Hi again, Another one that won't make the Official forum for the same reason. This one was written for Mari aka Maritimemama.

Knights in White Satin

Mari rolled her chair back from the desk with a heavy sigh. Looking out the window she glanced at the lone ship silently sailing in the distance to be swallowed by the incoming fog. It reminded her of her self in a way… or at least what she had become. The life she had before, what seemed like a century ago was full of lights, sounds, and glitz. She had made it to the top of the charts, but, for some reason it wasn’t enough. The money, means, glamour didn’t fill the empty place. As she walked over to the window, the memories flooded back. ..
He was a musician too. They met in a nightclub, he was just getting his career off the ground… he was still hungry… still struggling. She was the quiet, modest star, the voice for so many commercials and sound tracks to movies. The one that everyone knew the voice, but not everyone knew the face. Mari was headed up the ladder of fame. She relished those days… the songs, the places. For her, it was the music that filled her, made her what she was, it gave her an identity.
Mari remembered listening to his songs… seeing that there was a talent there, just on the verge of blooming. She remembered those days and the million times she had wished for someone to help her along the path. Now, she was on her way, and she had done it herself. It was then she decided the light-haired guy with the deep blue-green eyes and guitar would have her wish. Pride being what it was, she figured he wouldn’t take the offer of help, so she made two plans… one he would know about, the other, he wouldn’t. After his set was over, she approached him, wanting to congratulate him on his performance, and set at least one plan in motion. His smile was bright and his eyes glistened as it had when he sang his sad ballads. “Hi, I’m Deb.” She said, extending her hand to him. “I enjoyed your last set. Did you write them?”
“Oh thank you, I’m Sebastien, but my friends call me Seb, and yes, I did” He said with a blush appearing on his cheeks. “I was hoping someone would like them. I’ve been writing songs and playing with melodies for some time. At first, it was just for me, but a friend suggested I share them. It has kept me out of trouble, but hasn’t made me a wealthy man…. Yet. Maybe some day, that dream will come true.”
Mari smiled; she decided the first plan would be put into action. They continued to chat after she invited him to her table to enjoy a meal and some wine. While they talked, she made copious mental notes. She seemed to sense it had been awhile since he had eaten much of anything. She also noticed he had a certain grace about him as well. “Yes” she thought “This is the one. This is my chance to give back… do for another what I only wished for.”
It was the start of their relationship that would cover several years which slowly changed from mentor into a quiet romance. At first, she had not thought about romance in that way, especially with their age difference, but it, along with his voice, blossomed. Mari smiled as she remembered their time together. He had written songs for her too and, based on those, her popularity also soared. Her face became as well known as her voice. She was stepping out into the spot light… to the cameras the reporters, the interviews, the constant running across the globe. Because of her new fame, she had to be careful with promoting Seb’s career. She had recommended her agent and he had agreed. He was very grateful and at first, she thought his kindness to her was his way of thanking her for the help.
It was that stress-filled day with all of the publicity that she needed something else… and as she returned to her hotel room to be alone, he was there…. Patiently waiting, a dozen long stemmed roses in hand. He wasn’t outside the room, but was waiting inside. He had told the hotel staff that he was her traveling Personal Musical consultant and they had a scheduled meeting for that evening. He had brought his guitar, and a briefcase of musical pages, not only to play songs for her, but to add that extra hint of reality to his story.
He could see the tiredness in her. As he hugged her close, the weariness slowly drained from her. She needed to be with him… as a friend, confidant, and another musician to lean on. As she looked up into his smiling face, he gently touched her cheek, and bent down to kiss her.
She could still feel that first kiss to this day. As she relived it, a single tear would escape as she remembered its gentleness. He wouldn’t know for some time how special it would be to her. Even if it was just for that short time, he had been there for her… their roles were reversed, she wasn’t the fairy godmother as was her original plan. Instead, she was the princess in the tower needing to be rescued by the fearless, brave knight. He had been so gentle that night, as he held her close asking her how she was feeling. He had ordered a light meal for them as she changed into something more comfortable. They had talked easily before, but for some reason, the words weren’t coming to her tonight. Behind closed doors, she touched her fingers to her lips where his has been moments ago. “Had that kiss just been a warm greeting or something else?” she thought.
She pushed it from her mind as just a friendly greeting. Little did she know that would be the farthest thing from his mind. He was devoted to her, not as a mentor, but as a man is drawn to a woman. Yes, he was grateful for all she had done for his career, but music was his job, not his life… or so it seemed to him at the time. He had wanted to be more to her than a struggling musician. He wanted to be more than a shoulder to lean on… again or so it seemed at the time.
