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 PATIENCE AND REWARDS

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koalawoman
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Join date : 2008-12-22
Age : 59
Location : Hernando, Florida USA

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PostSubject: Re: PATIENCE AND REWARDS   PATIENCE AND REWARDS - Page 2 EmptySun May 24, 2009 1:04 pm

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN


Just as the men were rising she reached the table and grasped Urs by the shirt. She was messy as if she had been in a struggle or had fallen and in fact they could see a large red mark on her arm and a slight scrape on her cheek.

“A big woman took Cat. She did something to her, Cat let out a little moan and then went kind of limp…. The woman tried to tell me she was Cat’s friend and that she was taking her home. I tried to stop her but she was too strong and she knocked me down. They went out the side door.”

Urs bolted for the exit, hitting speed dial on his phone to call their shepherd and arrived just in time to see a black car pull away from the lot, moving quickly. Seconds later another vehicle followed and when the agent answered he just said. “On it, 2 cars, following the one with our girl…..clear the line.”

Urs disconnected, helplessly watching the tail-lights of the agent’s vehicle rapidly follow the first one.

Within seconds all of their party was outside, Seb last of all for he had been stopped by a waiter and had to thrust his credit card at the man to cover the cheque. Millie was crying and angry that she hadn’t been strong enough, then remembered something and held it out to Urs.

“I saw Cat drop this as the Amazon dragged her out the door.”

It was her engagement ring. If there had been any doubt about who was responsible before, now there was none. Cat had purposely dropped her ring to tell them who it was and so Rita, or whatever her real name was, wouldn’t be able to steal it. Urs grimly slipped the ring in his pocket just as a vehicle pulled up with a squeal and Brian stepped out.

“We picked up Mark about an hour ago and he’s singing like a lark. They seem to be heading for the harbour…hang on…” He broke off as the agent in the car called out to him, ran back, listened, then they heard him on a radio yelling “man down, all agents, man down” and giving the location..

When Brian stepped back out of the vehicle all of the men were right next to him, the three ladies just behind them, all waiting to hear what news he had.

“They spotted our agent, shot him before he could get away. He said Cat got away but one man is chasing her, the driver took off. I’m going to the site and try to catch up.”

“I’m going with you,” Urs said and Brian could tell there was no use arguing.

“I’ll call the Hotel,” he yelled back at the others and piled into the back seat behind Brian.

They drove like they had a race car, with lights flashing and the driver hunched over the wheel, tires squealing, soon came on the agent’s vehicle, slewed sideways in the road and with the driver slumped over the wheel, his cell phone still in his hand. The other car was gone.

He rallied when Brian spoke to him, made a feeble gesture back toward the restaurant and passed out again. For a minute there was dead silence until Urs heard a sound he knew….the cry of someone doing the moves of Capoeira…he knew it was Cat and began to run toward the sound, down an alley, around a corner and saw her part way down the block. A man who could only be Gerard was fighting her and doing rather well since she seemed to either be injured or groggy.

Her eyes caught the movement as Urs raced toward them, coming swiftly up behind Gerard and she moved away from the man as if about to run, trying to give Urs time to reach her. She did manage to do a backward flip and kick Gerard in the chest, driving him back a few feet but she was slow getting back up and he was on her in a flash, curling his arm around her neck. He reached in his pocket for something, and Cat went limp, transferring all her weight to him so that he was momentarily off balance.

Urs spun on his hands and drove his feet into the man’s back, thrusting him forward and loosening his grip on Cat who fell to the pavement. Urs could hear Brian running up behind him and yelled out “Stay back…He’s mine!” as he spun on his left foot and kicked Gerard in the face with his right, once, twice, holding off on the third as the man went down. He didn’t think, just reacted, so filled with anger that his vision was tinged with red. For the first time in his life he was filled with an urge to kill.

Gerard lay gasping for breath on the street but Urs dragged him up by the shirt front and disarmed him, calmly snapping the arm that had held a wicked looking knife, one blow and the limb dangled, useless.

Urs back- handed him so hard that Gerard spun, blood spurting from his mouth and nose and he lay in a whimpering heap partly on the sidewalk, trying to crawl away from the madman that seemed eager to beat him to death.

Urs dragged him up again and locked his strong arms around Gerard’s neck, positioned to snap it like a piece of straw but hesitated and with an oath of disgust threw him down again with a vicious shove and a kick to the back of the knees that made Gerard fall face forward on the street, impacting the pavement with a satisfying crunch of bone as his chin hit first.

Urs was still tensed, ready to fight, to kill, wanting something to break, needing release for the rage that hadn’t quite been extinguished. He picked up the razor-sharp knife and handed it to Brian as he left Gerard and went to Cat.

She was only half awake, drugged he thought but not wounded, leaning against the wall of a building where she had crawled to keep out of the way, disheveled, her lovely dress torn and not covering much anymore, but she smiled at him as he knelt and touched her gently, removing his shirt and draping it over her to cover her exposed breast

“Did you find my ring?” she asked and he laughed and took it out of his pocket to place it on her finger. She sighed with relief.

“Nice moves,” she said and stroked his face, then burst into tears.

Urs picked her up, glanced at Brian who had put handcuffs, none too gently, on Gerard. Brian nodded agreement when Urs indicated he was taking Cat further down the alley. She snuggled her face into his chest, wetting his undershirt with her tears.

Urs felt his rage dissipating as he held her tight, his adrenal rush leaving him now and he began to shiver. The fury he had felt when he saw Gerard attacking Cat, his Cat, HIS woman, slowly seeped away and he felt slightly nauseous. For a moment during the brief fight, he had wanted more than anything to kill the man. It was a feeling so foreign to him that he could scarcely believe what he had done…and would do again if anyone dared touch her.

The chase car had arrived and he took Cat to it, climbed in the back with her and held her while she cried herself out, trying to be strong for her but shaking as he thought of the wicked switch-blade knife that Gerard had dropped when Urs broke his arm. He had been prepared to use it on Cat…. If Urs had been seconds slower, had not reached her in time…… It was too horrible to even consider and he pressed his lips against her temple fiercely, needing the feeling of her warm skin and her subtle scent to distract him from his thoughts.

Before many more minutes had passed there were a number of police cars and an ambulance on the scene which took Gerard away under police escort, another had taken the injured agent away and Brian seemed to be handling the investigation. He spoke to the senior police officer and after a quick phone call and showing of Identification was treated with respect. Without any more red tape he got back in the chase car, asked Cat if she needed medical attention and when she said no, told the driver to head for the Hotel.

On the way there he quizzed Cat as to whether Gerard had mentioned which boat they were going to, disappointed when she said no.
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PostSubject: Re: PATIENCE AND REWARDS   PATIENCE AND REWARDS - Page 2 EmptySun May 24, 2009 1:04 pm

“He just kept saying how I owed him, he lost a lot of money on me before and the “Boss’ was angry with him. The ‘Boss’ either wanted me or my body and he, Gerard, didn’t care which. He said ‘You caused me a lot of trouble, Bitch’ and slapped me in the face, then the driver said something about being followed and he swerved the car sideways in the road, Gerard jumped out and shot at the other car and I saw my chance so I kicked my shoes off, opened the door on the other side, and ran. Everything was a bit hazy from the injection Rita had given me and he caught me, so I faced him, tried to take him down but I couldn’t do the moves fast or strong enough. I knew he had a knife in his pocket, he showed it to me when I first was thrown in the car but I caught a quick glimpse of Urs coming down the alley and went limp to throw Gerard off balance, left the rest up to Urs.”

“Yeah I saw that part of the fight. For a minute there I thought you were going to kill him, Urs.”

“I wanted to, but he disgusted me. He’s more valuable to us alive and this way he’ll suffer.”

“Capoeira?” When Urs nodded Brian smiled. “Too bad you have a steady job. I could use someone like you on my team.’

“Don’t be offended Brian, but when this is over we don’t ever want to see you again …except socially.” Urs smiled as he said it and changed his hold on Cat who was drifting off to drug induced sleep.

“Is she really all right?”

Urs smiled down at his sleepy lifemate, stroked some stray waves out of her face and looked at Brian. “She’s tougher and smarter than most people think and I think that’s one reason why they drugged her. It’s also why she’s a danger to them. And I’ll be there for her if she feels weak.”

“I’m going to have Gerard taken to Brussels tonight. The team there are the best at interrogation and the security is tight. Go on with the tour but be extra careful. After two attempts at kidnapping her I don’t think they’ll try again. I think now their only option is elimination.”

Urs felt a cold chill run through him as he thought of that, of the chance that he could lose Cat. “Then we’ll just have to see that they don’t get the chance.”

He phoned David at the Hotel and told him that they were nearly back, that he would be coming upstairs with Cat and that she wasn’t hurt, just doped. When they arrived, David and Sarah met them at the lobby and took them upstairs, Sarah and Geraldine took Cat to the bedroom of the suite to clean up and change to her nightclothes and Millie made coffee for everyone. Cat insisted on coming back out and they made her drink lots of orange juice to combat the drugs, hoping to flush them out of her system.

Of course they had to tell what had happened and to fill in all the blanks. Urs down played his part in it but Cat wouldn’t let him off so easily and told the others about the fight. She told them how Urs had broken Gerard’s arm so he couldn’t use the knife and that he had left the man alive so he could be questioned.

“I didn’t want to. I’ve never lost it like that before. I was so angry everything looked red and I just wanted to beat him until he stopped breathing. I really don’t ever want to lose control like that again.”

They could all see that Cat was fading and needed to sleep the drugs off so they tidied up and each couple headed to their own suites. Urs took Cat’s hand and led her into the bedroom, helped her out of her nightclothes, since neither of them ever wore them and tucked her into bed. She was almost asleep when he returned from the bathroom and slid under the covers beside her, grateful that the next day was partly off, their flight not leaving until late afternoon. He touched her shoulder as she lay with her back to him and she rolled over into his arms with a contented sigh, snuggled her head under his chin and kissed his chest.

It was a while before Urs could sleep, the events of the evening playing out again and again in his head, the possible endings making him want to be even closer to Cat. He ran his hands over her body, more to assure himself that she was whole than a quest for pleasure but even in her sleep he stirred her and she wriggled up to find his mouth and take his mind off of the what if’s.

Suddenly sleep was not an option for either of them and they came together in a reaffirmation of their love and the life they had chosen to share. Their loving was fast and furious, neither able to get enough of the other, neither willing to wait and the heights they reached were almost painful, the ecstasy had built so rapidly and with such intensity.

In the morning Urs left the dreams he had been enjoying and slowly came awake, relishing the warmth he could feel of Cat’s body next to his, the chocolate and sage scent of her and the softness of her arm that lay over his chest. He opened his eyes, turned his head toward her and found her awake and smiling as she watched him surface.

He was over come with happiness and caressed her face without speaking for a moment.

“Good morning,” she said and turned her head to kiss his palm gently.

“Good morning. What a perfect way to wake up, to see your smile first when I open my eyes.”

Cat smiled at him and admitted that she had been awake for a while. “I love to watch you while you sleep, your beard all bristly and dark, your eyes moving under the lids as you dream and sometimes a little half smile on your lips. Did you know that you don’t snore, just soft breaths that sometimes stir my hair. You do, however, talk in your sleep, and you’ll be happy to know that the only name you ever mention is mine, so there’s no danger of me poisoning your coffee.”

“There’s no room for another woman in my life. You totally consume me and I love it.”

“Why, Urs? Why do you continue to love me when I seem to have brought so much baggage with me in to your life?”

He cuddled her close to him and tried to explain.

“I don’t know if I have the right words. Sure sharing love with you is…..it’s beyond anything I’ve ever experienced before but it’s more than that. We think alike, love most of the same things, want the same things in our lives. When you walk in a room I sense it right away, my heart skips and just the sight of you makes my pulse race. I love to hear you sing, to watch you work out, the way you brush the hair from my face with such gentle hands, that subtle chocolate and sage scent you wear. You make me feel big and powerful, strong enough to do anything. And I’m so proud of you, of the way you are inside, as a person, a friend, a musician. You make me want to excel in the things I do, to make you proud, to bring some of our joy to the world. My precious Kitty, I love you beyond life, my soul mate, my lover….you are mine.”

She had tears in her eyes as she pulled his head down to touch his mouth with hers, kissed him gently and whispered “And you are mine.”

The intrusive ringing of the telephone beside the bed stopped them from going any further. Urs answered it and reluctantly let Cat leave the bed and pull her robe on before going into the bathroom. It was Steve and he spoke to Urs for a few minutes then Urs hung up and began to dress.

“That was Steve. He heard about last night from Brian and is coming by in a few minutes.”

Cat came to the bathroom door, brushing her teeth, looking like a child in the baggy robe and with toothpaste foaming around her lips.

She managed to say something about Coffee and Urs laughed as he translated her foamy mumble and answered. “Yes, I’ll put some coffee on in the Kitchenette. Get dressed.”

As promised, Steve arrived about 5 minutes later, swept Cat into his arms and hugged her, gripped Urs hand and sat at the small table in the suite while Cat poured coffee for both of the men.

“I think you should go home, Cat. Go home, tell Claude what has been happening and I’ll hire some security people to watch over you. This is getting serious. No more fooling around.” Suddenly his eyes lit up and he grabbed her hand.

“What’s this? Well I know what it is but when…”

Urs laughed and slipped his arm around Cat’s waist.

“Yesterday. I asked her and she foolishly said yes. I have witnesses so she can’t back out now.”

“I’m not your little girl anymore Steve. I’m a woman in love. Urs makes me unbelievably happy.”

Steve stood and hugged her and laughed. “Kitty, you’ll always be my little girl, even now. I’m happy for you both….but I still think you should go home.”

Urs looked like he was thinking about it, weighing the pros and cons but Cat was firm.

“I am home Steve. Where-ever Urs is, that’s were I belong. And I can’t stop now, not when we’re so close. We have to finish this.”

It took a while to convince him but after a half hour of arguing, then begging, he gave up and, warning them to be extra careful he went off to work.
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PostSubject: Re: PATIENCE AND REWARDS   PATIENCE AND REWARDS - Page 2 EmptySun May 24, 2009 1:38 pm

CHAPTER NINETEEN

There were three weeks left in the tour and then they would return to the U.K. It had been a long and grueling run, very successful but after nearly a year of moving to new venues almost daily they all were looking forward to being in one place. The upcoming months would be full of work since they had to do voice overs for the tour videos and record the tracks for their next CD.

The ladies all were staying with the tour right to the end, even Geraldine whose contract had been put on hold due to lack of funding. She was happy about the delay since it meant more time with Carlos and of course he was overjoyed.

Cat was happy about the girls staying. Over the past few weeks she had grown very fond of them all, felt like they were the sisters she had never been privileged to have.

Since Christmas was fast approaching they went shopping in a huge mall in Tokyo, accompanied by all four of the men who seemed nervous the whole time though Sarah and Gerry insisted that nothing would happen in such a crowded place. Still they insisted and as Millie said ‘at least this way there’s someone to carry the parcels’.

One night in Hong Kong they all went to a club that advertised music from the 60’s and got enough wine into Urs to get him dancing. He surprised them all by doing the Twist as if he had been born to it, then taking Cat to the floor again to do an old fashioned jive/jitterbug that left her breathless.

It seemed that once he got started Urs couldn’t quit and they danced until Cat had to call for a breather. The other members of their party gave them a good natured standing ovation and teased him.

“You realize that you’ll never get any peace now, don’t you? Cat will have you dancing with her everywhere now that she knows how good you are.” David laughed at the grin on his friend’s face.

“No problem. There’s lots of things I can do with Cat that I wasn’t willing to do in more casual relationships.”

A lady came to the table to politely ask for autographs so Urs was saved anymore teasing. They all signed a menu she had brought to the table and then posed while her husband took pictures.

Over the past few weeks they had developed a routine for bathroom breaks. The girls all went together and held the door open for the seconds it took to check the occupancy, then one of the men, usually Urs would stand blocking the door and with a polite smile ask any other ladies to wait for just a moment. The natural charm and good looks of all the men seemed to work wonders for not once did they ever have a problem with angry women.

Several times Urs and Cat talked about when they would get married, but hadn’t set any plans, except that it would be small and private, only the band, Steve, Claude and Celeste and Urs parents, Peter and Anya. There were religious differences between them but not insurmountable. Urs was a non-practicing Catholic while Cat, though she had strong beliefs, was a mixture of Buddhist, Catholic and Wiccan. They finally decided to write their own ceremony and have the event officiated by a Notary who specialized in marriages.

The first days back in the U.K. all of the group caught up on friendships long ignored, made plans to work and more importantly to play. Urs and Cat were going to Switzerland to visit his parents and siblings and to get in some skiing, Seb and Millie were going to spend it in Paris, David and Sarah jetted off immediately to Denver and Carlos and Geraldine, since they had seen relatives on the tour, were off to the beaches of Nice.

Urs and Cat landed in Lucerne early in the morning and after the usual wait for luggage and customs check he loaded their luggage on a cart and led her toward the waiting area. Urs could tell that she was nervous even though she had logged in hundreds of hours chatting to Mama online. He took one hand off the cart and pulled her close to drop a kiss on her head.

“Just remember to breathe, Cat,” he teased when she turned her face up to him and tried to smile.

“I want so much for them to like me, Urs. What if they don’t?”

He laughed and at that moment spotted his father, head and shoulders above the crowd, at 6’5” Peter was easy to spot.

“No chance of that. I love you and they will too.” He took his arm from her shoulder and raised it in the air, booming out in his operatic voice, “Papa, over here!!”

Seconds after they met face to face Cat and Anya were talking non-stop, ignoring the men and leading the way out of the airport.

They reached the car and after Peter and Urs loaded in the luggage they came over to the two women and each man put a hand over their lady’s mouth.

“We hate to interrupt you but this is my father, Peter, the quiet one in the family,” Urs said, laughing as Cat blushed.

She apologized but Peter took her hand and kissed the fingertips much like Urs always did and smiled at her.

“No problem, Child. After nearly 40 years with this woman, I’m used to not being allowed to speak.”

He reminded Cat so much of Claude, not physically since Peter was very tall and had a wealth of thick, dark hair, his body wiry and his eyes the same hazel/grey as Urs, the same dimples when he smiled. No, it was his gentle caring attitude and the glint of laughter she could see in his eyes, the aura of inner strength that let you know this was a person you could count on. He seated Anya and Cat in the back with a comment to Urs that they would talk all the way home so they might as well sit together.

It wasn’t a long trip but by the time they arrived Anya and Cat were eagerly making plans for Christmas and the wedding. Cat and Urs had decided on New Years Day, starting a New Year and a new life seemed appropriate. They would hold the service at Claude and Celeste’s and Peter and Anya would stay there for a few nights. Cat and Urs were going to disappear for a couple of days, they wouldn’t say where.

They arrived at the house outside of Willisau just after noon. It was large and chalet style, a balcony running around the upper floor, a driveway that curved around to the side and a wonderful view of the mountains behind and Willisau in the valley below them.

Cat loved the casual comfort of the home, the overstuffed furnishing, the polished wood everywhere, a huge natural stone fireplace and the openness of the place, one room flowing into the other. On the far side of the lounge an area had been set up with musical instruments on wall mounts or stands, surrounding a grand piano…a harp, several violins and violas, a cello, a couple of guitars and a stand that held a clarinet and oboe. The kitchen was open to the lounge, divided by a counter with padded stools and was a dream for someone who loved to cook, containing every appliance necessary as well as a dishwasher for clean-up, a walk-in pantry, double oven and grill, and huge frig-freezer.

Urs and Peter brought the luggage in and left it at the bottom of the stairs to the second floor, hung up their coats and joined their ladies in the kitchen where Anya was making coffee and setting out a light lunch she had put together before they left for the airport.

“Your room is all ready for you Urs, and I put extra towels in for Kitty….or if you prefer…”

Urs laughed and hugged his mother as she stopped, a little confused as to what they would want.

“Mama, Cat and I share my flat. You knew that. We don’t hide our love from anyone and it would be false to do it here.”

Anya said something to him in Swiss German, the first time she had spoken in their Mother Tongue since they arrived. She said she was just trying to be respectful of Cat’s feelings, didn’t mean to offend.

“Anya, I’m not offended. It was nice of you to care but not necessary. Thank you,” Cat answered her softly in Swiss German and smiled warmly.
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PostSubject: Re: PATIENCE AND REWARDS   PATIENCE AND REWARDS - Page 2 EmptySun May 24, 2009 1:38 pm

Urs took the luggage upstairs and Cat offered to help set the places for their lunch. A few minutes later when he returned they were laughing over the shopping episode when he kept trying to buy junk food.

After lunch they took their coffees and Cat’s fruit juice to the lounge and caught up. Peter and Urs got talking about old friends and what they were doing now and Cat rose to look at the instruments on the wall, lightly touched the harp and leafed through the sheet music on the piano.

Anya came to join her and pointed out Urs first violin, the clarinet he had practiced for endless hours on, the harp that hadn’t been touched since their youngest daughter left home nearly a year ago.

“May I?” Cat asked indicating the harp and when Anya nodded she ran her hands over the strings, lightly, found only two strings that needed adjusting and fixed them. Urs had moved to the piano and was starting Debussy’s Claire De Lune, smiled at her to join him and she pulled the stool forward and embraced the harp to run a soft glissando and then softly play along with his melody. It was a long time since she had done much with a harp but it came back to her and as always she was lost to the music within a few bars.

“Ahh, Pure heaven. Do you still remember your Bach Double Concerto, Urs? I know Cat plays violin and there must be some sheets there somewhere….”

Urs took a violin down from the wall and tuned it, handed it to Cat, took one for himself and tuned it and then grinned at them. “C’mon, Papa. We need a cello for this. Cat, do you need the music?”

