* I'll Take Care Of You *

These two large dogs weren’t caged, instead lay on the terrace at the back of the house and rose to their feet with tails wagging as the group approached. Both were beautiful creatures, the male easily 35 pounds heavier than the female and taller, his thick white coat tipped with soft grey and black on his ears and a bit along his cheeks, the 120 pound female with a tawny blush on her ears, the rest of her coat the thick white of fresh snow. She was heavy with puppies and lay back down as if saving her energy but kept her head up watching the newcomers, her mouth open and tongue lolling as she seemed to smile.

“Daffy and Marm are the family dogs, raised with my kids from puppies to now, so that’s 6 years for Marm and 5 for Daffy. We also had Daffy’s parents and they were good family dogs too.”

He snapped his fingers and both dogs streaked down the steps and came to stand in front of the new people, noses working as hands were held out to them, tails wagging , even a little cheek lick snuck in when Maggie bent over Daffy to stroke her soft coat.

Both dogs were very interested in Paul and he wiggled to get free and play with these new, amazing toys but Petra nervously hung on to him.

They went up on the terrace and sat at a large wooden table, in typical Swiss style ignoring the cold and the snow all around the house as they shared coffee and hot chocolate while Anton explained when he thought the puppies would be born.

“Daffy should whelp the last week of January and of course we don’t wean the pups until they are 6 weeks, but if you would like to come out as soon as you return from the US…yes your husband explained about the touring, Frau Buhler…you could come out and see which of the pups bond with you. You do understand that though they are pedigreed these pups won’t likely be show quality, no more than Daffy and Marm are?”

Maggie laughed and reached out to rub the spot behind Daffy’s ear that Jessie used to love to have scratched. ‘It must be a universal canine itchy spot,’ she thought since Daffy closed her eyes, clearly in bliss.

“I’m not interested in showing my puppy, Anton, and please call me Maggie. I was blind for over 10 years and for 8 of them had a wonderful golden retriever named Jessie who became my friend…I want that kind of relationship with a dog again…Jessie was my friend, my protector, my confidant and I loved her dearly.”

Paul had transferred to David’s arms and David was letting him walk around the terrace a bit, following closely behind. He headed for the steps but Marm eased past him and lay across his path, effectively blocking access and David laughed as the little boy bent down with his hands on his knees and peered into the big, toothy mouth, reached out to touch the lolling pink tongue and was rewarded with a wet kiss. Paul laughed and fell back to sit on his well padded bottom and Marm put his head on his extended paws and watched this new little person he had been given to protect.

By the time they left half an hour later, Pet had relaxed around the gentle canines, totally captivated by the way Marm had follwed Paul everywhere he toddled, keeping between the child and the stairs, the barbecue, which wasn’t even hot, gently taking his jacket sleeve in the large teeth when Paul tried to climb up on the bench seat that ran around the railing and holding him back until the frustrated cries brought David to the rescue. Both dogs followed them back to the Volvo when it was time to leave but stood well back when the engine was started, looking almost sad to see them drive off.

Maggie had a handful of print outs and brochures, leaflets about feeding and training, facts about the breed and suggestions on how to pick a puppy for your specific needs.

“Did you know that Pyrs are so strong that during WW11 they were used to carry munitions across the French and Italian Alps for the allies, as well as working with the medical corps in the mountains and with Search and Rescue? I’ve always liked them but it was purely based on the fact that I think they look like big soft teddy bears and seem like gentle giants.”

“I was surprised when Anton said that we should get a cat so the puppy has something to keep him company and to play with. He said that raising a puppy and kitten together works out well 99% of the time.”

Urs shook his head thinking of Maxine and Schtute and how they had taken a long time to come to an armed truce but only recently had become friends.

“I can hardly wait to see the puppies…thank goodness dogs don’t take as long as people,” Maggie said as she slipped under the shoulder harness of the seat belt and snuggled as close as possible to Urs.

“Liebe, I love having you close but please…put it on properly…that makes me nervous.” He had chided her in Swiss German, speaking slowly so she would understand and not be embarrassed.

She looked at him in surprise but understood almost immediately and smiled as she gave him a small hug and returned the seat belt to the proper position.

They arrived back at the farm as Paul woke from the short nap he had taken in the car and trooped in to separate and go for showers or to play video games or catch a nap in the case of Carlos.

Urs wanted a shower and to lie down for a while so Maggie followed him upstairs, intending to change the dressing on his leg and maybe read some of the puppy information she had from the Kennels.

She settled back on the sofa in their bedroom, leaning on one of the thick pillows with her knees bent and the brochures on her bump.

She could hear Urs humming in the Lav, then the sound of the shower running and was surprised to sense movement and see him coming across the room with a towel draped around his hips.

“Forgot something?” she asked as he got near. She dropped the brochure when he gave her one of his bliny winks and grinned at her, his eyes smoky and crinkled as he leaned over and scooped her into his arms.

“Only the most important person in my world….. I need you…to wash my back…”

She laughed as he carried her into the steamy bathroom and kicked the door shut, dropping his towel on the floor and clicking on the fan that he had forgotten about in his haste.

He stripped her clothing off with fingers that trembled, feasting on each new area of skin that was uncovered, batting her hands away as she tried to help, swallowing her laughter with an eager mouth. A gentle exploration by her soft fingers had confirmed that Yes, Indeed!! …his boys were back!

“I stripped for my shower and thought about how we always showered together and ZAP…just like that ….” He dropped his mouth to her neck to place a love bite, his mark of passion, by the hollow at her neck and shoulder. “You taste so good….. let’s see if we can remember how to have a proper shower…”

The second time they were slower, making the sheets on the big bed damp from their still wet bodies but patient, thorough, teasing and laughing as they enjoyed what had been too long impossible.

After a short nap to cool down and recharge batteries they dressed again and went down to join their friends for dinner, still not able to stay apart for long, stealing kisses in the Kitchen, holding hands under the cover of the table as they sipped wine after dinner, exchanging longing glances that did nothing to ease the anticipation.

They almost ran up the stairs and down the hall when they had said good night to their friends, laughing like naughty teens and falling on the bed to wrap arms about each other and begin the dance once more.

CHAPTER EIGHTY-NINE

Yvette had finally managed to shake off the feeling of guilt that had almost made her change her mind about this weekend jaunt. It had been during the good byes in the entry of the big house after a fun filled New Year’s day spent at the Toronto Zoo that Frank had asked her to go skiing with him and at first she was confused, thinking that there were no real mountains in Ontario.

“They are called the Blue Mountains,” Franks answered to her question… “They actually are part of what is called the Niagra Escarpment, a glacial deposit that stretches down Ontario to Niagara Falls…not very high by Swiss standards but adequate for some really good skiing. My friends have a chalet there and have offered it to me for a weekend…I thought since we don’t have to be back in class until the next Tuesday…Yvie, we really need some alone time, time to see just where this feeling we have for each other is going.”

“I’ve never hidden the fact that I’m still married, even though it is only a legality now,” she relied, her body stiffening a bit.

“Come with me, so we can talk and ski, so we can enjoy each others company with out the constant demands that are made on us.”

As if responding to his statement the door opened and one of the daughters came in with a blast of cold air. She smiled and moved past them, trying not to be intrusive, but the point was made.

He pulled her back into his arms and kissed her good night, saying that he needed to know the next day if they were going or not.

And now here she was, in the borrowed car, skiis clipped into the rack on the back, nearing the town of Collingwood on Gerogian Bay and pulling into the parking lot of the huge supermarket for supplies for their weekend get away.

Frank looked so happy, a smile on his handsome face for almost the entire 2 hour trip and once again she thought of the brief conversation that she had had with Urs.

Simon had provided a safe link, a once only thing he warned her and only because she threatened to slip out of the house and call Urs on a public phone. It had been brief but helped her clear her mind of the turmoil.

“Do you love him? Do you yearn to be with him, physically and emotionally?”

Ja,” she said without hesitation. “ but…”

“You owe Laurenz nothing…that oath has long been broken by him. This mortal life is too fleeting to not take advantage of every moment, that has become very clear to me over the past few days. Accept what your heart tells you is right…God will understand, Little One…. He has sent this precious gift to you…do not be foolish enough to reject it.”

He had not explained further, just said he loved her and would tell the family that she was well. She began to ask him if he was alright, his voice sounding a bit strained to her, but the connection was broken and she had heard only the static of the scrambled call as she replaced the handset.

She trundled after Frank as he collected a buggy and waited for her to catch up. Indeed he was a gift from God…a good man, caring and patient with Hans, loving towards her and gentle though she had allowed nothing more than tender kisses each time they parted…kisses that made her tremble and flush with a burning that she had never experienced in her limited romantic involvement…Laurenz had used her for his own gratification, giving her nothing but the pain he fed off of, done nothing to ignite passion in her, not like this.

She smiled and took his hand as they went in to browse through the shelves, feeling strong and loved, ready to turn a page in the story of her new life.

**

Urs thought of his sister now as he lay beside his sleeping wife, treasuring the moments he had of inhaling her scent, listening to her breathing, feeling the swelling of her belly against his stomach.

What he had said to Yvie when the agent brought him the phone in the hospital, had come from his heart. He ached for his little sister to have what he did with Maggie, a love so pure and all encompassing that it needed no physical act to define it…although what they achieved when they made love was so mind boggling he wondered now why he had ever been satisified with what he had experienced BM, his own mental shorthand for Before Maggie.

He had never really thought about his own mortality before those long, cold hours in the smashed car, never catalogued the achievements he had made in his life or what he really hoped to leave behind when his time finally came. It had been a good feeling to think that he would at the very least leave loved ones behind who would have memories to treasure, and a child to carry on his genes, even if he was not able to help rise the child to maturity. And his ecological foot print would be small, the care he had taken, with Maggie, into the farm would see to that. But there was so much more he wanted to do, to feel, to be….that had been what kept him focusing on this woman who meant everything to him, feeding off the memories, off the plans, off the strength he knew she was steeling herself to will him.

She stirred and opened her eyes to smile at him sleepily, reaching out a hand to wipe the tears he had been unaware of off his chiseled cheeks.

“Remembering?” she said with instinctive understanding.

“Ja… it gets easier every day. Maybe because you are so good at distracting me…” he smiled and leaned down to kiss her lightly. “We need to shower again…there is a distinct scent of lovemaking in this room…”

She laughed and rolled to the edge of the bed, struggling a bit to get her unwieldy body upright until he helped her with a gentle push on her back.

“Someone should invent an air freshener that has that scent… for people who have no partners and want to live vicariously.”

He laughed and sprang out of bed, turning back to strip the linens off and bundle them for the laundry. She finished with the facilities and came back to help put on fresh linens, laughing when he raised an eyebrow at her and gave her The Look.

“Shower time, Big Boy…remember we have guests.”

“That works for me,” he whispered in her ear as he followed her closely in to the bath, letting his hand enjoy the interplay of her glutes as she walked, wondering why he had never noticed before, just how sensous pregnant women were… ‘perhaps it’s only MY pregnant woman that looks so delicious’, he thought with a smirk as he nibbled on her neck while they both worked on ridding her voluptuous body of every barrier.

“I think our friends are going to have to wait a while for breakfast, mein kleine Geliebte… I have something new to show you.”

She grinned at him and held her hands out to the side in submission.

“I’m all yours…”

**

Yvette woke from the beautiful dream she had been enjoying to the warmth of Frank’s body nestled close to her and one arm carefully draped over her shoulder with his hand on her bare back. She inched closer to rest her mouth against his chest, feeling at last free from the demons that had tormented her for so long.

They had made the short trip from Collingwood out to the Village, turning onto the old road that snaked away from Gerorgian Bay and passing all the older chalets, coming out into the village proper with all the new hotels, shopping area, restauarants and of course the ski lifts, then turning east onto one of the winding roads to the side street where his friend’s chalet was. It was small and unpretentious, the bedrooms on the ground floor and the spacious lounge above with a tiny but adequate kitchen.

Frank turned the heat up and lit a fire in the stone fireplace and they put the groceries away together then decided to get in a half day on the slopes.

Her skills were rusty but the slopes were marked well and on the easier runs she soon picked up some long forgotten moves. They went on run after run until long after the lights had come on…one of the specialities of Blue Mountain was that the runs stayed open for night skiing unless the weather was bad and they took advantage of it.

At last they had done enough and went back to the chalet, both aching from the unaccustomed exercise and teasing that they were getting old. At the end it had been a bit humiliating to be passed by flying ten year old kids.

Frank noticed as they were cleaning up after a soup and sandwich dinner, that Yvie was in a strange mood, nervous and fidgety. He caught her staring at him a few times and finally could hold his peace no longer.

He pulled her onto his lap as she passed him and hugged her close, looking into her eyes with concern.

“Baby, what’s troubling you? And don’t say nothing, because I can see that something is…are you feeling guilty about leaving Hans for a few days? Or are you nervous that I might take advantage of having you alone…I won’t you know…I promised not to rush you…and you know I love you too much to ever make you uncomfortable…I..”

“Sometimes you think too much….”

She touched his lips softly with hers, her arms crept around his neck and she deepened the kiss, molding her body to his, opening her lips to accept his seeking tongue when he overcame his confusion and kissed her back.

When they drew apart she hid her face against his neck and whispered to him, trembling so violently that his arms tightened about her.

“I’ve never known anything but violent sex, Frank….but I do love you and my body aches for you to love me…. Show me what it’s like to be loved.”

Now, as she lay beside him in the reflected glow of moonlight, she felt her eyes fill with tears, thinking of how gentle he had been, how tenderly he showed his love and lead her on a passionate journey she had read about but never experienced. All the memories of her past life faded, not allowed to intrude on the happiness that this special man filled her with.

He moved a bit and his hand came up to gently brush the tears from her cheeks.

“Sleep easy, Little Love…I’m here for you…No one will ever hurt you again.”

He slid his arm under her neck and cuddled her head onto his shoulder, taking her hand and resting it on his heart as they fell back into contented sleep.

**

Oceans away, in the warmth of Nice, Geena and Sebastien had enjoyed a good day too.

They had met up with Maman and Anna-Lise early in the morning after a lovely night of fun and rest in the elegant Hotel La Perouse on Quai Rauba Capeau and after depositing their luggage at the cruise lines wharf, went on to tour the Vielle Ville, the Old town of Nice.

There wasn’t the glitz and modern glamour in this section that could be easily found in the newer quarters but Seb thought he preferred the winding lanes and alleys with the surprises around every corner…tiny stalls with unique wares, chapels that dripped with antiquity, small churches that had been abandoned and turned into restaurants or museums, each with a tale to tell that spoke of years and years of near forgotten memories.

They stopped by the Hotel for lunch and just after 14h Geena changed into her white lace suit, joining Seb who, as always, looked very continental and suave in sand linen and they found their way to the tiny chapel attached to the Cathedral Ste. Reposte.

They approached the altar and the robed priest, together, a choice they had made weeks before…they would face whatever life threw at them as a couple, as husband and wife and this joining before their Maker would reflect that commitment.

The service was short and devoid of embellishments…all the words had been spoken privately between them, the vows merely confirming publicly what they had sworn to one another. Still, the little chapel heard the quiet tears as Maman and Anna Lise wept with joy and first one then the other of the young couple repeated the words after the priest and swore before God to be true for eternity.

A few words, a simple stroke of the pen on forms and it was done. Strangely they both felt changed somehow, stronger, even more committed and Geena clung to Seb when he kissed her for the first time as Madame Izambard.

They had timed it fairly precisely, {Urs would have been proud} and with a unique twist after the ceremony, in the one hour before they had to send Maman and Anna Lise off on their cruise, they went for Gelato.

Seb led his new wife and family to the vendor in the plaza, La Claire Fontaine for Fennochio Gelato, for the Italian Ice Cream that was beyond compare in Europe. There they feasted on concotions of Stracciatella, Fruitti di bosco, Tiramisu and Cioccolato, all served not just as a dish of gelato, but creations, sculptures in colored crystal goblets. After this exquisite experience they took the two ladies to the terminal for transport to the ship, bid them Bon Voyage and walked back along the Quai to the Hotel.

**

“Are you disappointed that we will not have the big honeymoon or the wedding with many, many friends?” Seb asked as they basked in the after-glow of loving each other tenderly.

Geena raised her head from his chest briefly and peered at him with love hazed eyes.

“Our day has been perfect, my brand new husband. Quiet, intimate, unique and so very special. Our lives will be one very long honeymoon so I don’t require a trip to some exotic place or hundreds of casual aquaintances who come to the party for the free drinks. I am sorry that it was impossible for our dearest friends to be here, but it will not be the last compromise we have to make in our lives and we will share our joy with them when we can….for now, I don’t want to share with anyone…just you.”

Long after darkness had crept over the city they shared a perfectly planned and served dinner of seafood delights on the small balcony of their suite, watching the yachts in the harbor and the lights of the large ships putting out to sea. They toasted the day and their love with fine wines and champagne and indulged in expressing their love once more, to the background of music that filtered up from the festivities in the square below. It was perfect, a party with thousands of participants , all of them unaware that they celebrated the union of the two lovers.

CHAPTER NINETY…TOYS & FEASTING

Maggie had her last visit with Dr. Mandel until after the trip to the U.S. and the start of the tour and he was very pleased with her progress. She had actually regained the weight she had lost before, reaching a total of 11 pounds gained so far since the beginning of her pregnancy.

All of the invalids were recovering nicely now, some even losing the majority of their bruises, the only evidence left, a slightly yellow tinge to some of the worst areas and those could be covered easily with makeup if needed.

In spite of the trauma of the avalanche it had been a good rest for the Divos, with the possible exception of Seb who had called to tell them of the wedding and the fact that he and Geena were doing a bit of touring on the Cote d’Azur before joining them as planned on the 19th in London. After the initial disappointment that he hadn’t told them of the plans, they realized why it had been kept secret and promised to celebrate when he returned.

The excitement was building…only a few last minute details needed attending and Il Divo would start their first World Tour. They read the reports of ticket sales with astonishment, received notice after notice from Sony BMG regarding being top of the charts in country after country, were speechless at the number of CD’s sold and when Seb browsed online and reported back to the others about the excited posts he read, the others had trouble believing him.

It became apparent that their popularity had increased when the 4 men went to attend a meeting at the office and were met with a swarm of fans at the entrance, all calling out to their favorites, all wanting autographs and photos. It was the start of something they hadn’t really expected and that called for new, more circumspect ways of spending their free time.

Word had also come from management that they should all be discreet about their personal relationships, that it was alright to mention that they were in committed relationships but it was preferred to not at this time admit that 3 out of the four were in fact married, happily.

Seb argued against this edict since he knew from his forays online that the fans would approve, that the bottom line was that most didn’t harbor any real hope of an attachment to their favorites…they merely wanted the guys to be happy. His opinion was noted but nothing was going to sway the wishes of management at the moment, so they all, reluctantly, agreed. It was early stages yet, a time for the Divos to feel their way, to gradually find out just how much control they could assume in this adventure.

The no-disclosure rule was something that they discussed on the flight to New York, the men all uncomfortable with it but no matter how much they talked there just were no easy answers. Everyone already knew about Gerry and since she hadn’t been able to accompany Carlos on this part of the tour that was not a problem. Geena, Petra and Paul, and Maggie were however with the guys and would be for at least the first week.

“So what do we do at the airport if there are fans waiting, like in London when we got back?” Seb had come over to crouch beside Urs seat, clearly not happy with having to deny that he had a brand new wife.

“Stop and sign autographs, I guess, while the girls go on to the transport,” David said, thinking about how they had almost been found out when he exited the plane in London carrying Paul, with his extra height spotting the fans and passing the little fellow to Pet and taking the luggage instead.

“I don’t like it… and I don’t think the fans will like it if we lie to them. They will accept our need for privacy, but outright lying…I don’t think so.” Urs was so upset that his frown had nearly created a unibrow.

“Guys, look….there’s really no need to lie. We can be discreet and if anyone asks a direct question just change the subject or refuse to answer…just tell them that you prefer to keep your private lives, private and change the subject.” Urs looked around to see how his logical solution felt to the others and saw relief on their faces.

“That should work…it takes more than one people-mover to transport everyone anyway so we just go on out and you catch up…and Steve handles the reservations at the Hotel except for check out…stop fretting about it guys, ‘Go with the flow’ as Stretch is so fond of saying.” Petra grinned at them, pleased with the American slang she had picked up.

Everyone returned to their seats as the flight attendants began serving dinner. Maggie could tell that Urs was still brooding, his shoulders hunched and brow still furrowed.

“I think Management is mis-reading the fan base, but I also think you have to go along with them for a while, Urs. Don’t let it upset you. God knows I don’t need to be publicly acknowledged, I’ve always hated to be in the spotlight. I just want to see you up on that stage, doing your best, sharing your talent with the world and then when I return home, sharing the experience with you anyway we can until you come home to me. It won’t be that long until the schedule has you back in Europe and that’s so close to home, only an hour or so away.”