Their first night together was sometimes too painful to recall for Mari. The kisses that followed became bolder and stronger for both of them. As they both seemed to have a new need that couldn’t be quenched, despite all of their efforts. His touch and touching him was an excitement she hadn’t known before… not that she had been with that many others before, but she was by no means a rookie either.
Again, the tears would fall and she would use and abuse this memory when she felt the need for a good cry. To her, their love grew as no other. It should have been forever, but, as she faded from the spot light, he emerged. His musical career took off and exceeded hers. His fame replaced hers and with it, he didn’t seem to look back. The night he would catch a plane to London to start this Simon Cowell cross-over thing called Il Divo, he had promised her that he would be back…. Soon. He would never forget her, he loved her… and that would never change. Change it did… sky-rocketing to fame was new for Seb as opposed to being a local or regional favorite. Soon the urgent phone calls and emails dwindled… Music had become his mistress; Deb became a faded memory over the next year. She could see the signs coming, but denied their existence at first.
The final wave hit her as she disappeared from public life all together - Deb MacKay vanished from the musical world. Now, her time was her own… alone and being Mari, and as she needed or forced herself into thinking. Ironically, “All By Myself” had become popular again, and with it, a deep sadness within Mari, as she listened to it again and again. Isabel also brought out melancholy, as she understood the words so well. She strengthened herself on those words, toughening her heart with each chorus. “I Believe “would elude her for some time.
The lighthouse on the far end of the island had become her sanctuary. She had made more money in her musical career that even she could spend. Now, it was solitude she craved to heal from his betrayal. Il Divo had become an overnight success around the world. She had watched it happen both by their record sales, talking with her ex-agent, as well as the forum. To everyone else, she was just another fan which is how she wanted it. She knew how to put up a good front in the forum… it would be the performance of a lifetime, worthy of an Academy Award… that no one would ever know but her. Oh the movie manuscript she could write with that time in her life, she would tell herself.
She had seen the physical scars he had, but it wasn’t until she, like the others in the forum, had read the book why he didn’t discuss family. She had never known about his hard childhood. It was then that she realized, that dark quiet night alone, that he had only been in search of acceptance… acceptance of woman that he had needed…an unfaltering, undeniable acceptance. She felt used and dirty now as she wallowed in her tears. She wasn’t the fairytale good fairy turned Cinderella she had thought she was… instead, she felt like the Man in the Iron Mask, destined to a life in the dark, dank dungeon. “Oh where is that White Knight now?” she cried. The tears streamed down her cheeks and onto the window sill below. She stood and cried, shaking, and staring out the window as the ship disappeared into the fog… thinking again how much that was like her months ago. Sighing, she left the window, turned off the computer, and put her coat on to make her ritual evening rounds of the lighthouse grounds. She knew nothing would be there, no one would come out that far this time of year, but it was her job now, to take care of the lighthouse and the property. When the weather was warm, tourists would come to visit and she would tell the tale of the lighthouse… how many sailors were rescued, valuables recovered, ship wrecks and the like. Now, it was cooler and the tourist season was over. Winter would be approaching and with that, the solitude she had once needed, but now seemed like a prison sentence to be endured. Her heart had gotten her into this mess after all.
As she picked up the lantern, she thought she had noticed headlights in the distance. “Probably someone that got lost again,” she told herself. It wasn’t unusual for a driver to take a wrong turn and end up at the lighthouse. It happened all the time with people passing through.
She walked out the door as the SUV came to a stop. It had local plates on it, but seemed to be a rental. Deb took a deep breath of the cool night air and forced a beauty pageant contestant smile on her face.

The SUV driver had killed the engine as Mari walked up to greet her evening visitor. Half way down the dimly lit path, she stopped, as not one, but two occupants opened their doors. In the darkened parking lot, she couldn’t make out friend or foe. She wished she had popped the cordless phone into her coat pocket, but it was too late for that now. The smile had disappeared from her face and changed to a wide-eyed stare toward the SUV, as two more doors opened. Again, no hint of who they were. A voice rang out from one of the doors…. “Deb… hey, is that you? Are we at the right place?” Mari hadn’t heard that name in several years. No local would know it, and it did have a familiar ring to it after all. Mari’s hand instinctively reached toward her chest. “Am I hearing things? Could it be? No, I’m dreaming… “Mari thought frantically.