She grinned and shook her head ‘No’ pointed her bow to him indicating that he should be ‘first chair’ and they began. She had never heard Urs play violin before and was thrilled to find him very good. It was fun to play with him and Peter and the smile on Anya’s face was worth the effort. When they finished she clapped enthusiastically and begged for more but Urs was anxious to get outside for a while so they put the instruments away and donned coats and boots, took skis and went to the nearest ski hills for a few hours. Neither of them had skied in a while but it soon came back and they had a wonderful, but tiring afternoon, arriving back at the house just as Anya was putting dinner on the table.

Cat was surprised to find the house bursting with people but Urs had expected it. Word had spread that he was home after so long and relatives from the surrounding area had dropped in, everyone bringing a pot luck dish or dessert, wine or beer. She was overwhelmed. Her family was so small that Claude often joked that they could have a reunion in a phone booth. It was completely the opposite here.

Urs kept introducing people to Cat, giving their names and relationship. He had many cousins and uncles, aunts, all the children playing underfoot were nieces or nephews and a few of those she met were just old friends from his boyhood, almost like family.

“I feel like I should go around with a marker and write their name and relationship on their forehead. I’ll never remember so many names and put them with the right faces.”

Urs laughed at her and gave her a hug. “You’ll get used to them after a while. When we played Zurich a few months back they all, well 43 of them came to the concert. It was especially emotional for me since it was near Mothers Day and Mami was in the audience so when we did Mama I nearly lost it.”

Dinner was buffet style and they mingled, carrying their plates, Urs answering questions about future plans, Cat learning all sorts of anecdotes from his childhood. After a while they got separated and half an hour later when Urs looked for her she had joined a couple of the younger children at the grand piano. She was patiently teaching them an easy section of a Strauss waltz that they could play as a duet. He watched for a few minutes, felt an arm slip around his waist and looked down to find his tiny mother with him.

“I like her, your Kitty, Urs. She’s very natural, nothing contrived about her. And she seems to like children, that’s good.”

Urs laughed and hugged her. “Mami give us some time. We haven’t even talked about a family yet.”

One of the babies had toddled over to the group at the piano and was standing pulling on Cat’s shirt. She looked down and spoke softly as she picked the child up, letting her play with her face for a moment, then, resting her head on Cat’s shoulder to sleepily suck her thumb and drift to sleep.

Cat spoke to the two boys at the piano, said something that made them laugh, stood and still smiling walked away carrying the sleeping child. She spotted Urs and Anya and came to them, turned her head to inhale the sweet baby scent and stopped in front of them.

“I think it’s nap time for this little treasure. Is there someplace safe I can put her?”

Anya took the little girl from Cat. “Come to Oma, Stasi. I’ll put her in the nursery. There’s so many babies in the family we kept it furnished.”

Urs put his hands on Cat’s shoulders and smiled into her happy face. “Still over whelmed?”

Cat turned and leaned back against him and looked around the room. There were clusters of people everywhere, some standing, some sitting, talking, listening, laughing, while youngsters of all ages crawled, ran, lounged or played happily in any unused space. She could hear Swiss German, German, occasionally French or English and above it the high pitched laughter of children.

“It’s wonderful. An instant family. You come with some serious bonuses, Herr Buhler.”

“Cat, Cat, can you teach us another one, Please!” The boys ran at her and clutched her hands, this time joined by two girls in their early teens, one with a mouth full of braces.

“Adie why don’t you get Cat to lead you in Eine Kleine Natchmusik, the way the orchestra did it for the tour? I’ll help.” Urs tousled the hair of the girl with braces and waved towards the violins on the wall, gave the boys the blocks and sat himself at the piano.

“Essa will you do the cello? Okay. Cat is first chair, watch her for your cues.”

Cat gave them the beat and bow directions and she and Adie began. The young girl was good, as was Essa who came in on the cello right on cue. Part way through they were joined by two older boys who helped their young cousins out with the blocks and drums.

That was so much fun that they found the older boys went for their own guitars and joined them to play Mozart’s Sinfonia 40, in the same style and by now everyone in the house was listening and watching. Adie followed Cat’s lead of duelling with the Cello and they were rewarded with a huge grin from Essa as she met their challenge.

They all started laughing when it was done, wanted to do more but Urs and Cat withdrew and left them to make music themselves. It seemed that many of the family were musically talented to one degree or another. All through the afternoon the musicians changed as one left and another took his place.

Anya dragged out a photo album of the days when Urs was in the rock band ‘Conspiracy’ and Cat had to laugh at the changes. The long haired hippie musician had evolved into the elegant, often playful, but sophisticated man she loved. She also saw baby pictures of him and decided that he was adorable, a fact that Anya agreed with but added the proviso that he was also a little devil.

The next few days were quieter as the time until Christmas melted away. They spent it skiing and visiting friends, shopping in Lucerne, one whole day of Urs going off with his friends while Cat and Anya baked a mountain of goodies for the feasting over the holidays. The cares of the outside world were forgotten, even the danger that had dogged them for the last part of the tour. Urs felt confident that no one would be able to track them down here in the Swiss countryside, though he did quietly mention to Peter that there had been a kidnap attempt and he should keep an eye out for strangers. Peter solved the problem by inviting a couple of friends over to play pool while Urs was out and they told Cat nothing, not wanting to worry her.

Christmas was wonderful: church services at midnight then in the morning presents and visitors, then returning visits and delivering small presents to friends and relatives. Their habit was to take turns hosting dinner and this year it was held at the home of Stephanie, Urs eldest sister.

After a huge dinner Urs and Cat walked it off with a tour of the town. Willisau wasn’t huge but it was situated on a hillside and valley that overlooked Lake Lucerne. The view was breathtaking…at least it was until Urs stuffed snow down Cat’s jacket and tried to get away before she retaliated. They ended up in a snowbank, laughing, making snow-angels and kissing until the snow melted and ran down Cat’s back.

The next day they returned to London to prepare for their wedding.
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PostSubject: Re: PATIENCE AND REWARDS   PATIENCE AND REWARDS - Page 2 EmptySun May 24, 2009 1:40 pm

CHAPTER TWENTY

Since it was going to be a very small affair and private they composed an invitation, paraphrasing an old Irish blessing and hand delivered them to those in London, e.mailing a copy to Anya and Peter. It was 2 pages entreating them to come to the wedding of Urs Toni Buhler and Cat Elena Gilbert, gave the time and address and on the second page the blessing on the ceremony and guests.

Dearest Friends:
We entreat you to warm this Site
With the Sunlight of your Blessings,
Inspiring us to Shape the Words of Love
Eloquently, and with Heart-Deep Meaning.
May all who visit be Gifted to Be:
Healthy and Exultant.
Wise in their Vows,
Joyous in their Passions,
Generous of Spirit,
Tender in their Affections,
Accepted by All Those They Love
No matter what Faiths and Traditions
May Meet and Mingle.

We pray that all will Gather on common Ground
Recognizing the Universal Spirit of Love and Creation
To Share in the Human Rituals that Celebrate the Delights
In Choosing those Who will Become Our Family.


{Borrowed from an ancient Irish ritual of Handfasting.}


New Years Eve Steve hosted a party at his condo and they all attended. Urs and Cat had decided to spend the night apart to honor some of the newer customs, but only after midnight so they attended the party and along with their friends welcomed in the New Year. Minutes later Cat was whisked away to spend the remainder of the night at her guardians home. Urs would stay at Steve’s.

After everyone had gone home Steve and Urs sat in the lounge for a while quietly talking while the caterers cleaned up and packed the last of the dinner.

“Nervous?” Steve asked as the younger man sat leaning back in the chair, his head resting on the back.

Urs laughed and sat up. “Not really. I love Cat, want to be married to her, have a life with her….I just wish we had eloped. How do people ever live through those big splashy do’s that take months of planning?”

Steve agreed with him. “I don’t know. It seems to be really important to some women to have the gown and the flowers and all that. Cat told me that she would rather have just gone to a J.P. with a couple of friends, but she knew how disappointed Celeste would be. This is the best compromise.”

The manager and assistant of the catering team came to say good night. Urs and Steve shook their hands.

“We’re all done Mr. Martin. It was a pleasure spending the evening with you.”

“Thanks so much Trudy. Everything was wonderful, even better than I expected.”

Steve walked them to the door and bid them good night then sighed and turned off most the lights in the condo.

“Well I’m off to bed. Don’t want to look like I partied all night on my girl’s big day. Good night. Urs.” He turned to go down the hall, paused and turned around. “I probably won’t get a chance to tell you tomorrow, not privately. I’m glad it’s you she chose. I don’t think I could have easily given her up to a lesser man.”

Urs sat for a while thinking about the past months since he had met Cat. He smiled in the darkened light of the lounge as he thought of how they had grated on each other at first, how gradually the attraction they had, each for the other, won out and they began to become friends and then lovers and how now he couldn’t envision a life without her in it. She completed a part of him that he hadn’t known was lacking, was so attuned to his thinking and feelings that she could anticipate his words or desires as he could with her.

Urs knew that Cat wouldn’t be sleeping yet either and dug his cell phone out of his jacket pocket, hit the number 1 on Speed Dial and she answered on the first ring.

“Urs. I hoped you would phone.”

“I can’t sleep either, at least not until I tell you once more how much I love you.”

“And I love you, my Swiss Lord. I don’t know if I can sleep alone, I’m so used to being able to feel your warmth against me.”

He could hear a tremor in her voice. “Don’t Baby….don’t cry. I’m there with you, I’ll always be with you no matter how many miles separate us. Are you in bed?”

“Yes. I even stole one of your tee shirts to sleep in. The scent of you has lingered and it’s comforting.”

“Snuggle down and I’ll talk to you until you fall asleep. I’m just heading down the hall to the guest room.”

He could hear her moving around, the soft sounds of her plumping up the pillows and as he shut the door to the guest room she came back on.

“Urs, tell me about the house you want one day, the one with our own forest.”

He laughed and remarked that he was surprised she had remembered that comment. It had been made during an interview long before he met Cat.

“I remember everything about you. Even when I wouldn’t allow myself to get close to you, I already was obsessed with your photos, your voice, every interview you ever did. I went to every concert I could manage, even the one in Zurich were you cried when you sang Mama to your mother.”

Urs had slipped out of his shoes and pants and pulled his shirt over his head rather than struggle with the buttons. He drew the covers back on his bed, detoured to the washroom to brush his teeth and listened while Cat told him about going to concerts and going on the internet on the Official Site to copy photos, download videos and read what the other fans had to say.

“By the time you kissed me that first time I was so eager that I had staved off the worst of the nerves….and then it was so much better in real life than I had ever imagined.”

“I never felt like that before from just kissing a girl. My whole body was aching to get close to you, to kiss you and touch you. It was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done, to walk away from you that night.”

He crept under the covers and lay on his back with the phone against his head and they continued to talk far into the night until nearly 3 a.m. Cat confessed that she could probably sleep now and Urs, sleepily said he could too. Still, neither wanted to be first to disconnect and they ended up with the line still open and woke to the gentle beeping of phones that had run down batteries.

Carlos, David and Seb came over for lunch and tried to keep Urs amused. The ceremony was to be at 4, the flowers for their medieval looking shirts had already arrived and at first the time dragged until suddenly there was only an hour to go. It was a half hour drive to Claude’s so they finished dressing, no ties because the tight dress pants with wide leather belts and boots and beautiful silk shirts with an air of knights or pirates didn’t call for them, {bloused with long full sleeves, wide collars and open vee to mid chest}donned their red roses, long coats because of the cold and went down to the waiting limo.

Claude met them at the door and went with Steve and the members of the band into the large reception room, leaving Urs to wait alone for Cat. They had decided to enter together, when everyone else was present and he paced a bit as he waited nervously. There was movement at the top of the stairs and his breath caught but it was Celeste, Gerry, Sarah and Millie sedately coming down the stairs, all beaming at him, all dressed in long gowns that had a medieval look, Celeste’s a soft dove grey, the others in emerald, sky blue and dusty gold. They each in turn kissed his cheek and went in to join their men.

From the reception room he could hear the opening notes of Beethoven’s Pathetique and held his breath as he looked up the stairs.

“Breathe, fool,” he told himself and at that moment Cat came into sight at the top of the stairs and his breath left him again.

She was so beautiful his heart ached to think she had chosen to give herself to him. Her gown was also medieval looking, long and white with delicate silver lace and embroidery, the neckline wide and low, the sleeves long, to her wrists, the bodice fitting snuggly and flaring to a full skirt, the toes of shiny silver slippers peering out from under the hem when she came down the stairs. He noticed none of that, only that her face radiated with happiness as she came to meet him, her hands out to touch his. He felt a tremble in her hands and pulled her close to him, breathing in the sage and chocolate scent of her, like a drowning man.

He looked so gorgeous, handsome and slightly dangerous but warm and inviting at the same time, her hero, her love, her pirate and shining knight, all rolled into one lovely package from the hair he had left in riotous curls to please her down his sculpted body to the shiny boots that stepped eagerly toward her….. for a moment she wanted only to be wrapped in his arms and stay there forever.

“Ready?” she asked from the safety of his arms.

Urs kissed the top of her head and smiled as he put her away from him.

“And eager.”

He reached over to pick up a spray of red roses from the nearby table, gave them to Cat and offered his arm. They entered the reception room together both smiling at the friends who awaited them, both mildly surprised at how many people were in attendance at this affair that had originally been planned as small. They walked along the centre aisle while the chorus of Without You wafted over the witnesses, to the woman who would perform the ceremony. Cat handed her flowers to Celeste as they passed and they stood quietly before Justina, the Notary, who would legally marry them.
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PostSubject: Re: PATIENCE AND REWARDS   PATIENCE AND REWARDS - Page 2 EmptySun May 24, 2009 1:40 pm

Justina read from the prepared service that Urs and Cat had given her.

“In times past it was believed that the human soul shared characteristics with all things divine. It is this belief that assigned virtues to the cardinal directions: East, South, West and North. It is in this tradition that a blessing is offered in support of this ceremony.

“Blessed be this union with the gifts of the East.
Communication of the heart, mind and body,
Fresh beginnings with the rising of each Sun,
The knowledge of the growth found in the sharing of silences.

“Blessed be this union with the gifts of the South.
Warmth of hearth and home,
The heat of the heart’s passion,
The light created by both to illuminate the darkest of times.

“Blessed be this union with the gifts of the West,
The deep commitments of the lake, the swift excitement of the river,
The refreshing cleansing of the rain,
The all encompassing passion of the sea.

“Blessed be this union with gifts of the North,
A firm Foundation on which to build,
Fertility of the fields to enrich your lives,
A stable home to which you may always return.

“Each of these blessings emphasizes those things which will help you build a happy and successful union. Yet they are only tools, tools which you must use together in order to create what you seek.

“Who shall offer this couple to the Gods present in the supplication that this union will be blessed?”

Claude, Steve and Peter stood and each smiled at the couple who glanced at them as they said firmly “I do make this offering.”

Justina smiled at the couple and asked them to join hands to recite their vows. Urs took Cat’s hand, kissed her fingertips and held it to his chest while they faced each other.

“Urs Toni Buhler, Do you take Cat Elena to be your wife?
To be her constant friend, her partner in life and her true love?
To love her without reservation, honor and respect her, protect her from harm, comfort her in times of distress, to grow with her in mind and spirit, to provide for and nurture the issues that your combined love may produce, knowing as you do so pledge that this commitment is binding up to and beyond this mortal realm?”

“I do so without doubt and from the depths of my soul,” Urs answered with his eyes full of emotion, never leaving Cat’s loving gaze.

“Cat Elena Gilbert do you take Urs Toni to be your husband,
To be his constant friend and help mate, his partner in life and his true love? Will you love him without reservation, honor, respect and obey him, protect him from harm, comfort him in times of distress, grow with him in mind and spirit and take his name as your own, provide your body as a receptacle for the seed that will create new life from your love, knowing as you do so pledge that this commitment is binding up to and beyond this mortal realm?”

“I do so without doubt and from the depths of my soul.” Her eyes glistened as she lost herself in the amber depths of his, both so lost in the love and the moment that the witnesses ceased to exist.

“The symbolism of the circular rings was explained by the great North American leader, Black Elk who said:

‘Everything the Power of the worlds does is done in a circle. The sky is round and I have heard that the earth is round like a ball and so are the stars. The wind in its greatest power whirls. Birds make their nests in a circle….The sun comes forth and goes down again in a circle. Even the seasons form a great circle in their changing and always coming back again to where they were. The life of a man or a woman is a circle from childhood to childhood and so it is in everything where power moves.

“So it is with the symbolism of these tokens you are giving one to the other as visible forms of the pledge you have this day undertaken.”

Justine handed each of them a ring, they placed them on the ring finger of their new partner in life, Urs’ on Cat’s ring finger, Cat’s on his, and spoke together the words of commitment:

“I commit myself to the bond and unique relationship that exists between us, and pledge to keep it alive and fresh each day. As this ring has no end, neither shall my love for you.”

Justina spoke the final pronouncement:

“I pronounce that you are husband and wife. You may now kiss to seal your pledge.”

It took no urging for Urs to kiss Cat tenderly, then as she could contain her joy no more, she flung her arms about his neck and they laughed and kissed passionately, stopping because both of them could not contain their laughter. The next few minutes it was bedlam in the room as everyone either cried or laughed and hugged and kissed everyone. It was quite a few minutes before Justina could extricate Urs and Cat to come over to the flower bedecked desk to sign the official papers. Throughout all the noise and happiness, David and his trusty cam corder busily recorded for the future and several of the other guests caught many moments on their cameras.

Cat and Urs kept getting separated and she tried hard to find him in the crowd, being short a disadvantage at times. She was answering questions about the vows, posed to her by Gerry when Claude took her hand and excusing them politely pulled her out into the hall. Urs was already there and his face lit up at the sight of her.

Claude handed Urs the key to his office on the second floor.

“Lock yourselves in, Lad. They’re all so giddy they won’t notice for a few minutes.”

Like naughty children they laughed as they ran up the stairs and entered the office. Urs locked the door and leaned on it smiling at Cat.

“I like your uncle more and more every day,” he said and opened his arms to her.

She came to him and nestled against his chest, tilting her face up to be kissed.

“Cat, I didn’t know you were going to put ‘obey’ in your vows. Why did you do that?”

She smiled and ran her hand along his cheek up into his hair. “I wanted you to know that I believe you are the head of our family. There will come a time when we disagree on an important decision and I will support you, right or wrong. We each have a role to play in this life, not equal, just supportive. You are the man, it is your duty to lead and mine to follow. That doesn’t mean I won’t argue with you or disagree, but if there is a stalemate I will follow you, with no quarrel.”

He kissed her with barely restrained passion, sighed when the knocking began on the door.

“I suppose we have to go back and share or at least be polite.”

“And eat…I’m starving. This morning I was too nervous to do more than eat some yogurt to settle my stomach.”

“Nervous? Why? Did you think I might chicken out?”

Cat laughed and leaned back to look up at him. “Never occurred to me. You knew I would hunt you down like a dog.”

The knocking intensified and Urs dug out the key and unlocked the door.

Celeste stood on the other side with her hands on her hips. “I knew it. That old softie helped you sneak away. Come along now. Justina has to leave. And I’ll just bet Cat is ‘starving’.”

Urs chuckled and swept Celeste up to hug her and kiss her cheek. “You know her too well. She just finished telling me how you starved her this morning.”

Cat was mobbed by the girls when she returned from seeing Justina off. They all wanted to see her ring and wondered if they had been inscribed.

“We had both of them inscribed the same: ‘Siamo un’anima, io e te’…it’s Italian for ‘we are one soul, you and I.’ from ‘Io Ti Amero’.”

“That’s so beautiful, “ Millie said and began weeping again. “Sorry Cat, I always cry at weddings, and this one was the most beautiful I’ve ever been to.”

Seb came and collected Millie, concerned when he saw she had been crying but laughed when he found out why. They headed off to get something to eat and shortly after Cat and Urs did too. They wandered about with their food, visiting and thanking everyone for attending. Someone put music on and soon a few of the couples were dancing. Steve begged a dance with Cat and for the first time in ages danced with her.

“You happy, Little Girl?” he asked as he lead her around the room.

“Beyond happy, Steve. I feel like my whole life has been a journey to reach this point. I’m not sure how I managed to struggle through life before I met Urs….He completes me.”

“Your mother would have been so proud of you Cat. I wish she could have been here in person, not just in our thoughts.”

“Some day I would like it if you would tell me more about her Steve. You loved her very much didn’t you? Your eyes take on a different, misty look when ever you mention her.”

Steve looked at her and smiled. “You look like Maggie, your size and complexion, your hair and those green eyes. I loved her the way you love Urs, and I still do. The loss has been easier for me to bear with you in my life.”

Cat felt herself tearing up and nestled against his chest. “I always will be. Nothing between us will ever change, dearest Steve. I will always be your little girl.”

Steve took her back to Urs and excused himself to go out and have a smoke. Urs noticed that she had tears in her eyes and was concerned but Cat hugged him and whispered ‘Tell you later’.

A few hours later, after lots of food, wine, beer, dancing and music, Cat and Urs changed to casual clothing and came down the stairs to throw the bouquet before leaving. Millie caught it and Seb blushed as everyone cheered, then kissed her and dropped to one knee and proposed. He must have been planning to anyway since he had a ring all ready in his pocket.

Then of course everyone was ecstatic and in the ensuing hubbub Urs and Cat made their escape.
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PostSubject: Re: PATIENCE AND REWARDS   PATIENCE AND REWARDS - Page 2 EmptySun May 24, 2009 1:46 pm

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

Seb was in a daze as he realized that all the plans he had made for a romantic dinner and dancing before proposing to Millie had evaporated in his unplanned, emotion of the moment act. He was thrilled that she accepted so readily and he got to hold her and kiss her sweet mouth when she cried, annoyed when everyone began congratulating them and they got separated for a moment.