He smiled at her and took her hand in his, raising it up to his mouth to kiss her fingers.

“You get more logical every day, Liebeling…it must be that pure Swiss air. And it may all be worrying for nothing anyway…there may not even be anyone at the airport.”

The checked luggage was not their responsibility so they went through customs lugging their rolling bags and headed for arrivals. The girls hung back as the automatic doors sprang open at their approach and they saw the throngs of people waiting for the arrival of loved ones. Suddenly signs popped up and a group of fans, 30 or more, began to cheer, calling out the names of the guys and waving …. The love-in had begun.

It was endearing, heart warming, touching to feel so much love and respect for the music they shared with these people and the 4 men stopped, smiling with genuine happiness as they signed and posed, chatted briefly, accepted flowers and small bags with gifts, shook hands thrust at them, trying to make eye contact with the women and girls who just wanted a moment of personal time, something to treasure while they listened to the CD’s they had purchased. In ten minutes they had managed to make everyone present happy and went on to the exit, waving and smiling, happy to hear the shouted ‘see you at the concert’ and ‘thank you’ as they went out to the people movers. The drivers stowed their gear and they buckled into seats for the ride to the city.

**

They had the rest of the day free, a treat since the next few were booked solid with appearances promoting the tour. Everyone went their own way, David to hook up with friends from his time of living in NY and working in the theatres there, Carlos off on some mysterious shopping trip, Sebastien letting Geena be tour guide since she had spent a lot of time in the city, while Maggie and Urs made a bee line for someplace he had always wanted to go…FAO Schwarz, the famous toy store.

They decided to walk off the sluggish muscles from the flight by walking to the Fifth Avenue store. Urs prepared a ‘disguise’, just in case the crowd at the airport wasn’t a one time thing: sunglasses, his hair in a ponytail which he tucked up inside of a baseball cap, a hoodie under his brown leather jacket, leather gloves to cover his wedding band, {he preferred not to take it off unless absolutely necessary} and his ‘emergency’ pair of chocolate brown cords that he had worn forever but only when all his jeans were in the laundry.

“You still look elegant,” Maggie teased when they were riding down in the elevator, looking very urbane herself in sleek black leather boots, a warm black merino pant suit, black faux fur hat and bright green scarf and gloves with her black wool coat.

Urs checked his map to orient himself and they headed out on the busy streets toward the store, daring to hold hands as they talked about items in the windows they passed, Maggie teasing that she probably should put a leash on him before they got in the store or they would have to put an extension on the house to hold all the toys he would buy.

In 20 minutes they were in front of the store, gazing up at the displays in the windows. Urs read some of the information from the brochure.

“It was established, on this street but down a bit, as a small toy store in 1870 by an immigrant, Frederick August Otto Schwarz and moved here, across for Bergdorf’s 7 years later. Since then it has become world famous and now is accredited as having the best selection and most unusual high end toys in the world. And I’ve always wanted to go in, never more than now with the Baby to shop for. Let’s go.”

He grinned and she couldn’t help but respond to his delight, took his hand and they entered to look around at the marvelous displays. A little stuffed bear held a place of honor with an interactive program that told visitors where to find everything in the store but they didn’t use it since they wanted to see it all.

The first floor was filled with stuffed animals from the tiniest to ones that were life sized, like the giraffe that towered over everyone in the endangered animals area and the lion with the soft fluffy mane that stood near him.

They missed nothing…except the Barbie display that didn’t really interest either of them. They laughed entering the book store through the Giant Green Monsters’ legs, road the elevator cleverly concealed in the back of the 20 foot tall robot, played the keys of the floor keyboard piano with their feet, pet dozens of lifesized stuffed animals and wondered if David had ever been in the Spce room with all the Star Wars gear.

Urs set a new world land speed record with his credit card, having it out and imprinting within the first 4 minutes. When they finshed in the book store and went on to the learning toys for infants, he didn’t even bother to put it back in his pocket.

A sales rep had been assigned to him after the first purchase of games for the school, some for the farm, when he requested that all of his purchases today would be using the services offered by the store of shipping everything home….he explained that he was starting a world tour and couldn’t take what he wanted to buy with him.

The LEGGO room stopped him in his tracks and they spent nearly an hour in there, finally decided on what he absolutely had to have and finally Maggie lead him out and down to the street again, rushing him to the nearest Starbucks for an infusion of very strong coffee.

He grinned at her as she sat with a bemused smile on her face, thinking that she had never seen such a rapt, little boy look on his mobile face before…and that it was refreshing to see. If only his fans, or even family could have been there to see calm, implacable Urs fondling stuffed animals and nearly drooling over boxes of Lego…what an eyeopener that would have been.

“I’ve always been the serious one in the family, the one who got sensible presents for birthdays and Christmas… I remember when I was in grade school and one of my friends got Leggo for Christmas…I wanted some so bad but I didn’t say anything. We didn’t have a lot of money, not that we were poor…there was always a roof over our heads and clothes and food and a lot of fun, but I was the eldest and my fun had to include the others…presents were clothes and tools and things needed for school, then whatever was left over went for dolls for the girls or bikes to get back and forth to school and to jobs…I guess I kind of went over board a bit.”

Maggie smiled and took his hand to give it a squeeze.

“So does that mean you won’t share the Leggo with me? The kids at the school will go ballistic over those games…and the Baby will likely be able to read by the age of two, just being in the room with all those books. Seriously, I’m glad we went to the store, Urs, and I don’t regret anything we bought. Did you notice that there’s a music box inside that toy soldier and you can change the CD? And the Toucan actually plays jungle sounds…how appropriate that will be when we read the Jungle Book to the Baby…. And…”

He turned his hand over to squeeze hers and lost his grin, replacing it with a look of love. “I love you…you understand so quickly exactly what I’m feeling, even now when most people would think I’ve been childish.”

She watched his eyes change and smiled, nodding and slipping off the stool, waiting while he paid the cheque and walking beside him with her arm around his waist and his on her shoulders, going back to the Hotel for some private time before dinner.

**

Since this to be the last really free night for the group they decided to go all out…fancy dinner at a very good restaurant with the works, wine, desserts, more wine, chosen by Seb of course as the resident wine expert. Steve was asked to go along and Gary from the band whose wife had arrived from Ohio for a few days, the rest of the crew arriving closer to concert date.

They left the choice up to David and he told them all to not have snacks since the portions where he was taking them were very generous, that they should be dressy/casual and nothing else, except to be in the lobby, ready to go at 8 sharp, the time when the Hotel approved sitter would come to stay with Paul.

Maggie wore her lacy black silk two piece and her Aguamarine jewelry from Christmas, her hair tamed and coiled at her nape, an elegant look that complimented the Armani suit that skimmed Urs body perfectly and the concert mode hair, only curling in the bottom few inches above his black silk shirt. Both were rosey cheeked and bright eyed from the cold walk to and from the store…and maybe a bit of a glow from the passion they had shared after returning.

Steve frowned when he saw them crossing the lobby, so obviously in love that any one who looked wouldn’t have to wonder who the pregnant woman with the tenor was. He didn’t agree with the management edict either but had no real say in the decisions…his job was to see that everything fell into place properly and sometimes it was not what he would have chosen.

Fortunately it seemed that no one was paying any attention…no cameras were present, no cluster of fans with pens in hand…he said nothing to spoil their happy mood as Maggie said something and Urs laughed, bending down to kiss her lightly just before they joined the group.

All ten piled into the roomy limo, considered the most convenient way to move 10 people around the city, and only 15 minutes later they pulled up at the lighted entrance to the Churrascaria Plataforma, a trendy Brazilian restaurant on 49th Avenue.

The reservation was for 8:30 but their table was ready and they left coats at the cloak room to enter the spacious environment, enjoying the décor of old brick walls adorned with paintings and Brazilian artifacts, huge vases of flowers spaced through out and tables with crisp linens fronted by soft beige leather chairs. Copper, brass and marble was the main theme through out, from the huge marble center island that housed a lavish buffet of salad bar and hot appetizers to the copper covers and serving utensils. Waiters in white shirt, bolo ties and long white aprons over black pants circled the busy establishment with 3 foot long skewers of flame grilled meat, a large, wickedly sharp, machete type of knife in the other hand, stopping here and there to slice off some beef, pork, lamb, or chicken for the diners.

The waiter explained how the dinner was served after everyone had been seated comfortably.

On the table at each place setting was a coaster sized piece of plastic with a large red circle on one side and a green one on the other. The meal was served ‘Ao seu prazer’ or ‘at your pleasure’. Guests were welcome to sample from the marble buffet table once they had placed their beverage orders and were ready, as much or as little as was desired and when they were ready for the main course were asked to turn the coaster over so that the green side was showing. At that time a variety of side dishes would be brought to the table and the waiters would stop by on their rounds, offering to cut off the hot, succulent meat servings from the skewers they carried back and forth from grill to table in a never ending stream…they could pause at any time by merely turning back to red. The specialities this night was whole roasted game hens, marinated in red wine and grilled and Giant Scampi with a garlic and clarified butter dipping sauce, of course in addition to all the regular fare of beef, lamb, pork and seafoods.

The sommelier came to the table and discussed wines with Seb, bowed as he left to fill the request and the now ravenously hungry diners rose to peruse the buffet.

This was not your normal, run of the mill salad bar…a chef was on hand to prepare rice balls with marinated seafood, a cooked brazilian type of sushi, and nearly every vegetable imaginable was offered, raw, steamed perfectly, mixed in salads, as a side with a steaming Paella…curried lamb that promised to make your eyes tear was beside delicately sculpted quail eggs, adjacent to red or black caviar on whisper thin wafers or crunchy slices of cucumber and topped with capers. There were just too many wonders to sample them all, so each person chose what looked wonderful and went back to the table, maybe to share.

“I may move in here instead of staying in the Hotel,” Maggie said as she sampled some of the seafood. “I wonder if they would give me the recipe for this…”

David chortled, nearly choking on his curried lamb as his eyes began to stream.

“I can’t believe how domesticated you are lately, Mags…and if you learn how to make this dish be prepared to pass out fire extinguishers with it.”

“Serves you right, Davey…they warned you that it was hot. And be careful…that almost sounded snide about Maggie liking cooking…she can probably still take you.” Petra had some sympathy for him though and passed him his wine glass to cool his throat.

Maggie grinned at him, sneaking a cucumber slice off Urs plate and groaning at the perfect taste of the caviar.

“I found out I really like cooking…never had the opportunity before so now that I have this new passion, I’m constantly on the lookout for recipes….Urs are you going to eat that last one?”

“Yes…I was going to eat the one you already stole too…it’s a good thing I love you…the last person that tried that ended up with my fork in his hand.”

“Give up, Urs, next she’ll play the pregnancy card and there is no defense for that one,” Steve smiled begninly at her as Urs passed over his last bit of caviar and rose to drop a kiss on her head before going back for more.

They had finished the first round of wine when all decided to go for the main course and the table was loaded with small dishes of condiments and side dishes: creamy mashed potatoes, rice steamed with coconut milk, fired polenta and plantain, Farofa which was a cassava meal and Pao de quejo, an addictive cheese bread, still warm from the oven. Then the skewers of tender meat, perfectly done over open flame, began to arrive.

Many bottles of wine and a considerable amount of excellent food later, they eyed the dessert cart and ‘forced’ themselves to pick selections from it. Carlos had planned on checking out a few of the clubs but even he was too sated for anything energetic and by just after midnight they were all back at the Hotel, just a bit tipsy, very full and ready for a good night before the start of work in the morning.

CHAPTER NINETY-ONE

They were up early the next morning, the guys to shower and get ready for the first event of the day, an appearance on a Morning TV show. It was barely 5:30 when Urs had his first coffee, taking a sip and then going back to shaving while Maggie sat on the counter where he had lifted her and watched.

“We should be back around 3 for a couple of hours and to change, likely to shave again then on to the studio for a late show with… with…somebody that I should know but I forget. I hope they have some new questions this time…I’m already tired of the same old ones at every interview.”

“Use the old interviewer or psychologists trick…answer a question with a question and they won’t know what to say.”

He laughed at the idea, the mirth not quite reaching his eyes.

“Are you nervous? About the interviews or about the concerts?”

He met her eyes in the mirror and smiled a bit.

“Not much gets past you does it? Yes, about the concerts….you see the crowds are different…when I sang with the chorale there was not a sound in the venue…no one sang along or called out or clapped between tracks…they appreciated what we were doing but the applause only came at the end. This is so different, the way the fans react, during, before, after…I don’t really know how to act.”

“Don’t.”

He stopped shaving and stood staring at her eyes with his razor held in mid air.

“Don’t ACT…REACT…if what you are singing reaches your heart, let them see it, share it with you…if what the fans are giving back to you makes you happy, let them see how you feel…your music is something to be enjoyed…let them share it with you, while you perform it for them…let it become an act of love that you give from your heart, through your amazing talents, to share willingly with the fans you love so they can love you back. That’s all they want, Urs and it’s what you need. Music is your passion…let the audience see that, feel it, experience it with you.”

“You know what it’s like, don’t you…the nerves before you go on stage, then the music kind of sweeps everything away and you feel it right to your soul…we all feel like that, even Seb though he is from the pop world. We don’t want to look like a bunch of robots just standing there, that’s why we decided to move around on the stage a bit.”

“And it’s a wise thing …let the audience see how happy you are to be there, how the music makes you feel and how eager you are to connect with them. Just get up there and sing as you were born to and just be you, no pretenses, just a real man with an incredible talent, reaching out to real people who want to feel the music, want to regain some romance in their lives.”

He put the razor down and hugged her, getting shaving cream on her cheek from his half done shave.

“I’m so glad I have you to talk to. I’m supposed to be the cool, moody one, quiet and keeping to himself but sometimes I just need to hear what I already know or have someone to listen to what I need to say.”

“And sometimes you just have to hurry or you’ll tarnish your reputation for being on time. If you lift me down, I’ll go get your clothes ready, Swiss, and you better get that gorgeous face done.”

The week went much the same every day with the guys going out early for appearances, coming back to rest a bit and change and then out again in the evening. Petra, Maggie and Geena with little Paul usually along, spent their time together mostly, shopping, doing the tourist things of seeing the sights, joining the guys for dinner, often just in the Hotel dining room or in one of the suites.

Free time was precious, as it would be when the tour actually started and the couples treasured it, spending it quietly, building memories for the soon to come time when the girls had to return to their other lives while the singers soldiered on. There was a sense of anticipation about the tours and on the day when they made the journey to Connecticut for the opening concert the next night, the happy tension among the group was a constant presence.

They checked into the Hotel, took a drive past the venue, went for a quiet dinner in a small Italian place that had been recommended to Steve and crashed early, each of the singers needing some alone time with their ladies before the big day.

Carlos called Geraldine the moment he had his suit off and lay back in the King sized bed in his suite. She was waiting for his call, though it was very early morning away across the ocean in Madrid.

“So, my dove…how did your performance go tonight? I thought of you often and wished you could have been close enough for me to touch your soft mouth.”

She laughed, the sound vibrating in his body as he pictured her, lying in her lonely bed, her eyes sleepy, just like they were after they had made love.

“I knew how you would feel this night and almost had to have my understudy take the third act for me, my stomach was in such knots. I wish I could be there for you, Carlito.”

“As do I, my Love, but we have survived many other openings and this one will go well too…we are ready, the response will be there if the number of tickets sold and the crowds waiting for autographs at our appearances is any indication. It is amazing…everywhere we go there is a crowd waiting, even in the bitter cold of this country…yesterday it was even snowing and still they were waiting.”

“And I will be waiting for your call after the concert, no matter what the time…I will be here, in our bed…I think I will wear that little black nightie that you find so appealing…”

They talked for another few minutes, until neither could stand the longing and said good night, coping with the sexual frustration as they always had and dreaming of each other as they fell asleep.

**

Sebastien showed Geena the e.mail he had received from Ricky and she smiled at the thoughtful gesture. They had been in touch often, sometimes by landline, sometimes through IM’s or e.mails. He was ecstatic when they let him know that they were now married, especially since they had sent a photo of them taken by Maman just after the ceremony. Of course he would be coming to the concert, perhaps several when they returned to the UK and though he admitted that his tastes ran more to the classical genre, he did enjoy their CD’s. Seb had arranged for him to join the Summer Nights part of the tour as an official photographer and the teen was hardly able to keep from counting down the days.

They were ready for bed and indulging in the chocolate that the turn down service had left on their pillows when Geena, out of the blue, dropped her bombshell.

“I want a baby…”

Seb stood frozen staring at her across the expanse of smooth sheets and a smile slowly crept over his handsome face.

“Just like that? I think it will happen, when it happens, mon cher…you know that…we can help by being very diligent and by banishing protection from our lives, but…”

She grinned at him.

“I’m just warning you, so you can get used to the idea…I stopped taking the pill and if you look in your kit bag there isn’t a foil package to be seen…I threw them all out…. I know you like children Seb and you would be such a good father…”

He had climbed on the bed and walked across to her, lifting her up to join him and kissing her mouth hungrily to stop her rambling speech. Very gently he lowered them both to the embrace of the soft bed and consumed her, leaving no more breath for talking, just emotions that raged and soared, answering her unspoken question…YES! He was ready for a baby too.

**

David didn’t bother to set his alarm or ask for a wake up call…after all he had Paul with him who was more reliable than any clock, even with the time change of crossing the ocean to the U.S. the little boy still never slept beyond 7a.m. It was almost as if his wee body was attuned to the sun and woke the instant there was even a hint of the new day dawning.

He checked the Baby Monitor one last time as he clicked the light off and held his arms out for Petra. She assumed her usual position of molding herself to his side with her head on his chest, one long leg thrown over his.

“What time is sound check, tomorrow?” she asked while her fingers lightly trickled over his ribs.

“Three…that gives us lots of time if there are any glitches and time to rest before going back for the concert. I just hope this storm doesn’t mess things up.”

It had been snowing heavily when they arrived at the Hotel, apparently a major winter storm had hit all the way up and down the eastern seaboard.

“There are some things even Il Divo management can’t orchestrate,” she said with a smile he could feel against his chest.

“I know…we just have to go with the flow…or roll with the punches…there’s another slang term for your new vocabulary.”

He laughed and tightened his arm around her shoulders.

“Are you nervous? About the concert, that is…”

“Strangely, No…I likely will be just before we go on, but right now…no. Urs and I talked about it and he told me some advice that Maggie gave him...it made sense…she said to just be ourselves and let the audience see how much we are enjoying performing and sharing with them. He’s lucky to have a wife who has gone through this sort of thing with her students. And I’m lucky to have one who turns me on without even trying.”

She laughed as he rolled her over and kissed her into submission. Not that it was a difficult job, but he tackled it with such enthusiasm that in seconds she was a willing participant, shelving any further talk until the morning.

**

She felt Urs muscles rippling as he held her, standing by the bed, his hands cupping her bottom, arms under her spread legs that could feel his biceps straining with effort, her hands gripping his shoulders firmly as she leaned back, his hips rocking, pumping his shaft inside, where she needed him to be, with each thrust rubbing his groin against her throbbing clitoris, driving her higher with want.
“NOW!! Maggie…Come with me now!!” Urs growled, throwing his head back, eyes closing in rapture, body straining as he poured into her, felt her breathe one word, ‘URS!!’, then the spasms as her body joined his in orgasm, squeezing him in a painful pleasure that made him gasp and moan. He bent forward slowly, laying her on the bed, still joined as he rolled them onto their sides and let the waves consume them for long, delicious minutes.

“If I could move, I’d put a big star beside that one…. That was incredible…you were incredible…” Urs said referring to the what they had just tried from the sheet of suggested positions for comfortable lovemaking while pregnant.

Maggie just smiled, not capable of more at the moment.

He groaned as he sat up, gently unwrapping her legs from around him and leaning forward to rest his head on her bump. He felt the fluttering inside her womb and smiled, picturing their child lazily swimming, thinking again that he should ask Yanni about a pool and what installing one would entail.

His hand trailed over her smooth leg and he chuckled.

“Mein gott, I do good work,” he bragged and laughed when she giggled, remembering how he had offered to ‘play barber’ when she complained that it was getting difficult to use her razor on her legs. It had been a sensual experience, for both of them, made more so when he insisted, with smokey eyes and ‘The Look’, that she might want to go swimming in the Hotel pool, so there was another area that should be attended to. That, of course, had escalated to trying Position 7 on the instruction sheet and the lethargic after-glow they were feeling at the moment.

He softened and slid free, his member still tingling, just as her sex was he found when he dried her off with a tissue and felt her quiver. He indulged in a tender invasion of her soft mouth, humming contentedly when he could still taste his body on her tongue, sharing the taste of her body that lingered on his lips, thinking that not only was his eager little wife always eager to accept this part of lovemaking but she tasted better than any woman he had ever been allowed to sample…tart yet sweet, almost like peaches.

