Chapter 288:

Since they had been in London, they had done a lot of exploring and sightseeing. The children were all very happy to be with their fathers again and the guys were spending as much time with their families as was possible in between putting the finishing touches on the set and the arrangements.

Lisa and Alex had done a little bit of real estate searching and had found some possibilities which would be explored as they had time. For now the hotel was working out nicely for their needs. They wouldn't be here in London much longer anyway.

The guys weren't there all the time but that was okay. They were with them in the mornings, most evenings and definitely at night, in bed with their wives where they belonged.

*

Tonight was their big night. February the Twenty First, the first night of their new world tour. The guys were all excited but the girls could tell they were a bit nervous too. What if the audience didn't like what they had worked so hard to put together all of these months.

Lisa and Alex had gone to hear them rehearse a few times and knew that there wasn't a thing to worry about but, you couldn't tell the guys that. They would just have to see it for themselves when they stood before their audience.

They had altered their game plan a bit when Mom and Dad insisted that the girls go with Seb and Urs to Manchester and Birmingham and the children would stay in London with them, Mami and Maman. Also Miss Dupree had arrived in London a couple of days before, seeing Seb for the first time since they were children.

They had gotten caught up on the happenings in each other's lives and Seb had seen her with the children and was pleased that they would have another family member along to help and also to keep the older ones current with their schooling.

So, Lisa and Alex were now in Manchester at their hotel getting ready to go to the concert. They had full access passes that would get them anywhere in the arena.

“Does this remind you of anything?” Lisa said, looking far away as she put the finishing touches on her hair.

“What?”

“That afternoon that we were getting ready to go to Seb's concert in Paris?”

“Oh Yeah. What a night. It sure changed our lives didn't it..... You are happy aren't you? All of the old ghosts are gone?”

“Oh yes. I know there will be challenges in our lives but, I can't imagine being any happier than I am right now. What about you? Your life is so far off of the plan that you had for it. Are you happy with the choices you've made?”

“Absolutely. It definitely wasn't how I had planned my life to be but, if I had had my way I would be alone and working my tail off and I wouldn't have the love of the most wonderful man and I definitely wouldn't have Aaron. Even with the challenges we still have to face and work throught with him, I wouldn't change a thing. I know I was so scared when I found out I was pregnant. I couldn't imagine being a Mom. But now I can't imagine being anything more important than Aaron's Mami.”

“I know what you mean. Every day, even with all of the little problems that pop up, when I lay down at night and think of my children, I can't even think what it was like before I had them with me. I wouldn't want it any other way.

As they continued to get ready, Grace and Vicki knocked on the door and made it a foursome as they all discussed the coming concert and the importance for their guys.

*

Until Urs was summoned to have his hair and makeup done, he and Alex were lounging, stretched out alongside of each other on the large sofa in his dressing room, just enjoying a few minutes of quiet and closeness before the concert. They had locked the door and Alex had stepped out of her dress, hanging it on a hanger next to his suits. Urs was down to his underclothes as well.

They had taken a few minutes and called Mami to check on Aaron. Mami assured both of them that Aaron was just fine and they shouldn't worry about him, just have a wonderful time. She told Urs how proud she was of him and wished him well tonight.

Glad that he hadn't had make up done yet, Urs pulled Alex closer and kissed her senseless. They spoke of their love and their son and how happy they were that things had worked out for the girls and the children to come along. They would have taken things further but the knock came for him to have his hair and makeup done, interrupting them.

At Urs's look of disappointment, Alex took his face in her hands and kissed him once more, promising that they would pick up where they left off later tonight when they were alone.

They quickly dressed and while Urs went to get his hair and makeup done, Alex touched up her own hair and makeup before searching for the rest of the girls and then to find their seats.

*

“How do you feel? Are you ready?” Lisa asked Seb. She stood back and watched as the makeup was applied to his face. She knew it would take some getting used to, seeing him in makeup but, she knew it was necessary for the stage.

“I think so.” he answered when he could do so without messing up what was being done.

He looked in the mirror in front of him and met her eyes. She could see the nerves that he was trying hard to cover. She knew sometimes he still battled the demon of thinking that he just wasn't as good as the other three of his bandmates. She had scolded him time and time again, telling him that he had more than proven his place and worth in Il Divo.

Of course he would deny that he felt inferior but she had heard him in interviews making comments that if she'd been standing next to him she would have slapped him upside the head like Jethro Gibbs does on the TV show NCIS. She also would remind him to go check out his Sirens in the Chateau and in his Gallery to see what they said about him and their perception of his abilities. Of course, a lot of them weren't only talking about his singing.

He stood from the chair, hair and make up perfect, all ready to go on stage except for the first jacket of the evening. It was hot back here so they would wait until the last minute to put them on.

Seb leaned down and brushed a gentle kiss across her lips.

“I'm so glad that you are here with me tonight. You and my singing are my passions and to have them both here together is an amazing feeling for me.”