Urs was probably the least surprised of all the people there since the reason Seb had the ring on him was so he could show it to Urs before he and Cat took off on their honeymoon and he wanted to confide in him about the plans he had for proposing.

He was standing back from the crowd around Millie when he felt a firm grip on his shoulder and looked up to see Urs grinning at him.

“Congratulations, Seb. I think you made Millie a very happy woman…this is one wedding reception she will always remember.”

Seb grinned sheepishly at Urs and Cat who was tucked into her new husband’s embrace with her arm around his waist and her other hand on his stomach.

“I didn’t mean to do that, not now. And I didn’t mean to intrude on your special day.”

Cat laughed and reached her hand from Urs stomach to caress Seb on the cheek.

“It’s even more special now, Seb. We’re so happy for the two of you. And we understand…sometimes the emotions just take control and you have to act, now. Like with us. We love everyone here but I need to get this man alone for a while….”

Urs leaned over to whisper in her ear and she blushed. Seb laughed since his whisper had been just loud enough for him to hear…… ‘and both of us with no clothes on’.

“Get out of here you two…and have a wonderful time. I have a woman to rescue.”

They slipped out the door and quietly disappeared.

Seb made his way through the people around Millie and cradled her in his arms, much to her relief. They could hear music in the other room and used it as an excuse to go in to dance, moved about the floor molded together and locking eyes, speaking volumes without saying anything, just letting the emotions of the day sweep over them.

“I didn’t plan to ask you this way, Cherie,” he said and she grinned at him.

“Well it was perfect. I’ll never forget the smooth way you took my hand and the look in your eyes…. Love and fear, a little confusion and then when I threw my arms around your neck and nearly knocked you over…. You laughed, I think with relief.”

“I was so scared you would say no or maybe, or think I was rushing things. I do love you, mon Coeur. I could not live if you had said non.”

“Silly man… How could I say non to the only man I will ever love?”

He kissed her lightly and snuggled his face into her neck, whispering love words in French and making her shiver as she felt his breath in her ear.

“Sebastien…how do you feel about making love in a room full of people?”

He drew back and looked at her in shock, then understood when he saw the desire in her eyes.

“Perhaps we should make a discreet exit. I do not want to share such moments with anyone but my own naughty woman.”

They danced out into the hall, through the kitchen and faded from the house, raced along the path to Cat’s private gym and celebrated their engagement, privately.

**

Geraldine and Carlos noticed when Seb and Millie made their way out of the house, recognized the look in their eyes and smiled at each other, sharing the secret.

“Two down and two to go,” Gerry said softly as she snuggled next to Carlos on the sofa in the quiet of the Lounge, taking a brief respite from the dancing.

“Soon for the next wedding I think, my angel. The Frenchie will not want to wait long now that he has found his heart’s desire.”

“And did you see the look on David’s face tonight. I think he is softening in his stance towards marriage. It would make Sarah so happy. She professes to not care but I think she only says what she believes David wants to hear.”

Carlos looked at his dear wife with a raised brow. “Is that not the way of a woman? To agree with what the man says until she convinces him quietly to her way of thinking?”

Gerry poked him softly in his strong shoulder.

“What did you think of the service?” she said by way of changing the subject before she had to give away too many secrets.

Carlos was on safer ground now and he smiled.

“I was unsure when Urs first told me what they had planned but he explained it to me. They have friends and loved ones who have such diverse beliefs and Cat has studied so many different cultures and their beliefs that it was difficult at first to find a common ground. So they decided to arrange the service in such a way that it honored the forms of the One God which are central to many different cultures, so the witnesses could believe that all the different deities were being incorporated in these vows that they took, just as they all stem from the One God but are seen differently, through different eyes: the ancient beliefs of the Irish, the gentleness of the Monks, the natural worship of the Native Americans, the steadfast faith of the Christians, the mystical rites of the Wiccan…all are the same but worded differently and in the end mean the same thing….. everlasting love with honor, respect, charity and loyalty. Different words but the same as the vows we took in our Fantasy Land.”

Gerry looked in his dark eyes with renewed respect and deep love.

“Carlito, you put on such an act of being a flirt and the typical uncaring Latin Lover, out for only one thing but I know, have known for many years just what a sensitive, truly loving man you are and never more so than this night. Now how do we convince our last remaining tenor that being married is a good thing?”

He laughed and hugged her then pulled her up to her feet.

“Querida, we do not interfere. Our American Brother will learn soon enough. Now we dance!” And he tugged her behind him into the reception room and swung her in his arms out on to the floor, wondering if he should have a friendly talk, man to man with David.

**

David and Sarah were blithely unaware that the conversations were rife about them as they danced and lost themselves in the happiness of the moment. The wedding had been beautiful, the food and company was excellent and they were even more in love than before, filled with the news they had not wished to share just yet.

It was a bit premature to tell anyone but they thought that Sarah might possibly be pregnant. Just the thought of it brought a shiver to David’s spine and started him thinking along roads where he had never before ventured. What if it was true this time? Did he really want to have a child that wouldn’t be entitled to his name? What kind of message was he giving Sarah when he wouldn’t even consider marriage? He looked down at her nestled against his chest and thought about the times when they were separated. He couldn’t imagine never being with her again.

She looked up and could see the confusion in his eyes, knew instinctively what he was thinking.

“Don’t, Davey…don’t think about it right now. We love each other, that’s all that’s important.”

He held her close against him and smiled, a feeling of peace and contentment swept over him as he thought about how understanding she was, how perfect for him, how much he wanted the whole world to know…and began to make plans.
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PostSubject: Re: PATIENCE AND REWARDS   PATIENCE AND REWARDS - Page 2 EmptySun May 24, 2009 2:06 pm

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO


There was a taxi waiting outside for them as planned, and they soon were at the airport, through customs and on the private jet that Simon had arranged for them, unable to attend the service, he had asked to be allowed to give them the gift of a private honeymoon. Soon London was behind them and they were on their way to the island of Mustique.

“Congratulations and welcome aboard, Mr. and Mrs. Buhler,” the Captain said as he joined the attendant to welcome them aboard.

“Thank you, Captain Prentice. Will we be flying direct?” Urs asked as the attendant helped Cat out of her jacket and took his to put in the closet. The second attendant had entered quietly with their luggage and stowed it in the small bedroom at the rear of the plane.

“Yes and it should be a smooth flight. The weather reports look good. Six hours and we should be in Mustique where I’m told the weather is a sunny, warm 36 degrees Celsius.”

Captain Prentice shook Urs hand and adjourned to the cockpit.

“Mr. Buhler, will you be requiring a meal after we reach cruising altitude?” the attendant asked.

Urs raised his eye-brows in question at Cat and she laughed and shook her head. “Just some juice or wine, bottled water if you have it.”

“Flight Staff, we have clearance…please see that our passengers are comfortably seated and belted in.” the voice came over the speaker and both Cat and Urs sat in one of the large comfy seats and he did up the lone seat belt.

“I’m not going to wake up and find this has all been a dream am I?” Cat said as she rested against Urs side, his arm around her shoulders and his free hand holding hers.

“No, Kitty. Your fate is sealed now. It’s much too late to back out.”

“I thought it wasn’t legal until we…you know…consummated the ceremony.”

Urs laughed and hugged her as they sped into the air. “I think I can guarantee that before we reach Mustique we will be legal…several times.”

The seat belt sign went off and almost immediately the flight attendant appeared.

“I believe everything is prepared as directed, Mr. Buhler. If there is anything else you may reach me easily by using any of the call buttons. Good night to both of you.” she smiled warmly and joined the Captain in the cockpit.

Cat kissed Urs gently and left him to change. He sat in the dimmed cabin, thinking about the events of the day, smiling when he thought how beautiful Cat had looked, how perfect the ceremony was, how happy he was to be married to her. The door behind him opened and she stood smiling at him and holding out her hand.

She was swathed in a gauzy cream colored silk netting, a gown that fell to the floor in a glittering cascade, hiding little, her hair down and brushed until it gleamed, her eyes radiating joy.

Urs took her hand and let her lead him into the room where she gently pushed him down to sit on the edge of the bed. She knelt at his feet, untied his shoes and took them off, gently rolled his socks down and off and caressed her hands over his bare feet, massaging them until he felt himself turning to jelly.

As if she knew what he was feeling she smiled and raised up to work on his shirt, pulling it up and over his head in a slow smooth move, dropping it and moving between his knees to rest her mouth against his chest, her busy hands working the dome and zipper of his jeans. He lay back on the bed and raised his hips to allow her to pull his jeans and shorts down, and she did, but slowly, following with her hot mouth, tasting, savouring each unveiling of his lean, strong body as it sprang into view, taking him into her mouth to suck and pull him deep while her hand stroked, moving the skin of his shaft and creating vibrations that rippled through him. She reached under his member and fondled the silky sacs, kneading gently, freeing her mouth from his penis and licking his balls, smiling when he shuddered and moaned with increasing need. Softly she trailed her mouth back up the length of him and flicked her tongue across the head of his member, teasing.

Urs moaned and buried his long fingers in her hair, his body on fire, the brush of silk, the heat of her body, the cool caress of her hair against his skin, driving him close to being out of control.

Again she sensed his need and lay on him to take his mouth with hers and he rolled them over to press against her, just the silky gown between them. His exploring hands found that it opened down the front, undid the ribbons at her breasts and looked on her body as if for the first time.

“I love you Cat,” he said as he trailed his mouth over her silken skin, dipped his tongue into her innie, cradled her close with his arms wrapped tight to her sides.

“I know. You show me in everything you do, everything you say. And I love you, Urs.”

His hands explored as he kissed her gently, filling himself with the sweet taste of her sex, plunging his tongue inside her and rubbing the swollen nub of her clit with his thumb, anticipating what was to come, now and for the years that stretched ahead of them like a glorious gift, yet to be completely opened.

“Tonight we are one, my precious wife…. this is only the beginning,” he murmured in her ear and they loved each other with tenderness and passion that promised to always be new, as it was now.

*

Urs lay stretched out full length on her quivering body the way she liked after making love, also reluctant to lose contact. He nestled his face into her hair and breathed against her neck, touched his tongue to her skin to taste the salty sweat and the hint of chocolate.

“That’s the first time you took the lead like that. You surprised me, and I liked it. There’s something incredibly sensual about the woman you love wanting to make love to you.”

“I love to touch you, Urs, and see you react, to know that I made you feel like that. Your eyes get dark, then close and your face gets this tight, almost pained look, your mouth opens and I want to cover it with mine, to feel your hot tongue against mine. I love the way just before you lose control your muscles ripple with the strain of holding back and they way your body tenses and your eyes go so dark when you pour your seed into me. Just thinking about it makes me tingle.”

Urs raised his head and kissed her, deepening the kiss as she realized that he was once more consumed with hunger, this time without gentleness. They made love again, fast, hard and frantic, then sated for a while, slept curled together.

Urs woke first and lay for a while watching Cat. She was smiling in her sleep, her eyes moving under her closed lids, so he knew she dreamt. He couldn’t remember ever being so happy, close, a few times since he met Cat but not this throat closing, heart stopping happiness that threatened tears. He understood her better now, finally realized that the daring, recklessness he had attributed to Cat at first, wasn’t true. She knew exactly how far she could go, practiced whatever she was interested in at the moment so thoroughly that the risks were minimal. It no longer made him uneasy to see her flying about on the scaffolding at her gym, or on the rare occasion that she used her roller blades now, to see her become airborne or in a racing crouch as she sped along.

There was nothing about this woman who had become his wife that he disliked. Her inquisitive mind intrigued him, her many talents thrilled him, the unselfish way she had of sharing her skills made his heart proud…the sensuality was beyond anything he had ever encountered before. The wonder of making love with her and reaching the crest to explode, TOGETHER, was something he had rarely experienced before and then nothing like the multiple peaks he brought her to before the final, almost painful pleasure of finishing as one. They were a perfect match.

Urs left the warmth of the bed to use the lavatory, brushed his teeth and came back to find her awake.

“I missed you,” she said and held her arms up to him.

He sat on the bed and leaned over to bracket her with his arms and laugh at the pout she tried to maintain.

“I just went for a walk. The sun is coming up… it looks like a beautiful day.”

“The first day of the rest of our lives. Good morning, my husband.” She kissed him lightly, then slipped out of his arms to make a dash for the bathroom, brushed her teeth and came back brushing her hair to find him partly dressed.

“We should be landing in a half hour or so. What do you think…should I shave?”

Cat looked at the dark bristles that had grown overnight and ran her hand over them. His beard was both sharp and soft, would get softer as the day went on.

“I like the shaggy look. Makes you look dangerous and sexy.”

Urs laughed, pulled a polo shirt on and followed the scent of coffee into the lounge while Cat dressed.

They had just finished a light breakfast of fruit and coffee, juice for Cat, when the pilot announced their arrival. Again they shared a chair and seat belt, peered out the small windows at what little they could see of the island and prepared to deplane while the jet taxied to the hangars. Between the flight attendants and the driver who had come to meet them, their luggage was taken off and stowed in the back of a small van. They thanked the crew for the quiet flight and were directed to another vehicle, this time a Jeep. Urs lifted Cat into the back and sat beside her, both marveling at the heat at this early hour, both enchanted by the lilting speech of their driver, Andre, he said, a descendant of slaves who were shipwrecked on the Island on the way to the slave markets in America.

Andre pointed out landmarks as they sped along the winding roads, going uphill for a while, curving around verdant growth on the hillsides and coming back down to sea level to approach their villa, The Sleeping Dragon. He explained that all provisions had been laid in as per Mr. Cowell’s instruction, the staff would only be on the premises in the early morning and because of the tight security on the island no-one would be able to approach the villa by land or sea while they were in residence, unless of course, cleared by them. There was a telephone but the number would not be given out under any circumstances. Everything would be done to ensure their safety and privacy.

While he talked non-stop, Andre unloaded their luggage, took it to the master suite, pointed out the one and only telephone and climbed back in the jeep to leave.

“The blessings of the Goddess of Mustique on you,” he said, for the first time since they met Andre, looking serious and thoughtful. He waved and was gone.
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PostSubject: Re: PATIENCE AND REWARDS   PATIENCE AND REWARDS - Page 2 EmptySun May 24, 2009 2:06 pm

Urs and Cat went exploring. The villa was sprawling, every room with a stunning vista of beach, ocean, gardens or pool. The tear shaped pool was decorated at the bottom and on tiles around the rim with dragons and had a spacious patio with lounge chairs and umbrella tables. At one end was a bubbling hot tub and they went through white fluttering curtains into what would be their bedroom.

The bed was covered in a jewel toned duvet with large pillows and netting that would close it off at night, a few soft chairs in greens and blues, massive planters with blooming flowers scattered about the room, giving the effect of a bedroom built in a garden.

The en-suite bathroom, had a glass enclosed shower with multiple jets and built in bench seats, a tub big enough to swim in and piped in music from another location. Adjacent was a large gym with all the usual weight apparatus, a Universal, barre for ballet and elliptical trainer.

They wandered into the lounge area, a huge open concept space that flowed into a well equipped kitchen, again done in jewel tones against the white walls, and again with flowering plants spaced about. There was a fireplace in the lounge with a thick rug in front of it and the remote for the sound system on the glass and wicker coffee table.

The far end of the room housed a polished ebony wood grand piano, several other instruments, a cabinet containing a wide screen TV, the stereo equipment and an extensive selection of music and videos as well as wicker couches and chairs with thick cushiony upholstery. Book shelves lined the facing wall, filled with new and old novels, games, and naughty books such as the Kama Sutra and a selection of Erotica by several well-known authors, Jessie Rose, Vanity, Pauline Reage, Valerie Kelly and others.

Cat left Urs looking over the videos and went to the kitchen in a search of something to eat. She found that the staff had left them a wonderful mixed salad, several different kinds of marinating seafood, huge amounts of fresh fruit, and a steak for Urs the size of Switzerland. The freezer was stocked, the pantry full and the wine cooler held a selection of good wines and champagne, one of which was already in an ice bucket, chilling. One of the two fridges held an assortment of imported beer and on the counter in a box shaped like a sleeping dragon was a selection of Swiss Chocolate, including Toblerone.

She selected a nectarine for herself, took another for Urs and went back to join him.

“Simon has this place stocked with enough food to last a month…he even remembered Toblerone for you.” She tossed him the nectarine and went outside to look at the ocean.

Urs joined her, finished his fruit and tossed the pit into the lush garden. They could see a path leading down to the white sand and chairs laid out, some under umbrellas and with little tables, some with woven mats beside them out in the full sun. Not another person was in sight as far as the eye could see, only the flitting of butterflies, the odd colorful bird and far away at sea the gulls diving into the gently swelling water.

“Let’s go check out the beach,” Urs urged and hand in hand they ran down the path, kicked their shoes off and let their feet sink in the hot sand. They walked along the edge of the water as far as an outcropping of rock at one end, then back to the other where a dense growth of trees separated them from the next beach. Cat found a few shells that were still intact and pulled her skirt up to put them in and they went back to the mats to sit and watch the water.

“This must be what Adam and Eve felt like….except with modern conveniences,” Cat said laughing.

“And they were naked.” Urs answered her then stood and began to take off his clothes.

Cat hesitated then grinning at him, stripped.

Urs sorted through the bottles of sun tan oils in the bottom of the small table, found one that sounded interesting and took it to apply some to Cat. She tied her hair up in a high ponytail and stood by the mat so he could do her back and front, then returned the favor, getting a little sidetracked when she did his front and woke his sleeping giant, temporarily. They lay on the mats face up and sunned themselves enjoying the quiet, the feeling of togetherness.

Cat fell asleep and Urs gently turned her over to tan the other side, not wanting her to burn the first time out. His many exposures to sunlamps in the various gyms had tanned his entire body a light gold and he had little fear of burning himself. He lay beside her on the mat and drifted off, also face down, holding her hand against the white sand.

After a deep refreshing rest Cat woke to find Urs beside her, fast asleep. She carefully sat up and hugged her knees, looking out to the ocean, smiling and thinking about the turn her life had taken.

A year ago she had heard of Il Divo, was following their rocket ride to success, going to concerts, listening to the music.

Gradually it became apparent to her that her interest was mainly centered on the tenor from Switzerland. There was something about those eyes that seemed to look clear in to her soul, the smile that whispered of secrets, the full blown laughter that crinkled up his eyes and made dimples appear in his cheeks. She listened intently to the music, separating his voice from the others, shivering when he did his solo bits or the chanting harmony to Io Te Amero. Then when she met the band and first touched Urs, placing her hands on his head to cure a headache, her nice cool little world shattered and she could no longer deny that here was a man who was melting her wall of ice, at first very much against her will.

It was a gradual process and she fought it at first, determined to turn away from the feelings she found he evoked in her. But he was so patient, so gentle that at last she began to anticipate his touch, his kisses.

And now she was his wife, friend, lover. He was the soulmate she had yearned for, the only man with the love and patience to bring her back to life. Cat looked down at his sleeping form and thought how perfect he was: Strong, quiet, intelligent, talented, patient, a man who would fight for those he loved but didn’t crave violence. She noticed how respectful and considerate he was with the crew, with the fans, with chauffeurs, waitresses and how rough and firm he could be with those he disliked like Mark and Gerard. Like herself he lived and breathed music.

Cat stretched her arms to the sky and threw her head back to feel the sun caress her face. She felt that so long as Urs loved her she could do anything. She turned to look at him again and smiled because he was awake and watching her and his shaft was standing at attention.

He said nothing, just sat up and took her face in his hands, staring in her eyes for a moment then slowly lowering his lips to hers. He gently lowered her to the mat and they made love, slowly, passionately, consumed with the need for each other.

When the waves of passion ebbed they rose and ran to the ocean, not going far since Cat couldn’t swim, just enough to wash the sand and oil from their bodies. They sat in the sun for a while to dry, then donned clothing and walked up the path to the house.

They watched the sun sink below the horizon, enjoying the warm breeze off the ocean, went to the gym and worked out for a while. Later, the evening passed quietly after a seafood and steak dinner. Urs played the piano for a while, while Cat claimed laziness and just listened. He taught her how to play Russian Backgammon and beat her eight games in a row.

They found some cut up fruit in the fridge and a pot of chocolate to melt, took them both to the lounge and sat on the thick rug with their backs against the sofa, watching the flames and dipping fruit in the chocolate, Swiss of course.

When the fruit was all done Cat glanced quickly at Urs then away and he could tell she wanted to ask him something but was hesitant. He took her hand and chided her.

“Don’t ever be frightened to ask me anything. You know I would never hurt you and would find it hard to even be angry unless it was something really dumb like thinking I was going out with another woman when we all were just giving those women a ride. I will never cheat on you Cat. You’re all the woman I can handle or would ever want to.”

She laughed and leaned against him. “I just wondered…we’ve never talked about children. We don’t use protection, not ever and my pills aren’t very strong. Do you want children, Urs?”

“With you? About a dozen.”

Cat turned startled eyes up to his face to see if he was joking. “Oh my! A dozen…could we do that 2 at a time, do you think?”

Urs laughed and hugged her. “Hmmmm. There’s always that possibility. Mami was a twin. Seriously, I always dreaded the thought of becoming a parent until I met you. For a while I thought the only way I could get you would be to get you pregnant and then you’d have to marry me. What about you? You’re the one who will have most of the responsibility, who will have to carry our child or children in your body for 9 months. I’m told it can be rather unpleasant giving birth…are you willing to do that?”

Cat met his probing look with tears in her eyes. “Oh Yes!! I want to have our child. To think that this love we share can create another life….it’s beyond any words I have. And if you really want 12…that may be something we’ll have to negotiate.”

“Then I guess we better start working on it,” he said and drew her down onto the rug.

He cupped her breasts with his warm hands and nuzzled them gently with his lips and tongue.

“These breasts were meant to have babies suckling on them… or me,” he said as he sucked one into his mouth, then left it to attend to the other, nipping gently with his strong teeth and sucking until she cried out with pleasure.