Reluctantly Urs fluffed up the pillows and moved Maggie properly onto them, sliding down beside her and pulling the covers over their cooling bodies.

“I’m going to miss you when you go home. I try not to think about it but…”

“We will only be as far apart as cyber space, Luv. You know I’ll be available to you anytime, Millie or my little ‘puter will always be with me. And you’ll be so busy…the time will fly.”

“Maggie I’m really going to try to be there for you when the baby comes…and for me too. I long to see our child, to help with the delivery.”

“Then I’ll just have to keep my legs crossed until a date when you can make it.”

He roared with laughter, that she quickly stifled with her hand over his mouth, at the thought of her giving their unborn baby strict instructions to wait for him.

“Urs, if for some reason you can’t make it in time, just know that you will be there, in my heart. And there will be other deliveries, other times when you can be present. The first sounds that our child will hear is your voice, singing to him in welcome.”

“The CD I made for you…..now who is the romantic one?”

“I learned from the Master…Ich Liebe sie, my Swiss Lover.”

She snuggled against him and closed her eyes, needing sleep but mostly wanting him to rest for the tension of the next day. She felt a pang of sadness at the thought that she would have to leave in a few short days, would have to endure so much time without him near enough to touch, to share everyday moments with. Quickly she pushed those thoughts to the back of her mind…there would be time enough to cope with that when she was back at Irgendwo, their own special Somewhere.

**

Steve came for the girls and led them down the aisles to the front row of the venue, seated them with a whispered ‘someone will come for you when it’s over’ and left in a rush to go back stage.

They had all dressed nicely for tonight, colors that would be visible from the stage though they didn’t want the guys to spend an inordinate amount of time looking at them….this was their night and they were all happy to just be part of the crowd.

Geena was nervous as a cat, clutching the program they had each been given with sweaty hands.

“I’d rather do surgery for 6 hours than this…I’m so nervous that everything will go well.”

“Of course it will…can’t you feel the energy off the crowd? They are ready to be thrilled and give love back. You’ll see.” Petra was firmly entrenched in her Mother mode, determined to think only positive thoughts.

Of the three, Maggie appeared the calmest, though he heart was in her mouth when the orchestra began the overture and the house lights dimmed, ready for the entrance of the singers at the top of the steps, each coming forward between the pillars, back lit for effect.

The music swelled, the lights at the back of the stage flared and as if by magic, the outlines of the men of Il Divo appeared. Seb’s voice caressed the opening lines of RAM and the first concert began.

It was a heady mixture of emotions that swept the 3 women up as the concert progressed. The music, the easy banter between the men, the thrall in which they held the audience, the way the fans sang along with them…voices called out ‘We love you Switzerland’ and Urs answered with a huge, crinkled eye smile… ‘We love you too’…Seb sang directly to a few of the fans, kissed the hand of one who had almost become over zealous. The guys moved easily about the stage, waving at the fans that they couldn’t really see in the tiers, sending smiles and blinky winks and sitting on the edge of the stage to sign autographs and shake hands to the absolute delight of their thrilled fans. Roses were thrown, encores sung, rose petals fell from the sides onto the Divos and the fans and during it all glances were sent to the 3 mesmerized women who followed every move with carefully restrained pride.

Just before they all joined to take a collective bow to the cheering audience, Maggie saw Urs place his hand over his heart where she knew his wedding band resided safely in a small inside pocket and he looked directly at her with a smile that lit up his eyes and made her heart beat faster.

They said good night and went up the steps to disappear, Seb and Urs exchanging a High Five just as they reached the top and then they were gone….. the first concert was over, but the adventure had just begun.

CHAPTER NINETY-TWO

They had a day off to recover from the euphoria of the successful first concert and for the trip to Boston for the second. Once again the venue was sold out, though bigger than the 5,000 seat Chevrolet Centre. The weather was still vile, not quite as snowy here but still not ideal conditions. It didn’t matter though since the Divos needed to recover from the lack of sleep and tension of opening night. Now that it was out of the way with such an outstanding result, they could relax and prepare for the dates to come.

The next few days was a precursor of what the guys would have to deal with over the next months…sleep when possible, remember to squeeze in a touch of nutrition, as much as could be found in the hotel restuarants by judicious selections from the menus, promotional appearances on local TV shows, in makeup, out of makeup, sound check, meet and greets, rest before the performance, makeup again, the concert and the wind down, often on the way to the next venue.

Each concert seemed like the first, the audience new and reacting slightly differently, the banter the same but embellished as the guys grew more comfortable with the set, the adulation, the energizing feedback they received each time and the fact that most of them had not only each other but their loved ones to share with after.

By the time they reached Toronto on February 5th, the Divos were old hands at the routine and prepared to relish one of the few days off they would have.

It was especially poignant for Urs since Simon had arranged for him to meet with Yvie.

Urs asked Maggie to go with him and they prepared carefully, dressing appropriately since they would be, to outside eyes, going to mass at the lovely old Our Lady of Lourdes Cathedral on Sherbourne Street, relatively close to the Hotel.

He was nervous, his hands just a bit clammy and twitching now and then as he twined his with Maggie’s and they climbed the few steps along with other parishoners, to the large front entrance.

Urs guided her to the font for the traditional request for blessing with Holy water, then to a back pew where, as per instructions, three Sisters occupied the bench, spread just a bit apart and kneeling in prayer. They waited a moment until the black, modern clad Nuns regained their seats and bunched up, indicating that there was plenty of room for them to sit.

Before they had time to do more than commune very briefly with their Maker, one of the Sister, nodded imperceptively to Urs and excused herself and they followed, moving quickly down a side passage that was almost unnoticeable behind a pillar, through a door way that she locked behind them, down another passage into an older part of the cathedral and down a few steps to yet another door.

This one was locked and the Sister opened it with a key that she drew out of concealed pocket in her calf length habit, smiling at the nervous couple and softly telling them they were almost at their destination.

This time they went along a passageway with overhead lighting, stepped through a doorway at the end and went up a few steps into a part of the residence attached to the church. A man and a woman lounged against the hallway, relaxed, but alert, dressed in street clothing and nodded at Urs and Maggie as they recognized the couple who had been authorized to meet with their charge. The man reached over to open the door to the nearest room, the sister smiled and excused herself and Urs and Maggie entered the tidy room.

This was a cleric’s cell, austere, windowless and bland, equipped with a cot for sleeping, a desk for studies and a small wardrobe for the few items of clothing that were deemed necessary. A man and a woman stood in the dim light of the single overhead bulb and she threw herself across the room with a muffled cry.

“Urs!!”

He couldn’t stop the tears as he wrapped his arms around his beloved little sister, absorbing her weeping into his shirt, her strong grip around his ribs so welcome after so much time, so many terrible happenings, so much worry. She felt solid and warm against him, laughing now and looking up at him with happy, though wet, eyes, drinking in the sight of his dear face.

“You look good,” he said as he stroked his hand over her shorter hair and the flush that was coming back into her cheeks. “Stronger, not so much the terrified little girl I saw last.”

“And you’re different too…. The stress is gone from your eyes…Urs you look happy…it’s a good look for you.”

Urs looked over to Maggie where she leaned against the wall with glistening eyes, watching the tender scene.

“Yvie, this is Maggie…the reason I look happy….. I don’t know how much news you’ve received from home…Maggie and I were married on my birthday last year…. And we expect our first child in mid April.”

Maggie and Yvette exchanged smiles and hugs, assessing each other and both liking what they saw. Frank was introduced, the big man easy with the introductions, on the surface, relaxing when he realized that Urs was prepared to like him.

“How much time do we have?” Frank asked when they had finished with the preliminaries of hand shaking and hugging.

“Until Mass is over, then you and Yvie will leave through the residence with the guards from CASPAR and we will go back to join the congregation leaving through the main doors of the cathedral.”

Urs took Maggie’s hand and led her to the cot to sit, a bit concerned since he knew that prolonged standing made her ankles swell.

“You alright, Liebe?” he asked, hovering a bit.

“Perfect… don’t mother me, Urs…I’ll let you know if I need help.”

Yvie laughed and Urs thought that it was the first time in years he had heard that happy sound coming from her.

“Some things never change… nurturing comes naturally to this man, Maggie… he’s like Papa in that regard.”

They spent the next hour catching up on everything that had gone on in their lives. Maggie and Urs touched briefly on how they met, on the operation that had restored her sight, on the farm, on the touring that Il Divo was just starting and their success to date and news of the family. In return Frank and Yvie shared their meeting, the studies they were involved in and their future plans.

“We want to take over the farm from Frank’s parents when we finish at George Brown…Frank has quite a bit saved up from his military pay and if we work hard we should be able to make a success of it. CASPAR has suggested applying to a foundation called RyanAgro for a low interest loan to get started and so far we’ve had a good response to our plans. If that doesn’t come through it will be harder but we’ll manage. Hard work never killed anybody.”

She wondered at the glance Urs gave Maggie but her new sister-in-law just smiled and nodded.

“With that attitude I’m sure you’ll do just fine. I’m very happy for both of you, Yvie. Isn’t it wonderful what a difference finding your soul mate makes in how you think about the world?”

All too soon one of the guards tapped on the door and it was time to take leave of each other.

“Take care of my brother and of your son, Maggie,” Yvie said as she hugged her one more time.

Maggie laughed.

“You sound just like Mami and Tante Sofia…they think the baby is a boy too.”

“And they are usually right…you don’t know how wonderful it is to know that you’ve met them…just hearing you talk about my dear family makes it easier to bear until I can see them all again.”

Urs didn’t give Frank any instructions about caring for Yvie but the smile and the firm handshakes between the men spoke as words would not have been able.

One last hug of his sister and the men each claimed his woman with a possessive arm around shoulders. They nodded at each other in unspoken understanding…..Urs and Maggie went out first, joined by the same Sister for the guidance back to the cathedral. When Urs looked back he was just in time to see the second of the two guards passing through a doorway, taking the young couple to their transport. He was suddenly struck by a random thought… except for the judicious caution that had been taken, not once in the hour long meeting had the spector of Laurenz overshadowed the conversation …he smiled as he thought of it, relieved that the evil man no longer dominated quite so much of their lives.

**

The Toronto concert was especially meaningful for Urs. It was the last night that Maggie would be with him and he had arranged for Yvie, Frank and the 2 young, female agents from the house to attend, seating them in the first tier on his side of the stage. He knew he wouldn’t be able to pay them any special attention but Yvie had been so delighted to be allowed to attend that he felt it was worth all the arrangements that needed to be made for her safety.

At first when he peeked out of the curtains from the side of the stage he thought that someone else had occupied the seats but then her recognized Frank, sitting beside a pretty blonde on one side with an attractive, rangy brunette beside her and another brunette on the other side of him. He laughed at himself as he realized that the blonde was in fact Yvie, wearing a realistic blonde wig and glasses. She looked awed as she watched Hayley Westenra doing her opening performance and he chuckled to himself, thinking that his little sister had never heard or seen him perform as she was about to. She had told him in the cell that they had all the CD’s at the house but seeing and hearing them live was an entirely different, more enhanced experience.

Several times he stole quick glances in her direction, not long enough to be obvious but enough to see that she was thrilled with the performance and it lifted his spirits, making his heart lighter, his voice more enriched than ever. He wondered, fleetingly if he could throw the rose that far at the end of the concert but decided not to try. It would center any watcher’s attention on the young blonde woman and of course that was not something he wanted. Instead he paid one of the roadies to go to a florists and send 2 dozen yellow roses to the address where she was staying, paying cash and enclosing a card with just OOS written on it, the only pronunciation she could manage of his name when she had been tiny….she would understand.

Back in the Hotel after the concert they were busy packing, Urs with his small rolling luggage and Maggie putting away everything since she would be leaving at nearly the same time for her flight to London and then on to Lucerne.

“Urs, maybe I could stay just a few more days,” she began as she reluctantly folded her lacy pink dress and placed it in her larger case.

He stopped what he had been doing and watched her for a few minutes.

The past week had been hectic and he was tired but Maggie was exhausted though she wouldn’t ever have admitted it to him. Every day he had come home to the current hotel room and she had been there to welcome him, to soothe his tired muscles with loving massage, to cradle his weary body against hers as he napped before the evening performance, his refuge and haven from the outside world…and the pace had taken it’s toll on her. She wore just a bit more makeup, trying to hide the dark circles under her luminous eyes, her step was becoming more and more ponderous and he worried that she had lost weight again…not anything that anyone else would notice but he knew every inch of her, every nuance of her actions, her voice, her looks. She needed to go home and he needed for her to go so he would be more at peace, sure that under the watchful eyes of Heidi and Mami she would be fine.

“Luv, I thought you had arranged to see the puppies this week?”

“But…”

He came over and took her in his arms, holding her against him and kissing the top of her head.

“Alright…the bottom line is I need you to be at home, back where I know you are safe and getting the rest you need. You know I’m right about this, my little Luv…I can see how tired you are and I can’t let you stay here to take care of me. If I start worrying about you then neither of us will be doing our jobs. Go home and take care of our baby and yourself. I will miss you but at least then I won’t worry. We’ll talk every day, just like we planned and it won’t be long until I’m home.”

She sighed and hugged him tight then looked up and smiled.

“I hate it when you’re right and I don’t have any logical argument to fall back on. And you are right. I’m being all hormonal and needy and I’m sorry. Promise me that you won’t do anything silly, like not eat properly or not get enough sleep…or be tempted by any of those women that I see staring at you with longing.”

He laughed and cupped her face with his warm, soft hands, a musician’s hands with long fingers, a few calluses from the guitar and the nails on his right hand just a bit longer for plucking strings.

“Now why would I be tempted by them? They probably don’t have any idea how to do Position 7…and then of course there’s Position 8.”

“Urs, we haven’t even got to 8 yet…”

He kissed her gently, smiled then let his hands wander, ever so softly.

“Finish your packing, Woman…there’s still time.”

**

They were both tired in the morning but neither complained. The night had been well spent, talking, loving, cuddling, planning and loving again until they both slept for a few hours before the wakeup call from the front desk. As a team they showered and finished packing the odds and ends still scattered, neatly, around the suite, ate a skimpy breakfast of fruit, coffee and rolls and were down at the front desk to check out before any of the others.

Petra, Paul and Geena were staying for another 5 days, so only Maggie’s luggage was set aside to be checked into the London flight and they boarded the transport for the half hour trip to the airport. Urs and Maggie sat together, uncaring about the frown they received from Steve, determined to spend every last second that they could together.

The transport sped along the Gardiner Expressway to the 427 Highway going north and it wasn’t long until they could see the odd plane in the air and the signs indicating the turn off to Pearson Airport. Maggie’s flight was on the International level so she was dropped off first and Urs went with her, ignoring Steve’s complaints with a brusque ‘I’ll catch up with you…am I ever late?’

Check in was easy since she was flying first class and Urs had requested assistance for her so she wouldn’t have to walk too far dragging her rolling luggage. He went as far as security would let him then pulled her into a little alcove, behind a screen while the attendant courteously turned her back to give them some privacy.

“I’ve asked them to assist you with boarding and with your connection in the UK… don’t get all stubborn and fight me on this, Beloved. I need to do this for you, for me, so I don’t worry. Franz will be waiting for you at the airport in Luzern….call me the minute you get home, no matter what time it is.”

His darkened eyes scanned her face, memorizing the features and he cupped her cheeks in his hands as he lowered his mouth to her to taste the soft texture of her lips.

“Never doubt how much I love you, my own sweet wife,” he murmured, just loud enough for her to hear and kissed her tenderly, touching the inside of her mouth and lips with his tongue, seeking a taste to savor for the next weeks when he would only have memories and photos to fill his heart.

He was wearing his ring, as he always did when not on stage and when he released her mouth, she turned her head to kiss the wedding band, looking up at him through her wet lashes and whispering ‘I love you, my Swiss’.

One last gentle kiss and he turned and walked back into the departure lounge. She watched him go, that long, easy, cat-like prowl that made heads turn to stare at him. At the corner he paused and swiveled the top of his body to look back at her, raising a hand in answer to her little wave and sending her one last blinky wink that made her laugh with happiness. Then he was gone and she turned to the attendant with a smile, ready, if not really willing, to go home.

CHAPTER NINETY-THREE

Maggie calculated the time between Willisau and Montreal when Franz had kissed her cheek and left to return home. He had been happy to see her and to hear how well the concerts were going, even happier that they had seen Yvette and listened intently while she told him how his sister had looked, what she had said, what her boyfriend was like and most importantly to him, what Urs’ opinion of this new man in her life was.

“Urs likes him, Franz. He thinks he’s a good man…and his record checks out. He certainly seems to make her happy.”

“Well that’s Okay then. Urs can usually spot a phony.”

She smiled now as she thought of it.

It was very late, nearly 1 a.m., and Heidi and Kostas were already in bed, the lights in the cottage out, but a note was on the counter and some of the house lights had been left on to welcome her home.

‘Welcome home….Sleep in a bit in the morning and when I hear you up I’ll bring some breakfast up to you with an extra mug for me so we can have a chat. I’m anxious to hear all about the trip. I took a little snack and a thermos up for you…I know what airline food is like, even in first class. H.’

It would be just before 8 p.m. in Montreal, almost time for the divos to be going on stage. Urs had likely just finished makeup so there was still time to call him.

She fished her mobile out of her handbag as she walked up the stairs to her suite, thinking how empty the house seemed without him here. The lights were on in their suite and on the bedside table the first thing she noticed when she entered the room was a bouquet of red roses in a crystal vase with a note stuck under the frothy baby’s breath that brought out the deep red velvet of the rose petals.

She sat on the edge of the bed and opened the card. He must have planned this before they left for London since the handwriting was in his flowing scrawl.

“Click the CD player on Liebe, for you are my miracle and I love you more than life. Nothing can keep us apart… you are in my heart and fill me with love every time I take a breath. Your Urs”

She rose and clicked the CD on and punched in the programmed number of his mobile as the copy of the CD they had made for Mami filled the suite.

‘I will tell you all the things you yearn to know…’

The sound of his voice flooded her senses as he sang the opening lines of You Are My Miracle and far off in Montreal he answered on the first ring, as if he had been waiting for the call.

“Maggie?”

“Urs…the roses are beautiful….thank you my love…I was feeling down and now…it’s as if you are here singing to me….my own King of Romance.”

“I knew you would feel alone in that big empty house….. I am never far from you, my darling….just put your hand on your belly and feel the little part of me that grows inside of you.”

She lay back on their bed, curled onto her side, hugging his pillow to her as they talked.

“How is the house tonight?”

“Packed again…we go on in about 12 minutes…the guys are already out at the steps listening to Hayley but I knew you would call and wanted to wait. Call me tomorrow after you see the puppies. We sort of have the day off for travel back to New York…only one interview and that’s late in the day. Oh and I have a message from Petra for you…be sure to check Millie in the morning for a video clip….you’ll understand why when you see it.”

“Urs you probably will be called any minute…I love you, remember that and don’t worry about Baby and I …we will be here, healthy and happy, waiting for you….”

“Perfect timing Mein Frau…Gene just stuck his head in the door… I believe in the power of the love we share, Little wife….. that’s what makes me sure we can do this. Sweet dreams.”

Abruptly he was gone and she was left with his voice singing to her. Tears threatened for a moment but she choked them back, his words repeating in her mind…’I believe in the power of the love we share, Little wife….’

She left the music on as she got ready for bed, stopping to smell the roses as she slid into bed, listening to his voice crooning to her softly as the CD continued, now playing My Confession, a solo track with Urs singing in Italian, his pure lyric tenor vibrating right to her bones. She clicked the lights off, hugged his pillow against her body and closed her eyes, letting his voice soothe her into sleep.

**

It was the usual bedlam after the concert…changing into street clothing, collecting luggage and making sure nothing had been left behind, dodging the busy roadies as they tore the set down and packed it, ready for transport.

It wasn’t until they were in the plane and settling into their seats, when Urs opened the side pocket of his carryon luggage to get his IPod that he noticed the small foil wrapped items next to the portable music player and pulled them out for a better look.

He smiled, knowing immediately that she had put something in here for him to find after the concert.

The lumpy package felt like candy and his eyes lit up as he found that his guess had been correct…Godiva dark chocolates with a tiny card that simply said, ‘Use sparingly in times of emergency only’…the second package was tiny but heavy and appeared to be in a box. He ripped it open with his usual impatience given to gift wrapping. Inside was a black leather case with a clasp on the side and a delicate gold ribbon with a small card attached.

‘We are a family…we are with you always and will love you forever..
Maggie and Baby Buhler’

The exquisitely carved jade figurine cocooned in velvet inside was only a few inches high but done in such detail that every feature was clear: the rocking chair where the woman sat holding the child, wrapped in a lacy shawl, the man leaning over from behind the chair with one hand on the woman’s shoulder, their heads close to each other and his other hand with fingers extended, touching the uncovered hand of the baby who smiled at him. The artist had captured the aura of love that surrounded the little group and Urs felt his eyes moisten as he looked at it. How perfect…how very perfect for the times when he would feel disconnected, needing to tap into the awe that filled him whenever he looked at her or felt the child they were creating moving inside her body.

