Chapter 285:

Urs adjusted the baby carrier so that it was sitting correctly on his chest. He imagined that it wouldn't be too long before Aaron wouldn't fit in this one. They did have the back pack style for him to move up to when he outgrew this one but, Urs enjoyed having Aaron close to his chest when they were walking.

He was taking Aaron for one of their father/son walks this afternoon. It would be their last for a while. This next few weeks was going to be so hard being away from the baby and Alex as they finished up the promotions and preparations for the start of the tour. As grueling as the tour was going to be, he at least had the assurance that his family would be with him a lot of the time, just like Carlos would have Vicki and the kids with him.

He was concerned about Seb, Lisa and the kids having to be apart for so long and wished a solution could be found so that the family could travel at least some of the time. He couldn't imagine having to miss most of Aaron's next two years of growing. He would change so much in that time. He did not want to come home at the end of the tour and discover that his son didn't have a clue who he was.

Alex slid Aaron into the carrier and gave both of her men a kiss. As much as she wanted to be with Urs every minute today, she knew that Urs enjoyed his walks alone with their son. She had seen and heard him having full conversations, although one sided, with Aaron as they walked. She couldn't help but be a little jealous as even Max and Bella got to run along beside Urs as they left the yard.

Urs started out just listening to all of the sounds in the woods and enjoying the closeness with Aaron. He stroked his son's cheek and ran his fingers through Aaron's thickening hair. It looked like it would be curly just like his own. That would surely make Alex happy, he grinned.

He walked with Aaron facing outward so that the baby could see what was around them. When they would come across a lizard or some other crawling thing, Urs would tell him about it, either kneeling down to get closer or picking it up so Aaron could see it. Sometimes he even took Aaron's little index finger and let him touch it as long as it wasn't something that might bite him.

Urs wiped his forearm across his brow and thought of how much he missed all the snow from his home.

“Someday I will take you to my home in Switzerland, Aaron. Papi will take you sledding and teach you how to ski. I will show you the mountains and all the beauty there. We will have so much fun.”

He was looking forward to their stop in Switzerland on the tour but he knew there would be little time for him to take Alex and Aaron exploring while they were there. He already knew that many of his friends and family would be coming to the concert so at least he'd get to have a short visit with them. His one priority was to take Alex to his home there so she could see where he grew up. Of course Aaron wouldn't remember this trip so his real introduction to Switzerland would come when he was a bit older.

“Aaron, Papi needs you to be a good boy for your Mami while I'm away. I will miss you both very much.”

As Urs spoke to Aaron, the baby got excited at hearing his Papi's voice and started kicking his legs and squealing. The sound ehcoed in the woods, making the baby stop and take notice of the new sound.

Urs began to sing to him, softly at first but before long, the sound of his voice was loud enough to carry through the woods to where the Izambard children were playing outside.

“Onkle Urs is singing.” Kayti told the other children. She sat still and listened to him with a smile on her face for as long as she could hear him and then went back to her playing.

Urs sat on a fallen log and took Aaron out of his confinement.

“There, that's better.” he said, sitting Aaron on his knee. He bounced him up and down, joining the baby in his laughter. It always brought Urs to stitches when he heard Aaron laughing. It was such a joyful sound.

On their walks, Urs always told Aaron stories of his childhood and growing up in Willisau. He knew Aaron didn't understand much now but just like when he read to Aaron, he just enjoyed hearing his Papi's voice. And he certainly wouldn't remember what he told him right now but, Urs knew that eventually these stories would begin to take hold in the boy's memory.

Urs headed home, wanting to have a quiet evening at home with Alex tonight. Of course Mami was there but, he knew that she would make herself scarce after the kitchen was cleaned up from dinner.

“Come Max, Bella. Let's go home.”

At the word home, both of the dogs who were scavanging around in the leaves, trying to see what they could find, reversed their direction and headed right towards home and the dinner they knew would be waiting for them there.

Once they were home, Urs laid Aaron on the floor under his play gym so he could stretch out and get a little exercise before Alex fed him his dinner. Aaron was still nursing some but he had also been eating baby food too. He loved his cereal and he had been trying out all sorts of new fruits and vegetables. So far, he didn't seem like a picky eater, after getting used to a new food, he was enjoying all of the new flavors his Mami found for him to try.

Urs did a short work out then showered and joined Alex and Mami in the kitchen to see what was for dinner. They had prepared Veal Parmagian with garlic bread and a salad. Urs would miss these great meals but he smiled as he knew he always had to keep up with his workouts to battle the effects of eating so much good cooking.

Later, with dinner finished and cleaned up, Urs bathed Aaron and got him dressed into his little pajamas. Then he sat in the rocking chair in the nursery and sang softly to him, helping to relax the baby.