He lay between her legs and slipped easily inside of her, moaning with pleasure at the tight heat of her body, the way she had of flexing the muscles of the velvet glove that held him, like mini orgasms pulling him deeper, caressing the length of him. Sometimes the anticipation of being inside of her was enough to make him hard, a fact he had found embarrassing on more than one occasion.

But now, she was here and he was inside, where he belonged, thrusting, rubbing against her body, feeling her reaching for the peak just as he was, meeting his rhythm, clutching at him as she arched her back and whimpered with need. Together they found rapture and soared.

Much later Urs carried her into the master suite, lay her in the wide bed and, dropping the netting around them, joined her, making one mound in the center as they slept spooned.

**
All during the 7 days they spent at the Villa of the Sleeping Dragon, they never saw the staff. The villa was always clean, food prepared and waiting in the fridge or pantry with instructions as to preparation. Laundry was taken away and returned freshly done up, linens were changed daily and the beach where they tanned and made love was freshly raked daily. Their last full day at the Villa Urs and Cat baked, made Butter Tarts and Nanaimo Bars, left them with Il Divo CD’s, cards containing recipes in an envelope with a considerable amount of cash and many thanks from them, something a little more personal than just money.

Andre picked them up right on time the last day, before noon, and as usual talked non-stop until they reached the airport. Cat gave him a small basket of baked goods for his family and both of the Il Divo CD’s and Urs shook his hand and slipped an envelope of cash into his shirt pocket. They looked back when they reached the door of the plane and saw him look up from the tarts he had already opened, his face breaking into a toothy grin as he waved good bye to them and yelled, “You come back, you hear? The goddess loves you. You come back to Mustique again.”
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PostSubject: Re: PATIENCE AND REWARDS   PATIENCE AND REWARDS - Page 2 EmptySun May 24, 2009 2:28 pm

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

It didn’t take long to get back in harness. There were messages waiting at the flat and stacks of e/mails but the first night back they ignored most of them and visited with their friends in David and Sarah’s flat. Everyone remarked on the great tans, the healthy glow they both had and the fact that they looked rested and happy. And they found their usually subdued friend, Urs, a lot less private about his life.

“Of course we look rested and happy,” he said as he flopped into a chair at David’s and pulled Cat onto his lap. “We did nothing but lay in the sun, play backgammon and try to make a baby.”

Cat squealed and hid her red face in her hair, pulling it down across her cheeks to form a curtain.

“Who is this strange man? My husband would never admit something like that.”

David had collapsed in laughter as only David could, a loud, gut-wrenching, belly laugh that was infectious and had everyone else laughing too.

Millie asked them about the Villa of the Sleeping Dragon and Cat described it in detail, aided now and then by Urs who remembered some of the details she skipped over.

“….and we had a staff that took care of laundry, cleaning and cooking but not once did we ever see them. Food and clean clothes would just appear in the morning, but never any other sign anyone had been there,” she finished from her perch on his lap.

“Just as well since we didn’t have time for housework or much cooking. When we weren’t working our way through the Kama Sutra…” he paused as he saw Cat double up her little fist and frown at him. He leaned forward to kiss her white knuckles, then held her hands in self defense and continued with a grin “…it’s this really great book on backgammon…I think we got to page 112….we really didn’t want to be disturbed.”

Once again David cracked up and it was a few minutes before they all got serious again.

“I think we have to all get back to work on Monday,” Seb said and gave Millie a tender look. Obviously they had become even closer during the week off, though they hadn’t told anyone of plans for a wedding yet.

“I’m getting anxious to get started on the new CD,” Carlos said and the others agreed.

The men started talking music, went to the piano and began noodling tunes, Seb raced to his flat for his guitar and the women laughed and got comfy on the sofa and chairs. They caught up on what everyone was doing now, Sarah doing special duty nursing with the registry, sadly not pregnant, Millie picking up a gig now and then and Gerry between contracts still but not concerned. Cat admitted that she too was not anxious to get back to work.

“I have a few tracks I’ve been working on, actually off and on for years, new arrangements of the old jazz or blues by Ella, Dinah, Ethel Waters, that sort of thing. Steve has been after me to put it together on a private label and I may give it a try, see how it sounds.”

She lowered her voice and spoke of more serious matters. “The one message I did open in my e/mail was from Brian. He wants me to testify against Gerard and possibly Mark too. I didn’t want to spoil Urs mood with it so haven’t told him yet.”

“When is it?” Gerry asked.

“The last week of February. That gives me lots of time to get my nerves under control.” She laughed but they could see that it did bother her.

Cat stood and smiled at her friends. “Let’s see what we can throw together for dinner. I don’t think we’re going to get them to stop anytime soon.”

They had a look and found that most of them needed to shop. Cat brought her shoulder bag back with her and waved at Urs but he shot off the piano bench like a scalded cat.

“Where are you going?”

“Just to the market with the girls. It’ll be fine Urs. We’re just going to the market.”

He took her hands and just said “No, Cat. I can’t leave right now, we’re right in the middle of something.”

“But…” she began and he just looked at her, not giving an inch.

“Girls, I’m going to do some baking, there’s lots of stuff for that in the pantry. Pick me up some seafood and I’ll pay you for it.”

The 3 women looked at Urs and saw that he wouldn’t be moved, so they left.

Urs kissed Cat on the brow and softly said “Thank you…call me and leave the line open,” before going back to the piano.

Urs plugged his ear piece into his cell and when Cat phoned answered it on the first ring, turned the volume down and kept on with the harmonies the band was working on. After a while Seb asked him if he was listening to music and he put the phone on speaker with the volume up. It was Cat doing a great Edith Piaf version of La Vie En Rose.

“She always sings while she’s baking,” Urs explained.

“Cat should be making CD’s. She has a beautiful range and a pure voice,” Carlos remarked.

“Actually she’s almost convinced to do it,” Urs said as he put the earpiece back and turned the volume down again. “She has a whole stack of adaptations and arrangements that she worked on the last couple of years…blues, jazz and gospel. Steve wants her to put in some time in the studio and see what turns up.”

They went back to work.

When the shoppers returned, the scent of baking reached to the hall. Cat had taken out her frustration by making Butter Tarts, a Pecan Pie that was still in the oven and a chocolate torte that was cooling on the counter.

By the time dinner was on the table the guys had finished for the day and were ready to have a peaceful night. They ate, including far too much dessert, had a few beer and talked about the upcoming schedule. They would be going in to the studio most days to work on the new CD’s, with the exception of a couple of days of signings when the first of the videos from the Tour were released. David had somehow come up with a video none of them had seen while on the road, Pirates of the Caribbean #2. so they watched that and called it a night.

It was still early enough that Cat checked her e.mails while Urs ran through the messages on their answering machine. Later when they were getting ready for bed she told him about the e.mails she had checked.

“Rapid UK has asked if I’m ready to come back to work and I sent them a reply saying that I was newly married and uncertain if I would be available soon. I was pretty sure you would agree with me that I shouldn’t do something that would take me away, not until this is over and then we can talk about it.”

He nodded and agreed but secretly hoped she would be pregnant by that time and not able to go.

Then she told him about Brian’s message, about wanting her to testify against Mark and Gerard.

He looked at her trying to gauge how she felt about it but she was deliberately keeping her face non-committal.

“So, tell me how you feel about it. Do you want to testify? Does it make you nervous?”

Cat sighed and looked at him. He could see confusion in her eyes and a little fear but she seemed determined to do the right thing. “I think I have to. They have confessed to most of the charges including the kidnapping and attempted rape and a bunch of other stuff that has nothing to do with me, so it’s not like a lawyer will be trying to rip my testimony apart. I just wish we could get more on the bigger fish.”

Urs finished folding his clothes and came to take the brush from her and brush her hair with long strokes.

“This is one time I can’t make the decision for you, Cat. I can only stand beside you, no matter what you decide to do.”

“Then I will testify. I can do this Urs. I’m strong enough now to face anything….even the press. You realize that the tabloids will have a field day with the story, especially with my connection to you?”

“Ja, well I don’t worry too much about the tabs. They always have to be smearing someone. And we’ve done nothing wrong, Cat. The fans will realize that and I care more about them than I do about those who treat the tabs as gospel.”

They spent the next day getting ready for work on Monday: putting away the summer clothing they had used in Mustique, shopping for groceries, a bit of housework to clear up the dust from the week’s absence and answering the e.mails from family and friends.

Urs posted a photo from the wedding in answer to the many requests and much to the delight of the ‘Uber Babes’ online. He headed it with a short letter thanking the fans for the many donations, as they had requested, to AMTM in lieu of gifts, told them how happy he was and promised to post more often now that time wasn’t so limited.

Early Monday the band and Cat went to the studios, laden with instruments and cases full of musical scores. Steve met them and took Cat off to a smaller studio to work on her CD while the guys went to the one they were familiar with.

They worked steadily until noon then went to see if Cat was ready for lunch. She was in the middle of doing an ALW track ‘Love Changes Everything’ and they waited at the back of the control booth until it was finished, stayed mesmerized for the next one, also ALW, Memories from Cats.

Harry on the console leaned into his mike and spoke to Cat, his voice booming over the headphones she wore and out of the speakers so the orchestra could hear.

“I think that’s a wrap, Cat. We’ll listen to the playback while you grab some lunch. Great session.”

They saw Cat remove the headphones and blow a kiss to the orchestra as she left the studio, grabbing her oversize purse and pulling the door open. The band was waiting in the hall for her now and she smiled as she saw them, went to Urs and lifted her face for a quick kiss.

“Where’s the cafeteria in this place? I’m starving.”

Urs laughed and drew her along the hall to the elevators. “We listened to the last track and a half. Great stuff, especially Memories. You should try Amigos Para Siempre…it would be great for your range.”

“That’s a duet, Urs. I’d need a baritone for it.”

“Or a good lyric tenor.”

Urs and Carlos mugged for her, leaning together and going ‘Ta Da!!!’

She laughed and shook her head. “I couldn’t ask you to do that. It’s one thing for you guys to sing with established stars like Celine or Toni….if I sang with you we would never know if the sales were for Il Divo or for me.”

“It doesn’t matter so long as you get out there. People will love your music once they hear it,” Seb said.

They entered the cafeteria, stood in line to get food and found an empty table near the far wall. One of the techies called out to Cat as they passed. “Great session today, Cat.” She blushed and waved at him.
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PostSubject: Re: PATIENCE AND REWARDS   PATIENCE AND REWARDS - Page 2 EmptySun May 24, 2009 2:28 pm

She tackled her huge salad while the guys ate and talked music, listening as they discussed the merits or faults of tracks they had covered in the morning session. During a lull she asked the question that had been annoying her since the morning started.

“How long does it take to get used to being chained to the stationary mike? I find it difficult to really let myself go when I can’t move to the music.”

They all looked at her in amazement. “I can remember feeling like that…way back a hundred years ago,” David said finally.

“You get used to it,” Urs said smiling in comfort. He, of all those present , understood how much dance meant to her, how restricting the stationary mike would feel. “A boom mike would give you a bit more freedom, so long as you don’t get carried away. Ask Harry what he thinks.”

“Did you do all ALW tracks this morning or a mixture?” Seb asked.

“Harry has a rough playlist and we just started going through it. So far it’s a mix, ALW, Piaf, Lena Horne. The only one I was happy with was the Edith Piaf.”

“We heard Love changes Everything and Memories…thought they were wonderful….why weren’t you happy?” Urs asked and she grimaced.

“In Memories the interlude was too rushed, and the fade out at the end should have lasted another 3 beats…..in Love, I should have written it a key higher. It doesn’t sound right for a mezzo voice in F, should be in G.”

They all started laughing and Carlos reached across to shake her hand. “Welcome to Perfectionists Anonymous, Kitty. We’re all like that. It drives the techies nuts until they finally do things our way then realize how right we were.”

The routine of going to the studio daily was soon established: Mornings at the studio with Cat using a boom mike most of the time, lunch in the cafeteria, back to the studio or occasionally the guys would leave for a meet and greet while Cat stayed at the studio, working until they came back to pick her up. Nights they would share dinner often with the other couples, leaving early to rise with the dawn and, for Urs and Cat, to go to the gym for an hour or so. They took Sundays off, caught up on sleep and housework, stacks of e.mails and messages and sometimes even had a chance to do absolutely nothing.

In early February the press got hold of the fact that the surprise witness against Gerard and Mark was Cat. Of course the tabs made a great fuss about it and hounded her, tried to find out where she and Urs lived and failed miserably since all the neighbours and shopkeepers in the area liked them and wouldn’t give the obnoxious reporters any help.

Still it was difficult getting to and home from, the studio, with paparazzi crowding the entrances and peering into the cars. Cat was outwardly very calm about the whole thing, smiling politely but refusing to answer any questions while Urs pushed a path through the crowd. Finally Brian provided a couple of burly men to act as body guards and the crush wasn’t so bad.

The trial began the last week of February. Cat and Urs had decided to take the week off from the studio to prepare for it and were expected in court, likely the third day, Brian said.

That day they were up early as always and had early visits from everyone…Sarah and Millie on their way to work for a quick hug and ‘Good Luck’, Gerry and the guys for coffee and to bolster Cat’s spirits.

They were just getting jackets on for the ride to the courthouse when the phone rang and it was Brian with news.

Urs answered and when she realized it was Brian, Cat stopped in the hall and watched as he listened intently. Finally he suggested talking later when things were calmer and hung up, turned to Cat and took her hands.

“This morning when the guard went to wake Gerard, he found him dead, killed in his sleep….Mark too. They aren’t sure what happened since the cells were locked and of course no one heard anything. Brian doesn’t know much more at this point.”

Cat had paled and he held her while she absorbed what had happened. “I’m so ashamed…I don’t feel sorry for them, just relieved that it’s over.”

“Don’t, Cat…you have nothing to be ashamed of. What they got was Karma for wasted lives, it was inevitable. Now you can get on with yours, with ours.”

They changed out of their more formal clothes into jeans and tees and it was while Cat was putting on her sneakers that Urs came to her with a package in his hand.

“I know we’ve both been really busy lately but have you noticed there’s been something missing from our lives?”

She looked at him with her head at an angle and a curious expression. “Missing? What’s been missing?”

“Not once since before the wedding have you had to say ‘Not tonight Urs, sorry’…..Cat you haven’t had a period since before we were married.” He reached in the bag and pulled out a box clearly labeled as a pregnancy test.

She laughed at him and opening a drawer where she kept her lingerie, pulled out an identical one…this one opened. “I had Sarah buy this yesterday, read the instructions while you were shaving.” Cat reached up to pull his head down to her mouth and they kissed for good luck then she went in the bathroom to use the test strip. A few minutes later she came out and placed it on the box, on the dresser and went to sit on Urs, straddling his legs while he sat on the edge of the bed. She wound her arms around his neck and sighed. “We have to wait 3 minutes.”

“Not much we can do in 3 minutes,” he said and nibbled on her neck. His hands crept up under her Tee shirt and caressed her skin and when his palm felt how swollen she was hoped that it was because she was pregnant. Her watch beeped at them and Cat drew back.

“I can’t look…look at it, Urs….if it’s blue that’s positive.”

“We’ll look together,” he said and stood her on her feet. They stepped to the dresser and Cat gasped as she looked at the test strip. It was blue. Urs crushed her against him, kissed her, swept her up in his arms and carried her to the bed to snuggle as close as possible. She felt his tears on her hair and murmured softly “I didn’t mean to make you cry.”

He laughed lightly. “I’m just so happy. Would you mind if we don’t tell anyone for a while? I don’t feel like sharing this right now.”

They lay on the bed for most of the morning talking about what they should do now that this goal had been achieved. A bigger place was a definite need but not immediate. An obstetrician was an immediate concern as well as finding out the expected date and Urs wanted them both to go to classes so they would be prepared. That meant getting the CD’s ready for release so he could spend time with Cat in the last months.

“I’m going to ask Simon not to schedule anything that will require being away from you. If I remember right, when my sisters had their babies, they weren’t allowed to fly the last 2 or 3 months.”

That night when the group all got together as planned in Cat and Urs flat, it took all of 20 seconds for Sarah to recognize the glow on their faces and rush over to hug them both.

“Oh my god…you’re pregnant!!! Congratulations to both of you! Do you know when yet? No of course you don’t…do you need the name of a good OBGYN? I know a few now, especially Dr. Burnett…she’s wonderful.”

Everyone was insanely happy, talking about the changes, about how they all would like to live in larger places, concerned that the stress of working such long hours might be too much for Cat and it wasn’t until part way through the meal that they remembered that today was to have been her day in court.

Urs explained what had happened. “I can’t honestly say I’m sorry but I am relieved. Now all this should be over, Cat won’t have to testify and we can get on with the important thing at the moment…creating a healthy baby.”

“What do you want, Urs, boy or girl?” Seb asked and Urs laughed.

“One of each would be nice. I asked for 12 and Cat thinks we should have them two at a time.”

He was grinning with his eyes all squinched up, nearly closed and Cat laughed and said they better start looking for a bigger house.

“There’s a really nice place just went on the market two blocks over. I saw it on the way home from work,” Sarah said. “Actually two of them I think. If you bought both you could turn one into a studio.”

“That’s not a bad idea, Sarah. Maybe we should all be looking for a place to open our own studios. We could rent out the spaces or use them our selves.” Urs seemed excited with the idea and it was infectious. They all soon began talking about the possibilities, getting space at Sony becoming more and more difficult.

Gerry was off work the next day and offered to do some calling on estate agents to see what was out there. The excitement was infectious and when they all departed for the night the mood was very upbeat. Urs and Cat tidied up, got the coffee machine ready for the morning and went to bed, full of thoughts about a new home, a new work place and mostly a new life soon to come into the world.

Cat was snuggled against him and found sleeping difficult with all the thoughts swirling through her mind. Urs was nearly asleep when he roused, felt her stir and raised his head to see if she was alright.

“Can’t sleep?” he asked and ran his hand over her still flat tummy.

“Be good…we’ve had enough exercise for one night.”

“MMMMM…my wife tells me I’m always good,” he answered and she laughed and turned to face him.

“Urs, we’ve never talked about finances, you know about money. No, don’t say anything yet, let me get this out. Just as I believe in committing to obey in the wedding ceremony, I also believe that what we have belongs to both of us. I want to formalize the transfer of my portfolio to both our names. My parents left me fairly well off and Steve has invested it for me through the years. I work because I hate being idle not because I have to. The bottom line of this long story is that you should have access to our money for the house or any business you plan on going into.”

“Cat are you worried that I can’t take care of you?”

“NO, absolutely not. I just don’t want money to be something we disagree on. Money is only useful to make you happy, to make life easier. What I had is ours now and if you decide to use it, that will make us both happy.” She lay her hand on his face and caressed him. “I would stay with you if it where in a grass hut and we had to live on coconuts, and I’d know that you would take care of me.”

Urs kissed her tenderly, then held her close against him, her head tucked under his chin. “Okay. We’ll put your portfolio in both of our names, but we won’t use it unless we have to. With a dozen children we have to start saving now for University fees, dentist bills, huge grocery bills, ballet lessons…..” He stopped and laughed when she dug her fist into his stomach.

“Oh, go to sleep. I want breakfast in bed in the morning so you need your rest.”

He laughed and cuddled her closer, one long leg over hers, her mouth against his chest, waiting till he felt her relax in his arms before closing his eyes and drifting off himself.
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PostSubject: Re: PATIENCE AND REWARDS   PATIENCE AND REWARDS - Page 2 EmptySun May 24, 2009 8:54 pm

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

Time passed swiftly the next few months. Brian called back and said they were removing the shepherd, his superiors felt there was little if any threat to Cat now that there would be no trial. He mentioned that the deaths of Mark and Gerard had been tracked to the only possible source…a guard who was likely to have administered a fast acting poison in their evening tea and had since disappeared. Urs wasn’t so sure that this would mean Cat was safe but there was nothing he could do…except remain vigilant himself.

Cat took Sarah’s advice and made an appointment with Dr. Burnett. Urs went with her for the first appointment and waited nervously in the reception area while Cat was given a physical exam. She came out half an hour later and they both went in to the office to talk to the Doctor.

Dr. Burnett was tall and slender, mid 40’s and had an abrupt but cheerful manner. She shook Urs hand and mentioned that both she and her daughter were big Il Divo fans.

She sat on the corner of the desk and smiled as Urs took Cat’s hand and they waited for her news.

“I would be happy to take you on as a patient, Mrs. Buhler. I don’t see any problems at the moment since you are apparently in excellent physical condition. I’m going to give you a diet sheet and places where you can attend classes if you desire. Do you work out?”

Cat nodded and then added details. “Tai chi, Ballet and some Capoeira.”

The doctor smiled. “That would explain your condition. Unfortunately the martial arts should be curtailed for the duration but I see no reason you can’t continue the Tai Chi and Ballet as long as you are able without overdoing it. You may find your sense of balance affected in the later months and should adjust your routine accordingly. For now, go on with your normal routine, follow the diet plan as best you can and come back to see me in about 3 weeks. I assume you would like to know the approximate due date?”

They both nodded and she went around the desk to check her notes.

“According to the chart your last period was just before Christmas. That would make you at peak fertility the first week of January. I think we’re looking at the last week of September, about the 26th.”

She held several sheets of paper out to them and Urs took them, leafed through and at the last one actually blushed as he looked up at the doctor.

She laughed. “So it is true. The Swiss Rock God is shy. I’m sorry I just couldn’t resist. That sheet will be handy in the later months. There’s no reason you can’t enjoy each other with a little ingenuity, as you can see from the drawings.”

Urs grinned at her and they stood to leave, shook hands again and left.

“Mustique” Urs said when they were in the elevator.

“I’m not surprised,” Cat replied. “We did practice rather diligently.”