He held the slender case for a few moments longer, feeling a sense of peace filling his heart, the longing he had experienced after the concert of wanting to talk to her, to hold her close and share the euphoria of the night with her, easing. It was another memory to share when he returned home and he could wait.

He slipped the leather case into his carryon and donned his IPod, searching through the tracks until he found the CD they had taped together and click on it, settled back in the seat and lost himself in the music.

**

‘Tristan says: NY looks strange wrapped in snow like this…it’s freezing cold and windy and every one outside looks like Eskimos, they are so bundled up.

Ceol says: Make sure you copy them, Liebe…we don’t want any parts to get frozen and fall off…I saw the puppies today and one of them waddled over to to me right away, a little male…he’s adorable and whined until I picked him up and cuddled him…Daffy didn’t mind, just lay back with a kind of satisfied look on her face…I think she approves of his choice of friend.

Tristan says: Love at first sight…does it remind you of someone else you had the same effect on? LOL What are you going to name him?

Ceol says: I think of all the names we talked about ‘Cosmo’ fits him best…it’s what came to mind the minute I picked him up…I’ve sent you a picture of him…do you remember how to access it?

Tristan says: I just click on accept…right?

Ceol says: Welcome to the computer world, Luv…Right and well done….I also saw Dr. Mandel today and he is very pleased…I’m up 16 pounds and everything looks good…I need another ultra sound next week…I’ll try to get them to send you a copy on line but you may need to get Seb to help you download that.

Tristan says: I miss you…and I miss getting kicked during the night…but the sculpture helps…I keep it beside the bed, take it with me everywhere so I can touch it and feel the jade warm under my fingers, just like your soft skin does when I caress you…I haven’t shown it to the guys…you know how they tease me about being too corny and romantic

Ceol says: Well I love it…that video clip Petra sent to me is going to get worn out, I’ve watched it so many times…everytime I see you raise your hand to your lips then touch the hidden pocket where your wedding band is I cry for happy…it’s almost as if I can feel your kiss.

Tristan says: The picture of Cosmo finally opened…he looks really cute…do I get a dopey look on my face like that when I look at you?

Ceol says: No, yours is much cuter ….and you have more teeth.

Tristan says: Great, then you’ll be able to tell us apart…Liebe I have to go…they’re ready for me in Makeup….I love you…Stay well.

Ceol says: Ich Liebe sie, Geliebt…Allemal*’

*Edit note: translation…I love you, Beloved…Always

**

‘Tristan says: I can hardly believe that even with the terrible weather the second concert here in NY was packed…the reaction of the audience made up for the horrible weather outside…it just gets better with each performance. Even the nerves before the opening are easier now except when the house lights come up and we can recognize so many famous faces in the front rows. It’s awesome and humbling to recognize these people that we’ve only seen before on stage or on television.’

They had been on the computer talking for a while, taking turns typing a message while the others got ready for bed, the web cam catching each movement of the one stripping off clothing, their movements calculated to be a little erotic, stimulating for lovers who could do nothing more than excite the senses over such vast distances.

‘Ceol says: You deserve every bit of it and I’m not surprised. I felt it the first time I heard your voices blending, that time in Simon’s office when he asked me what I thought…I’m so proud of you, Urs…you give more than a hundred percent each time you go on stage, all of you do but of course I’m just a little biased and I think you give the most…Pet called me on her mobile during Mama and let me listen and watch and I cried …absolutely beautiful job, my Luv. She is going to really miss being there when she comes home.

‘Tristan says: We actually get a day off tomorrow but no one is cheering about it. We had to cancel Philadelphia because of the weather and Niagara on the 14th looks iffy at the moment. too bad since I heard there is a contingent who came from the UK for the Valentine’s Day concert…Steve is keeping hourly contact with the airlines to try and get us to Niagara…keep your fingers crossed.’

He re-yped part of the message…the part that he had messed up royally when she turned her back to the camera and stripped off her shirt, showing her bare body from the back to him and slipping on the light robe he had purchased for her in New York, belting it loosely as she returned to the ’puter.

‘Ceol says: I will…my eyes are already crossed…I’ve been working with Millie on converting the files from Braille to written so they can be copied and sent out to all the offices…I didn’t realize how many of them I amassed over the years…the job is mountainous!

‘Tristan says: At least it will keep you out of trouble…have you any word on when Cosmo comes home?

‘Ceol says: One more week…Daffy is weaning him now and as soon as he tolerates puppy food then I can pick him up. Heidi and I already made him beds in the Lounge and in that little alcove in the hall outside our suite… and Kosta installed the electronic door so he can get outside… now we just have to get him a kitten for company.

‘Tristan says: Take him with you when you go to look them over…maybe he can pick out his own feline friend…he had the good sense to pick you.

‘Ceol says: Urs, will you do something for me? Will you turn around for a moment so I can see your back….I know women are supposed to love to look at pecs and I do, but those muscles in your back, your lats…I love to feel them and not seeing them for so long is driving me nutty….Please?’

He grinned at her and turned his back to the web cam, stretching then leaning his arms on the back of the chair so his lats flexed, then turning back after a minute and giving her ‘The Look’

‘Ceol says: Danke…my temperature just shot through the roof… I do hope you’re alone…you don’t seem to have much on that lovely body

‘Tristan says: all that’s left is my black Jockeys… that are getting tighter by the minute…you do know what the sight of all that tasty cleavage does to me, don’t you?’

On camera she smiled and gently traced her hand over her chest then slipped the robe off her shoulders and leaned towards the camera.

‘Ceol says: I can almost feel your breath on my skin… it isn’t good for you to wear clothing that’s too tight, my Swiss.’

He stood slowly and hooked his fingers in the elastic waist band of his shorts…. And slowly but thoroughly they drove each other to the goal that they could only reach, at the moment, through the intimate wonders of cyber space.

**

Somehow they survived this first test of their determination to remain close though separated physically.

Urs shared the arrival of Cosmo, the puddles on the floor, from nervousness Maggie was sure since he settled in and was paper trained in only a few days, willing to go out within 2 weeks and using the electronic door shortly after.

They had gone to a shelter and walked down the row of cages and she told him of the way the grown cats had all hissed at the bewildered, friendly pup, how the fluffy little orange ball of fur had bristled then come over to the grate to sniff noses and stick a paw through the wire to bat at the soft puppy ears. She told him how the pup had lay down when the attendant let the kitten out and how they had made friends, the kitten, now called Pansy for some unknown reason, curled up between the big white paws, purring and dozing while Maggie signed the papers that made her part of the family.

He told her of the concerts, the terrible weather, the fans he met, especially the ones in Niagara Falls who had invented a deadly drink after him, Swiss Bliss, the potent concotion thought up by Marie from Missouri and Moe from Manchester…he mentioned how nice it was to have met them in the hotel lobby and how they had treated him like a real person, not just a performer.

They had three days off in Seattle and he explored, letting his beard grow and doing the tourist things so he could share the tours in the evening, online with his sweetheart: Old Seattle, the underground city under the downtown area, reached through a storefront in Pioneer Square…an area that had been so severely lowered from the street level due to sinking in the mud flats, that ladders had to be used to get from the horses and carriages on the street above, until finally the new city was built on top of the old….he went to the Space Needle, for dinner and to look out over the city and actually succeeded in sending her a photo…without Seb’s assistance.

They had 3 more concerts to do in the U.S., 4 including the one in Seattle and then would leave from San Francisco to fly to Australia. They would open on the 4th in Adelaide and all were looking forward to the few days off to maybe catch a few waves. He didn’t mention that many of the beaches allowed top-less sunbathing…he didn’t have to since she already knew and offered to get an all-over tan herself. He reminded her that pale pink flesh tones were much easier to find in the dark and he liked her just the way she was.

And they argued.

Urs mentioned that there would be a break for 5 days between San Francisco and Adelaide and he was planning on asking Steve if he could go home, then fly on to Adelaide to meet the guys on the 3rd, the day before the concert.

“Urs, it’s a deadly long flight to Oz, something like 24 hours and the flight from S.F. is nearly that bad with all the connections you would have to make…you would be so exhausted. I don’t think it’s a good idea, Luv. I long to have you here but I don’t think it’s a wise thing for you to do. Go to Oz…rest up from the grueling schedule you’ve been on …maybe on your way from Oz to Ireland you can stop off here.”

They bickered about it and he lost his temper, accusing her of not wanting him home and he slammed the phone down, regretting it instantly and trying to call her back but finding the line engaged. It was 20 minutes before he thought of calling her mobile and it was answered on the first ring.

“Urs?”

“Baby, I’m sorry…I’m just so frustrated…I need to hold you, to see your face, to feel our baby moving….and you are right…I’m tired and cross and need a rest. And who were you talking to for the last 20 minutes?”

He could tell that she had been crying and silently cursed himself for hurting her.

“No one…I was so upset I pitched the phone into the fireplace and smashed it. Then I couldn’t stop crying and freaked Heidi out. Urs you know I want to be with you. At first when I got home the house seemed so empty but then I realized that you are everywhere in it. All the things we planned together and brought to life with Yanni’s help, the beautiful nursery you made for the baby, the music we made together…I can almost feel your hands on the keyboard of the piano…your scent is on your pillow and embedded in the chair you always sit in…the roses you sent for Valentines day are still doing well, scenting the Lounge. Your essence is here, just waiting for your physical being to come home. And when you do, I need you to be strong and healthy…it’s getting so I need help getting out of the soft chairs now and putting on lace up shoes is impossible…I can’t even see my feet….and I’m babbling since I don’t want to argue with you again…I hate it…my guts get tied in knots.”

“I’m sorry for arguing with you…and for hanging up…you smashed the phone? Maggie, that’s the first temper you’ve shown for a long time….You’re right…I need the rest and it’s more sensible to make a side trip on the way to Ireland. Now, tell me all the news from home.”

**
Australia was amazing for the guys. The reception was even more boisterous than they had received in the U.S. and they reveled in it. Even before the concerts started they found themselves the center of attention everywhere they went, to the mall for meet and greet, to the beach for some well deserved R & R, for Urs the only respite he got was when he rented a motor bike and went for a run along the coast.

The concerts started and the days fairly flew by as they briefly saw some of the country and hopped, as usual, from venue to venue, one sold out performance to the next.

Directly after the last concert they raced to the airport for flights back to Europe, Urs as he had finally convinced Steve to let him do, to Geneva for a connecting flight to Luzern, the others all off to Ireland for their next venue.

He called Maggie from the airport lounge, excited and eager to let her know that he was at last on the way.

Heidi answered Maggie’s mobile and he knew that something was amiss.

“She’s laying down, Urs. Her back has been bothering her all day…. and Inga thinks shes in labor. Maggie keeps saying NO!! but that’s because she wants to wait for you, but I’ve been timing the cramps she’s having and I think your mother is right. When will you arrive?”

“I’ll be in Luzern in 19 hours…Heidi she isn’t due for another 3 weeks…did you call Dr. Mandel?”

“Yes, and he isn’t worried…he says both Maggie and the baby are healthy and that babies have their own timetable…she just saw him yesterday and he told her that it could be anytime. Urs…I’m glad you’re on the way…I think she’s a bit scared.”

He boarded the plane automatically, so used to taking flights now that he could have slept through the whole procedure and it was just as well, for all of his thoughts were in Switzerland, with the woman he loved. He wanted desperately to be with her, NOW, to help with the breathing they had practiced, to hold her hand and to see their child enter the world. He had never felt so helpless in his life.

CHAPTER NINETY-FOUR

Somewhere over Indonesia he thought of his laptop. Without the least hesitation he pushed the buzzer for the attendant and pulled his puter out of the padded case, setting it up on the tray table.

“I’ve never used this on a flight before…could you help me?”

She could see that the handsome young man was clearly agitated and summoned all her professionalism to ignore the flutter she felt at his sweet smile and those eyes…within minutes she had him hooked up and running, and stayed to make sure he got a good clear connection, sighing inaudibly when she noticed the wide wedding band he twisted nervously as he followed what she was doing on the keyboard.

They had been whispering in deference to the other sleeping passengers and he felt comfortable confiding in her, after all he didn’t want her to think he was some kind of a nut, maybe even a terrorist.

“I’m on my way home…my wife is in labor with our first child and I’m going nuts stuck here in the air when I want to be with her.”

She put her hand on his shoulder, instantly in ‘Mother’ mode.

“We’ll do our best to get you there in time, Mr. Buhler. There now, if you just click on Messenger like you would on land, you should be able to reach her computer.”

He clicked on Messenger and then Millie’s address, sighed with relief when the connection went through instantly.

‘Tristan says: Millie buzz Ceol for me, Please.

The cursor blinked at him for a few seconds then a short message came through.

‘M&M Millie says: Coming….Hang on Big Boy’

Urs grinned at the familiar cheekiness and waited, explaining to the attendant that Millie was his wife’s very high tech ‘Puter with a personality program that sometimes was a bit out there.

The window below the IM panel showed that someone was typing a message and he was afraid to blink while he waited.

‘Ceol says: Where are you?’

Urs glanced at the attendant and she whispered the location.

‘Tristan says: In the air, about 2 miles above Indonesia….tell me what’s happening.

‘Ceol says: Everyone is panicking…Mami and Papa are away, in Finland with Shannon….Heidi called Mami and Dr. Mandel because I have a bad back ache and they think I’m starting labor….it’s too early, Urs. I don’t want you getting upset. It’s probably just a back ache.’

‘Tristan says: Don’t take any chances Luv… do they want you to go to the hospital?’

‘Ceol says: Heidi does ….I think she’s scared silly….Dr. Mandel says to ‘just keep an eye on the progression’ whatever that means.’

‘Ceol says: BRB’

He stared at the blinking icon, willing her to come back and finally after just over four minutes she did.

‘Ceol says: When will you be here?’

‘Tristan says: another 16 hours, Liebe, until I reach Luzern.

‘Ceol says: Urs, my water just broke….Heidi has gone ballistic and I’ve never seen Kosta quite that shade of grey before… ‘

‘Tristan says: Stay calm, Liebe…you can do this and I’ll be there as soon as I can…you know I’m with you in my heart.’

‘Ceol says: Urs I need to go clean up and change….don’t leave me!

‘Tristan says: Never!!….I’ll wait…’

Over India the attendant checked back with him…he was still connected but now the contractions had really started and the conversations were in 12 minute segments with a break for Maggie to cope with the early stage cramping. She waited until yet another cramp caused a moment of no messages then crouched to speak to him.

“Mr. Buhler, I hope you don’t think of me as presumptuous but I feel the need to tell you this. I have 2 children…what your wife is going through for the first time is not something over quickly and it is one of the hardest physical things a woman will ever attempt in her life. She needs to rest between contractions, to save her energy for the final stages. It would perhaps, be better for you to encourage her to rest rather than talk.”

He stared at her for a moment, thinking and smiled before thanking her for her concern.

When Maggie came back on again, he gently suggested that she save her strength and that they should limit their messaging. He would stay connected to be there for her but she should save her energy.

They established a rhythm….she sent a message over Iran, in wonder at how the baby was visibly re-positioning…he responded with reminders of the stages and how she should breathe even though he wasn’t there to help her. Over Turkey she fell asleep and Millie, who was monitoring vital signs, reported that the contractions were at 10 minute intervals, lasting 41 seconds. As they began their descent to Geneva, most of the messages now came from Millie who informed him that Franz had arrived, that Maggie was extremely tired and slept fitfully between the contractions.

He sprinted for the connection to Luzern, thankful that the helpful attendant had requested that the flight be held for him, since the 15 mintues grace time he had between flights had been narrowed to almost non-existence by a head wind that made his flight late.

The new attendant must have been informed of the situation because she took his ‘puter and had him hooked up even before the flight had finished taxiing to the runway.

While he was waiting for Millie to answer his first message he calculated how long labor had been now…..seventeen hours…was that normal? He wished he had one of the books with him and could look it up.

His eyes felt gritty with lack of sleep, the tension had left his shoulders and neck in knots but all he could think of was Maggie, coping with the contractions that left her scant moments in between for rest. ‘Hang in there my Beloved…just a little over one more hour and I’ll be with you for real’. One more hour…that meant at least 6 more contractions since they were coming in ten minute intervals now.

‘Millie says: message from Franz…Wilhelm is waiting for you in Luzern.’

Wilhelm, their friend from childhood who now worked for the local Polizei…. Danke sie Gott…the trip from Luzern would be accomplished in record time.

And indeed he was waiting, just beyond the barrier in Customs, which Urs just vaguely realized he had been whisked through in a priority haze of rapid questions, stamped passport and hurried guidance through some corridors he had never seen before on his many arrivals. They came out into a parking area where a polizei vehicle waited, entered, and with no sirens but lights flashing, took off in a head jerking surge that left him breathless.

“She is still at home …if they transport her to Hospital then Franz will call to let us know. The first one takes a while….Lina and I have three now, all girls. We’re hoping for a boy next.”

Cars on the motorway parted like water as they sped down the center, talking little since Urs seemed unable to concentrate on anything except reaching home.

They took the turn into the driveway, sliding a bit on the slick surface and wound up around the glow coming from the house…before they had completely stopped Urs was out and sprinting for the house, threw the door open and entered into chaos.

At any other time it might have been slightly humorous: Cosmo was barking fiercely, wanting to protect his friend who stood in front of the fireplace, gripping the mantle in white knuckled hands and keening in a high pitched scream that cut right to his heart. Pansy stood on the hearth, frightened and hissing though she wasn’t sure at what, while Franz held Maggie’s heavy coat in his hand, the other over his ear, his face ashen…Heidi stood beside Maggie, seeming afraid to touch her, wringing her hands and saying something that couldn’t be heard over the shrill voice coming from the laboring woman. Kosta was beside Franz, shouting to be heard.

“Just pick her up and take her as soon as this one is finished…Just pick her up…”

“QUIET!!” Urs roared as he crossed to Maggie in a rush, ignoring the others, not even glancing at the puppy or kitten who both were off in a flash to hide under one of the chairs…he wrapped his arms around Maggie’s stiff, straining body and, with his face next to her head, whispered in her ear.

“Breathe, Liebe….remember your breathing…”

She quieted with a gasp and followed his example, stopped fighting the spasm, breathing in through the nose and out through her dry mouth, shaking with the effort and he found himself supporting her weight against him as she relaxed a bit.

She tried to turn in his arms when the spasm was done but had little strength and he scooped her up, sat on the sofa with her cuddled against him. He wiped the tears from her face, taking in everything at once: the pain lines still etched into her dear face, the tired, shadowed eyes, the stiffnes and knots in her muscles and the relief that he saw in her eyes as she tried to smile.

“You’re home! Oh Urs, I’m so scared…it’s too early….”

“It’s a Swiss trait, Little Love… we are often early but seldom late….I think it’s time for a change of venue…Franz would you warm up the Volvo for us, please? Heidi if you could get Maggie’s bag from the closet and Kosta please hand me that throw to wrap around her.”

He held her head against his shoulder and sighed with relief when he felt her relax against him.

“Are you timing them?” he murmured to Heidi as she returned from placing the small suitcase next to the door.

“Eight minutes, lasting 50 seconds,” she said, some color coming back into her cheeks as he took charge and order was restored.

“Call the hospital and tell them we’re coming in, please,” he requested and she left to do it.

She stirred and he felt the tightening of her body as the next contraction started, helped her through it, then when she was breathing normally again, stood with her in his arms and waited while Kosta wrapped the throw around her. In a few moments they were in the Volvo and speeding into Willisau, lead by Wilhelm in the polizei vehicle…Urs hadn’t been really aware that his old friend had waited, standing patiently in the entry.

They were met at the Emergency entrance by a nurse with a wheel chair but Urs brushed it aside with a smile and carried her in, finally having to relinquish her onto a stretcher and following beside her while Franz did the registering for him.

He felt superfluous while the nurses efficiently stripped Maggie and arranged her in the high, special birthing bed with the end that could be dropped and long padded stirrups for the mother to rest her legs in.

He set up the stereo on the shelf near the bed, inserting the CD’s Maggie had chosen and turning the volume comfortably low. He admired the room absently, set up with a homey atmosphere instead of the clinical delivery rooms from the past that he had read about. This one was a soft yellow, some beautiful landscapes and water colors on the walls and the lighting subdued, with lamps instead of the usual glaring overhead lights of emergency rooms.

Another contraction started and he sped to her side to assist her through it, offering a few ice chips for her parched mouth when it was done. She dropped off to sleep again and he suddenly realized that he was hot, still wearing his leather jacket from the trip home. He shucked out of it and placed it near her bag, returning to pull up a high stool that would allow him to sit next to her and hold her hand firmly in his.