She wrapped her arms around his waist, careful not to mess him up.

“I'm so proud of you Seb. You are a fantastic singer and musician, an amazing father to our children and if I dreamed a million dreams, I couldn't dream of a more perfect husband. You have given me my life back. We'll have challenges and struggles through our lives I'm sure but, I know that together we can face and get through all of them.”

“Ten minutes” someone in the hall yelled to everyone, letting them know they'd better get moving.

“I'll get out of your way. I love you Sebastien Izambard.” she said leaning up to kiss him before she would leave and let him finish getting ready.

“And I love you Ma Cherie, more every day.”

“Have fun out there.” She said with a wave as she left him to head to the room where those who had bought the meet and greets were waiting for their time with Il Divo.

“We will.” he said with a wink.

*

The arena was filling up as the girls were shown to their seats in the center of the front row, in front of the small stage.

There were families, including some children. But the majority of the audience was women as usual. Dress ranged from very casual in jeans and t-shirts to casual dress with the women in some very nice dresses or dressy slacks and tops.

It would still be some time before the start of the concert. This tour, the guys were doing meet and greets with around fifty fans before the show. Lisa stood with her back against the stage and watched the people coming in and finding their seats.

Some people were quiet and just sat and looked around, while others were definitely major fans and were very excited to be here. They were hustling around speaking to lots of women in other parts of the arena. Some were leaning over the apron stage talking to the fans that were sitting inside the inner circle. They would see a familiar face and call to them and wave across the room to each other.

A group of several women filed into the second row, all talking amongst themselves. They were all smiling and obviously very excited. One of them, a woman about thirty, turned and looked right at Alex and Lisa, who were still standing facing the audience.

“So who is your favorite Divo? I am a Siren, mine is definitely Seb. I think he is the most perfect man on the planet, don't you?” She said excitedly.

“Oh she is definitely a Siren too. But me, I am one hundred percent Uber.” Alex said as she giggled.

“Jennifer, don't you know who they are?” one of the other woman asked, poking the other woman while looking apologetically at Alex and Lisa.

“No, who?”

“Alex Buhler and Lisa”

“Izambard” Jennifer finished, looking embarrased. “I'm sorry. I didn't recognize you. I hope you weren't offended by what I said.”

“No, of course not.” Lisa said, smiling at the other woman. “Is this your first Il Divo concert?”

“Oh heavens no. We've all been following Il Divo since they started. But I am really excited to see the new show and hear them sing the songs from The Promise as well as some of our old favorites. How many times have you both seen them in concert? It must be a bunch.”

“Actually no, we've seen them sing a few songs together but never a whole concert yet. We did see Sebastien live in concert when he was in Paris promoting his first album though. But I can't wait to be able to hear a whole concert with Il Divo.”

“Oh you are in for a treat then.”

The arena filled up and those that were wandering began to take their seats and before long the lights were lowered and the anticipation began building at a feverish pace. Several men and women who would be controlling the spotlights climbed the rope ladders around the stage and sat in small seats with headsets on.

The orchestra and band took their places. Once they began to ready their instruments although there was still talking in the audience, it was in much more hushed tones than before as people anticipated the start of the show.

Alex squeezed Lisa's hand as they began to play and Lisa knew that Alex was as excited as she was to be here, seeing the show, especially on their first night. They sat enjoying the overture, a mix of pieces of the songs they would hear in their entirety during the concert but were also wishing it would hurry up and be over so the guys would take the stage and then suddenly they did.

They climbed the steps behind the main stage and stood tall and proud at the top looking at their audience for the first time since the end of their last tour. They couldn't have looked happier as Carlos began the first part of Somewhere. Immediately after Somewhere they went into Regressa A Mi and from there the songs seemed to speed by.

Their voices were all strong and as each Divo had their solo moments to shine, their respective Divas let them know they were thrilled to hear and see them.

The first costume change had passed and they were almost to the intermission before they knew it. All four girls left their seats quietly during Notte Di Luce to be in the dressing rooms waiting for their guys, spent a few minutes with them and then returned to their seats to be ready for the second half of the show.

The guys returned to the stage with Va Todo Al Ganador and from there the show sped towards it's end. For Lisa, she hated that it was going by so quickly but at least she knew she'd be able to do it all over again in a few days.

There were several moments that would stand out in Lisa's memories of this first show. The audience appreciated the guys return to tour so much and showed it repeatedly with their applause. There were also a few funny moments. Of course Carlos's joke about everyone missing him and his curl got plenty of laughs but when Sebastien wound up behind instead of in front of a curtain that lowered from the rafters, everyone was laughing so hard, including the guys who had a hard time finishing the song. David had played up on it, pretending to walk into his curtain then came over and shook Seb's hand making everyone laugh even more. Lisa felt bad for him but he seemed to take it in stride, laughing just as much as everyone else. As they sat on the stools on the large stage during the next song, Everytime I Look At You, Seb made eye contact with her and still had the laughter in his eyes. When the guys each pointed out towards the audience, Each of them were suspiciously pointing in the direction of their ladies.