They celebrated quietly that night, just the two of them, retired early and tried out some of the positions the doctor had suggested, found that they worked, just fine and spent an hour discussing names before falling asleep.

**

At dinner the next night David and Sarah, Seb and Millie had announcement that stunned everyone.

They invited everyone away for the weekend on Gran Cayman…for a double wedding!! Simon had procured the Sony jet and they had planned a very private ceremony on the beach at the private villa of a music producer friend. All the paperwork was arranged, the girls had bought dresses and all that was missing was their best friends.

After all the laughter and congratulations died down they all made plans and toasted the last two Divos to take the plunge.

Right after work at the studios on Friday they left damp and chilly London, boarded the transpo and rushed to the airport for their flight to Gran Cayman. It was a relief to exit the plane into the humid heat of Gran Cayman, the sun just setting as they found their driver and headed out to the villa.

It was long and low, spread out over the sand beneath towering palms with flowering vines trailing over the white washed walls. The ocean was just a stone’s throw away, down a gently sloping white sand beach to the shallow water that stretched out calmly to a break wall of coral and rock where the ocean waves hit with a roar and sent up spumes of foam.

The staff of four, in white uniforms met them at the end of the curved drive and escorted them into the basically white building, deep verandas all around to create a cooling shade for the interior. The style was typical of the islands with rattan and glass furnishings scattered about with casual elegance, very open and airy, ceiling fans in the domed bamboo pillared roof and baskets of greenery hanging from hooks that scented the air with a lush jungle perfume. Behind the living quarters a clay tennis court abutted a lap pool with a large partly roofed patio and the scent of saffron rice hung heavy in the air from the open air kitchen where two women cheerily worked on preparing dinner.

Each couple was shown their suites and changed into more suitable tropical clothing then wandered about looking at the lush gardens, the trails that led off somewhere into the forest growth that started meters behind the tennis courts, the freshly raked sand of the beach that still retained the warmth of the afternoon sun.

A bell was rung on the veranda, announcing dinner and they were served enormous platters of freshly grilled seafood and lamb, veggies grilled to perfection, salads of greens, tiny tomatoes, white asparagus, lightly steamed then cooled and thin circles of blood oranges, all lightly flavored with olive oil and balsamic vinegar.

They all claimed no room for dessert but managed to decimate a fruit bowl and a lovely Crème Caramel before adjourning to the cool evening quiet of the veranda with glasses of a superb white wine that had been produced locally by a private vintner.

It was so refreshing to be able to relax that for a while conversation was sparse, reduced to ‘More wine?’ ‘That air is so fresh you can almost taste the sea and the bougainvillea’. They could hear night birds calling out sweetly to each other in the tall trees around the property and heard the gasps of wonder when a flight of pelicans returning home to roost skimmed the waves heading south silently.

Urs and Cat were snuggled together in one of the roomy chairs, his long legs stretched to the coffee table while Cat curled hers up, leaned her head on his shoulder with her hand on his stomach and his arm wrapped around her, his hand on her waist.

Soft music came from speakers placed atop the door way, Jean Michel Jarre’s Oxygen parts 1 to 6, the melodious electronic music perfect for this electric but peaceful night.
After a quiet half hour David spoke up but softly, not wanting to break the mood.

“We’ve scheduled the services at 11 in the morning with a lunch after then we’re going to leave you guys until Sunday night. Sarah and I are going sailing and Seb and Millie have booked a cottage in the Rain Forest. We’ve booked some horses for you guys to go riding and have dinner on the beach at a cove a few miles along.”

Urs smiled at David and Seb. “I think we would be very happy to just lie here and watch the world go by. This is so incredibly peaceful. I feel like we’re back on Mustique.”

David chortled.

“I’ll have to see if they have your book on Backgammon in the library.”

They all laughed, especially when Urs said he didn’t think they needed any more practice….they seemed to have mastered the basics.

The music changed to some slow and romantic tunes, some Il Divo, some Bryan Adams, Rod Stewart, and a few Chris de Burgh.

Carlos and Gerry were first to kick off their shoes and leave the veranda to dance close together on the soft, warm sand. Soon they all were, swaying to the music, lost in their own worlds of love.

One by one the couples bid the others good night and retired to the big soft, netting covered beds in their suites, aroused to gentle and tender passion by the night, the emotions, the setting, the hopes for their futures.

**
The morning brought with it the promise of a day of warmth and joy, the warm breeze off the ocean stirring the netting around the sated sleeping bodies in each suite.

It was the aroma of fresh coffee that woke Urs but he hesitated to leave the comfort of his wife curled against his body. As he had each morning when he woke to find she had not vanished as his other dreams did, he kissed her gently and thanked God that they had found each other. He ran his hand down her side to her waist, touching but so lightly as to feel feather-like and he splayed his fingers across the very tiny bulge of her stomach, the haven where their child grew.

He was going to be a Father. The thought took his breath away then filled him with trepidation. Would he be good at being a Papa? The responsibility was awesome, not just the conception of this loved baby but the nurturing, the molding of a young, fragile life. He wanted so much to be like his father, to do not just a good job but one that would create a world of wonder and joy for this precious life.

“You will excel, Urs. You have so much love to give. Our child will be blessed to have you for a Father.”

She had awakened and knew what he was thinking, knew that the glistening in his eyes was not sorrow but fear that he would not be adequate.

He smiled and pulled her closer.

“Only because I will have you to help me, Love. We will share this challenge as we will everything else in our lives.”

They showered in the roomy multi-head stall, teasing and when the teasing evolved, enjoying each other’s bodies as the warm water cascaded over them.

When they finally dried off and dressed, Urs shaved and they wandered hand in hand to the patio tracking down the source of the coffee aroma. Urs played with David’s cam-corder while he had breakfast, having been designated the official recorder of the services. Not very inclined toward anything technologic he was having difficulties until the maid brought her 14 year old son out to the table to assist him. After a few moments he struck a deal with the boy to record the services and smugly passed the recorder over, pleased to have gotten out of that job.

By 10 everyone had breakfasted and changed to light cotton shirts and trouser or dresses and were on the veranda watching the preparations. Millie and Sarah had retired to get ready, sent out the small carryon luggage they would take with them for their brief escape to privacy and at quarter of 11 joined the others on the veranda.

The staff had erected a small palapa shelter on the beach for the priest with a wooden altar and cross and masses of flowers in wicker baskets all around the site, small ones filled with jungle flowers, Orchids, Bird of Paradise, delicate Plumbago, Carillon de Oro that lined the wide raked-sand path to the altar from the house.

Carlos and Gerry, Urs and Cat kicked off their shoes and walked along the sand to the beach where the Priest waited just as the strains of Evergreen came from the speakers over the door.

David took Sarah’s hands and gazed deep in her eyes, his so full of love that he was holding back an intense urge to laugh or cry, he wasn’t sure which. He only knew that this was right, that this moment was theirs, something they had been heading toward for so many years and now, at last here.

“Last chance, beautiful lady…”

Sarah smiled, so full of love for this tall man she had wanted above all others for years.

“This is one game were we both win, Stretch. Let’s do it.”

They kissed lightly and toed off their shoes and headed down the path beside Seb and Millie.

Seb didn’t have any doubts. He had loved Millie even before he first spoke to her, back in the days when he thought she wanted someone else. Their love had been like a runaway train once they had connected that first night, unstoppable. She was his life, his fate, the one who filled his heart and he didn’t ever want this feeling he had for her to end.
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PostSubject: Re: PATIENCE AND REWARDS   PATIENCE AND REWARDS - Page 2 EmptySun May 24, 2009 9:00 pm

Millie, calmly took her shoes off and accepted his stretched out hand. This was the moment she had been born for, the moment when they would become one in front of their dearest friends and God. She felt that one portion of her life was closing and a new and improved period was about to begin.

The two couples reached the priest and knelt in the sand, the warm breeze off the ocean stirring the filmy white dresses the women wore and caressing their hair, the sun glinting off the white flowers entwined in their curls, their chosen mates also dressed in lightweight white cotton beside them, in spite of the casual wear, looking elegant and eager.

In a scant few minutes of questions and responses it was over and they kissed to seal their oaths.
David was surprised at how different he felt when they left the beach to return to the house for lunch. Everyone was happy and vocal, laughing and joking, offering advice and congratulations, thanking the Priest for his consideration at meeting their requests for a beach service, teasing the two couples as they jumped the broom to complete the service in the island tradition.

The Jeep came fro Sebastien and Millie at the same moment that a Zodiac beached out front to pick up David and Sarah. The other two couples saw them off with hugs, kisses and waves and returned to the house to change for their ride. The horses had arrived earlier and were tied in the shade of the palms, contentedly dozing in the heat. Within minutes they were mounted and walking the horses along the beach, spurred on to splash through the shallows when Cat whooped and urged her steed to speed.

It was a glorious, free feeling, and they all laughed and cantered through the shallow water, splashing and enjoying this treat provided by their thoughtful friends.

**

It was an hour drive to the Rain forest along winding roads that rose steadily upwards. After half an hour they could see the forest starting in the distance, the dry hills and fields giving way to thick growth that got steadily thicker until they were hemmed in on both sides by growth so thick that the sun was only a dim memory.

They slowed now, enjoying the views of heavy vines intertwined on the trunks of the trees and disappearing upwards into the old growth braches that seemed covered from end to end in vines and flowering bromeliad and orchids, both needing no nutrients from the host, just the moisture that made the air thick and humid.

The driver pulled the Jeep to a stop at the top of the incline, in front of a sturdy building with wide sheltered verandas and screen covered windows. Geckos skittered away as they approached the front door and now that the engine no longer masked the sound they could hear birdsong from around them, a cacophony of sound but not discordant, just natural and appropriate to the place.

They entered and waved good bye to the driver as they were greeted by the host of the inn who took them through and down a narrow path to a cottage, perched on the side of a towering cliff face, stilts on the forward edge to brace it against the sloped earth, the view out over the Forest and valley astounding.

“Congratulations on your union, Senor and Senora Izambard. We hope you will be very happy here. If you require a guide for a tour please use the radio in the Lounge and one will be with you shortly. Food and beverage has been placed in the kitchen…please leave nothing out to attract insects and keep your screens in place at all times. This is home to a number of species of reptiles and insect life, few dangerous but all inquisitive.”

He left them and they settled in to inspect their quarters.

The place had all the amenities you would expect in a more civilized area but was also very roomy and natural looking, hand crafted furnishings and woven fabric on the sofa and chairs. The dishes in the kitchen were thick and heavily crafted, again by hand they thought but the refrigerator, though small, was very new and modern, matching the small gas stove.

There was a fireplace in the lounge and the bedroom was incorporated into the room, a large bed with hand hewn posts and base but thick soft bedding and the usual netting seen so often in tropical countries.

All of the window and the door had finely meshed screening and louvers to close when the weather was inclement. At the back of the house a thin stream of water ran in a rock channel to the kitchen and into a gas boiler for hot water for the shower which was located on the veranda that jutted out over the valley below.

Sebastien took Millie in his arms and kissed her gently.

“And so we begin our lives in what could be mistaken for the Garden of Eden. You have made me a very happy man, Millie Izambard.”

“This is so perfect, Sebastien. I will always remember the natural beauty of this place. But at this moment I wish nothing more than to show you how happy I am, how I feel complete since we have declared to God and our friends that we are one, will be one for ever more.”

Seb smiled at her and nuzzled her neck with his mouth.

“Patience, mon amour. Here in the Rain forest the darkness comes early. If we are to tour the paths we must do it soon before we lose the light.” His tone was serious but his body made other statements as he leaned against her.

Millie arched against him, thrilled with the feeling that he was sending through her with his teasing lips. She began to explore under his shirt then at the waist of his jeans and wiggled her hips against him, making him moan.

“Perhaps we will wait until the new day to look at the forest. After all we do need to make this marriage legal.”

He had pulled her shirt off as he spoke and backed her to the bed, working on her jeans, becoming eager and fumble fingered in his haste and they began laughing as they fell onto the soft covers.
It was full dark when they finally emerged from the netted bed and browsed through the contents of the frig, needing fuel after all their energetic love making…. But at least now they were legal.

**

David and Sarah changed into swim suits as soon as they got on board the Juliette then went on deck to lay in the sun and sip at the champagne they found on ice by the double lounge chair.

The sea was calm, the crew of 2 unobtrusive and except for the welcome aboard when they first arrived had hardly been seen. There was an air of peace and contentment about them and something different, a shyness on Sarah’s part that hadn’t been present since they first met and flirted, taking their time to know one another before committing to a more intimate relationship.

Somehow the simple ceremony had heightened the awareness of each other and she felt shy as David applied sunscreen to her back, his fingers straying around her sides to just barely reach her chest and knead the soft flesh before dropping a tender kiss on her neck.

As if he sensed her mood David was gentle, patient with her, smoothing the oil over her skin and breathing softly against her ear before nibbling with tender nips of his strong teeth on her ear lobe.

She stretched out on the lounge, on her stomach and he lay beside her with his long body only inches away, thinking of the future and the plans they had made. This adventure of buying the houses and setting up studios was a big step for them, a commitment like their marriage that they work together on, joined now even more so than before, in love, in dreams, in a future that seemed one endless pleasure after the other. The next step would be to create a family….the thought made his body pulseand he opened his eyes to watch Sarah as she lay beside him, her eyes closed but her face flushing.

He reached out and slid his long fingers under the edge of her bikini bottoms, watching as her lips curled in a smile at the tender knead she felt on her round bottom.

“Why Mr. Miller, what did you have in mind?” she murmured and opened her eyes to gaze into the intense blue of his.

“Something has come up, Mrs. Miller. I think we forgot to check out the berth in our cabin. It may be unacceptable. Want to go see?”

“Yes please,” she whispered and was gone before he could roll over and get to his feet.

When he reached the cabin she was stretched out on the bed and held her arms up to him as he approached.

David took his time, crawling over the bed until he reached her then starting with her slender ankles he worked his way up her body, caressing her oily skin with his hands and mouth until her was stretched full length on top of her, molded together from toes to lips, their eagerness not needing words, only the unspoken love of mouths joining and bodies heating beyond recall.

For the first wondrous time as husband and wife they became one while the gentle motion of the sea rocked them and the world vanished.

**

Back on the Island the two couples unsaddled and tied their horses under a shelter built at the edge of the beach, complete with a water trough and forage in hanging nets and sat on the warm sand watching the waves and the sea birds diving for their dinner. The staff had provided coolers with beverages and a matted area with pillows and several hampers of iced food, a grill straddling an open fire pit, everything they would need for a beach BBQ later. They stripped to the trunks or bikinis they had worn under their jeans and shirts, enjoying the warmth of the sun and the company of friends.

“Cat, you’ve hardly gained any weight yet,” Gerry remarked as she looked at Cat’s body, the swell of her tummy noticeable but not that large yet.

Urs came up behind Cat and knelt, wrapping his arms around her and cupping his hands under her bra.

“Only here….. her top enters the room 30 seconds before her bottom now,” he teased and she laughed and swatted his hands away.

Carlos flopped down beside Gerry and lay on his back with his head in her lap.

“We are expecting a family too, but an instant one,” he announced to their friends with a tender smile at Gerry.

Urs had stretched out pm his side now and pulled Cat down to lay spooned against him with her head on his bicep, holding his up with his hand.

“You’ve decided to adopt? I knew you discussed it before…. A baby or an older child?”

Both Cat and Urs knew of the difficulties Gerry had in conceiving and that she had been warned that even if she did, that carrying a child to full term was unlikely. They had so much love to give that adoption seemed a viable alternative.

“We thought we would start with older since everyone else wants babies and the older child often gets forgotten. The agency in Madrid informed us that they have two brothers, ages 2 and 3 who may be perfect for us, so we are going next week to meet them.”

Urs had never seen his friends so happy, the possibility of expanding their family creating a glow about them. He congratulated them and wished them good luck, praying that at last the need they both had of having children to love and nurture would be fulfilled.

They talked about raising children, about the problems their lifestyle would cause and how they would cope, the talk naturally evolving into remembrances of their own childhoods, each sharing memories that triggered a long forgotten episode from another’s past until the sun colored the calm water and the day passed into evening.

Urs got up and lit the fire that had been laid for them while Carlos started on the BBQ duties and the girls set out the cold food. They had dinner and then huddled around the fire for warmth, once the sun had gone the night air seemed chilly.

After the fire died down they doused it with sand and went back to the horses, re-saddled them after their long rest under the shelter and slowly rode back up the beach to the villa.

The night was clear, the moon at half and the ocean calm but sparkling. They stopped for a while to watch the sparkling of the krill that filled the small waves and deposited on the wet sand until the next wave washed them away again. It looked magical, like tiny stars that had fallen to the water and the beach, sparkling and glowing, alive and they turned the horses further inland, onto the dry sand, not wanting to disturb this phenomenon.

Once back at the villa, each couple retired early after turning their mounts over to the staff, but neither slept for some time….showers, talking about the love filled day, the news of the meeting Carlos and Gerry would soon have with the children who could become the family….the combination was too much to induce sleep immediately and they shared love with their partners, reaffirming the bonds they had made with their life-mates until they slept.
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PostSubject: Re: PATIENCE AND REWARDS   PATIENCE AND REWARDS - Page 2 EmptyMon May 25, 2009 10:10 am

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

The next week was busy for the whole group. Carlos and Gerry upgraded to a two bedroom flat in hopes of bringing their new family home. They flew off to Madrid with the best wishes of everyone and the remaining Divos and their wives kept busy trying to keep calm while they waited for news. They continued their search for the perfect place for them all, everyone anxious to put down roots and have room to expand but not eager to be separated by a lot of distance.

They got in a routine of the men checking out possibilities and taking the ladies to see them if there were any redeeming features but still hadn’t found the perfect spot.

While the two would be parents were gone the others moved them into the new place, did nothing to the empty second bedroom except paint and clean but they made plans that could be accomplished quickly when the call came.

And it did.

The couple had gone to their old apartment when they first arrived in Madrid and called the agency to set up an appointment for the afternoon, neither willing to waste time.

All the paperwork had already been done, financials, background, talking with the counselors in London who sent reports on to Spain. Now it was just a question of meeting the boys.

Carlos was nervous. He tried 3 times to knot his tie and finally gave up in disgust, tossing it across the room, causing Gerry to laugh as she retrieved it and calmly did it properly for him.

“How do you keep so calm, Querida? My stomach has the butterflies and I can not stop the shaking in my hands.”

Gerry just smiled at him.

“I’m practicing. Mothers have to remain calm on the outside so their children do not take fright. Inside I feel as if there were elves fighting, not decided on whether to vomit or scream. I want so much for this to happen, Carlito.”

They took a cab to the Agency and were met at the door by a cheerful older woman who escorted them to her office. The building was filled with the laughter of children, some playing in rooms that they passed, others in the yard outside her office with a couple of young women supervising.

“Please, be seated, Senor and Senora Marin. All of your paperwork has been approved as you must know from your lawyer.

“Nico and Stefan are in the yard with the other toddlers, if you would care to see them before we go out.”

They moved to the window overlooking the yard and she pointed out two children happily playing in a group that had cars and trucks in a sand box, the bigger boy helping the little one who was not very steady on his feet yet.

“Nico is the elder and he is the leader, always looking out for little Stefan. There is only 10 months difference in their ages so they are very close.”

Gerry watched them intently, the sturdy little bodies, curling black hair and ready smiles as they played and laughed together. Stefan fell and began to cry but Nico hugged him and gave him another truck to play with and the smaller child stopped crying instantly, smiled angelically at his big brother and proceeded to run his truck up and down Nico’s bent back as he made another road in the sand for the vehicles.

“Could we just go out and play with them for a while?” Carlos asked and the director nodded with a smile, thinking that this man had good instincts.

They left Gerry’s handbag and jacket in the office and went out to the yard, both went to the sand box and began building roads with hills, little trees from the twigs fallen off of a nearby tree and very soon several of the children joined them, including Nico and Stefan. They played for half an hour until one of the supervisors began calling the children to come and clean up for refreshments and naps.

Gerry held her hand out to Nico as they headed for the door. Carlos offered to pick Stefan up and the child came to him quickly, patting his sandy hands on Carlos face and laughing when Carlos booming voice laughed as the sand trickled down his shirt front.

They sat on tiny chairs beside the two boys and shared a snack of juice, cookies and cut up fruit after helping them to get clean hands and faces and talked about the things they liked to do, Stefan’s vocabulary limited because of his age but adequate while Nico rambled on and on, telling his new friends all about the book that Tia Cessi had read them at bedtime the night before.

Carlos asked the boy if he liked music and Nico burst into a little song he knew while Stefan clapped his hands in glee and bounced in his chair, delighted to hear his brother sing.

All too soon it was nap time and the Tia on duty came to collect them for a while. Both boys gave sloppy kisses and neck breaking hugs before they left, stopped when they reached the door for little waves and smiles and they were gone.

Gerry had stopped crying by the time they were back in the office and Carlos was bravely holding his tears back.

The director motioned for them to sit once more and quietly watched them as they held hands and exchanged silent words.

“We would like to formally petition to adopt these two boys. It’s as if God meant for them to be with us and our family will be incomplete if they do not belong.” Carlos wiggled his eyebrows as he talked and the director was fascinated watching him, quite understanding now the appeal he had to so many fans.

The director laughed.

“I felt it too, the first time I heard Nico sing. Come tomorrow, in the early morning and you may take the boys for the day, bringing them back in the evening. It will be a good transition to see them for several hours like that and then by Friday we should have the papers done and you can take them home. I understand you will live in London for now?”

“Yes, my work is based there,” Carlos said. “We have the name of an excellent pediatrician and there is a playground near to where we live now…though we are in the process of buying a larger place.”

“I’m sure you understand that there will be a probationary period of one year until the adoption is final, but I see no problems. It was an honor to meet you both. Nico and Stefan are lucky to have found you.”