Dr. Mandel came in while she slept, examined her and read the little bit of information on her chart, greeted Urs with a smile and shook his hand.

“How you holding up, Herr Buhler?”

“Me? I’ve got the easy job. I’m just glad I got here in time….she’s so tired…how much longer do you think?”

“The first one is almost always the longest…I think about another hour until transition…the next one will be easier, faster.”

Urs looked horrified.

“There will be no ‘next one’…I can’t do this to her again.”

“Wimp!” the soft voice came from Maggie and she opened her eyes to smile at him. “What ever happened to the 15 stockings to hang on the mantle?”

“Maggie…”

“Urs, I’m fine so long as I have you to take care of me.”

Her eyes fluttered closed again but she squeezed his hand and he leaned over to kiss her dry lips and whisper ‘I love you’.

“I love you too,” she whispered.

The next hour they endured the contractions needed to reach the optimum 10 centimeter of dilation. Each time Urs felt the contraction in the pit of his stomach as he helped her stay focused and calm, each time awed with the way she was coping, praying that it would soon be over.

One more time Dr. Mandel examined her and Urs knew that at last the actual delivery was upon them when the nurses began to bustle about, readying the delivery tray within reach of the Doctor, draping Maggie’s raised legs, warming the little isolet.

“Do you remember how you sat behind your wife in class, Herr Buhler, supporting her upper body against yours, giving her something to grasp while she bears down? I would like you to do that now…it’s time. Maggie, dear, your baby wants to be born….we need you to bear down with the next spasm.”

Urs toed off his boots and sat behind Maggie with his long legs on either side of her. Somehow it didn’t seem ludicrous for her to be spread between his legs, naked, her swollen body in position to deliver their child.

He bent over and kissed the top of her head where it rested against his chest and lifted her tired arms so her hands could grasp his shoulders, just as they had agreed upon in those classes months before.

A nurse positioned a mirror so that they could see over the doctor’s shoulder and Urs felt his eyes flood with tears he had to blink away as he glimpsed the top of a wet head of thick dark hair.

“OH Urs!” Maggie gapsed as she saw it too and felt the tighteneing that had now become an irresistible urge to push. Her hands tightened on his shoulder, fingers digging into the muscles, her torso straining against his as she worked to expel their creation into the world.

Three times in rapid succession the urges came and were met with a strength that surprised him and the fourth time the doctor told her to stop, to pant through the last vestiges of the urge as their child slid gently into the doctor’s hands.

Doctor Mandel turned the baby over and as they saw the little body take in the first deep gasp of air, made the announcement.

“It’s a boy…you have a son.”

He lay the baby gently on Maggie’s deflated stomach and deftly clamped the cord in two places, looked up to Urs and motioned with the surgical scissors.

“Would you like to cut the cord?”

Urs took Maggie’s hand and together they severed the cord which had tied their child to the inside of her womb for the past 9 months. He was wiggling a bit, arms and legs flailing and he began crying at the rude way he had been propelled out of his home.

“Another tenor,” Maggie said with a little laugh, touching the tiny hand that waved at her. The nurse picked the baby up and wrapped him in a soft blanket then placed him in his mother’s arms.

“Just for a moment, then I have to clean him up,” she said.

Urs could hardly see for the tears that coursed down his cheeks but he brushed them away and reached out a long fingered hand to delicately touch the tiny arm that had worked out of the blanket. His finger stroked the back of a plump little hand and he grinned when the tiny fingers curled around his.

“Gruezi, Nikolai,” he whispered as if afraid of injuring the tiny ears peeking out under a mass of dark wet hair.

Maggie lifted the blanket wrapped bundle and smiled dreamily as she placed their son in Urs large hands. He paled, but took his son carefully, lifting him into position against his chest. He was covered with traces of blood and a powdery substance known as vernix which coats the baby to protect it during delivery, but to the happy couple he was the most perfect baby in the world.

The nurse came for the baby and took him to an area with scales and tapes, a small stack of diapers and began to cleanse his little body.

Urs bent over Maggie and both with the same thought, they met each others’ eyes and at the same time murmured ‘Thank you!’

She reached up a hand to wipe the tears from his face.

“Happy tears,” she said and he smiled, lowering his mouth to hers to kiss her reverently.

They were a family.

CHAPTER NINETY-FIVE

As soon as Dr. H., as they called the pediatrician/wife of Dr. A. Mandel, had checked out Nikolai and pronounced him a perfect 7 lb. 14 ounce male child, Maggie and the baby were moved into a private room for an over-night stay. Urs went out to tell the family the news, grinning from ear to ear, though his face was still wet with tears and more arriving every moment, as the joy and awe of the event over- whelmed him.

There were hand shakes, back slaps and hugs all around until he got to Franz who had teary eyes as well and they both began to laugh.

“Look at us, big strong men reduced to tears by a tiny being that can’t even walk yet,” Franz said as he wiped his cheeks.

“A man who is caring and comfortable with his own masculinity shouldn’t be afraid to show emotion,” Kosta said as he lay an arm on each of the brothers’ shoulders and hugged.

“It’s a Buhler trait,” Urs said with a little laugh. “We feel things deeply and can’t help but let it show.”

“And how is Maggie?” Heidi asked.

“Amazing…right in the middle of everything when I said I’d never do this to her again, she called me a wimp and reminded me that we want a large family. She’s tired and happy and I’m so proud of her. They want to keep her in overnight and then tomorrow we can bring them both home….I need to go outside and call Mami and Papa, excuse me.”

He got the number off of Franz and walked out into the cold night to make the call.

After another ‘crying for happy’ conversation Urs went back in and found Maggie’s room. She was nursing Niki and after his initial heart thump at the picture it made, his mind dredged up what he had read about the importance of nursing as soon as possible: Colostrum, the fluid which contained the antibodies from the mother’s body which would protect the baby for the first months against any of the more common infections. Whatever it was, he found watching the baby suckle, intensely arousing, something that embarrassed him and he quickly leaned on the side of the bed, trying to think ‘clean’ thoughts.

“He’s got your mouth,” Maggie said as she looked at him and grinned, almost as if she read his mind.

“Are you going to torture me for the whole six weeks?” he asked as he brushed her hair back off her cheeks with a gentle hand.

Her gaze softened and she shook her head.

“Not after the way you helped with the delivery. I was starting to lose it when you got home. Those last hours would have been agony without you. It was such a relief to hear your voice and feel you touching me, giving me your calm and strength.”

He smiled as he watched her switch Niki to the other side.

“I didn’t feel very calm inside. I hated myself for making you pregnant, for putting you through so much pain.”

“But it was worth it…look what we got out of a few months of feeling like I’d swallowed a whole watermelon, and a few hours of breathing funny. He’s so beautiful, Urs. Thank you for giving me our son.”

He sniffed loudly and blinked his eyes again, fighting a losing battle with the tears that seemed constantly near the surface.

“I feel like my heart is going to jump right out of my chest. I’m proud and happy and so full of love for you and for Niki. The words keep vibrating in my head…’We have a son!!!’ It’s such a miracle.”

He sat on the edge of the bed and she leaned forward a bit so he could snake his arm around her shoulders, resting his head against hers and caressing the plump little leg that had come free of the blanket.

Niki had fallen asleep, so Maggie covered herself and turned a bit on her side, facing Urs with their precious son cradled between them. A few minutes later the nurse came in and gently picked the boy up to return him to the isolet near the bed, smiling as Maggie opened her eyes, then drifted off again, nestled against her sleeping husband.

**

They had already discussed circumcision and decided against it, Maggie bowing to Urs’ expertise in the matter, so the usual extra day for the procedure wasn’t necessary and late the next day the proud Papa brought his little family home. Heidi had everything ready and after a few minutes of cuddling the new born, passed him back to Urs for the trip upstairs.

Maggie was tired and sore, walking a bit slower than normal but cheerful and happy to be home. Cosmo greeted her as if she had been gone for months instead of hours, dancing around by her feet, sniffing the baby thoroughly when Urs held him down for inspection. Pansy was a little more aloof but followed the lead of her big brother, smelled the bundle that the woman in charge of food and back scratches seemed to like so much and then went off to find the ball that she had been batting at Cosmo.

They installed the peacefully sleeping baby in the cradle Urs had made and watched him sleeping for a moment, overcome again at the wonder of it all. He was less than 24 hours old, healthy, content and theirs, a real live little person that they had created out of their love.

Urs shook himself out of his stupor and kissed Maggie’s neck, tightening his arms around her engorged chest.

“You want to lie down or something to eat? Heidi probably made you something a whole lot better than hospital food.”

“Food sounds good, but what I really want is a shower…Bed baths just don’t do it for me and I feel grubby.”

“Me too…haven’t had a chance since OZ…and I promise to behave.”

They took the Baby Monitor in the bath room with them and bathed each other, neither really missing the way they had become aroused before. Somehow, this was more intimate as they helped with shampoo and conditioner, washed backs with long loving strokes, kissed smooth, wet skin with tender touches.

Urs was amazed at her almost flattened stomach…Maggie laughed because she could see her feet again. She vowed to start exercising very soon to get some muscle tone back in her abs and tighten the flabby skin, maybe even get a waistline back. Actual delivery had dropped her weight almost back to normal but her body had lost so much muscle through a more sedentary lifestyle that she had some work to do.

They both pulled on sweats and left their hair to dry naturally, took the Monitor, at which Maggie laughed and said she should wear it as a necklace for the next few years since it would never be far from her, and they went down stairs again to see what they could find to eat.

Heidi and Kosta were in the Lounge, sipping on coffee and dessert and she rose to warm them some of the Rosti she had made earlier, earning herself a kiss on the cheek from Urs who told her how he had longed for it while away and a hug from Maggie who claimed that the cooks at the hospital must have decided that new mothers could survive on Baby Food since everything she was served was mushy.

Around ten they shared the chores of diaper change, cuddled and nursed, brought up a gigantic bubble of air that made them laugh, then Urs put Niki back in the cradle while Maggie washed up and got ready for bed.

After a quick wash up and cleansing his teeth he took the hairbrush from her and resumed his old routine, brushing the long waves until they shone then braiding it in a smooth, loose plait that hung down her back. He loved the silky feel of her hair, sliding between his fingers softly, the odd tighter curl wrapping around briefly, the whispy tendrils that always escaped to curl against her neck.

“I’ve missed doing this,” he admitted, meeting her eyes in the mirror and smiling. “And this…” he murmured and bent over to kiss her neck, then gave her a love bite that made her moan and reach up to grip his head, holding his mouth against her.

“Now who is doing the torturing?” she said when he released her and they clicked off the light, returning to the bedroom to check on Niki once more before turning down the covers and sliding into bed.

He just smiled and scooped her against him, the way they liked to snuggle before falling asleep.

“Tired?” he asked.

“Yes, but happy….Niki is so perfect, Urs. He isn’t all red and wrinkled like most babies…..and long fingers, perfect for a musician…. I hope his eyes turn hazel like yours….”

“Too late…we don’t get to trade him in if they turn green like his Mami. We do good work though, don’t we?”

She smiled and kissed his chest, letting her fingers play in the wavy hair.

“Does this mean that you’ve decided to give me another baby…and soon?”

He laughed and tightened his arm around her shoulder.

“I don’t know about soon since we do have this compulsory abstinence facing us, but yes…my guys are already doing warm-ups, getting in condition for the sprint.”

Maggie tilted her head for her Good Night kiss and Urs willingly obliged.

“Ich liebe sie, Papa.”

“Mein lieblich spezeill Weib*…Ich liebe sie.”

{*Edit translation…My own special Wife}

**

It was a special time for them, not long, but even the limited time lent an air of immediate pleasure as they enjoyed caring for their son and spending time together doing the everyday, mundane chores relevant to being a family.

Maggie’s milk came in and they laughed at how greedy their son was, the way he reacted when he felt her touching his face, shaking his head and groping with a pursed little mouth, his tiny hands kneading her flesh as he nursed. He was a good baby, demanding only to be kept clean and dry, to be fed at four hour intervals and burped after his feeding. He loved to be rocked to sleep after nursing. They discovered this the first night when Urs moved the rocking chair Nikolai had made into the suite and Maggie used it for the 2 a.m. feeding.

The day after arriving home the flowers and cards arrived, masses of delicate rosebuds wreathed with Baby’s breath, thoughtful small and large plants for the conservatory, funny cards, sweet cards, even a few with heartfelt amatuer poetry. The biggest surprise was a lovely card sent by an Il Divo fan …how she knew about the baby or Urs real, but private, life they had no idea. Urs felt a tinge of panic at first but his mind was eased by the postscript.

‘Don’t panic, SRG…I’ve known about your wife and baby for months …your secret is safe with me…. Ainur’

“Ainur was one of the Valar, the one who created the music of Middle Earth….from Tolkien, Urs. I’ve seen her posting on the Forum. Look, the card is hand painted, depicting Ainur weaving a web of music around a couple and their child, protecting them from outside forces. And there, on the back, she gives her real name and address…It’s May Fergus…what lovely work she does…. I never knew she was so into Tolkien.”

Urs had sent e.mail messages to the Divos, Simon, Geena, Petra and to Steve, announcing the birth of Nikolai Toni Buhler along with the weight and a photo taken while Niki slept in his mother’s arms. It was probably the longest e.mail he had ever sent, full of typos and spelling mistakes in his haste but one so totally out of character and open about his feelings, that most printed it to go into the memories albums they were creating.

David shot back a message that asked if Urs had taped the birth and he replied with one that merely said he did not take pictures of that part of his wife’s anatomy….and he had been just a bit busy at that moment, getting the imprint of Maggie’s fingers embedded in his shoulders.

Even the second day that they were home, the bruises on his shoulders were still in evidence, clear marks of four fingers on the back and a deep thumb print on the front.

The night before he was to leave she kissed the marks as she washed his long back.

“You didn’t even move when I did that to you. I didn’t realize I was hurting you.”

“I think I was too surprised at how much strength you had left. And when I watched Niki sliding out into the doctor’s hands everything else left my mind. What an amazing moment!”

She nestled against his back, wrapping her arms around him.

“Urs, I have another amazing moment I would like to give you, before we have to part again.”

His whole body jerked as her hands wandered, touching gently, then more firmly. It was impossible for him not to react but he threw his head back and moaned… “Maggie…you can’t!”

“I can’t…but you can…let me love you, Urs…let me feel our passion making you quiver.”

He was helpless, unable to resist and gave himself up to her.

**

“Do you think it will be safe for Niki to travel when he’s so little?”

“Of course…I asked Mami when we talked on the phone last night. She apparently took you hiking in one of those sling things, when you were 2 weeks old. So I’ll have it easy…I’ll bring Heidi with me and we’ll listen from backstage. Then you have 2 days off before Stockholm so we can actually spend some time together. Rotterdam is a short flight, Urs. We’ll be fine.”

He hugged her until she had to ask for air and he laughed, apologizing and laying the blame on being so happy about seeing them both again so soon.

Niki was sleeping when he raced back up to the suite, but Urs picked him up, the tiny boy laying perfectly in his big hands and only wiggling a bit in his sleep, making sucking motions with his rosebud mouth.

Urs bent his head to smell the clean, fresh baby scent of his son and kissed the satiny brow, brushing the dark hair back off his face with his lips.

“Take good care of your Mami, my son…I love you both.”

He placed Niki gently back in the cradle, adjusted the curtains around it and went downstairs, followed closely by Cosmo, who was learning daily that treats often appeared magically from this member of his flock, if a puppy was attentive…Pansy galloped behind, then in front of them, periodically trying to climb Urs pant legs and falling off as he laughed and kept walking.

Maggie was waiting for him by the kitchen counter, just zipping closed his rolling luggage.

“I put a treat for you in the zippered pouch and your magazine in the net part. He’s still sleeping?”

“Ja…he promised to check on you every four hours to make sure you don’t sneak in a boyfriend while I’m away.”

He heard Kosta pull the truck up to the terrace as he folded her in his arms, snuggling her against his tee shirt, inside the jacket he had left open so he could feel her close one last time.

A wet spot transferred to his shirt and he laughed.

“Looks like you should have had twins…you could easily feed two.”

“Niki eats like he was two babies…he’s already so like you…do you want another shirt?”

“No…I’ll keep my jacket closed until it dries. Kosta is waiting Luv and I need a kiss to last me until Rotterdam.”

There was no give or take, just a blending, a merging of mouths that stroked, caressed, nibbled, sucked and soothed, hands clutching hair, shoulders, cupping faces until they were sated and breathless. Maggie staggered and leaned against the counter as he let her go and, almost as if drugged he grabbed for the handle of his case and fled, pausing at the door to look back with a blinky wink and a smile.

She raced to the French doors to watch the truck until it made the turn onto the road and his arm appeared out of the window, waving…then he was gone, only the scent of him lingered in the air as she smiled and touched her swollen lips.

CHAPTER NINETY-SIX

Urs was still glowing when he arrived at the Hotel in Dublin. For the whole flight he had relaxed in his seat and thought about all the moments to treasure from the last few days: the mad dash to get home in time, the helpful flight attendants, Wilhelm meeting him and driving him to the farm with lights on the polizei vehicle flashing. He had laughed out loud when he thought about the scene in the Lounge when he had first entered the house…quickly he looked around to see if he had disturbed anyone and put his hand to his mouth as if suppressing a cough.

Then of course, there was the main event, the actual labor and delivery of their son. What a moment to keep as a memory. He felt the sting of happy tears again as he thought of the baby being turned over in Dr. Mandel’s gloved hands, of watching as Niki’s chest expanded with the first breath of life and the tiny mouth opened and a soft, growing wail came out, strengthening into a full blown cry of outrage at being expelled from his nice warm cavern.

He felt the urge to share what he had experienced and felt, and the realization that this urge was even stronger than his usual reticence shocked him. In his logical, analytical way he examined what he felt, deciding that he would share some of it with David, not all, but enough to ease the need he felt. It was almost too much joy for one man…sharing wouldn’t lessen what he felt, in fact it would make him feel good to share something so special to him with someone he considered nearly as close as Franz.

He checked into the Hotel and inquired after the others , found that they had left a message that they were in the restaurant, dropped his bags off in his suite and went back downstairs to find them.

“Well you don’t look any different, Daddy,” David said with a huge grin as he stood and gave Urs a hug. “Glad you made it in time, man….how’s Maggie?”

He was distracted for a few minutes as each of the men at the table rose and shook his hand or enveloped him in a hug: Sebastien, Carlos, Steve, Garry and Alex from the orchestra.

When he was finally released and pulled a chair from another table to sit down, his face wore the crinkled eye, wide grin that showed almost all of his 32 pearly teeth.

“Maggie is…incredible, amazing, beautiful….happy and healthy. She was wonderful through it all and I’m wery proud of her.” He heard his accent becoming pronounced as his words tumbled out and gave himself a mental kick for losing control a little. “I’m VERY proud of her…and of our boy.”

Steve grinned at him.

“When I got your e.mail about the baby I kind of expected another one to follow…something along the lines of ‘I’m taking the next month off’.”

Urs looked at him with a wry smile.

“My wife would have skinned me alive if I even suggested it. She’s old school, you know, ‘The Show Must Go On’ type. If I had broken legs she would push the wheel chair out on to the stage to make sure I didn’t miss a performance.”

“I knew I liked this woman,” Steve said and caught the eye of the server for drink orders and dinner for Urs.

**

“It was the most incredible experience, David. Maggie had been at it for so long she was exhausted, barely able to squeeze my hand, but then she got this surge of strength from somewhere and held my shoulders so hard she bruised hem.” He pulled his shirt off one shoulder to show David as they sat in the lounge of his suite, everyone else off listening to a trio in the bar.

“She held on to me and pushed the baby out of her body and I forgot to breathe…it happened so quickly but like it was in slow motion …first the top of his head with a lot of thick black hair, then his shoulders and finally his lower body and legs…he just kind of flowed out into the doctor’s hands and the doctor turned him over and I saw his chest fill with air and he cried….”

Urs was looking at the beer he had opened and forgotten to drink and finally came back from the memory he was reliving, laughed at himself and chugged half the bottle before looking over at his friend.

David’s eyes were glistening, his usually grinning face dead serious.

“Thank you for trusting me with your memory Urs….I’m honored and it scares me senseless. Pet’s late…we think that we might be expecting. Don’t tell the others.”

Urs raised an eyebrow at him.

“I know… it’s hard to get anything out of you…that makes you talking to me about this all the more special. I just hope when it’s our time I can be as supportive to Pet.”

“There’s something else I wanted to talk to you about, too. We wondered if you and Petra would consider being god parents to Niki?”

David jumped to his feet and raised his hands as he stomped around in a victory dance, then stopped abruptly.

“Wait…are you telling me this so I won’t want to get back at you for the Chivaree? It ain’t gonna work, buddy…that’s an entirely different kettle of fish!!”