The girls had seen some of the rehearsals but some things had even been held back as a surprise for them. Directly after the final costume change, the arena was dark and all of a sudden Lisa could hear Seb singing alone, no music playing, just the sound of his sweet voice singing Amazing Grace. The only thing was, she couldn't see him. Even in the darkness, she tried to see him on the stage but he wasn't there.

Gasps in the inner circle began to be heard and finally she saw him. He had somehow come into the inner circle and was walking right up the center aisle in the midst of some very surprised and extremely happy Divas.

Lisa was momentarily concerned for Seb's safety as he passed through the crowd but then noticed that he wasn't alone but was flanked by some large security men who were prepared to fend of any amorous advances from the women.

There seemed to be no need for concern as the women appeared to be too stunned to do anything but smile and watch him pass by. There were a few who reached out to touch him but, just brushed the sleeve of his coat. He transferred the roses he was carrying to the same hand that he was holding the microphone in and shook a few hands. When he reached the small staircase at the back of the small stage he climbed the steps, transferring the small bundle of roses back into his other hand.

He finished the first verse facing the back of the large stage and watched as the other three Divos walked down the right side of the apron stage. David began to sing the second verse and he, Carlos and Urs shook a few hands as they made their way to where Seb was waiting on the small stage.

During the interval where the bagpipe was playing, they looked around at the audience, pleasing some of the Divas that were gathering around the inner and outer part of the small stage with a handshake, a smile or a wave.

Already having sung Bridge Over Troubled Water, which was another surprise to everyone including the girls, Il Divo was about the end the show with their final surprise.

Seb had handed each of the guys one of the roses during Amazing Grace and now he addressed the audience, introducing their final song of the evening.

“Ladies and Gentlemen, we sincerely hope that each and every one of you have enjoyed your evening with us. I know that I can speak for each of us when I tell you that we have truly enjoyed ourselves tonight. We are so happy to be on tour singing to all of you because this is what we were born to do.

I know for me, this life that I am living seems an impossible dream. All of you that are fans of our music, some of whom have been with us since the beginning and those of you who are new to the Il Divo world, we appreciate each and every one of you for supporting us and helping us to live this dream.

Also I would like to say to my wife, Lisa you are the other half of my dream and you have shared all of this with me for the last year and you have made me so happy as we have been building our family together. I look forward to many years of love and happiness with you and our children.

Each of the girls, but especially Lisa had tears in their eyes as the guys stepped to the edge of the stage and held out their roses to them. The girls quickly took them and sat back down as the music began to play.

Urs finished the introduction, “Ladies and Gentlemen, we'd like to end our show with The Impossible Dream.” to which the audience errupted in a huge applause.

As the guys sang the song, they shook hands and signed books, pictures and posters and any other thing the fans laid on the stage for them to sign until just before the end when they split up, Carlos and Seb going up one side of the apron stage and David and Urs going up the other until they met on the large stage for their big ending, coming together, holding hands and taking several bows.

With one last introduction of each of them, as their name was called they stepped forward and blew a kiss and bowed to the audience.

“Have a wonderful night and be safe going home.” Seb said as they left the stage.

Even after Il Divo had left the stage the applause lasted for several minutes as the fans hoped that this wasn't actually the end of the show.

Only after the lights in the arena came up and the lighting guys climbed down from their perches did the fans accept that it really was over.

The ladies who had been sitting behind Lisa and the other girls, were hoping to speak to them again but found that they had already quietly slipped out to join the guys backstage.

Everyone backstage was so pumped up with adrenalin after the successful concert. Even as each of the crew went about his job dismantling the set, they couldn't help but rejoice in a job well done by everyone.

The girls hurried to the back, dodging crew members who were scurrying around, knowing their job wasn't finished until everything had been packed up and was on it's way to the next venue.

Each congratulating the guys on a wonderful show, the girls could tell that their men were on a high that would keep them wide awake for hours. They would take off their make-up and change and then they would all head out for a late dinner.

Lisa melted into Seb's open arms as soon as she reached him, which had taken some doing as she had already been grabbed and hugged by each of the other three as she passed them. She leaned up and kissed Seb's cheek only to have him turn his head and capture her lips, crushing her to him in a feverish kiss.

“That was a beautiful thing you said out there.” she said, once he had steadied her on her feet.

“I meant every word I said Ma Cherie, especially what I said to you. We have many more dreams to chase, you and I, and we will reach each of them side by side.”

Seb pulled Lisa into his dressing room and locked the door so they would be undisturbed. He quickly removed his make-up and then his jacket. After that he had help as Lisa helped him to remove the rest of his clothes as Seb did the same for her.

It was much later when they finally caught up to the rest of the group to eat some dinner. By now they were well and truly famished.