It wasn't long before Aaron's eyes began to flutter, heavy with the sleep that was trying to overtake him. His thumb went into his mouth and as he sucked it, he tried to keep his eyes open, looking at his Papi. The sandman finally claimed him and Urs felt the little body relax against his chest.

Urs looked up to find Alex standing in the doorway watching him with their son.

“I'm really going to miss this.” he whispered. “It is such a peaceful way to end his day.”

“And he loves it.” she said, coming to stand beside him. She kissed the top of his head and laced her fingers in his hair. The sight of Urs holding their son was always wonderful to her but there was something almost overwhelming to her when she watched him completing his bedtime ritual with his little boy.

Urs rocked another couple of minutes, making sure that Aaron was fully asleep before he stood and placed him in his crib.

He took Alex's hand as they left the nursery together but turned and looked back once more and sighed. These little things were what made him feel so happy and were also the most missed when he was away.

They went downstairs and enjoyed some dessert with Mami. She had made some Apple Crisp and they topped it with a scoop of ice cream.

Mami stood when they were all finished and took their bowls. After putting them in the dishwasher, she did just as Urs had predicted. She kissed them both goodnight and climbed the stairs, leaving them alone for the night. He had been really glad she was here but even more so now that Alex would be alone with Aaron.

They had begun a few therapy sessions with a physical therapist and had been shown some exercises to do at home to help Aaron's legs. Several times during the day they would all take turns exercising Aarons legs, making it like a game so that as Aaron got older, he would not look on it like a chore to do.

Alex had, at least for now, given up any thought of returning to work. She had turned in her notice and had been given a going away party of sorts at the station. Jeff told her he undertood when she explained that she wanted to be able to give Aaron her full attention, especially with his special needs.

It had not been a hard decision for her. There had been no deliberating about it. Once time came for her to either go back to work or give the position up so they could hire someone new, she had had no trouble telling them that she would not be returning. She knew that if anyone had told her how at peace she would be at not working, she would have said they were nuts. But she knew that if the time ever came that she felt comfortable going back to work, that she would be able to get a position somewhere.

Urs led Alex to their bedroom and on into their master bath. He turned on the tub faucets, sprinkling in some of the bath salts he knew Alex liked. After she undressed, he held her hand as she stepped into the tub and sat down.

They spoke little, knowing that words would only increase their sadness. He took the sponge from her and kissed her forehead as he began washing her. He gently glided the sponge over her body and knew he was awakening her need for him in the process.

When she couldn't take any more, Alex took the sponge back, rinsed the soap off of herself and stood up, allowing him to wrap the bath sheet around her. He helped her to step out and then dried her off, further increasing the rate of her breathing and her urgency for them to climb into their bed.

“Make love to me, Urs. Now!” she said as soon as he had undressed and joined her in bed.

He claimed her lips in a fiery kiss as they both laid claim to each other's bodies. They left tiny marks of their loving that would not be visible to anyone else but would remain for several days as a reminder of their final night together. Their passion rose and they became one, both completing their journey before they held each other close, falling asleep in the other's arms.

*

The mood at the Marin's was a bit different than at the other two homes, not quite as somber. Although Vicki wasn't joining Carlos right now, she and the children were going home to Madrid since they had received Amelia's passport and she could legally travel with them. Their flight was leaving just an hour later than that of the guys with an almost three hour layover in New York before heading straight to Madrid. They would all go to the airport together so Carlos could help her and the children get checked in. But visits would be possible over the next couple of weeks as the guys finished up their rehearsals and other business in London.

Amelia had been given a backpack from Grandma and Grandpa just like the other children so Vicki had made sure it was packed with some of her favorite things to do for the long trip to Spain.

While Vicki was feeding Carlito, Carlos played with Amelia in her room.

“Papa, is it going to be a long ride on the airplane?”

“Yes, Querida. It will be quite a long ride for you. I hope that you'll try to be a good girl for Mama and help her with Carlito like you always do.”

“I will Papa, I promise.”

“That's my girl. Papa will call you every day though so that I can talk to you. I will miss you all.”

“I will miss you too, Papa. Do you think Mama will play in my doll house with me when you go to work?”

“Well, first of all, we can't take your big doll house on the plane. I talked to Mama and she will get you another one for our house in Madrid. But I bet if you ask her, she will be very happy to play with you in your doll house.”

“Okay, I'll ask her.” she said as she climbed into his lap.

“Is it going to be a very big plane like the one Sammy went on? He said it was a biggest plane.”

“Yes, It will be a very big plane.” he said, answering one of Amelia's countless questions. Now that she was speaking, she had plenty to say and more questions every day. As exasperating as it was sometimes to keep answering so many questions, Carlos knew he would miss hearing them while they were apart.

“Let's go see Mama and Carlito and see if he's ready for his bath. We can see if Mama needs our help.”

“Ok Papa.” she said and took his outstretched hand in hers as they went in search of the other half of their family.