“You’ve got a kettle of fish…where? I don’t understand. Does this mean you don’t want to be Niki’s godfather?”

David laughed so hard he was bent double as he staggered over to Urs and leaned over him with his hands grasping for Urs shoulders.

“’Course I do…..sorry….it’s slang…means a whole different thing…..means I’m gonna get you but I still want to be Niki’s godfather.”

Urs shook his head and grinned.

“I’ll never understand how your head works, Stretch…sometimes I think that’s why I like you.”

**

Dublin was such a success that they had added an extra date with a short break of one day in between. Urs talked to Maggie for a while after he finished a grueling session in the gym, supposedly to work off his frustrations but it didn’t really work, especially when she talked to him on camera while nursing Niki for the first few minutes, typing with one hand, short answers while he told her about everyone and about the concert.

Back in a cold shower once more, he decided to go shopping, hoped that his days growth of beard, cap and sunglasses would suffice for a disguise.

It worked for a while. He passed shoe stores and would normally have gone in but he was on a mission. The last time he had been in Dublin he had seen a little shop that specialized in Music Boxes and he wanted to find it again, to see if he could find one that spoke to him of Maggie.

An hour later he had almost given up, having been stopped three times by fans wanting autographs, one woman even whipping open her jacket and asking him to sign across her bust, but he declined with a smile that made her melt, signed his biking magazine that he had just picked up and gave it to her.

He saw a store that looked familiar on the next corner and headed for it and there it was, just down the lane past the larger store, the quaint little shop with music boxes of all sizes and shapes in the window.

There was no one in the shop except the elderly proprietor, who was working on the mechanism of a large music box. He looked up at Urs and smiled.

“Good day…looking for something special are you?”

“Ja…for my wife…We have just welcomed our first child, on the 19th…a son…I thought perhaps you might have something very special.”

He was invited to browse through the shelves. The place was scrupulously clean, each of the items on the shelving or on the polished old tables around the shop were lovingly cared for, some new and obvious reproductions, some very old and delicate looking, but perfect in every detail, the wood shining with a patina that only comes from years of contact with tender touches, the enamel work glowing with an inner warmth…but nothing that really spoke to him of what he felt for Maggie…nothing uniquely different.

“Perhaps I have something back here,” the shopkeeper said as he rose from his stool and indicated that Urs should follow him. He had watched the young man as he gently touched the objects on display, appreciating the workmanship but not responding with the sudden awareness of just the right piece.

In the cluttered store room he opened a small teak cupboard with an old brass key and stood back to watch as Urs viewed the contents.

The gold silk lined shelves held 6 items, 2 miniature pianos which opened to become music boxes and 4 reproduction Faberge eggs, made by the Faberge company but in modern times with the detailed plans from the ones commissioned by the royal family in the late 1800’s. Urs glanced at the shop keeper before touching any of the objects and when he nodded his permission reached out to pick up the one which caught his attention first…

“Ah, yes…that one is genuine…from Austria, dated 1887…enamel on 24 K gold, mother of pearl, malachite veneer and the art work is hand drawn, the paint lustrous from an infusion of crushed gemstones…the mechanism is Reuge and is on a 10 minute 19 second loop, Mozart’s Serenade in B flat and Piano concerto #21. It is quite expensive, perhaps rather steep for your budget, Son.”

Urs just smiled as he replaced it on the shelf. The choice of music had convinced him but to be fair he wanted to look at the other pieces.

The Viennese piano was nice, a well done copy of a 1921 piece but the music was all wrong, the Faberge eggs also lovely but the sounds were tinny and requiring a key to keep them playing.

He asked about the provenance for the Austrian piano and was assured that the owner had the proper papers, requested the price and shortly after left the shop with the little piano carefully encased in a velvet box, wrapped for shipping, pleased with himself for a successful shopping expedition.

**

They were at sound check in Brighton when Urs got a call from Maggie. He stepped behind the tiers of orchestra seating to take the call and listened with a huge grin while she bubbled over with joy about the Music Box.

It had come by courier 20 minutes before her call, a total surprise that made her cry when she read the small card he had written out and inserted before the shopkeeper wrapped the parcel for shipping.

“My darling Maggie: No other woman ever lived that I would have entrusted with the creation of our child. You are my heart, my Queen, the music that makes my life worthwhile and I love you now as I will for eternity. Thank you for the gift of our son….Urs”

“Why am I always surprised when you do something so romantic? I wish I was there with you to squeeze you until you squeaked. And Niki loves it too…he’s lying in his little carry cot, listening to the music. Urs, I’m sorry…I’ve caught you at sound check haven’t I? I just had to phone and tell you how much I love your gift and how much I love you.”

“It’s not a problem, Liebe…Carlos is bothered with mike reverb so they don’t need me for a few minutes. Only 19 more days and we’ll be together again…. I can’t wait to show off Niki to the guys…oh and it looks like all the girls will be here too. We’ll have so many babysitters that we may actually get some cuddle time…..yes I know…it will only be just over 5 weeks but I long to be able to feel you against me again and when I do get home the 6 weeks will long be over.”

“Is that Steve calling you? I love you… don’t forget how much I love you!”

“As if I could…Ich liebe sie, Geliebt.”

**

Maggie kept busy, translating files, exercising vigorously to get her body back in shape, working with Cosmo, a slow, patient process but not as daunting as she had first thought since he was very intelligent and considered every living being on the farm part of his flock. She made sure to wear one of Urs’ tee shirts often so he would remember the scent as part of his responsibility.

Niki was growing more aware of his surroundings daily and according to Mami was the best baby she had ever seen. At 3 weeks he began skipping his 2a.m. feeding, something that had Maggie in a panic at first and meant an urgent call to Mami in the wee hours of the morning.
Her laughing advice was to enjoy the fact that her son was happy and healthy and so satisfied with the quality of food he received that he wasn’t hungry during the night.

Every day she talked to Urs online, relating the latest developments, learning of all the silly little things that had happened at the concerts, appalled at the actions of the fan in Birmingham who had captured Sebastien’s leg in a death grip and nearly pulled him off the stage….she voiced the opinion that the fan was lucky that Geena hadn’t been there and they both laughed at the image of feisty Geena coming to his rescue. He told her that he was beginning to see familiar faces at the concerts, some that he had even remembered from Canada who had come ‘across the pond’ to attend the UK concerts.

Now it was time to pack for Rotterdam. She surveyed her figure in the mirror of the bathroom, pleased with the result of all the workouts. Her body was still fuller than Before Baby, but she thought it was a good look for her. Her shirts from BB fit well, perhaps a bit snug but that wasn’t a bad thing, not when you had a drop-dead-gorgeous husband who had hoardes of women lusting after his body.

She smiled as she thought of the visit she had made to Dr. Mandel yesterday and how pleased Urs would be. Well maybe pleased was a bit on the tame side….she was hoping for a great deal more than ‘pleased’.

She took her luggage downstairs and went back up to check the items for Niki for the 3rd or was it the 4th time. Eventually she supposed that traveling with a baby would become second nature to her, but now, new at the game, she needed to be very sure that everything they would need would be at hand.

Emmie and Henri were house/pet sitting since Kosta had opted to go along to keep Heidi company and they were all waiting when she came downstairs again, carrying Niki.

Kosta brought Niki’s things down and with hugs and waves they were off.

**

It was a day off for the guys. Urs was pleased since it meant that he could make sure that everything was perfect for the arrival of his family. He checked and re-checked that the suite was equipped properly, that the flowers were coming, the frig was stocked, clicked on the Weather Channel to make sure it wasn’t going to rain…even had David sit in the other suite while he sat on the bed and cried out, checking on the soundproofing of the rooms, just in case Maggie got in the mood to make him lose control like she had at home. Just the thought of what she could do to him with her clever hands and mouth made his palms sweat and he considered a cold shower…again.

They had decided that meeting at the airport was a bit too public, that the way things had been lately he was sure to be recognized. The private dining room just off of reception seemed the best idea, since they were arriving just after noon and the guys would be enjoying a quiet lunch in there, away from prying eyes.

Garry had offered to go meet them and brought the ladies directly to the private room while Kosta and the porter took the luggage upstairs to the suite.

They had barely got seated with Niki’s carrier on a banquette between Urs and Maggie than Geena, Gerry and Petra were crowding around, admiring the little boy as he lay looking up at them with waving hands, kicking feet and a hint of that famous Buhler smile. His eyes were changing color, now more like Urs’ and with a definite tilt at the corners that made them almond shaped. His hair was dark, almost black, between the ebony color of Maggie’s and the deep, burnished mahogany of Urs’.

“How old is Niki now, Mags?” Seb asked as Geena was given permission to hold him and settled against his side so he could admire the baby.

“Five weeks, 2 days,” Urs answered with a tiny grimace. He was definitely keeping track of the number of weeks since delivery.

Maggie leaned over to speak softly in his ear.

He pulled his head back and stared at her.

“You mean….?”

She nodded and he stood abruptly knocking his chair over and grabbing her by the wrist, turning without another word and pulling her behind him toward the elevators in the lobby.

He wasn’t aware of the chuckles behind him as Heidi calmly announced… ‘The doctor said their waiting period is over’.

He fidgeted when the elevator didn’t come immediately and punched the button again. The doors were barely open when he had pulled Maggie inside and engulfed her in his arms, his mouth taking hers with a rough zeal she hadn’t seen in him before. It was wonderful, exactly how she felt too and they devoured each other, only stopping when the doors opened to allow them to race down the hall to the suite.

Kosta was just coming out and saw them, grinned and held the door open, laughing quietly as they raced past him, not slowing until they entered their bedroom and shut the door.

Never before had clothing vanished quite so quickly, discarded on the floor as the hunger that had built unbearably made patience impossible. Fire blazed in them, need that was out of control, beyond thought and they fell, fused together, onto the cover of the soft bed to feed the flames until their world was filled with the fireworks of complete love.

CHAPTER NINETY-SEVEN

Urs was first to come to his senses and reared up in the bed, looking aghast, ready to bolt, possibly without even stopping for clothes.

“Niki…OMG…we left Niki in the restaurant!!...Already I’m such a bad father!”

Maggie sat up and leaned on him, using her body weight to push him back against the covers.

“Relax…He’s with Heidi…I was counting on your reaction to the news and arranged for her to keep Niki until we come for him….or did it escape your notice that I was a very willing participant in our little …diversion?”

He grinned at her and brushed her tangled curls back off her face, enjoying the full feeling of her bosom on his chest.

“I prefer to call it a celebration…I’m sure I saw fireworks.”

There was a red mark on her wrist and he kissed it tenderly.

“I hurt you…I didn’t mean to but I had no control…as soon as you said that Dr. Mandel gave us the green light, all I could think of was how long it had been and how I needed to love you…it was a choice of clearing the table and taking you there and then, or trying to get to the suite, and I had just enough of my senses left to head for the suite.”

“Easy for you…I’ve known since yesterday and had to fly across the contintent to get to you.”

“You’ve been working out…it shows,” he said as he feathered his hands across her returning waistline and cupped her bottom to pull her tight against his body.

“Every day…I wanted to get into my old clothes…and I have a world full of women to compete with who would love nothing less than to jump your bones.”

He frowned at her and took her face in his hands.

“You have no one to compete with, Liebe. I loved you slender or swollen with child and now with your fuller, sculpted body. You make me hot, create a need in me that only you can ease…sure, there are blatant offers but no one stirs me the way you do…no one makes me want to lose myself in them, to love them like the way I long to love you, until we create our own world of emotion and feelings, our world of desire and love. I’ve had my share of women, maybe more than my share, but no one ever took me to the places where we go together….I could never settle for less, not anymore.”

His hands had wandered as he spoke to her, softly whispering the words she needed to hear and she knew that each one was a true declaration from his heart.

This time they were slow and tender, enjoying the gently building warmth that made bones melt and bodies tingle, patiently denying the ultimate prize that seemed just out of reach, easing eagerness with soothing touches, each time closer to the crescendo, the operatic finale of the music they were creating, music only they would ever hear…at last unable to deny themselves any longer, they allowed the heart- stopping glide over the edge into bliss to carry them away.

Urs whispered against Maggie’s neck. It was all he was capable of at the moment, his slick, spent body stretched full length atop hers as their hearts fluttered back to a normal rhythm.

“Niki? He’s hungry.”

She had heard it too, the special sound their son made when dinner was a bit tardy in arriving.

“…used the pump…Heidi knows…”

He made a feeble attempt to ease his weight off of her but she tightened her arms around his ribs and threatened to dig in her fingernails.

“Move and you’re a marked man, Buhler. I missed feeling the weight of you when I had such a big bump. I love to feel completely engulfed by you…. So safe, so complete…so loved.”

When he woke an hour later they had shifted slightly, his torso still across hers and his face tucked into the curve of her neck, their legs tangled as they lay partly on their sides. She looked angelic, rosy cheeked and peaceful, her hair fanned over the pillow and her hand laying lightly on the arm that he had draped across her waist. He wanted to stay just like this but his stomach had other ideas, reminding him that he had been too nervous to eat much breakfast, had left the table before his lunch had arrived and now it must be nearly dinner time.

He carefully slipped from the bed and went in to shower, not really surprised when she joined him.

“Are you going to be a good girl?” he asked sternly, holding the washing flannel spread in front of him for scant protection as she grinned. “I really want to spend some time with Niki before he goes down for the night.”

“I promise,” she said and reached calmly for the soap to wash his back.

With only a few pinches and tickles they accomplished the bathing, dried off and dressed again, both laughing as they entered the Lounge between the two bedrooms to find Kosta watching a football game on the Plasma TV while Heidi sat on the floor, letting Niki stretch his little arms and legs wildly on a soft blanket.

“There’s your Mami and Papa…he’s almost ready for dinner and I’ll bet you are too. We’ve had a lovely afternoon of visiting with your friends…I think they all want babies now since they saw how sweet Niki is. I didn’t tell them that all babies aren’t this well behaved.”

Urs lay down on the floor beside his son, thrilled that his closeness immediately caught the attention of the wee boy. He lay on his side and watched as Niki made a few attempts to roll over, but found it just a bit more than he could manage yet. Maggie dropped a pillow on the floor near Urs’ head and he used it to lay on his side and cradle his son on one strong arm, touching the small body with the other hand, a look of wonder on his expressive face.

“Look how perfect his fingers are…and how his nails have grown…WOW! that’s some grip he has,” he said as Niki captured his long index finger in one plump hand and made an avid inspection of the digit. In true baby fashion, the treasure made it to the little rosey mouth to be tasted with a head shake and clamping on of tiny lips. He expelled the finger after a few sucks that didn’t provide any nourishment and, wonder of wonders, met Urs eyes and smiled.

Maggie thought her heart would burst at the look of joy that flooded Urs’ face. She remembered the first real smile that she had been witness to, not the gas bubble of the early days but a real, in your face, I’m looking at you smile, the development that Urs had missed while away.

Urs glanced at her to see if she had noticed and knew she had, that she shared his joy, her eyes glistening as she watched them.

As if a switch had been thrown Niki began to fuss, little hungry whimpers starting and Urs looked up at Maggie in alarm.

“No panic, Luv…he’s hungry. He needs changing and feeding, then he’ll fall asleep. We can take him down to the restaurant with us in his carrier. Once he’s fed he’ll sleep like the proverbial log.”

Urs insisted on performing the necessary diaper and clothing change, doing a remarkable job as his old skills with his siblings’ babies came back to him and delivered Niki to his own special caterer, watching as he greedily suckled, shaking his head in frustration when Maggie switched him to the other side, then latching on firmly, his tiny hand kneading against his mother’s flesh.

Once Niki was burped and sleeping peacefully in his carrier, they all went down for dinner, again joining the others as they had their meal and planned the next couple of days.

Tomorrow was a concert night then they would have 2 days off before Stockhom on the 23rd.

“We thought we might look around the downtown area a bit tomorrow,” Maggie said after they placed their order. “Kosta told me that the whole downtown was razed, all except one building, during WW11 and most of the new buildings have been designed by very avant garde architects…I thought that Yanni might like some photos, so we might browse a bit while you guys are busy with sound check. Then if it’s alright with you we’ll come to the concert and Kosta has volunteered to stay in your dressing room with Niki while we girls go out front to watch the concert….I believe Steve has blocked off seats for all of us.”

“He was in here earlier and told me that we should come in the stage entrance…he’ll have some one meet us,” Petra said. She seemed distracted, turning often to smile at David who looked gob smacked and had to be prodded to join in the conversation.

After the third attempt to get David’s attention, Sebastien reached over and pretended to take his pulse.

“Oui, his heart still beats…my friend, where is your mind tonight?”

David’s eyes held a flicker of coming back to reality and he grinned.

“I’m…We’re pregnant…” he announced as he took Petra’s hand.

“Merde…it’s contagious!!” Sebastien said and raised his eyebrows at Geena who shook her head and laughed.

They all toasted the happy couple, celebrating with wine and Diet coke {Carlos} while Niki blissfully slept on, not at all disturbed by the happy sounds around him.

**

Maggie wondered if the fans felt the same way she did. It didn’t matter how many concerts were attended or how many times the CD’s were listened to, the sound of their voices never dulled or bored. Of course hearing them live was so much better, more enriched than the CD’s but it wasn’t just that. There was something new and different each time, some new attitude of the guys, new banter, a different energy from the audience that in turn had an effect on the performance.

During the intermission between Hayley and the beginning of the actual Il Divo performance both she and Heidi listened to the happy babbling of voices around them, some in English or French, many speaking Dutch. They eavesdropped shamelessly to the accounts of the before-performance brief sighting and how Steve had promised that the guys would come out to meet and greet after the show, heard those who had been to multiple concerts talking about the different venues and about actually shaking hands with one or the other of the guys.

Maggie was particularly pleased to hear the opinion voiced by some of the English speaking fans who had been to Birmingham. They were appalled at the lack of respect shown to Sebastien by the fan who latched on to his leg and refused to let go. The consensus was that the woman, who was in fact present in Rotterdam, would not be allowed to do a repeat performance, Seb’s Sirens would see to that.

She stole a look at Geena who was sitting just down from her, eager to see if she had heard the conversation, knowing that if it did happen again there would be war. Gee tended to be very protective of those she loved.

The concert itself was wonderful. Heidi was stunned speechless by the power of their presence and voices even after meeting all the men personally and hearing the music hundreds of times…or perhaps it was because she thought she knew them and found them to be so much more than she had ever realized.

Urs spoke Dutch through most of the concert, learned from his years in Amsterdam and not lost….he did have an excellent ear for languages. Maggie had to laugh quietly at the looks on the faces of the other three who often seemed at a loss as to what he was saying. All too soon it was over. They had sat on the stage edge with no mishaps, even then Urs had managed to meet her eyes over the crush of fans and sent her a blinky wink, patting his hidden pocket…the secret communication made her shiver. The rose petals fell, Urs said farewell in Dutch and began to leave the stage while the others stood there, unsure if he had bid the crowd good bye until he turned back to them and said something, then they galloped to catch up. The funny moment was a fitting ending to a lovely evening of communion between singers and audience.

Kosta had efficiently fed and changed Niki and he was sleeping again in his carrier, made the transition back to the suite easily, stirring just a bit when they arrived, so Maggie topped up his tank with a short nursing and put him down again. As the two women had decided, he would stay in with Kosta and Heidi over night and tomorrow would spend the whole day with his parents while the older couple had some well deserved free time.

“You didn’t get all the makeup off,” she teased when they went in to shower.

“I had other things on my mind…like how sweet Niki looked in that carrier, his little mouth making sucking motions. You must taste good for him to dream about nursing. I know you looked wonderful, very delicious…I remember that red dress from before…it fits even better now….especially the top. One good deep breath and I would have had to jump off the stage to defend your honor.”

She laughed at him and rubbed against his back, hard enough to make him groan.

“You really are a boob man!! I’m glad I’m not flat chested…you wouldn’t have given me a second look.”

He turned under her ministering hands and grinned at her.

“Good planning wasn’t it? It just confirms my suspicion that we were made for each other…..you missed a spot…”

She looked up at his face and recognized the sultry look, kept her eyes locked with his and let her hands wander lower.

“Here?”

“Almost…yes…ahhhh…woman you have magic hands…look what you’ve done now…”

She laughed and tilted her head to meet his searching mouth, playing their Yellow Pages game, letting her ‘fingers do the walking’ until he couldn’t hold back any longer and lifted her, moaning as he accepted what she offered and giving her the passion she craved.

**

They were not happy with him and he knew that his time of freedom in Europe was fast coming to an end. His contacts in the UK had warned him, perhaps with an ulterior motive since they had work for him in the small country, work he found he had a taste for. He thought about the time he had wasted, co-ercing that damned Buhler into doing assignments for him, time when he could have done the work himself with ease, without running the risk of involving someone who was reluctant.