**

They phoned Urs since he was the only one who always remembered to carry his cell phone, not even waiting to get back home first, they were both nearly in tears with happiness. As it was when Urs answered Carlos tried to speak but was overcome and Gerry had to take the phone and tell Urs the good news.

“Urs, they are perfect and we played with them for a while and talked and both of them hugged us and kissed us when they went off for a nap…Nico is three and sings like an angel and Stefan is just past 2 and is so adorable….and I’m babbling but Urs I’m so happy.”

He chuckled and she could hear Cat in the background asking questions.

“Yes, they love the boys….Gerry what happens now…I mean after Carlito stops crying long enough to talk….he is crying isn’t he?”

Gerry laughed at how well Urs knew Carlos.

“Now we get to have them all day tomorrow and likely by Friday they will come home with us. We will have to stay in a Hotel for the first few days back until we move but after that…..”

“Gerry, we already did the moving. We were going to surprise you but I think it’s better you know….No hotels for our new family. Just come home.”

Now Gerry started to cry and Carlos took the phone.

Urs had to explain how he made Gerry cry and Carlos just barely managed to squeak out a ‘Gracia, Migo’ and a promise to call the next evening before he disconnected.

Back in London the Divos had clustered around Urs, watching as he wept happy tears and buried his face in Cat’s hair for a moment then controlled himself and told them all, everything he knew.

“They need furniture,” David said trying to keep his own tears from spilling.

“I can work no more this happy day. Let’s go shopping…call the girls,” Seb contributed and so they all went looking for things that would please the two newest members of their extended family.

**

They all discussed how to behave when they met the boys. They would be tired from traveling, perhaps a bit apprehensive with all the changes in their young lives, so as one they decided to not gush and overwhelm them but to just be natural and let things develop.

The bedroom was suitably decked out with all the necessary furnishings, beds that converted as the boys grew, a wardrobe that looked terribly empty until Cat, Millie and Sarah stocked it with a selection of small outfits and necessities. The men were in charge of the toys and slightly over did it, having to put some in a wicker chest that would live in the Lounge until they had their new house. Two high chairs was a must and they found a dark blue double stroller for walks to the park or the market.

Urs marveled over the small, child sized cutlery and dishes, the spill-proof glasses, bought extras for his own child, still not due for nearly 5 months but as he said ‘I’m Swiss…it’s logical to be prepared’. Cat reeled him in when he started looking at bicycles.

The last day before the arrival they stocked the pantry and frig, lots of healthy but kid friendly items, wine for the new Mama and Papa and vases full of flowers as a welcome home…. And they waited, impatiently.

Carlos had asked not to be met, feeling that the congestion of the busy airport would be enough for the boys but after Carlos phoned from the airport the 3 men went downstairs to wait out front for the arrival and help with luggage. They came back up with David carrying Nico and Urs holding Stefan while Seb and Carlos brought in the luggage and Gerry laughed at how quickly the two children had taken to the tall men.

She was hugged and kissed by all three women and told them not to scold their husbands.

“Urs knelt down in front of Stefan and spoke to him in Spanish, then started singing a children’s song to him and that was it. Stefan clung to him like a drowning man…and Nico….he was so impressed by David’s size…he kept saying ‘Uncle Giant’ and tried to climb up David’s legs so he had to be picked up, then he saw Seb and reached out to give him one of his famous wet and sticky kisses and when Seb laughed Nico did too.”

It was bedlam for a while as the boys tore around trying to see everything at once, Gerry and Carlos saw what had been done to the boys room {nearly causing another outbreak of crying} and after a while the boys and men disappeared and quiet reigned. Gerry went to see what they were up to and motioned the girls to the bedroom door.

Seb was sitting on the floor with his back against the closet door and Stefan sound asleep in his arms, Urs in the big comfy rocker holding a sleeping Nico and David and Carlos cross legged on the floor putting together a garage and track for the little cars to be driven on.

She closed the door and they went back in the Lounge to talk.
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PostSubject: Re: PATIENCE AND REWARDS   PATIENCE AND REWARDS - Page 2 EmptyMon May 25, 2009 10:23 am

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX


Three weeks after her initial appointment Cat went in for her next check up and as he did the first time, Urs went with her. She came out of the office a quarter hour later, looking dazed, one hand on her stomach and tears in her eyes.

Urs bounded to his feet and was holding her in a heartbeat. She looked up at his worried face and touched his cheek and smiled a bit.

“She can hear two heart beats….Urs, she thinks we’re going to have twins.”

He whooped with laughter, hugged her, lifting her completely off her feet and everyone in the reception area clapped.

“I have to go for an ultrasound to make sure but she doesn’t think it’s an echo,” Cat said as they went into the hall and instead of the elevator she motioned for them to go to the lab at the far end of the floor.

It was confirmed.

**

They all spent their days at work, playing with the boys or diligently looking through homes that the estate agents found for them, not finding exactly what they wanted until early April. The agent called and said there was a block of houses coming up, fixers that would need some work but might be just what they wanted. David and Urs went to see them first, came back and collected everyone to go see what they had found.

It was in Chelsea, an area that they loved after living there for over 2 years. Situated in a cul-de sac it, consisted of a 5 bedroom house with a carriage house at the rear of a huge yard. On one side were terraces, 3 semidetached houses, all in need of repair but because of that at a very reasonable price. Also, in the next block with back yards that butted up against the yard for the main house, were 3 more houses, the same size but without carriage houses, only garages and reasonable as well.

They had a conference that night with the agent, worked out that though they would bid on all of the properties as a group, they would establish a price based on square footage for the separate residences and would share the cost of the terraces to turn them into studios. It was a big gamble but they shook on it and the agent went away to draw up an offer.

In the morning even though everyone was nervously waiting for the call from the agent they went about their business as usual, Gerry taking care of two very active little boys, the others off to work. Cat donned one of Urs white shirts over her rapidly expanding waist, a pair of maternity jeans and Nikes, and threw a black cashmere shawl over her shoulders against the chill.

“You aren’t going to be able to button up my shirts much longer,” Urs said as he drew on his treasured old leather jacket. “Maybe this weekend we should shop for some real Mommy-to-be clothes for you.”

“Maybe…I hate to buy things that may only fit for a month though. It’s hard to say how much weight I’ll gain or how big these offspring will make my tummy. So far it’s only 11 lbs. but a lot of inches so who knows.”

“According to the book,” Urs began and Cat laughed. He had devoured every book he could find about pregnancy, especially those written about multiple births and now considered himself an expert on the subject.

“Don’t laugh…these people wrote about real case histories. As I was saying before being rudely interrupted,” he said with a grin as they went down the stairs to the car. “you should be careful not to gain too much weight, but need to gain some. The babies will take what they need and leave the rest of the nutrients for you….greedy little devils. Anyway you can always use the clothes for the other 10.”

Cat laughed and slid into the seat of the Mini, thinking as she did that the car was another thing they would have to consider changing.

Just as they were about to drive off, Urs cell rang and it was the agent with good news. Even though their opening bid was considerably lower than the asking price, the owners had agreed to the sale, happy to have them all gone at once. They would take possession in less than 2 months which meant the middle of June, perfect timing to begin renovations.

For the last few days of April they all worked hard on the tracks for the new CD then in the evenings poured over floor plans, decorating magazines and budgets for the new ventures. Sony BMG agreed to provide them with state of the art recording equipment in exchange for being at the top of the list to rent space on occasion.

By mid May Cat had gained another 5 lbs. and several inches. The babies had ‘quickened’, as it’s called when they start making movements that can be felt externally. Both Urs and Cat loved to place their hands on her tummy and feel the fluttery movements of their little family and it was about this time that they decided to provide music for the babies, the theory in one of his books being that you could predispose your babies in-utero to music, good or bad. Cat always sang when she puttered around doing housework anyway and they spent so much time in the studios that they felt sure both the children would be musically inclined. They made play-lists of various tracks and Cat carried the IPod most of the time with the ear buds tucked inside her stretchy jeans.

Il Divo was invited to perform at the Henley regatta once more, and they all made plans to go, wanting to make a weekend of it since it had been a while since they took a few days off. No suits this time, as it was very casual, boating shoes and clothing the dress of the day. Cat splurged on a couple of light maternity outfits, Urs bought new jeans and they packed light for the three day outing. The biggest problem they had was convincing Gerry that she had earned a few days of down time from her active youngsters.

Carlos sister, Angelica saved the day with a willing visit to London, would stay with the boys for the few days they were away then go on to visit some friends in Manchester for a week.

The weather co-operated beautifully, warm and clear, with a light breeze off the ocean. Cat and Millie had never been to Henley before and were astounded by the number and variety of boats moored all around the harbour and further out. The action and performances were held in huge tents and everywhere there was a party atmosphere.

They entered through the crew gates, got their official tags on a cord that clipped around their necks and immediately went to the performers tent to get rid of the excess baggage.

Since they didn’t have to be on stage until the next day the whole group wandered about, taking a tour of some of the larger boats, stopping in the wine garden to listen to a string quartet, at last, due to Cat’s insatiable appetite, taking a large table in the outdoor restaurant. They had lunch and chatted about the houses, tried to decide if there would be enough room in one of the studios to have a practice hall for dancing, and all agreed that the fences between the houses should be left up but with gates added….Good fences make good neighbors being the adage that David quoted.

The guys all wanted to check out the new group Schism which was performing this afternoon and left the ladies over their tea and desserts, promising to be easy to find when they were ready.

Cat put her feet up on Urs chair with a sigh of relief. “Good god….if my feet are swelling now at only four and a half months I’ll have elephant legs by the time I’m due.”

Sarah laughed and patted her on the knee. “We did a lot of walking today and you aren’t used to the extra weight. It will get better, trust me.”

“Poor Urs. I don’t think he’s getting much sleep. Night seems to be the time for the babies to press on my bladder and I’m up every hour or so to tinkle. He’s being so good about it though, read all sorts of books, has us registered for classes. I don’t know which of us is more excited.”

Millie smiled at her and said she had noticed. “He sometimes looks at you when you aren’t aware and gets this adoring, wistful look on his face, nearly has me weeping it’s so tender.”

“And I hope that I survive meeting Seb’s mother next week. She dotes on him, I can tell from her e.mails. What will I do if she doesn’t like me?” Millie was indeed nervous as she had heard the harangue Seb got when he told his mother about eloping.

“Just be yourself, Millie,” Cat said. “Seb loves you, you know he does and she will too.”

The waiter brought the cheque and Cat excused herself to go once more to the ladies room. “Watch my bag will you? I’ll only be a couple of minutes.”

She entered the restaurant and headed for the sign that indicated Ladies room, passed down a dimly lit hallway with doors on one side and partly opened louvers on the other that looked out onto the lush landscaping around the building. A few minutes later, when she had finished and washed her hands she headed back and caught a glimpse of something red and peered through the louvers for a better look.

Gerry, the flash of swirling red skirt, Millie and Sarah were getting into a long black limo, assisted none too gently by some men that made Cat’s blood chill. They looked Middle Eastern or at least like thugs, stern, dangerous men and for a moment she thought she caught the flash of a silvery gun or knife.

Cat drew back and took a deep breath, uncertain what to do. If she caused a scene they would likely hurt her friends. If she went out and voluntarily joined them, since the girls had seen their faces they would all be taken away.

She looked again and confirmed her suspicions. One of the men was leaning on the limo, waiting and Cat knew without a doubt it was for her. He wore a uniform, nothing too formal as a limo driver would but rather as the crew of one of the larger boats and Cat could just make out the crest on his cap…’Salahadine’, the Saracen warlord at the time of the Crusades. It fit. The boss had been called ‘the Saracen’. What more fitting name could such an arrogant man call his boat.

Cat started down the dim hallway and entered the restaurant, staying in the shadows as long as possible. She glanced around and her heart thudded when she saw a familiar face. Freddy, one of the techies who had gone on the tour with them. It took a moment for her to catch his eye and when she did she motioned frantically for him to join her. He left his date and came to her smiling but curious since he could see that she was distressed.

“Cat, what’s up?” he said when he reached her.

“Freddy, I don’t have time to explain. Please, go to the stage area, find Urs and the guys. Give him this and tell him ‘he has the girls…the boat is the Salahadine.’”

She handed him her rings, curled his fingers around them and kissed Freddy on the cheek. “Hurry…don’t forget…the Salahadine.”

As if she was returning from the Ladies she stepped into the light on the patio and started to approach their empty table, looked around in surprise and spotted the limo. The guard opened the door and she could see Millie and Gerry inside, their eyes wide in fright, large hands holding them by the hair. With every ounce of courage she had she forced herself to walk to the limo, hesitated then stepped inside. The door slammed and locked behind her and moments later they smoothly pulled away.
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PostSubject: Re: PATIENCE AND REWARDS   PATIENCE AND REWARDS - Page 2 EmptyMon May 25, 2009 10:40 am

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

Freddie was still standing where Cat had left him, holding her rings and watching through the louvers while she went to a limo and disappeared inside. Her urgency finally got through to him when he saw that Millie, who he also knew, was in the limo and she also looked frightened. He went back to his table and excused himself to his very disgruntled date, paid the cheque and jogged through the crowds to the venue.

Il Divo were easy to spot, all four of them leaning against a stone wall or sitting on it, watching the show. Freddy wound through the spectators and tapped Urs on the shoulder.

“Hi, Freddy, You working this one too?” Urs said quietly so as not to disturb any nearby spectators.

“Urs, Cat sent me with a message for you and this.” He held his hand out to Urs and opened his fingers to reveal Cat’s rings. “She said to tell you ‘he has the girls…the boat is the Salahadine.’”

They had spoken so quietly that the others hadn’t heard, yet David, who was standing next to Urs, saw the rings and instantly knew why his friend looked so stunned. Urs took the rings and, grasping Freddy by the arm with a crushing grip and sending a mute plea to David, left the crowd to find a more private spot. David brought the others and they all surrounded the poor techie while Urs made him go over it again, this time giving details.

“Okay. I’m having lunch and I see Cat come out of the Ladies. She’s standing in a shady part of the main room and beckoning me to come to her, so I go. I mean she’s such a nice lady, so kind and also pregnant …she says she doesn’t have time to explain…that I must find you guys and give Urs the rings….and I’m to say exactly what she says…’he has the girls…the boat is the Salahadine’. You have to admit the whole thing was pretty weird and I didn’t move for a minute. I saw her go out into the patio, all casual like she was just coming back. Then the door of this limo opened and I could see, and so could Cat….inside were Millie and Gerry and David’s lady and some big guys holding them by the hair and they looked so scared and I think I saw some knives. Cat sort of slumped and walked over to the limo, got in, the door slammed and away they all went. Then I came here.”

Freddy couldn’t remember ever being so frightened. All four of the men were looking at him with gazes that would turn a person to stone, their eyes boring holes in him and their hands clasped into white knuckled fists. He drew in a breath and bravely said “Hey guys, don’t kill the messenger. If I can help I will even though I don’t know what the hell’s going on.”

Urs stood back a bit and wiped his hand down his face as if to change his expression by sheer force. “Freddy, I’m sorry. You did real good. Now can you tell me if Steve Martin is here and if he is go and get him for me?”

“Yeah he is. I think I know where he would be. Stay here.”

Urs looked at the others and saw despair, anger, pain…all the things he was feeling himself. “We have to get them back and quickly. I don’t care who we hurt to do it but we have to.”

“The harbourmaster will know where the Salahadine is moored, if we have some way of convincing him to tell us,” Seb said.

Urs nodded. “I want Steve to phone Brian and see if there’s anything he can do. Once we know where they are, we’ll just go get them.” He spoke firmly as if it would be that simple but they all knew it wouldn’t…and they would do it anyway.

They could see Steve rapidly coming toward them, on his cell phone and followed by Freddy.

The big man looked grim as he disconnected and met their eyes.

“Brian says his men have been watching the boat and saw the women being taken aboard but didn’t recognize them. They found Rita yesterday and she told them the name of the boat. When this is over Brian and I will have a little talk.”

He looked calm and deadly and they all knew that Brian would pay somehow for not warning Urs and Cat that something was still going on.

“They have a raid planned for tonight, just after 11 since an informant told them that a shipment of drugs will be loaded on at 9. His problem is that there’s such a small window between the two events and he thinks that it’s possible that the crew will use the women as shields during the raid. So we better go get them at 10:30. We’re on our own, except for one important thing. The informant is on board and slipped a GPS bug to one of them, told her to put it in her bra. He also says that one of the girls fell and he thinks she has a broken leg, didn’t say who. He’s going over the side at 5 to 11. The receiver is on it’s way to my suite now.”

Steve looked at each one individually and was pleased that none of them were resigned or frightened of what lay ahead. If determination was all it took they would be successful.

“My room overlooks the harbour. Let’s go there and iron out our plans.”

They thanked Freddy for his help and promised to let him know all the details later. For now he had to satisfy himself by going to work.

They walked to the hotel, only a half block away and rode up to the 20th floor. Steve went directly to the balcony, grabbing his binoculars on the way and located the boat in question quickly.

“If you look straight out lining up the flagpole in front of the hotel with the mast of that small sloop you’ll see the Salahadine. She’s the 110 foot yacht, yellow banquettes on the afterdeck.” He passed the glasses to Urs who looked then passed them on.

There was a knock at the door and Steve answered it to let Brian in.

“Here’s the GPS receiver. Our guy says the girls are okay for now. It was Sarah that broke her leg and Cat set it. If we don’t get them out of there and Adjani gets out into open water the plan is to ‘throw the pregnant one who has caused so many problems and the injured one overboard, the other two will be sold.’ I assume you have a plan Steve?”

“Tentative….how much help can we count on?”

Brian shook his head and sighed. “I don’t make the final decisions, you know that. I can supply you with whatever you need and my guy on board will try to distract the guard where the girls are so you can disable him. That’s about it.”

Urs was across the room and had Brian by the throat, lifting the smaller man off his feet before anyone could stop him.

“You cold hearted b***ard. That’s ours wives and babies out there, not just ‘the girls’. We have to get them back before the raid.”

Urs found himself spinning through the air as Steve used some kind of martial art on him. He landed well, a reaction from his capoiera practice and looked at Steve in surprise.

“Calm down. I know you’re upset, we all are but we need clear heads now. We did this sort of thing fairly regularly when I was a Seal…with trained forces of course, but you guys can do this if you just keep your heads.” He looked about at the grim men and laughed bitterly. “This is a hell of a way for you to find out that I was a Seal. Let’s hope I still remember enough to do some good.”

Steve outlined the plan that was forming in his mind and they sat around the dining table drawing up timetables and lists of things that had to be found. Brian put in a call and read off a bunch of items, promised they would be ready, either delivered here or to the docks. All that long afternoon they made plans, refined them, worked on some basic moves for the 3 men who had no martial art experience and took turns watching the yacht. Once on Seb’s watch they saw a smaller boat approach the yacht and tie up at the bottom of the stairs on a floating landing. Several heavy set men went on board, stayed barely 10 minutes and left again.

Tension was high in the room but no-one lost it again. They refused dinner and drinks, except water, wanting to keep clear heads, went over the plan again and again until it was like a musical score, automatic and instinctive.

It was a long and tedious day, made longer because they had to remain calm and concentrated if they were to achieve their goal. They did little idle talking but on the spells they each took staring through the binoculars at the boat which held their loved one they had far too much time to think.

Carlos thought of the years that he and Geraldine had been together, most of the down times forgotten, just an unimportant dim memory, cancelled out by the many years of happiness and now, with their sons, an unending joy that would last forever.

They would always be their little boys, even when they were older and married and producing children of their own. Now Carlos wished that they hadn’t waited so long. He had never before realized the utter joy of having children, even when they caused sleepless night or broken items that used to have value. The small steps they made in their progress toward childhood, young adults and then independence of a sort…each of these held value that he had never before known could make the heart swell with love and pride. And to lose Gerry, their Mama, the love he couldn’t exist without…it was unthinkable. This plan had to work, it must…too many lives would be affected if it did not.

David thought of their child also, of all the times they had endured false alarms and now…His heart ached at the thought that Sarah was suffering, it filled with rage at the thought that they planned to toss her overboard like so much garbage. It couldn’t happen, not to Sarah, not his beautiful partner, in games, in love, in life. He pictured her on the sailboat, how playful she had been, could almost hear her laughter…his eyes began to tear and he thought of the evening ahead, steeling himself to have no time now for emotion, only calm and cool, for action, for patience.

Seb was a basket case at first, his gentle spirit at war with what he knew he must be able to do if he was to get Millie back. And there was no question…he had to get her back. He didn’t realize before she came into his life just how empty he had felt before, how the music that he loved so dearly filled only a portion of his soul, that he needed Millie to complete him, to make his heart sing as it had never been able to before. Life with her in it was richer, more fulfilling and he was not prepared to give it up without a fight, to the death if necessary. He rotated his shoulders to loosen the tensed muscles and kept watching the boat where the center of his life was being held captive.

Steve was reaching for the cold dark place in his mind that he had used so often when he was with the Seals. He trusted the other men to do their best but of the five he was the only one who had been trained to kill coldly and without compassion. He needed to set an example for the others, to lead and he was sure with their motivation they would follow.

He thought of Maeve, how like Cat she had been and how much he had loved her. For a while it was like an obsession in his young life, an obsession that had driven him from Ireland to join the Seals when she showed no inclination of returning his love. Then when he returned and found that she had married his former best friend, he had closed that door and firmly locked it…until he learned just what kind of husband she had. When she died and left her child in his care he transferred all the unrequited love to the child, caring for her at first because of her mother then later for herself, for the beautiful person she had become. He reveled in the joy of her life now, knew she had chosen wisely in giving herself totally, for life, to Urs. He was a good man, likely the only man that Steve could ever have accepted as a partner for his little girl. There would be no beatings, no drunken irresponsibility, no other women on the side….he had seen how this group of men operated when trusted and separated from loved ones. And there would be children, someone for Steve to enjoy as he slowed down in his later years and began living vicariously through the ones he loved.

