

He turned to face her, interrupting her routine of bathing each part of him in turn and held her against his soapy chest to play his mouth over her wet face.

“Mmmmh…you taste like….more!” he said and took a second helping, laughing when she melted against him.

“Back to work, scrub woman…” he said with that grin that made his eyes slit and showed most of his pearly teeth.

The neck was fine, even the shoulders and down each of his arms in sequence…when she made him raise his hand to do the underside of his arms and the thatch of hair in his armpits he had to bite his lip to keep in control… the curly hair on his chest received a good scrubbing but when she got to the vee of body hair that dipped below his waist he lost it. She laughed when he brought his arms back down to capture her hands, lifting her face and eager mouth up to meet his.

“What took you so long, Luv?”

His last rationale thought was that he didn’t remember making love ever being so much fun before Maggie.

**

When they finally got around to dressing it was for an excursion …Today they were going shopping, for Christmas presents and decorations for the house. Maggie had a few things from the suite she had lived in for the past 10 years but she had given them to the school, wanting to start out fresh with their new place.

They had such a long list: novelty and musical items for the kids at the school, practical for Cookie, personal items for the guys and their ladies, a token of some kind for Joan and Brian, something warm for Heidi and Kosta who would need to acclimatize again, and family gifts, for Simon, Franz and Shannon and the kids, a personal thing for Nikolai and Inga to go with the gift they were going to make….so many people in their lives.

“We need to send something to Chris and Mary and their brood too,” she reminded him and he sighed and added that to the list.

The children at the school was settled easily and they did most of it online…tickets to two showings of the Nutcracker suite, for the little ones at a matinee performance and the older kids to an evening one. They would finish the shopping for them with a selection of CD’s, games and toys to be delivered to Joan and Brian, the rationale behind pawning off the allocation of those items being that no one knew the children better than Joan. Then the serious shopping began.

They blitzed Fortnum and Masons, Lord and Taylors, Marks and Spencers, Koji, So Soho, Penelopes, The Cookery, coming back out again and again to pass off their purchases to Peter who had been enlisted, on his day off, to drive for them and cart the goodies in the limo. The resources having been exhausted in one area they went on to the next, stopping briefly to share a small table in a coffee shop with Peter while they recharged their batteries. then they went on to King’s Road and another batch of shops. Urs had Peter stop on the way back and made a quick foray into a shop near the school, came back out with a grin but wouldn’t explain what he had done.

At the suite, he grabbed two light bags and handed them to Maggie and sent her on ahead while he and Peter unloaded the limo. Three trips and they were done but the mountain of bags and boxes lining the foyer was mind boggling.

Urs handed Peter an envelope and shook his hand, thanking him for the help and turned to see Maggie staring at what they had bought.

“We still have to wrap it all…Oh My God, Urs what have we done? It will take us until next Christmas to wrap everything.”

He laughed and hugged her.

“One thing at a time, Luv…right now we need to get into comfortable clothes and put our feet up with a cup of hot chocolate…we should order in…what do you feel like? Chinese, Italian, Indian?”

“Cheese toast and soup…and I think there’s some of Heidi’s pie still in the freezer we could defrost.”

They changed their clothes and by the time Maggie had made the cheese toast and heated the soup, put the pie in to defrost and made the hot chocolate, Urs had the bags sorted into different piles.

“This one is all decorations so they don’t need wrapping, we’ll just ship them…this goes to the school for Joan and Brian and Cookie so we can wrap it…. this is for Chris and Mary and the tribe, so we can wrap that and send it….this mountain is to go to Switzerland so it has to stay unwrapped because of customs…and this is for the guys, girls and Simon so it can be wrapped and hand delivered…and here, this is a whole bunch of paper, tags, tape and ribbon. There now it doesn’t look like quite such a chore, does it?”

Maggie laughed and wrapped her arms around him leaning on his back.

“I knew there was a reason for marrying you…you’re so organized. Come eat, my Swiss…I think we did an exceptional job today, getting everything in one swoop.”

He turned and kissed the top of her head, putting his arms around her shoulders as they made their way to the spread she had placed on the coffee table in front of the fire.

“Did you see the look on that sales girl when we ordered 15 of those soft cashmere scarves?… “all different colors if you can, please” in your Lady Margaret voice. I thought she would faint.”

Maggie giggled as she lowered herself to the floor to sit Indian fashion.

“She was acting so snooty, I couldn’t resist. Rats, I forgot the wine.”