He sneered as he thought of the limited minds of those he had worked for over the years, dealing with petty smuggling, arms and drugs….there was so much more that he could do and do well….and the remuneration was as different from the pittance he had made before as that between sardines and Caviar, cotton and mink, a second hand car and a new Ferrari. And then there was the bonus.

Laurenz liked killing, liked the thrill of it, the flutter of life leaving a body that he had just choked into oblivion, stabbed and watched bleed out, beat until the life left the shattered hulk that had once been a living breathing human. Especially the women.

Once more he thought of his wife and son. The ache to have her back was almost a sickness inside him, something that at times he found impossible to subdue and it was at those times that he ended the current relationship he was in. He was careful, always remaining in the background, milking every last ounce of assets or access to the assets that the woman had, doing it early so he would be prepared when the time came to end her puny life.

Now his plans were made….slipping back in to the U.K. was not easy but possible. He had contacts and money so it could be done. His bolt hole was ready for his arrival, perhaps not as elegant as some of the places he had lived in over the past year, but sufficient. His reputation had spread among the world he lived in…work was not a problem. There was just the one little detail to finish up…he had to find his traitorous wife, to get her back and have the pleasure of torturing the life out of her body, a fitting punishment for willingly betraying him, for not returning. Then he would take his son and live as he was meant to live, quietly, doing work only when he felt like it, ending lives with a pleasure that made his body respond sexually…it would be a good life.

CHAPTER NINETY-EIGHT

Urs hummed as he took care of Niki in the morning, allowing Maggie some alone time in the shower. There was really a lot more to be done for babies than seemed at first glance: the constant changing to make sure the little body was clean and dry, the wrestling match of trying to dress a small body that did not co-operate, wiggling and flailing tiny arms and legs instead of slipping them into sleeves and pant legs of the cute one piece suits with the dome closings.

Of course it took longer for him since he couldn’t resist giving his son a tickling ‘razzy’ on the fat tummy, making the little boy laugh and grab his Papa’s hair, trying to get it to his mouth for a taste test.

Once he was clad and beginning to grizzle just a bit for his breakfast, Urs tried out the carrier, not wanting to appear an amateur when they went out later. It was a bit complicated since it converted from a front facing carrier, to a chest facing, to a sling for times when the child needed to sleep. Still they managed and Niki seemed to think it was some sort of game, chortling and cooing through all the position changes, though Urs thought his favorite was the chest facing…at the moment the most painful since he hadn’t yet put on his tee shirt and his chest hairs were fair game for little grasping fingers.

Maggie came out of the bedroom, all dressed and with ther hair over her shoulder as she quickly formed it into a long plait. She smiled at the picture her two men made…both happy, Urs in bare feet and jeans smiling as he untangled little pink fingers from the curls on his chest, Niki, all clean and bouncey as he explored this new region.

“Go have your shower, Luv, while I nurse Niki.”

He handed the baby over but stood immobile while she settled in the chair and got Niki into position, exposed her breast to the seeking mouth and smiled when a connection was made.

She looked up and he was still watching.

“Urs…”

“I like to watch,” he whined with a little grin.

“And we both know what happens then… you know I’m willing…always…but if you want to catch that ferry we have to get moving.”

He kissed the top of her head, gave her long plait a little tug and strolled off with his cat-like prowl to have his shower, filling the suite with song as he let the music filling his soul pour out.

**

Of course they were on time, breakfast over, baby admired by their friends who were suitably impressed with Urs’ new skill with a baby carrier. Niki was sleeping with the innocence of the very young as they boarded the sleek Spidokl for a tour of the massive harbour and downtown area. They found a good position for viewing, on the upper deck, seats by the railing and watched in awe as they slipped quietly under the awesome Swan Bridge to tour the largest seaport in the world.

It wasn’t just maintenance yards and wharf after wharf with sea-going vessels. There were parks tucked into the waterfront, replete with amazing sculptures, the moden architecture of rebuilt Rotterdam forming a fascinating backdrop. They passed yacht basins, cruise line docks, little hamlets that had sprung up to service the multitude of ships and service people.

Twice during the 2 hour boat ride Urs had been hesitantly approached by fans. He smiled and spoke with them for a few moments, politely requesting that they not take a photo of him while he held his son and the ladies each time nodded in agreement, perhaps over come with the pleasure of being treated to knowledge no other fans were privy to. Whatever the reason, they respected his privacy and settled for handshakes, appreciative smiles and autographs in the CD booklets that they carried in their handbags for just such a happy accident.

Back on land again they lunched in a little wharfside café, tucked away out of the flow of other diners. Urs performed the changing honors again then Maggie fed Niki and he napped while they ate their meal.

“That was really nice, the way you handled those fans onboard, Urs. I was worried about you being recognized…”

He smiled, thinking about it.

“I’m not quite so nervous about the fans finding out personal details anymore….and I won’t deny that you and Niki exist. The fans for the most part are very caring and respectful…they want to share whatever we allow them access to and I understand that…it’s not a bad thing, just an effort to get closer, more personal…after all we sing about love, try to show it in how we treat the fans and I don’t think they would believe that we live celibate lives, not if we can sing with so much passion.”

Maggie smiled at him and continued nibbling on the lovely fruit salad she had ordered. If the fans just knew what a truly passionate man the SRG was about his music, his life, his family, his lover…she held a mental image in her mind of hundreds of Ubers swooning onto the ‘Thud Cushions’ that were frequently refered to on-line in the Gallery. Little did they know how close to the truth some of their imaginationshad come.

They spent most of the afternoon touring the city, the Cube Houses were extraordinary but they both voiced the opinion that they wouldn’t trade Irgendwo for a half dozen of them, the newly blooming tulips fronting Veldhoven seemed to be out of a painting and they got brochures for ordering bulbs and corms in the fall, wanting to do a Naturalized planting at home, especially in the fields leading up to the house. By late afternoon, Niki was awake and dangling in the carrier on Urs’ chest, enjoying his outing, tugging now and then at the little cap that covered his silky head from the heat of the sun.

It had been a lovely day of bonding and sightseeing and they capped it off with an intimate dinner in the suite and an early night, neither quite finished with making up for the enforced abstinence and the separation that would come again, all too soon.

**

Leaving the Tour was sad but necessary and becoming routine. Petra and Gerry had to return to the UK, Gerry was between jobs so could travel with them for a while and of course Maggie had to return with NIki, Heidi and Kosta to Switzerland.

Being apart again was not something that any of them wanted but they packed and headed out to the airport, sharing tender moments while they could, promising to talk daily either on the phone or through IM’s.

Petra was going to train someone to replace her at Base so she could concentrate on nurturing her new baby as well as Paul, and they wanted a new home as well, so she would look at what was available and cull the listings down to a manageable few for when David came home.

Maggie’s days would be filled, not only with the never ending project of translating files but with grounds work as she started the work on the orchards and gardens, devouring every book she could find on the subjects as well as having professionals come out to the farm to give her advice and handle the heavier work.

Spring was truly in evidence when they arrived back at the farm, some of the wild flowers poking up through the swiftly melting snow, birds beginning to return to the forest and when she left Heidi with Niki during his nap and walked up to the stream, she saw a doe and a wobbly legged fawn. It was a magical moment and she nearly ran all the way back to the house to call Urs and share the joy she felt.

Suddenly it was May and Il Divo was crisscrossing Europe, getting closer and closer to the 23rd when they would have well deserved time off until June 14th when they had a concert in Boca Raton, Florida…except…there were always exceptions to the R & R that was dangled like a carrot in front of the tired men…except for singing with Toni Braxton at the Fifa World Cup opening Ceremonies. It was an honor to have been asked so the short side trip caused no grumbles among them, in fact it gave them an opportunity that not many others would have of meeting some of the teams personally.

Urs surprised Maggie, arriving home very early in the morning, as Kosta, who almost always rose with the first chirping of the birds, just as he was coming out of the cottage with his first cup of coffee.

He came down the hill to the house to welcome Urs and followed him into the main house, clicking on the kettle to make coffee asking all the usual questions about the flight, the last few concerts, was he hungry.

“Not for food…I’m hungry to see my wife and son.”

Kosta smiled, thinking of the pair of them racing down the hall in the Hotel.

“Maggie will be in the gym…she’s been so busy lately that she gets up really early to get her workout in, then rarely stops running all day. Maybe now that you’re home you can get her to slow down a bit.”

“Sounds like we both need a nice relaxing bike ride…I’ll see if I can convince her.” He grinned at Kosta and left his rolling luggage in the hall, went through the games room and down the corridor cut into the rock, turning right across from the Studio and encountering Cosmo who had been laying in front of the door. The puppy rose, on alert but recognized Urs scent and relaxed, begging for pets. Urs scratched behind his ears and ran his hand down the sturdy body, thinking about how much the pup had grown in such a short time. Cosmo lay back down, watching as Urs entered the gym.

She was on the Universal, part way through her routine he guessed as her sleeveless tee shirt was soaked and her face shone with sweat below the band she had tied around her head to keep sweat from running into her eyes. Her back was to him, rigid for the over arm pull downs she was doing, her toned arms flexing with the weight that she had programmed for resistance each time….180 pounds, he noticed and nodded, heavy but not too heavy for someone in good shape and after all she was going for toning rather than muscles, doing many reps rather than a few with heavier weights. He waited until she paused between sets then crept forward and leaned over to kiss her wet neck.

She yelped and swung around, recognizing his touch and grinning with delight as she erupted off the bench and wound herself around him.

“You’re early!”

“Want me to come back later?”

“Not a chance, Swiss. You’re here and I’m keeping you. I know I’m all sweaty but you’ve been home 15 seconds and I still haven’t had a real kiss.”

He laughed and lifted her up, her arms went around his neck and her legs vised about his waist as he worked his way across her salty cheeks to her laughing mouth and feasted.

“It’s been exactly one month and one day since I had you in my arms and tasted your sweet mouth. Kissing you was the first thing that sent me out of control and it still does….the IM’s and phone calls give me relief but it isn’t the same as tasting you and feeling you respond. And I want more…Niki?”

She slid her feet to the floor and smiled at him, nodding at the Baby Monitor on the nearby table with water bottles, her hands busy with his belt and the buttons on his jeans.

“Sleeping…I think we have about an hour before he wakes up…”

“Remind me to thank him for being so considerate, later…”

He was in a hurry now, helping with his jeans, ripping off his tee shirt, toeing off his boots, then laughing when she knelt to remove his socks, moaning when she returned up-right, making a trail of kisses up his long, hairy legs that she followed with her hands….with a side trip that left him shaking in need.

Her body was sticky with sweat, her workout clothing of tank top and shorts sticking a bit but she wiggled out of them, worked the stretched jersey of his shorts off of him and laughed when they fell onto the gym mat with a breath robbing thump.

“Let me…” she whispered against his chest and rolled them over, surprising him with her strength, then surprising him again with moves he didn’t remember teaching her, but wanted her to do again, and again….to never stop. He gave himself up to her, enjoying the best, most thorough welcome home he had ever experienced.

**

He felt tingley, lighter than air, boneless as he lay bathing in the after glow, spread out like a sacrificial offering with Maggie draped over top of him, still twitching from after shocks but unable to do much else.

“That was…incredible!!”

He wasn’t sure if he had spoken or someone else, the croaking voice that came from his mouth not at all like his.

His head was fortunately at the right place to kiss her brow tenderly, which was a good thing since he wasn’t sure it would ever be able to move again.

Her mouth twitched in a smile.

“I didn’t know it would make you sing.”

“I was singing? Ah, yes, I remember now…words weren’t enough….have you been reading?...or watching naughty movies?”

“Neither….I’ve had a month and one day to be creative…I had planned on being slightly more romantic about the lead in though…next time.”

He managed to get his arms pulled in from the sides so he could grasp her by the waist.

“Next time? Mein gott…I need to start taking vitamins, something strong to build up my stamina.”

Maggie laughed as he twined his legs with hers and managed to roll them over, still a bit weakened and neither wanting, nor able to get off the mat yet.

“Urs?”

“Yes, Liebe?”

“Whose idea was the white belt and those glaring white shoes?”

“WL…why… don’t you like them?”

“It’s an …unusual look when you’re trying for casual but elegant. She must have known that you could carry it off.”

“I try not to argue much with her…she’s always on my case about doing up my cuffs so the minute she’s out of sight I undo them again.”

He laughed as he thought of how they all tormented the poor woman.

She laughed.

“Button them at one of the concerts and I’ll bet it’s on the Forum that night. They notice everything about you.”

He smiled and got slowly out from under her, getting to his feet and helping her up.

“You’ll want a shower before you nurse Niki, so we should head upstairs…and I’m anxious to see him.”

She made a face as she pulled on the still wet tank top and shorts. They felt cold against her heated skin and now she was eager for a shower.

Urs case was where he left it, Kosta obviously thinking that discretion was more important than carting the luggage upstairs. He took it in one hand and followed behind Maggie with his free hand on her butt, making appreciative humming sounds as he felt her glutes working.

“You have anything important planned for the next couple of days?” he asked quietly as they entered the suite, then stopped dead in his tracks when he looked for the cradle and couldn’t find it.

“Nothing except to give you space to wind down…Niki is in the nursery now, Urs. He’s old enough and healthy and we have the Baby Monitor…it was time.”

He wondered if all parents felt this sense of loss mingled with pride as their child reached yet another plateau in their development. Was this what it would be like for each new step, using a sitter, sending Niki off to school, letting someone else coach him in sports, far down the road when he would go off to university? He laughed at himself, realizing that he was borrowing trouble that may not exist.

“While I’m home I’d really like to go out on the bike, with you if you like…maybe Heidi or Mami could give us a free day…What do you think?”

She whirled around to hug him.

“I think it sounds perfect….Mami has already offered to stay with Niki anytime and Heidi loves to have him to herself too. Oh, Urs, you do have the best ideas.”

She went off to shower and Urs stole into the nursery to watch Niki sleep. He looked so tiny in the big crib, so vulnerable. Urs felt his chest swell with the ache of wanting to protect him, to shelter him from the evil and pain in the world. Of course that was unrealistic and probably not healthy. Niki would need to be aware when he was older that evil existed and how to be wary of it. Until then he would be loved and protected, nurtured as he had been by his many layered family.

The baby started to stir and Urs watched him winding himself up to announce that he was awake and starving!!! He chuckled and picked up his son, rocking him as the little boy fully woke and calmed, temporarily. When Maggie came into the nursery from her shower they were sitting together in the rocking chair, holding a fascinating one-sided conversation, Urs rich voice mesmerizing his son as he told him of all the stuffed animals and toys that awaited in the playroom.

She smiled and joined the little tableau, imprinting the picture of father and son on her mind to keep as a treasure.

CHAPTER NINETY-NINE

They spent a couple of hours re-stocking the safe room, the bunker that by law, all large, new buildings had to include on the property or pay an extra tax to support the ones available in every town. Every few months all the supplies that hadn’t been cryovaced were replaced with fresh, the still usuable items sent into town and donated to a locally run Hostel.

Urs took Cosmo for a hike up to the waterfall, hoping to see some wildlife so he could reinforce Maggie’s training…they definitely wanted the pup to respect the denizens of their forest and now was the best time to teach him restraint. He need not have worried. Cosmo seemed to think that the otters swimming and splashing in the pond and stream was a wonderful game and dashed into the icy water to play with them, looking very disappointed when they vanished like smoke. Of course he shook the excess water out of his thick coat when he got near Urs and they both came home very wet….but happy.

The next day Inga and Nikolai arrived early in the morning to collect their grandson. Maggie had a good supply of expressed milk for them to take home so he wouldn’t need a supplemental formula and they packed up all his favorite things and told the nervous parents to ‘Go…enjoy yourselves and come back when you want’. It was the first time they had left him for any real length of time but after all he was with Mami. Privately she thought they would last two days, tops, before they needed to see the little boy.

Urs had planned a scenic route that would take them through the mountain passes to Interlaken, Thun, then Bern, Baden, up to Zurich, by Kussnacht am Riggi and home in a loop that bypassed Luzern on the way back.

They stopped often on the ride so Maggie could enjoy the view and Urs could refresh the love he had for this country of his birth. It was eye opening to see the wonders of the mountains again through new eyes, to share what he had taken for granted through habit and familiarity.


Dusk that first night found them in Brienz where they booked into a quaint inn on the Geisebah, the exterior painted in an ornate design that made it look like a gingerbread house. Dinner was homey and excellent and they walked along the waterfront after to stretch some of the rider’s cramp out of their legs, taking along bread to feed the swans at the suggestion of the innkeeper.

“You seem quiet…are you missing Niki?”

She laughed and admitted that she was.

“I’ts hard to share him…I know he’s fine and won’t likely even miss us but…..I want to be here, with you and I love riding behind you….I should remind you of a promise made though…that you would teach me how to ride and I could get my own bike.”

Urs raised his brows at the reminder and shook his head.

“Might be not such a good idea, Luv…remember how much of a disaster it was trying to teach you to drive?”

She looked at him out of the side of her eyes.

“Franz offered to teach me.”

“NO!!! Franz thinks rules are only guidelines and he tries to see how many he can break each time he goes out. Poor Shannon lives in fear every time he rides but nothing convinces him that he needs to be more careful. I give up. I’ll teach you…when the tour is over the roads should be good and we can go out everyday.”

They spent a few pleasant hours in the pub with a bunch of locals, interacting with them, singing some beer hall songs. It was refreshing for Urs to not have to worry about being recognized, though he was pretty sure the bar maid knew of his Il Divo work but she said nothing. Around 10 they went up to their room and spent a lovely hour in the dark on the small balcony, building anticipation for what would come, not in any hurry as they enjoyed a slow, langorous dance of love, using the Tantric methods they had seldom had time for recently.

Even the long strands of her hair felt alive when Urs lay her back on the duvet, touching her gently, letting his breath caress her tingling skin, his dark eyes the center of her universe as he leaned closer, closer still and engulfed her with his heated body and his consuming love.

**

It had been a wonderful couple of weeks but now it was over and Urs was packed for the trip to the World Cup. The guys had decided to go on straight to the U.S. after they finished at FIFA…it was very hot in the southern States and they would need some time to acclimatize.

The bike ride had been just what both of them needed to unwind and to bond again, the time after, when Urs was able to spend hours with his son, had been good for him as well, though it did make it a bit harder to leave. He smiled as he thought that it was likely that each and everytime he had to leave was going to be difficult, that he would never completely be blasé about it. Babies changed so quickly at this stage of their lives…already in the time he had been home he noticed the changes in Niki…he was able, with effort, to roll over now, surprising himself each time he did it and his smile was real when he recognized his Papa.

And Cosmo no longer watched Urs carefully when he was holding ‘HIS’ baby…he had learned to trust this tall flock member who took him for such fun runs.

Maggie came in the nursery where he had been watching Niki sleeping and slipped her arms around his waist.

“Kosta is ready to go, Luv.”

“I heard him pull up to the doors….it doesn’t get any easier each time. I thought it would but it’s so pleasant here, so peaceful….you have made our home into a haven for me, Liebeling.”

He turned and cupped her face with his strong hands, searching her eyes for strength. He found love, a tinge of sadness, courage and the strength he sought. He feathered butterfly kisses across her face, taking her mouth with reverence.

“I love you, my Maggie. Remember how much I love you.”

“And I love you, my Swiss…we will be here, waiting for you.”

He was gone with only the taste of his mouth lingering on hers and the scent of his aftershave faintly in the air.

**

Tristan says: I can not believe the humidity here…and we’re wearing the same suits we wore in Europe. It’s like performing in a sauna. There’s something wrong with the planning when we go to the northern States in the dead of winter and the South during a heat wave.

Ceol says: I noticed how the humidity is curling your hair…what a treat for the fans who like it that way. Are you feeling alright otherwise? I thought you looked a bit pale in Boca…

Tristan says: A bit of heat stroke, nothing serious….I don’t handle the heat all that well…Carlos loves it…LOL

Ceol says: What a sly fox he is…I got his e.mail about the surprise for Gerry…Mami says she will be happy to keep Niki so I’ll be there…it’s far more romantic than I had expected of Carlito.

Tristan says: Surprised all of us…I don’t think his feet will touch the floor until it’s over, he’s so excited. And what a treat for Dave, Seb and I, to have you girls here. I can hardly wait….will you go on Space Mountain and the Pirates ride with me?

Ceol says: Silly man…you know I’ll gladly go anywhere with you.

Tristan says: have to go…Gene just called us…Luv you…see you on the twenty-sixth. Oh and here’s something for you…

An enormous pair of red lips came on the screen with a smacking sound of a kiss and a laugh.

She retaliated with a purple hippo with BYE printed on the bottom it waved at him and signed off, laughing. Seb must have been helping him again.