He set all these tender memories and thoughts to one side and concentrated on the plans they had made, looking for problem areas, trying to think of all the things that could go wrong so he would be ready with alternatives should the need arise.

Urs had brought a silver chain from his room when he went to get dark clothing to wear when they left the Hotel. Now he allowed himself a moment of tenderness as he strung Cat’s rings on the chain and fixed it securely around his neck, tucking it into the neck of his black tee shirt. An image of Cat in front of the statue of the Black Nazarene came to mind, her hair covered with the white scarf, her face glowing with emotion as he placed the engagement ring on her finger. And the sheer joy that wrapped her in an aura when they took their vows to join their lives in love.

He shivered and thrust these thoughts to the background, thinking of all the terror she had gone through at the hands of theses monsters already, of the fear that had kept her from enjoying life before they met. He had sworn in front of God and witnesses to protect her and this he would do….Cat and their unborn children that floated unaware inside her body…they were his life, the reason he had for existing and this night he would fulfill his oath and get them back. He felt the rage building in him and curbed it, harnessed it so it would be usable. He watched the yacht, patiently, biding time until he could act.

**
Brian left for a while, came back carrying a duffle bag and unloaded a pile of weapons on the table. “If you tell anyone I gave these to you….well lets just say that will end my career. After you finish with them toss them in the harbor. Now who knows how to use one of these?”

He held up an evil looking gun with a silencer screwed onto the end, a shoulder strap and a curved magazine.

Urs reached for it and rhymed off the specs, capabilities, speed of fire and weight. He pulled the magazine out, flipped it over expertly and re-inserted it.

“We had compulsory military training. This is one of the automatics we used.”

David also knew how to use it from his ROTC days, though he claimed to be rusty. Carlos and Seb had never fired a weapon, ever and Brian gave them hand guns, showed them how to use them, stressed that they should use both hands and said it might be better if they just used them to fire warning shots if they had to.

By 9 p.m. they were ready, all dressed in dark clothing, their weapons in bags and went to the harbour. It was impossible to see anything on board the yacht now that the sun was down and with all the lights in town the night vision goggles that Brian had provided were more of a hindrance than useful.

They all piled into a large Zodiac and quietly motored out to the Interpol boat that was moored close to the yacht. Brian left them then, wishing them luck, and they waited in the darkness, listening to the sounds of partying on many of the vessels nearby and the dancing and music from on shore. Fireworks were to start at 10:30 and that would be their signal to act. They waited quietly, not talking, each going over his part in the plan.

Urs drew his hair back into a ponytail and grimly stared at the side of the yacht, trying to think of nothing except what lay ahead, looked at his friends briefly and knew they all were filled with the same thoughts, the same determination.
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PostSubject: Re: PATIENCE AND REWARDS   PATIENCE AND REWARDS - Page 2 EmptyMon May 25, 2009 11:03 am

CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

The short ride to the Salahadine’s launch was quiet, broken only by the whispers of the women and the muffled sobs as they tried to be brave in spite of the leers and fierce frowns of their captors.

They pulled to a smooth stop at the entrance to a wooden dock that jutted out into the water, people walking by on the dock inspecting the many sleek vessels moored on the sides, near the entrance a white motorized launch waited with 2 more of the black clad heavies waiting.

The man who seemed to be the leader spoke now, the first time since they had left the venue. He held a deadly looking but small weapon in his hands and waved it at the frightened women.

“You will come with us now and there will be no talking, no attempt to escape. There are many people looking at the boats, some of them with children. It would be a shame to spoil such an outing for the little ones with violence. Many would die if you force us to use our weapons for we would have no choice but to fire into the crowd. Do not be foolish. You would not succeed in escaping.”

The side door opened and the women were helped out, each of the two guards who helped them exit taking two of the women with a crushing grip on the upper arm and followed by another carrying a satchel over his shoulder, his right hand disappearing into the top opening. The little parade was followed by the man who had spoken to them and in seconds the subdued women were walking the short ramp onto the launch and herded below into the cabin.

The guards left them then and they could feel the motor starting, the gentle motion of the launch as it pulled away from the dock.

“Is everyone alright?” Cat asked, keeping her voice low.

The four women were sitting on banquettes around the side of the cabin, shaking, faces wet but no longer weeping. They held hands for comfort and looked at Cat with fear and confusion dominent in their eyes.

“We didn’t know what to do,” Gerry said. “The one who talked, he came to the table and leaned over with his hands on the top. We were so shocked we didn’t know how to react and then he said…’there is a car on the street, right behind that group of children buying ice cream. You must rise and go to the car if you do not want to see the children die before tasting their treats.’ Well it was hard not to look and when I did I could see that behind the children, leaning on the car with his arms folded was a man in a black tee and black jeans and when he saw us looking he briefly showed the weapon he had hidden under his folded arms.”

Sarah shuddered at the memory. “We had no choice, Cat. We all stood and gathered purses, even yours…it was a habit I think, to not leave without them…and when we reached the limo the door opened and we were pushed inside. That leader guy told us we had to be quiet and he showed us the weapons that all his men carried. I think we were all crying by that time and I know I have never been so frightened in my life. All I could think about was our baby, how long David and I have waited for this time and now he doesn’t even know….”

Gerry hugged Sarah close, devastated that this good news should come at such a terrible time.

Millie reached over to take Cat’s hand.

“You should not have come, Cat….you should have run like the wind and gone for the guys. Now they have all of us and God knows what will happen.”

“I couldn’t have found them in time, Millie. I sent a friend to find them. They’ll figure something out. None of them will just give up…and at least we’re all together.”

The trip out to the yacht was short and soon they were being prodded up the steps on the side of the yacht and herded into a large lounge area where several men sat comfortably in the deeply cushioned chairs, smoking cigars and watching with appreciation as the 4 women stood quietly, being inspected like so many cows at an auction.

Cat couldn’t look up after the first fleeting glance she had at the beast who had bought her innocence so many years before. She was shaking, terrified, the only thing that kept her on her feet and sane was the image she had formed in her mind of Urs face, wreathed in joy when they learned of the twins.

He spoke to her and she didn’t answer until one of the guards prodded her in the back and she raised her head.

“I do not like to repeat myself but I can see that you are perhaps concerned so will make allowances. I asked how far you are with child?”

“Nearly five months,” she said and surprised herself with the firmness and defiance in her voice. How dare such trash as this sorry excuse for a man speak of their children???

Adjani sighed and leaned back in the chair, making his bloated stomach even more prominent and adding another chin to the flesh under his face.

He looked disappointed as he puffed on the cigar and looked over the other women. Then his glance came back to Cat.

“Five months is too late…to get rid of the child is too risky at this stage… you would be sickly or possibly even die and either would not be cost effective for me. When we reach open water you will become fish food.”

He waved a hand at the guards and the four women were herded out of the Lounge and down a hall. Part way there Sarah made a desperate dash for the stairs they were passing and scrambled up them but one of the guards caught her hair and pulled her backwards. One leg went through the open steps and the others heard the snap as bones broke and Sarah screamed with the pain. The guard hit her on the temple with the butt of his gun and she went out, her fleeting escape attempt foiled so quickly that the other women had stood stunned, witnessing what happened. They rushed forward, disregarding the curses and threats of the guards and helped pull Sarah’s unconscious figure away from the stairs.

A guard thrust them back and picked her up around the waist while they all continued to a locked door and were pushed inside, Sarah tossed on a bed at the back of the nearly empty, windowless room and they were locked in.

It was dark when the guards left until Gerry found a light switch near the door and a dim overhead bulb lit up the dreary place.
The room was square, contained only 2 large beds and a partitioned area at one side with a toilet and sink, no shower. It resembled what it had become…a cell, a holding area for prisoners and this more than anything that had happened drove home the fact that they were indeed prisoners of this beastly excuse for a human.

Cat went to Sarah and examined her leg…broken she was sure, with the shattered bone actually piercing the skin just above her ankle. She ripped off the lower portion of her skirt and with help from Gerry set the bones in place and wrapped strips of the skirt around, ran out but Millie handed her more torn from her outfit until the leg was swathed in cloth and immobile. Sarah was still out, which was good in a way.

They inspected the blow to her temple but found it was only a bump, a little swollen but not too serious. Then they sat on the beds to forlornly discuss what had happened and what they should do now.

“The guys will come for us,” Cat said with a resolve she truly felt. She knew that if he got the message, Urs would never give up. So much depended on Freddy passing on the name of the yacht. She told the girls what she had done and saw the spark of hope begin to flicker in their eyes.

“Sebastien has a gentle soul but he will not allow this thing to happen. He is braver and stronger than people think. They will work together as a team and free us. We must just be patient.” Millie was calm and confident, knowing her man perhaps better than the others had thought.

Gerry agreed.

“I think we will see that the Il Divo charm works in many ways. David will not allow his Sarah to be taken from him. It is, I think good that he doesn’t know of the baby. He would be tempted to act without caution. I think Steve will keep them all strong and focused.”

“Steve was a Seal, before I was born,” Cat said and she explained to Gerry what a Navy Seal was. “He knows how to keep men disciplined and how to do stuff like they will have to do. I really believe they will come for us.”

‘They must’, she thought silently. ‘He’s going to throw me over board and where I go our babies go. Urs…. Oh my darling, be strong, be patient and brave but get us out of here…… and don’t get hurt’. She sat on the bed with her back against the cold wall and her hands protectively over the bump of her tummy and tried to be strong and patient herself.

Only a few moments later they heard the key turn in the door and when it opened a small man came in, wearing an apron over his jeans, a tray with juice and some small items of food in his hands. The guard stood behind him with his weapon raised and ready while the man came in the room and placed the tray on the bed.

He smiled at the women and let his eyes wander over them, said something to the guard that made him laugh and took a couple of steps to Cat, bending over and taking her shoulders in his hands. She tensed, dreading what she thought was to come, then tried to keep her face from showing surprise when he whipstered to her in English.

“I am a friend of Brian’s. I will put a GPS transmitter in your bra and you must slap me in anger. Stay quiet and low and wait. They will come.”

His hand reached out and touched her on the chest, his fingers sliding into her bra and when he began to withdraw she slapped him.

The guard laughed as the little man backed off and left the room, cursing softly in a language none of them were familiar with. Cat held her shirt out and peeked at the tiny button in her bra. She quietly told the others and for the first time there was a real feeling of hope among them.
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PostSubject: Re: PATIENCE AND REWARDS   PATIENCE AND REWARDS - Page 2 EmptyMon May 25, 2009 11:29 am

CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE


Ten minutes before the fireworks they eased the Zodiac around the stern of the boat and paddled quietly over to the bow of the yacht. They could hear voices from the afterdeck as Adjani and whoever he had on board as guests gathered to have drinks and watch the fireworks.

Right on time, the fireworks started and under cover of the booming Steve threw a padded hook up onto the railing, on the ocean side, the attached rope ending at the Zodiac. Carlos had drawn the short straw and would be staying aboard. He would fasten off the ropes, get the girls stowed away under blankets and watch for any other approaching danger, deal with it if he had to. He was miffed but as Urs pointed out, without the boat there was no way they could get the girls to safety, not with one who couldn’t swim and another with a broken leg.

Urs monkeyed up the rope, peeked about on deck, and quietly pulled himself up on the planking. He stayed low and fastened another rope to the railing, dropping the end down to Carlos just as Steve arrived on top. Steve crouched and kept watch while Urs helped David and Seb to the top. They all quietly went forward, their shoes padded to prevent noise, following the green dot on the GPS, watching for guards, watching Steve for signals. The night goggles gave everything a greenish glow but were amazing so long as they remembered not to look at the bursts of color over their heads.

Quickly and quietly they ventured down the narrow catwalk which ran on both sides of the yacht, doors occasionally opening off it to the interior of the vessel. They entered a corridor that was pitch dark but to their assisted eyes had a greenish glow. Part way along, the left side opened into a spacious lounge while the one they were in branched right to go further into the yacht.

Urs glanced at his watch as they went along the darkened hallway…..15 to 11. They were running out of time. Suddenly Steve held his bent arm up in the signal to stop and they all froze. Just ahead they could see a dim light coming from another corridor and hear the sound of low voices. Steve dared a look around the corner, motioned them on and to take off their goggles.

Half way down the corridor a guard was leaning against the wall, his weapon laying across his arms, talking to a man who was evidently a cook, short, wearing an apron, seemingly blind to the men coming toward him.

Steve stepped behind the guard and with a swift stroke cut the man’s throat with the knife he had pulled from an ankle scabbard. He gently lay the man on the floor, nodded to the mole who pointed to the door and indicated one guard inside then beetled quietly away. Steve motioned for the others to enter the room behind him while he kept lookout

Urs threw the door open and as they had practiced, dove to the left while David entered and dove right, Seb as back up staying in the doorway. There was another guard and he swung around to point his gun at them but was too slow. With a quiet phfft all three, Urs, Seb and David, fired and he went down, his useless weapon landing on his inert body. The girls were all huddled together at the far end of the stateroom and all except Sarah rose slowly.

Both of the men bounded to their feet as Seb entered the room, his gun also drawn but there were no more guards and he whispered to the girls.

“No noise, no crying. We have little time. We must go.”

Urs took a second to hug Cat, whispered “I have to help David.. follow Seb…stay low and quiet.”

He went to take one side of Sarah who was half asleep, likely from pain and Cat’s healing, David put a chunk of tape over her mouth in case she cried out in pain and each taking a side they carried her from the room and down the corridor. Seb and Millie were out the door and, crouching, reached the ropes first, Cat right behind them with a hand on Millie’s back.

Seb motioned for Millie to come through the railing and swing onto his back and she did with not the least hesitation. He went down hand over hand, quietly bracing his feet on the hull until he felt Carlos touching his feet and then lifting Millie to safety. They stowed her forward under a blanket, all dressed in white, she would be easy for others to see. In seconds Steve had come down with Gerry in the same manner. Carlos hugged her against him as he wrapped a blanket around her then turned to see how the last two couples were doing.

Now it was Sarah’s turn and she wouldn’t be able to help them. Cat held Sarah’s upper body still while the guys went under the railing and pulled her to them. Urs looked at Cat, even in the dark his face showing how much he wanted to take her now but knowing he couldn’t. He whispered that he would come back for her and she smiled at him, understanding. Each held Sarah’s arm around his neck and Urs counted down ‘1-2-3’ and they both loosened the hand holding the rope to slide down to the Zodiac, leaving most of the skin and blood from their palms and fingers on the way.

Urs looked back up and saw that Cat was shaking her head and pointing back along the catwalk. Someone was coming. He started back up the rope but hesitated when he saw her swing awkwardly under the railing, struggling, having to squeeze her tummy to get it through and take the rope to come down alone. His breath stopped when he started up the other rope and saw her start to slip, lose her grip and plummet, feet first, to the water.

She didn’t make a sound, even entered the water with very little splash and he quickly followed her, searched until he ran out of air, came up to gulp another lung full and went down again. A third time he tried, going deeper than before trying not to panic. This time he felt her hair brush his searching fingers and grasped it, followed until he felt her body and kicked strongly for the surface.

She was a limp bundle in his hands as he tread water and tried to get a grip so he could swim with her to the Zodiac. Seb, Steve and David were in the water, trying to help and they took her limp body by the shoulders of her shirt and swam on their sides to the boat while Urs followed, trying to recover his breath from the three long dives.
They had drifted quite a ways from the Zodiac due to an undercurrent in the harbor that they hadn’t noticed before, though Carlos had and had been hard put to keep the inflatable in place. Finally they reached it and heaved her up on board the boat, followed by the three men.

Carlos quickly eased them away from the yacht, not a second too soon for they could hear the sound of powerful boats approaching and from overhead the whumping noise of hovering helicopters.

Cat lay in the bottom of the Zodiac, still and unmoving, not breathing when Urs checked her by placing his mouth close to hers.

He moaned as he positioned her, tipped her head back and forced her mouth open to breathe for her. Steve knelt at her side and began applying pressure to her chest in between the breaths that Urs forced into her mouth.

He had no idea how long they worked, straining to get some reaction, not willing to give up, oblivious to the chaos that was taking place on the yacht, the lights, the noise, the sounds of weapons being discharged, the shouting and closer the soft weeping of their friends.

Carlos maneuvered the boat through all the others moored in the harbor, heading for the landing where they had arranged to be met while Urs continued to breathe in Cat’s mouth and Steve pumped her chest, one breath, 5 compressions, one breath, 5 compressions, both thinking of nothing but the desperate work they were doing.

There was no response and the two men continued, straining to hear a sound. Suddenly she coughed, choked and spit up water. They turned her on her side and let her cough the rest out, grinned and high 5’ed each other, then Urs wrapped her in a blanket and snuggled down into the boat with her, nestling her against his wet body with a desperation that he only now could allow himself to feel. There was a collective sigh of relief and nervous laughter among the others then Seb and David collected all the weapons and tossed them overboard as promised.
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PostSubject: Re: PATIENCE AND REWARDS   PATIENCE AND REWARDS - Page 2 EmptyMon May 25, 2009 11:31 am

Urs couldn’t remember ever being so thrilled to feel her breath on his neck before. He didn’t even notice how cold he was from the chill of the water and his shattered nerves, just held her close with one hand on her tummy. He felt the flutter of movement as the babies played their usual night-time football game and wept quietly with relief.

“We knew you guys would come. We never gave up, not for a second……. And in the water I was so sure you would find me, I wasn’t even frightened ….you did seem to take your time though.” Her voice was rough and whispered, her breathing a little ragged and she began to shiver from the cold of the water and her wet clothing.

“It was dark,” he said and kissed the top of her wet head.

Behind them they could hear the sound of guns being fired, the booming melding into the explosions of the fireworks. Just before they reached the dock the shooting stopped and the yacht lit up as all the lights were turned on and the search lights from the helicopters and boats played over the Salahadine. At last Brian had taken down the drug lord/sex slave peddler and the world would have one less evil to fear.

*

They all went to Steve’s suite, Steve, David and Urs changed into their dry clothes and Urs ran down the hall for something dry for Cat to put on. Urs and David needed first aid on their hands and Steve provided it skillfully. David then took Sarah to the hospital to put a proper cast on her leg, accompanied by Seb and Millie. Urs wanted Cat to go too but she insisted that she felt fine.

“Urs, have David ask for an OBGYN to check Sarah out. She hadn’t told him yet but she took a test and it was positive. They’re pregnant. I wouldn’t say anything but she’s so out of it with the pain of her leg, if she does wake up she may not tell him.”

Urs caught David before they reached the elevator and the tall tenor, blanched then visibly gathered his strength to cope with whatever he had to do.

He came back in , spoke on the phone for a few minutes, nodded at Steve when he came back in the Lounge and knelt in front of Cat with his hands under the blanket and on her bump.

“The babies are kicking like crazy so I know they’re alright and I’m starting to warm up now. I can’t believe how cold that water was.”

“I didn’t notice, not until later anyway,” Urs said as he plopped down beside her on the couch and pulled her into his arms. “You’re still shivering…cold or nerves?”

“A little of both,” she admitted and nestled against him.

“I ordered gallons of hot chocolate and coffee from room service, and a tray with assorted sandwiches since I’ll bet you’re hungry. It should be here soon. I offered a 50 pound tip if it was here in under a half hour.”

Cat laughed. “Thank you. Our recent accommodations didn’t have a meal plan.”

“Cat, why did you go with them?”

She sighed and tried to explain.

“When I saw that the girls were all gone and saw the limo with the guard, I knew. He hadn’t seen me in the shade and I had a brief moment to come up with a plan. He had the emblem for a yacht on his cap and tee shirt, the Salahadine and I knew that was the name of the Saracen, a vicious warlord at the time of the Crusades. It made sense so I sent Freddy with the message and joined them in the limo. I knew it was me he wanted and that he wouldn’t release the girls anyway so I thought if I went too we had a better chance, he wouldn’t be so angry.”

“You could have been injured, or even killed.”

“It didn’t seem likely, not here in the crowded harbor. I had faith that you would come for us before they had a chance to sail away. And then the cook brought us something to drink and he whispered to me…. ‘I’m a friend of Brian’s…I’m going to put a GPS bug in your bra….get angry and slap me when I do.’ I felt his hand dip into my shirt and leave something in my bra and I reacted and slapped him. The other guard laughed and the cook left. He came back later in the evening with more cold tea. While he was pouring it he whispered…. ‘later…make no noise…keep low’ . Sarah had been moaning a bit with the pain so I put her out. We placed her on the bed and sat on the floor, waiting. We could hear some fireworks starting and then a guard came in, I don’t know why but I have a suspicion…..he was looking at Millie and grinning, touched himself and motioned her to come to him but she wouldn’t. Then suddenly the door burst open and there you were. You looked so fierce and dangerous, I was a little frightened. I’ve never seen you so cold before, not like that, except that time with Gerard and I couldn’t see so well then.”

Urs looked a little embarrassed and shrugged his shoulders as he answered.

“We spent hours working out the plan and the more we talked about it the more my guts twisted. It was important to stay pumped but cool so I just kept thinking about how important it was to succeed, how I had to help get you back, how there could be no mistakes. When Steve killed the guard in the hall so calmly, it was like he opened a door and it was alright for David, Seb and I, to do whatever we had to. I think the hardest part for me was going down that rope and leaving you at the top, but I knew I had to.”

“I understood, Urs. David couldn’t have managed Sarah alone. And I would have made it down except the rope was suddenly greasy and I lost my grip.”

“Not greasy, Baby, bloody. We didn’t have gloves and lost a lot of skin and blood taking Sarah down, that’s why the rope was so slippery.”

There was a knock at the door and Steve let the room service waiter in. Urs got up and thanked him, passed him the promised 50 pounds and closed the door behind the curious man. He poured hot chocolate for Cat and himself while Steve poured out coffees and they all took small plates of sandwiches and went back to their seats.