She started to get up but he put his hand on her shoulder and went to the kitchen to return with an opened bottle of white and two goblets.

“So, Papa, how many of those stuffed animals that you kept piling on the counter are for the Baby?”

He tried to look innocent but it didn’t work so he just shrugged his shoulders and ate his soup.

“Only a few…. They just looked so soft and cuddly, I couldn’t resist.”

“You are such a sweet man.”

He glanced at her and tried a scowl but that too didn’t work, turning into a grin.

“Don’t go spreading any rumors. I’ve a reputation for being cool and shy, not sweet.”

“I promise it will be my secret, M’Lord,” she said raising her one a day allowance of wine in a toast.

**

It was near 11 when the intercom buzzed and Urs answered it. He came back to Maggie and announced that Geena and Seb were dropping by but only for a few minutes. The presents for the guys and ladies were the first that they had wrapped and were sitting on the dining table so it was safe.

He lowered himself back down into the clear spot in the mounds of paper and bags, tinsel and ribbons and helped Maggie with the last one they had planned on doing tonight.

Seb and Geena arrived and called out from the foyer, followed Urs voice and found them nearly buried in a sea of wrappings and parcels.

“You two have been busy…did you buy something for everyone in London?”

Geena laughed at the mess as she fell into one of the Lounge chairs.

“No just everyone we ever met in our lives,” Maggie laughed as she tried to stand up and Urs leapt to his feet to offer his hands to her.

“Danke, Love. My center of balance is shot all to hell. Actually, Gee we have so much to do the next couple of day that we did all our shopping in one swoop this afternoon, that’s why it looks like a jumble sale in here.”

Urs offered the visitors a glass of wine and they all managed to find a spot to sit.

“We came over to let you know that we would love to come to Switzerland for the New Years party. We really want to see the house and both of us might stay a couple of days for skiing if you don’t mind.”

“Mind? Of course we don’t mind. Pick a color…”

Geena grinned and said the first thing that came to mind.

“Brown…”

“Good choice,” Urs said and Maggie nodded, grinning from ear to ear.

“You get the brown bedroom…although it isn’t really brown it’s more sand and copper but brown is close enough. Wait until you see the sinks we got for the bathrooms, Gee…”

Urs put his hand over her mouth and wrestled her, gently, onto the sofa beside him.

“Let it be a surprise, Baby…that’s half the fun.”

Geena pleaded, mentioning that at least Carlos had shown them pictures but Urs was adamant and Maggie joined him in a stubborn wall of laughing silence. Even pouting didn’t work so Geena finally gave up.

“So, are we still on for the ‘David Escapade’?” Seb asked and Urs grinned.

“You bet…I can hardly wait. Did I tell you the latest thing Mrs. Miller talked about when she e.mailed us last week? No, well she was explaining about the bunkhouse and how you can see the lights from the main house and…”

**

“They’re up to something, I can feel it,” David said as he nestled Petra against him in their long bed.

“I haven’t noticed anything, Stretch…maybe it’s just nerves from all the work getting the album off the ground …or maybe it’s your guilty conscience.”

She wiggled her head into a more comfortable position and trailed her hand over his chest, making circles that gradually widened.

“We’ve got two more days off and two days of work then we’re off to Denver and I can hardly wait. I know they’re up to something and at least with an ocean and half a continent between us they can’t do anything.”

Petra rolled away from him and sat up, stepping into her slippers and pulling on her robe.

“Where you going?”

“To get a drink of water…and when I get back, David Miller, you better stop thinking about some fictional plot of revenge by your friends for all the jokes you’ve played on them. How about thinking about Christmas and shopping and taking Paul to see his beloved Nana and Papa?”

She flounced out of the room and he sat there stunned for a moment, thinking about all the things she had mentioned and getting a feeling of Christmas spirit. They were going home, to Denver, to his parents place, to all the old comforting familiar things that made the season so special. He still hadn’t decided what to get Petra…Paul was easy…if it wobbled or squeaked or had a rope to pull it around, he would be happy. Maybe jewelry, though she wore very little…probably because she had very little.

She came back in the room and glanced at him. He held the covers up for her to slip in beside him and leaned over to kiss her neck, smoothing his hands over her soft skin. Her arms came up around his ribs and scratched very lightly, making him shiver.

Yes, they were up to something but he had more important things to take care of right now and soon he would be far enough away to be safe.