**

June 26th the last single Divo succumbed to love as Carlos and Geraldine were married in Disneyland, a surprise for the bride when she arrived in the LA area to attend the concerts at the Greek Theatre. Carlos had arranged everything, including the gown, Cinderella’s carriage, flowers, family, reception. It was a magical time, especially so for the bride and groom, Carlos since he had planned it for months, Gerry because she had always wanted exactly what he had arranged and for both of them since it meant that they could now begin searching for a child, or two, to adopt.

The news leaked out, of course…weddings in Disneyland were not exactly private affairs and the fans were delighted. The Forum fairly buzzed with excitement and rumors until Carlos posted a message that confirmed the nuptials. Management was livid until they read the feedback and realized that the Divos had been right all along.

Seb, David and Urs decided not to announce their marriages at the moment. There would be time later to do it when the questions were asked, as they always were, during interviews….this was Carlos and Gerry’s time in the spotlight and they didn’t want to cast a shadow on the press he was getting. And there was something else to consider now.

Steve had come to them and informed them that Barbra Striesand had asked for a meeting with the possibility of Il Divo accompanying her on her tour in the fall as special guests. It was a great opportunity for them to perform with the legendary Diva, providing that they were not asked to be the Opening Act. They had come too far in a short span of time to merely be an opener now. They agreed to meet and discuss the arragements before making a decision, after the second LA concert.

It was actually a tough decision. They were tired, the tour had taken it’s toll on them and they had been looking forward to having the fall off before the World Tour that had been tentatively planned to start in January. Siempre was being released in November, Petra was due the first week of January and if they went on the Striesand tour it would last for 2 months, October and almost all of November.

They talked about it in Carlos’ suite, going round and round in circles and coming up with no definite answers. Finally Pet took a large sheet of Kraft paper, used for wrapping parcels to ship home and made up Pro and Con lists.

There would be a solid two months off work….Pro
The exposure was priceless…..definitely Pro
David would still be off when the baby was due…a personal pro but Pro nevertheless
The pace wouldn’t be as difficult since Miss Striesand had requested 1 or 2 days off between concerts….another Pro

All the cons that they thought of seemed too petty to write down so the decision was made.

**

June slid iinto July with ease since the girls stayed with the tour, planning on returning to the UK with the guys after the last concert, in Vancouver on July 3rd.

It was a fun time, riding the buses some of the time between short jaunts, sharing laughs the nearer they got to the end of the tour, talking about plans.

Petra had found several houses for David to look at, one in particular that she had fallen in love with but wouldn’t tell him which one it was. They would spend the first few days home looking and deciding on one.

Carlos and Gerry were going back to the agencies they had spoken to before and see how their changed circumstances affected their chances.

Geena and Seb planned on a relaxing few days on the beach in Thailand, doing absolutely nothing, while Urs and Maggie just smiled and secretly planned to work on conceiving Baby #2.

Vancouver was a treat…They had an extra day so Urs rented a bike and they went for a ride up to Whistler and beyond. It was summer but the resort was thriving with all sorts of activities, one of which was Zorbing and they tried it out, laughing and screaming as they rolled down the mountain slope inside a double plastic bubble with water cushioning them…and getting them soaked. They stayed overnight, coming back to the city just before sound check, Urs dropping Maggie off at the Hotel before going on to the venue.

Early the next morning they were off home for some well deserved rest before the Summer Nights Tour throughout the UK.

**

Kedleston…the last concert of the tour. It was a beautiful venue, the seating was to be picnic style and the Divos had arrived with flair by helicopter. Trailers had been brought in for dressing rooms and as a surprise, all 4 of the girls were already here, waiting in the trailers.

The guys were picked up in the field by sleek black vehicles and sped into the enclosure while the fans already assembled waved and screamed at them.

Maggie was watching out the window of the trailer as Urs went to the fence and leaned his arms and chin on the top railing, grinning at the fans contained on the other side, peeking through the plastic liner, teasing, as if he was a monkey at the zoo. He posed for a few pictures then jogged over to his trailer to change, opening the door and jumping up the few steps, straight into Maggie’s arms.

“Mein Gott!! You’re here…I was thinking about you, wishing you could be here for the final concert.”

As usual his shirt sleeves were undone and she ran her hands up inside them to feel his strong arms, smiling as he grinned at her.

“You’ve already been into the champagne, I see. I watched you out there with the fans…you’re such a tease…and they love it. How far you’ve come from the staid, unsure man who was nervous about the noisy fans at the start.”

“It’s wonderful…I get so much energy from them….Baby I’m so happy to see you.” He pulled her tight against him and she laughed.

“I can tell….”

Further conversation was impossible as his mouth descended over hers and she melted against him. Each time they managed to be together was another first time, thrilling, mind-numbing passion with no boundaries…except the crew member pounding on the door telling Urs they needed him for sound check.

“Schiesse!! Well better now than in ten minutes when I would have had to kill him. Are you coming to watch sound check?”

Maggie straightened her shirt and looked up at him in surprise.

“Is it alright? They can see the trailers and might notice if we leave together.”

“I don’t care. It’s past time that the fans knew that I can sing about love the way I do because my life is filled with it. Come with me, Luv.”

They left the trailer together, a striking couple, both in jeans and boots, Maggie in a scoop necked tee shirt and with her hair loose and waving, Urs in boots and jeans, a long sleeved white dress shirt, open at the neck and with his hair pulled back in a ponytail, both smiling as he took her hand and they walked towards the stage.

**

It was a fun concert. The champers flowed on stage and off, the energy generated by the audience as they sang along, cheered, screamed and clapped was amazing and the four singers fed off it, rising to heights of music and playfulness never felt before. The banter was fresher, the jokes more in evidence as they teased each other, rocked out, Whoo Hooed to the delight of the audience and held the mikes for the audience to sing along.

The girls were seated on a blanket near the stage, surrounded by adoring fans who soon twigged to the fact that many of the smiles and blinky winks were directed at the four lovely women who each followed every movement of her favorite man. Someone noticed that Urs wore a ring tonight when he kissed it and sent the pretty blackhaired woman a blinky wink and soon the buzz had spread through the crowd.

One of the fans offered the girls a plastic glass each of champers…there were no questions asked but the spark of knowledge was there. Steve appeared with two more bottles, the same good stuff that the guys were sharing on stage and the group around the girls toasted the guys, then laughed when the singers did the same back at them.

It was almost sad when it was over, the introductions of the crew and orchestra done, the crowd thanked again and the final bows taken.

The girls sat for a few minutes longer…there was such a crowd of people behind them, all trying to leave, that there was really no hurry. Their new friends sat with them, trading names when asked. Maggie and Pet admitted to going on line regularly and they asked the online names, recognizing them immediately. One of the women was a moderator as well as an excellent photographer and Maggie told her that she had an album full of photos taken by her.

The only mention of a relationship came just as they were leaving the four women to join other fans in their exodus.

“You and Urs got together around the time of the Princes Ball….there was such a difference in him after that…he blossomed with happiness, something that was forced before but after he met you it was natural, as if he had so much happiness in his life that it overflowed. We all noticed it and now I know why…but I won’t say anything until he does. I just want to say Thank you.”

A few minutes later Steve popped up out of nowhere and led the girls through the remnants of the crowd, past security, to the trailers to meet up with their very giddy husbands.

CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED

“Why won’t you tell me which one you like the best?” David asked as they headed out to look at houses.

“I don’t want you to pick it just because I like it. You should look at them all and then we’ll talk about it.”

“I’ll bet I guess. I know what you like.”

She smiled and indicated that he should turn down the next street.

They pulled up in front of a tall building, very modern, in a design that wrapped around an enclosed private park complete with playground.

“This isn’t a house,” David said with a confused tone.

“Of course it isn’t. I knew that you really don’t want to be out of the city…and that if we have a place as a permanent haven, to get away from it all,that the only place you really want to be is Colorado…and I agree. I love it there, Stretch. I love the wide open spaces, the mountains in the distance, the peace…”

She couldn’t continue because he attacked her, hugging her against his body as he devoured her mouth.

He was laughing as he let her go.

“Well house hunting sure brings out the beast in you….I take it this means you agree with getting a nice condo here and looking for something in Colorado when we go home?”

“I love you my Pet…but it scares me to realize how well you read my mind. Yes, that’s exactly what I want….let’s go see this condo…I like the little play area for the kids.”

They spent the rest of the morning traipsing through one luxury condo after the other, ignoring the high pressure tactics of the sales agents and just inspecting the quarters, getting a feeling for the places. None of the others catered to families and they eventually settled on the first one to view, the one that Pet liked best actually…5 bedrooms with baths and a huge open space of sleek kitchen/Lounge/Dining area, a walk out roof top patio with a built in BBQ center, acres of tall windows, everything ultra modern, sleek and stylish but homey at the same time.

For a whole 2 hours they thought about it while they indulged in an excellent lunch at a neighbourhood bistro, then called their agent to make an offer. By dinner time it was a done deal, the move in date to be just before the guys would leave on the BS tour.

Paul was at his Nana’s for the night so they celebrated their new home by having dinner out and attending the opening night of a new group at one of the small clubs that specialized in Jazz, something that Maggie had mentioned they might catch if they felt in the mood. She had failed to mention that Andy, who had graduated from the school and was starting his career, was in the group. There were a few well known faces in the crowd, a good start for the fledgling musicians who appreciated the presence of such professionals and gave 150%, earning the applause and then some. The next morning the critic’s comments would be excellent and now, with this little boost from Urs and Maggie to get started, the rest was up to the performers.

“We won’t have to bump elbows in the bathroom in just a few more months,” David said as they jockeyed for position at the sink to brush teeth.

He captured Petra while she was still all foamy and kissed her neck, letting his hands splay over her tiny bump, making her laugh as he whispered his plans in her ear.

She rinsed and turned to him, giving him a minty kiss and a shove towards the bedroom.

“I’ll be right in, Superman…warm up my spot.”

He chortled and pretended to fly into the bedroom, landing on the big bed with a thud, leaving on his Superman jockeys and ready for some games.

Pet came in the room seconds later, naked and carrying a small silver box with writing on the front that he couldn’t read because her fingers covered most of it…he could see ‘YP’ and further over a ‘TE’ until she reached the side of the bed and flipped the top open, moving her fingers to display the word….KRYPTONITE.

“You are now powerless to resist me…you must do my every bidding, fulfill my every desire…resistance is futile,” she said softly in a compliation of lines from two of his favorite TV shows.

David drew in his breath in anticipation, eager to play along in this new and possibly exciting game as Pet set the box on the bedside table and leaned over him, gripping the waist band of his shorts in her teeth and tugging them down. He groaned and submitted…what else could he do?…after all it was KRYPTONITE!!!

**

Ricky was still bubbling with excitement from the summer Nights Tour that he had been official photographer for. Seb invited him to go to Thailand with them, at least for a week and after getting permission from Anna he was happy to go along. It would be his first trip outside of the UK and at first he tried to be very non chalant about it, like most teens hating to display zeal publicly except at concerts, but when they arrived and were installed in the beach house Seb had rented, he couldn’t help but be over come by the many things he saw and wanted to photograph.

They had gone over the ground rules on the flight: no wandering off alone, only drink bottled water that was sealed, ask permission before taking pictures of children or women, and stay with the guide that Seb had arranged to accompany him.

“A guide?” Ricky said with chagrin, thinking that he would be limited in his movements by some old geezer that didn’t even speak English.

“I’ve been here many times and one of my friends has a son about your age. Tino has agreed to show you around, take you to some of the spots that older tourists have no interest in….and he speaks pretty good English…though it wouldn’t hurt for you to learn how to be polite in Thai.”

They had spent a half hour learning some of the phrases and now Ricky was looking forward to the adventure.

This afternoon the boys had opted to join a group of other teens on the beach and Geena and Seb watched them now and then from the mats they lay on, reading and suntanning, occasionally running into the warm water to cool their heated bodies.

As they ran past the laughing teens once, one of the boys let out a wolf whistle at the sight of Geena racing to the water in her modest bikini and both she and Seb got a flush of joy out of the comment by Ricky.

“Hey, man…that’s my mother and step-father…get your tongue back in your mouth!”

“Cheri…he called me his stepfather…”
“Seb, he called me his mother…”

They had spoken together as soon as they were out of ear-shot and standing waist deep in the water, looked at each other with glistening eyes and laughed, dove into the next wave to hide any tears that escaped and swam a bit to cool off.

“Maybe I shouldn’t have worn the bikini,” she said as they tread water.

“Don’t be silly…you are a very beautiful woman…and that suit covers everything…you can not hide who you are, mon chou…I think it is wonderful that he feels protective of you.”

“I like him…I was prepared to love him no matter what he was like, merely because I gave birth to him and wondered about him for so long…but I really like him. He’s smart and funny, gentle and strong, has a good work ethic…”

“I like him too…I thought I would be jealous,, having to share you but the love you have for him is different…and I admire his talent…did you see how David and him had their heads together talking about cameras and videos? And his pictures are amazing…he should do well in his chosen career.”

“Anna has done an exellent job raising him….I wonder if I would have been so unselfish, so able to share him as she has been with us?”

Seb swam over to her and kissed her gently, trying not to submerge them as they bobbed in the small surf coming in.

“The important thing is that you have found each other and are friends. And even more important is, it has been four hours since the teenage garbage disposals have inhaled food….they must be starving…they will head for the house and there will be no crumbs of food left…come…I will race you to the house in defense of our supplies.”

They reached their mats and dried off, just in time since Tino and Ricky were standing and looking up the beach towards the cottage. Seb had the brilliant idea of using the beach vendors for sustenance and took money out of his hidden plastic vault, waving it at Ricky who laughed and jogged over.

“You know me so well…do you want anything?”

They asked for skewers of fish with lemon slices and a fruit plate to share, suggested that he buy an assortment of things to suit their friends and laughed as he ran off to the happy beach vendor. Of course there was no change but they waved happily as the teens called out their thanks and tucked into the goodies brought back for them.

Passion had been a tricky subject the first few days, neither wanting to indulge in the presence of the young man just inches away beyond the thin bamboo walls. That was solved nicely when Tino took Ricky to a teens’ only disco, giving them a few hours nightly of alone time or when the boys went with Alain, Tino’s French father, to a nearby plantation. So it was with real regret that they saw him off after the week was up.

Ricky didn’t look happy about leaving either, but was resigned. He had made commitments that he felt he had to keep and hugged both of them with real affection and regret when he was about to board the flight.

“Remember both you and Anna are coming with us to Switzerland for New Years Eve…and send us lot of e.mails…and copies of the pictures you took.”

Geena’s eyes looked suspiciously shiny as she gripped Seb’s arm and waved at her son when he passed through customs and headed for the plane. He put an arm around her shoulders and squeezed, turning her away as the door closed and the plane was pushed out onto the tarmac to taxi.

“Come with me, little Love…I will soothe your aching heart.”

It wasn’t long until she was smiling, then laughing, not forgetting the absence of her son but able to cope, her attention diverted to the man who seduced her with such skill that she surrendered completely to him, murmuring ‘Vive La France!!’ as he swept her away.

**

Carlos and Geraldine left the office of the Agency looking smug and satisfied. They had spoken to the same official who had turned them down before, showed their marriage certificate and invited them to tour the house in Marbella, to speak with their lawyer or financial advisor, what ever was necessary to qualify as adoptive parents. This time the attitude was entirely different, more subservient, much more willing to listen to their requests.

They decided to go shopping. Although the house had been stocked by the housekeeper and handyman they had hired, still there were a few special things that they wanted to purchase.

They browsed a book store and purchased several new releases, bought some large towels for the pool area, put the parcels in the little car which they had bought specifically for this area and went for coffee in a sidewalk café.

They were part way through their coffee and a discussion of the role Gerry had decided against auditioning for when Carlos looked over her shoulder and grinned.

“’Mija, what would you say if I told you that your idol is sitting at a table against the wall of the café?”

“I would say, don’t tease me…” she swiveled in her seat and gasped, then quickly turned to look at Carlos again.

“He’s old…he wasn’t supposed to get old,” she stammered.

Carlos’ laugh boomed out as he watched her pale face express shock, dismay, acceptance in turn.

“Did you think he would still be that 40 year old Bond from the movies? Querida, everyone gets old…he probably lives here for the same reason we do…the weather and because he can just be himself.”

“Well you never seem to get older…you still seem the same as when we first met, 16, no almost 17 years past.”

“Ah, but you are biased, my love. You love me for myself, not my image and we will grow old together, never noticing the way age creeps up on us.”

He watched her eyes as she looked at him, saw the change as her gaze softened, her lips parted, and her breathing became more rapid.

“Perhaps we should return to the house,” he said with a grin, dropping some notes on the table and offering his hand to her.

He grinned as they returned to the car…there was nothing like shooting down the competition….the benefits were astounding. She could hardly wait to get him alone to convince him that he was her only idol now.

**

Maggie smiled as she remember the cast and crew party after the concert, how Urs eyes had sought her out through the crowd of celebrants, how everytime they managed to get together and his hands had crept over her, discretely, someone had interrupted them and he had smiled politely, joining in the conversation though she could feel the tension in him through her hands as she pressed a palm against his stomach, trailed her fingers down his arm, reached her arm around his waist.

The party had gone on forever, long after darkness had fallen on the city, long after the rest of Sony BMG had shut down for the night, the large conference room they were in the only lights left on in the building.

Twice he had tried to make their excuses and take Maggie back to the suite in Chelsea and twice he had been intercepted by Steve, asking him to speak to one of the Management team.

When they finally left it had been time to leave for the airport for their various destinations. Petra and David had disappeared, lucky for them only to the apartment while Urs and Maggie had to catch a flight to Lucerne, one of the few per day, Seb and Geena were heading for Thailand and Carlos and Gerry were off to Madrid.

“Urs, are you alright?” she had asked with a small grin when they were sitting in the first Class Lounge, though she knew the answer just by looking at him. He sat leaning back in the chair with his jacket crumpled in his lap, eyes closed, trying for calm.

He raised his head and stared blankly at her.

“You are a wicked woman…it’s a good thing I love you….no more teasing, Okay?”

Her grin widened.

“Or…?”
He raised his head again and slitted his eyes open.

“Please! I’ve never hurt you but right now, I’m so tempted.”

She had started talking about Niki, watching him now and then, relieved to see that he was gradually relaxing a bit.

The flight hadn’t been too bad, was over quickly and they made their way out to the long term parking to the Volvo. As soon as they were in the vehicle he had pulled her over to him and tortured himself and her with long passionate kisses and roving hands that left them both gasping. He had lifted her back into her seat with a stern ‘Buckle up!’ and roared out of the parking lot, taking the bypass around Luzern and getting on the motorway quickly.

Now they were heading home, the barely contained passion almost palpable in the silent car as he concentrated on his driving. She reached over to lay her hand on his thigh and heard him groan, then the car swerved off the motorway onto a sideroad.

“Where are you going?”

Without answering he made another turn onto a road that was narrow, with heavy forest on either side, slammed the brakes on when they came to a stream and turned off the motor. He reached for her hand and dragged her out the driver’s door, walking quickly into the thick trees until he reached a small glade, then spun her into his arms, feasting on her mouth as his hands tugged at her clothing. His passion fueled hers and they loved wildly, without fear, without holding back, buttons flew as patience was strained, nails dug in, leaving trails in hot skin, teeth nibbled, tongues soothed and the forest echoed with the cries of passion sated.

Maggie lay on her back beside him in the new summer wild flowers, stunned speechless by what had just happened, catching her breath. Urs leaned up on one elbow and stroked his hand over her slick face, bending over to soothe the tiny split he saw in her lower lip.

“I hurt you…I’m sorry, Maggie. I wanted you so much…it just kind of built up…there’s always someone throwing themselves at me, making suggestions, sometimes offering, sometimes it’s just the looks and I can handle it because I love you so much, but it makes me think of you and then…. And there was no time or place after the concert and you kept teasing…I’m so sorry.”

She turned her head a bit to look straight at him and smile.

“Does your back sting? Or here, on your shoulder? Or if you touch your finger to your lip does it hurt? Maybe you were too busy to notice that you weren’t the only one wild with need. I think we should buy this little piece of land and put up a shrine to the gods of Lust.”

He laughed and kissed her gently.

“I still don’t like to hurt you…and yes, my back does sting…you have very sharp claws, little vixen. Did you bite my shoulder? I remember something pleasantly painful.” He tried to see it but couldn’t and she kissed it softly, hoping to soothe the bruising.

He collected their clothing from where they had scattered it and they dressed. Maggie had to tie her shirt in front since there were no buttons left and she teased him that he owed her a new one. The tracks of her nails on his back didn’t show marks since he was, fortunately, wearing a black tee shirt, which he had to leave out since the top button on his jeans was gone.

They went back to the car and Urs carefully manoevured it around to return to the highway, taking her hand in his and looking at her with that sultry smile that she knew so well. Their little side trip had taken the edge off but he wasn’t through with her yet, not by a long shot. The thought made her shiver with delight as she smiled back at him.