“Oh, this is heaven,” Cat murmured as she sipped the hot drink. “We should fill a pool with it and jump in….but I better learn to swim first.”

Urs laughed. “That’s one of the first things we have to teach the kids. And you can learn right along side them.”

Both Gerry and Cat fell asleep leaning against their men, Steve, Urs and Carlos talked quietly, trying to avoid talking about their rescue mission. Urs told Steve about the houses and described the studios they hoped to finish first. He was very interested, seemed to think it was an excellent idea and gave them a few pointers on how to set things up. He offered to be available to consult any time.

Another hour and David and Sarah came back with Seb and Millie.

Sarah had a nice fiberglass cast on her leg and tiredly joked that she would rather have had the old style that everyone could have signed, but she also had good news. Their baby was fine, floating peacefully in the cocoon of water that had acted as a buffer when she fell. David alternated between laughing and weeping uncontrollably when he thought about how close they had come to being parted forever. It wasn’t until Sarah said she was starving and they piled a plate high with sandwichs to have a picnic on the sofa that he began to become his old cheerful self.

All of them were very tired now, it was nearly 3a.m., but they all wanted some news from Brian, wanted to have it be official that everything was finally over. At quarter of 4 he phoned, said he was very busy but the news was they had captured all the big bosses and found a lot of drugs plus 8 more imprisoned women below decks. As far as Interpol was concerned the girls and the rescue had never happened, the two dead men joined the others who foolishly put up a token resistance and were taken out by the agents.

Shortly after the phone call there was a mass exodus as the guys picked up their partners and went to their own suites.

Cat slept right through the move, and through the gentle ministrations as Urs stripped her and put her in their soft bed. He undressed and crawled in beside her, snuggling up tight to her back with his hand placed on the swell of her stomach. She smiled and put her hand over his, sighed and went back to healing sleep. Urs kissed the top of her head and closed his eyes too….tomorrow was a concert day.
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PostSubject: Re: PATIENCE AND REWARDS   PATIENCE AND REWARDS - Page 2 EmptyMon May 25, 2009 11:47 am

CHAPTER THIRTY

Cat was incredibly uncomfortable. The babies had grown and were healthy but her girth had increased in direct proportion to the stage of their development. She was annoyed with the mood swings the past month, tried hard not to take it out on Urs but he was so understanding and tender that it sometimes infuriated her and she felt the need to break something, his neck if she had been able to reach it.

He, on the other hand, was so gentle and patient with her, even tried hard not to laugh when she was unreasonable and held her gently in the safety of his arms when she cried for no apparent reason or when she was sorry for yelling at him for something as stupid as buying the wrong jam.

They had moved into the finished house, though the noise still went on in the terraces as workmen scurried like busy little ants, turning the buildings into one large space full of modern studios, some for recording, some practice halls and a couple for dance. They were already booked in most of the studios well in to the New Year though it would be another month before they were ready to open.

In the meantime all the wives were busy, Gerry caring for the boys, who now spoke both English and Spanish, or what Urs called Spanglish and were flourishing under the loving attention they received from Mama and Papa and all the new Aunts and Uncles; Millie was working part time just to keep in practice and Sarah was easing off on the work for the Registry since she had just recently become too uncomfortable to work any longer during her pregnancy. Urs of course gave David advice constantly on how to take care of a pregnant wife, much to Cat and Sarah’s amusement. He was, after all, only a few months ahead of David in this new adventure.

The new house was everything that both of them had wanted….bright and airy, welcoming to anyone who entered, the kind of home where you would be comfortable putting your feet up on the coffee table or sitting on the floor in the Lounge to watch a video but with the ability of seeming more formal just by moving a few pieces and putting out the good crystal instead of the colorful pottery and throws they favored for everyday.

Cat’s favorite place other than their lovely bedroom suite and the nursery across the hall, was the kitchen with a large solarium. It was just off the breakfast nook where they spent the mornings reading the paper in the scented air that wafted in and talked about what they had planned for the day.

The kitchen itself was a dream come true, everything in the proper place, lots of blue enameled appliances, Aga and frig, dishwasher, a spacious pantry and marble tops on the counters with an island in the centre of the space for working on pastries and chatting with friends perched on the stools on one side. She even had a whole set of copper pans from France and a set of Ceramic knives Urs had brought home from a short tour of Asia.

Urs had finished painting the twins nursery at the end of last month and they had furnished it in mostly pale yellow with pastel accents. He bought trunks full of toys and stuffed animals, so many that Cat installed a floor to ceiling pole behind the two roomy rocking chairs and hung some of them from ribbons.

Today he was off with the others, doing some promo for the new release coming out in late November. Cat had talked to him once since he left in the morning, just an ‘I love you’ call as they went from a meet and greet to a TV interview. He never left her totally alone for long, especially on the days when he knew that Leica was off.

The Swiss Nanny was a delightful woman, a retired nurse, a widow with grown children. She had come to stay nearly two months before and was always available to babysit Nico and Stefan until her own two little charges put in their appearance. The bonus was that Cat saw how she reacted to the boys and knew that here was a woman she could trust with her babies .

Again she felt the babies pressing on her bladder and walked, no waddled down the hall to the convenient small lavatory, chuckling as she admitted to herself that she did waddle. Urs teased her about it occasionally…not so much lately since he sensed that it was a touchy subject.

Once more she noticed that her back ached today, perhaps because of the industrious mood she had been in all morning, so much so that she had cleaned out and re-lined all the kitchen cupboards …maybe she had over done it a bit. Still full of energy, she went in the music room to tidy up. That was the problem with having a housekeeper who came in 4 afternoons a week…..there was never a lot to be done but Urs had insisted, saying that with her music and the impending babies she had enough to do.

She sorted through the scattered sheets of music that they had both been working on, making order out of chaos, took the pager and cell phone out of her pocket to place on the piano bench and crawled awkwardly under the legs of the grand to retrieve a sheet of music that had fallen to the floor and drifted underneath.

For a minute she found the image of herself with her swollen body crawling about on the floor as hilarious and she rolled to her back and laughed until her eyes ran.

Gradually she got back to her feet, having to pull herself up with the aid of the piano legs and the edge of the sofa, then decided that she had worked enough, a nice cup of hot chocolate sounded like a lovely treat.

She was humming as she wandered back down the hall with her treat, thinking about Urs as she did about 18 hours a day,when her back announced that it was seriously sore. The spasm hit her hard, hard enough to force her legs to stop moving and the mug in one hand and the small plate of cookies in the other to fall to the glossy wood floor. She felt a gush of liquid and looked down to see a puddle slowly forming at her feet.

At the same moment a contraction so strong that she cried out gripped her midsection, tightening the skin on her stretched stomach. She reached out to the wall and braced herself, caught so unawares that the thought of timing it or breathing properly escaped her and she just rode it out, trying not to fight the spasm.

It eased and she struggled on down the hall, trying to reach the music room and her pager. Twice more before she got to the piano bench she was jolted with another spasm, this time she timed them, 2 minutes apart, lastly 65 seconds.

As she pushed the tiny keys on the pager to type in a message her stomach twisted again, but this time with an over powering urge to push and she panted as she keyed in the last few letters then pushed send and picked up the cell phone to dial the emergency number as she staggered to the sofa and made herself a little nest on the floor with her back against the cushions.

**

Il Divo was in the middle of an interview on GMTV, wearing civvies this time and chatting with the host about their upcoming album and the tour they would soon be going on with Barbra Striesand. Carlos had just answered a question about his two sons and had the audience laughing as he told of the joys of fatherhood and how thrilled he was, even though at times he found it difficult to be firm.

“My Gerald, she says she has 3 boys to raise,” he said with his trademark grin and eyebrow wiggle and the host turned to ask Urs a question but saw a look of fear then wonder pass quickly over the expressive face.

Urs pulled his pager from his jeans pocket and gasped as he read the text.

“Come home…babies coming NOW…I need you!”

He leapt to his feet, knocking the mugs of coffee off the table in his excitement, staring at the pager, then looking up at his friends.

“Cat needs me….Our babies…NOW!!” He leapt over the back of the sofa and dashed from the studio, out onto the street and stopped a taxi by leaping in front of it.

The driver almost didn’t let him in, this strange long haired man, out in the rain with no coat and a demented look in his eyes, but when Urs yelled at him that his wife was home alone and delivering twins, the driver let him in and sped off to Chelsea.

Back in the studio, David had picked up the pager and read the message then passed it on to the other Divos.

“Life is never dull for us,” he glibly remarked to the Host. “It seems Urs and Cat’s twins are arriving as we speak.”

**

He arrived home seconds before the ambulance pulled up out front, unlocked the door and left it open for the Medics, raced into the hall calling out for Cat.

There was no answer but when he listened he heard her rapid breathing as she tried not to push and ran to the entrance of the Music room, crossed the floor and gently pulled her away from the sofa to rest against him.

“The medics are here, Love. Just hang on.”

She was wringing wet with sweat and her eyes were hooded with pain but she leaned against him as the contraction finished and whispered…”You’re here…that’s all that matters.”

The medics entered and soon had everything as under control as was possible at this stage. There was no stopping the child that was determined to enter the world and Cat felt the unbearable relief of being able to push now. She leaned against Urs and held his hands, squeezing until his fingers went bone white….three times and the pressure eased, a baby wailed and she smiled at Urs.

“It’s a boy,” the medic said as the baby wailed and the cord was tied off and cut, the tiny being wrapped in a warm blanket and placed in his mother’s arms, briefly.

“Another tenor,” she whispered and gently touched this tiny symbol of their love.

“Ma’am we need to go, now, before the next one comes.” The Medic said as they picked her up carefully and placed her on a stretcher with the head raised, wrapped her and the baby with warm blankets and hustled out the door. Urs grabbed the small bag that had been waiting for this day in the hall closet and went with them, calling out to the housekeeper as she came up the street….’Sorry for the mess…’

He sat beside Cat as they sped through the busy streets, sirens wailing, the Medic doing something to the baby, clearing his airway, Urs thought from what he had read. He leaned over to kiss his exhausted wife on the mouth but lightly, not wanting to rob her of these few moments of rest. She opened her eyes and smiled at him.

“How you doing, Papa?”

He laughed. “I’ll collapse later. According to the books it’s not supposed to be this fast.”

Cat burst out laughing. “When have we ever done anything by the book? We….oh s**t…here we go again.”

The Medic looked a bit panicked, mirroring the look on Urs face as Cat clutched his hand and panted.

It was a race but this time Nature was determined to win and when they parked at the emergency entrance Dr. Burnett calmly stepped into the back of the vehicle and finished the delivery of their daughter while Urs braced Cat against his strong body. Secretly he doubted if his fingers would recover enough to ever be able to play piano again, but it was a small price to pay for the two healthy precious babies they now had.

He was waiting in the reception area when the Divos swarmed in and began all talking at once.

He stood and raised his hands{his fingers now recovered and eager to hold his wife and children} to quiet them and then grinned.

“One of each and Cat is fine. They’re just cleaning things up now and then I’m going back in but only for a while. She’s exhausted. I never knew that it would be so hard on her, but she was amazing.”

He didn’t even realize that he had tears on his face until Millie came in, heard the news and wiped them off with her tiny hands.

A few minutes later the nurse came out, followed by Dr. Burnett who smiled and shook hands with Urs.

“Fine healthy babies, Urs, the boy at just over 3 Kilos and your daughter at 3 exactly. They are in with their mother now if you and your friends want to take a peek…briefly…she needs to rest.”

The others waited a few minutes, giving Urs some private time with Cat and their babies.

He tiptoed into the room and watched her from a few feet away for a moment as she sat with the head of the bed raised, one of the babies in her lap and the other nursing hungrily.

‘Colostrum’, his subconscious thought, dredging up the information about how important it was to nurse the first few days so the baby got the antibodies it needed to protect it from common germs that may be around. Consciously he thought that Cat had never looked more beautiful, her face rosy from exertion, her hair tousled and a tiny mouth greedily feeding from her. She looked up and caught his eyes with hers, so happy that all thoughts of the pain she had gone through vanished from both their minds.

“Toni already nursed, if you want to hold him,” she said and he picked up his son and held him in his large hands. He was red and a little wrinkled, his hair long and thick, very dark even now when it was dry. Urs held him in the crook of his arm, noticing that he had muscles bigger than his son, and he stroked his finger gently across the tiny hand, smiling when the fingers tried reflexively to grasp his.

He was sitting on the edge of the bed when the others came quietly into the room, holding both babies, one on each arm.

“Guys, meet the newest members of our growing family, Helena and Toni.”

The nurse came very soon after their arrival and cut the visit short. Everyone kissed Cat and told Urs they would wait to take him home. The nurse put Helena and Toni in their small cots on the other side of the room and busied herself tidying up.

Urs stood beside the bed and watched Cat fighting off sleep but losing the battle. He kissed her and placed his hands on her face, cupping her cheeks.

“We can’t do this again, Cat. I couldn’t stand to see you suffer like that, not another time.” His eyes were glistening but his voice was firm.

She opened her hazy eyes fully and smiled at him.
“Silly man…you really think you can stop me now? I can hardly wait. Now go home and let me sleep. You should too and be warned….I’m not waiting any 6 weeks to jump your bones again.”

He laughed and kissed her again then quietly headed for the door.

“Urs?”

He turned and saw that she was looking at him.

“I love you even more now that we have shared this moment.”

“Me too, Liebling. Me too.”
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PostSubject: Re: PATIENCE AND REWARDS   PATIENCE AND REWARDS - Page 2 EmptyMon May 25, 2009 12:00 pm

EPILOGUE

October 2010

The concert was in the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, the same venue the band had played in on their first tour. As always the house was packed and the fans eager to actually see their idols but willing to listen to the opening act since they had heard great things about it too.

Cat started off with some gospel, one of her favourites, ‘O Happy Day’ and by the end of the song the fans were hooked. She had a small troupe of back up singers along with her small orchestra and they worked well together.

Tonight was especially poignant for Cat since she had learned earlier in the day that she was once again pregnant and had told Urs just before they left for the venue. Toni and Helena couldn’t figure out why Mami and Papa were so excited but they joined in the group hug regardless. At just turned four they were becoming quite a hand full and on the tour they had a middle aged nanny who kept them in line and loved them to pieces. Leica had been with them from the start, a nice Swiss widow with grown children.

Cat was really on tonight, giving the tracks her all, prancing about the stage to the more rock songs, her glittering green gown sparkling and showing off her trim figure. As she turned during the interludes she could see Urs and the children and Leica in the wings. Both of the twins liked to hear them sing, would sit raptly listening for hours while Urs and Cat worked in one of the studios, only coaxed away when Sarah and David brought Joey, now nearly 3 to their just past 4. Millie and Seb were expecting their first any day now and Carlos and Gerry had the two boys that were now spending time with Nana who had come to visit and care for them since they were both in school full time.

Cat was doing her second last track when she noticed the audience in the front row looking behind her and smiling, then waving at someone. She turned half way and there sitting quietly on the floor just behind her were Toni and Helena, grinning when she turned to look at them. She looked over to the wings and Urs shrugged his shoulders as if to say, ‘what can I do?’ She finished the song and walked sideways over to the twins, reaching a hand out to Toni, since he was always the ring leader. Helena took Toni’s hand and they smiled up at their Mami, looking like angels.

“Ladies and gentlemen, I’m so sorry for the intrusion. Once again my children have managed to elude their father and come to do one of their favourite things….watching Mami or Papa sing.” She gestured towards Urs and he came out on the stage, waved at the crowd and picked Helena up. With the other arm he scooped up Toni and carried both of them to the side of the stage, sat them on the floor, motioned that they should stay there and went back to Cat. She was holding her tummy with laughter and the audience loved it.

“As a penalty for being a soft touch with the twins, I volunteer to sing with their mother. How about That’s all I Ask of You from Phantom of the Opera….the kids like it.”

Obviously the audience did too for the applause was deafening.

The small band started the intro and everyone laughed when Toni recognized it and clapped with delight. They sang together beautifully, caressing the words and notes, making it personal and not caring that the audience could see how much they were still in love after almost 5 years.

When the track was over, Cat thanked the audience for being so attentive and such good sports while Urs went to the twins, crouched down and let Toni climb on his shoulders. He picked Helena up and cradled her, kissing her fingers when she brought them up to his smiling face. Cat waved and joined them and together they left the stage.

Leica was full of apologies and also berated Urs. She had asked him to keep an eye on the twins while she went to the ladies room and he got so mesmerized listening to Cat, they got away from him.

Cat took the twins to her dressing room and changed quickly, eager to be in the wings when the guys made their entrance. Soon after that she and Leica would take the twins to the little cots they took everywhere with them and put them to bed. They were so used to traveling that they could sleep anywhere so long as their schedule wasn’t changed too drastically. Leica would stay with them after they fell asleep and Cat would be able to go out and enjoy the rest of the concert. She changed to jeans, removed her makeup and twisted her hair into a ponytail while Leica put the twins in their jammies. Then, each taking a child they went out to the wings, just in time for the guys were on the bottom steps ready to go on stage.

They got kisses and hugs from all the ‘Uncles’ and from Papa just as the music began to swell. Urs dropped a quick kiss on Cat’s mouth, took the risk of groping her bottom for a second, hopefully unobserved, and all four of them entered the set. Cat and the twins watched for the first track, an old favorite and when it ended they waved and blew kisses at the singers and went off to go to bed. Cat read them a story and before it ended they were both asleep. Leica dug out her book, turned the volume down on the speaker that piped music from the stage and installed herself near the door to watch her charges while Cat went back to the wings.

She watched the band doing what it loved…performing live for an audience. Their presence had become smoother over the past few years, but still seemed spontaneous since they constantly added little things, more of the interaction between them that the fans loved, more freedom to use body English and sort of dance to some of the tracks. The harmonies were better and more frequent now since they had discovered that the fans were very knowledgeable and liked to hear the chanting and descant.

Cat sighed as she thought about how good life was. Dear friends, a loving family and more to come and a husband that could make her melt with a touch. Boredom was not in their vocabulary for there was always something new to discover and explore. She saw Urs glance at her in the wings and blew him a kiss. He grinned at her, then turned to say something to Seb. Millie was behind her and put her arm around Cat’s waist.

Her grip tightened and breathing changed for a moment and Cat looked at the young mother to be in concern.

“Yes,” Millie said “but they are so far apart now I think Seb should finish the concert. Don’t mention it, Cat, when they come in to change.”

“Then you better go sit with Leica ‘cause Seb loves you so much he can read you like a book.”

“He’s got a pager like Urs had when you were expecting the twins but I couldn’t use it, not when he’s in the middle of a performance.”

“We never do things the easy way do we?” Cat said laughing lightly, remembering how Toni had arrived while Urs was on a television show. She paged him and he lost it totally, leapt over the sofa on the set and yelled to the whole viewing public….”Cat needs me….the babies…..NOW!” as he bolted for the doors and rushed home. He arrived in time to help Cat deliver Toni, the ambulance arrived just after and transported them all the hospital where Helena arrived, in the ambulance at the Emergency Room doors.

She went with Millie to the dressing room and timed a couple of contractions, reassured Millie that she had a long way to go yet since they were 7 minutes apart and only lasted 35 seconds.

When the guys came out to change Cat told Seb that Millie was catching a nap in with the twins. Something in her tone of voice alerted Urs that she was telling a little lie and when he had a chance he snuggled her and whispered “What’s going on?”

“Millie’s contractions have started but they aren’t close or long. You should be able to finish but not too many encores, please.”

Urs took her by the shoulders and softly said, “Cat, don’t leave it too late like we did. We can finish without Seb if we have to.”

She promised and when they went back on stage she raced to the other room to check on Millie. She was, in fact asleep.

Cat sat with her until after about 5 minutes Millie stirred and they timed another contraction. A little longer this time. Cat checked her watch and listened to the music coming in from the stage…they had about 20 minutes to go of the regular program then another 15 or so for encores. No problem.

Millie relaxed again and Cat waited patiently, remembering how it had been for her when the twins arrived. Her contractions were different, just a nagging back ache at first and she paid little attention until her water broke and the third stage was upon her. She made it to the lounge and called for an ambulance, paged Urs and prepared for the worst, trying not to push though the urge was overpowering.

The contractions were coming every three minutes now and lasting 50 seconds. Cat was getting concerned but put on a brave face for Millie who was now so uncomfortable she found it impossible to rest in between.

The first encore was a turning point. Her water broke and Millie looked alarmed.

“Babe, I’m going to call for an ambulance. The guys are starting the second encore, push the button on that damn pager. They’ll cover for Seb.”

On stage Seb felt his pants pocket start to vibrate and he quickly pulled it out and glanced at the text message…..’Now…Hurry!’

He stood in shock for a second until Urs spun him around and gave him a push. Still carrying his mike Seb rushed from the stage, saw Cat waving from the dressing room door and ran to her.

“Stay with her, keep calm. I’m going to the door to wait for the ambulance.”

By the time the ambulance arrived the other singers had joined them, offering moral support to the parents to be, relieved when the attendants loaded Millie in the vehicle and they roared off to the nearest hospital, St. Michaels.

Urs took Cat in his arms and laughed. “Why does everyone in this band always have to do everything the hard way?” He rocked her against his chest, loving the extra full and firm feeling of her breasts against him and knowing how arousing they would become in the next few months.

Cat laughed back at him . “We do it on purpose so life will never be boring. Like the song, A Mi Manera. Just think how much fun the next 50 or 60 years are going to be.

Urs hugged her and gave her strict instructions to have the next baby in the hospital.

“I’m a patient man, Love, but sometimes it wears thin and I like to have things done in a predictable manner. Although with you, the rewards for patience are always outstanding.”

She grinned at him and wondered if now would be a good time to admit that the doctor thought she heard two heart beats again.

******************************************************
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