The man behind the voice stepped away from the SUV and onto the paths entrance. She noticed the others remained in or near the vehicle as though waiting for some signal or confirmation. “Deb, it’s me, Seb…. I said I would come back…. Gosh, say something… It took me forever to find you… Please…” Seb hesitated briefly, then opened the gate and walked through with his arms open. Mari froze in her tracks, breathing heavily.
“Please tell me I’m not dreaming… please… or going out of my mind… “Was all she could blurt out in disbelief. Seb started to run toward her, opening his arms even wider as he ran. Within seconds, he had trekked the entire distance, and enveloped his arms around her. As soon as those familiar arms touched her, she knew it was real… it was true. Her musician, her love had returned to her. He rocked her gently in his arms and kissed the top of her head. “Deb… I’m here… and …. Well… “Turned to face the SUV. “ I brought some friends with me. I hope you don’t mind it being no warning or anything… I wasn’t sure you would talk to me or even want to see me…” he said, hanging his head like a disobedient child. Mari waved toward the SUV without giving it much thought. She was still in a state of shock… reeling between what she had just been thinking moments ago and what had just, she thought, occurred. The others closed doors and headed her way. They were all in jeans and jackets, shivering against the cold wind that Mari was used to and welcomed most of the time. It had helped her clear her head during her ritual walks of the grounds during the off season. Now, it too chilled her and for the first time in over a year, she also shivered.
“Seb, Deb MacKay is no longer who I am… that part of me is gone. I’m Mari now… and Oh my, this is… David, Carlos, and Urs… yes, I know them. You’re Il Divo.” She extended her now cold hand to each in greeting. “How about we go inside a bit and you can make yourself comfortable while I do my evening rounds. I’ll get a nice fire going, start some coffee, and we can talk.” With that, she didn’t wait, but turned and headed back up the path and opened the lower door of the lighthouse annex building where she lived. As the group walked up the path behind her, she could only make out snippets of what Seb was saying “… Vocal star….. Sang hundreds of songs for the American movies and adverts… won….”
“This was going to take some getting used to” Mari said quietly to herself. The guys stepped through the narrow doorway and entered her private living quarters. It was small, but tidy. The fireplace was on the opposite wall, with a small kitchen to the left. Through the lights, they could see the ocean just beyond and a thick fog rolling in. Mari knew she really didn’t need to patrol the area, but she would need some time to wrap her head around this. Dutifully, she headed to the kitchen and started the coffee pot, yelling over her shoulder, “Would any of you rather have tea?” Urs appeared silently at the kitchen archway. “If it’s not too much trouble, I’d love some tea. I can watch after it if you have other things to do Deb… ummm sorry, Mari.” He said shyly. Mari nodded and thanked him, pointing to the tea pot on the counter in the corner. “I’ll grab some cups and head to the fireplace. You guys must be freezing. You’re not dressed right for the snowy white north ya know. “Mari opened the cupboards and filled a near by tray with them, sugar, and a pitcher to put cream in. “Oh, is sugar ok or would you like honey for your tea Urs?” Urs looking over at her, noticed it was on a higher shelf, so stepped over and reached for it over her. “Please let me help you with that too. I use either, but maybe someone else would like honey too.” Mari closed her eyes as he brushed against her. She had purposely chosen to be an Uber-babe in the forum - the one that seemed least like Seb and all her memories. “Oh, the babes were right, you are very nice… and muscles… Oh my...” Blushing, Urs placed the honey container on the tray and stepped back to watch the coffee brew and water heat for tea. Sighing, Mari made the short trip to the other room, seeing that David had already started laying the logs for a fire. Looking up, he smiled and said, “Boy Scout… helpful, kind, courteous, thrifty… ummm well, I forget the rest, but helpful is the important one…. I hope the newspaper over there was for the fireplace and I’m not about to flame up something important.” Mari shook her head no and David struck the match to light the paper under the logs. Seb and Carlos seemed to be huddled in the other corner, talking in hushed tones. From what Mari knew Carlos could be temperamental at times. She assumed he was the one with the issue, not Seb.
Once Mari was sure the fireplace was going and the guys were comfortable, she tugged on her coat, grabbed the lantern and tucked the cordless phone in her coat pocket. “I’ll be back in a few minutes. I’m taking the phone with me just in case and so you won’t need to answer it.” She said, looking toward David. David stretched out in a nearby overstuffed armchair near the fire and rubbed his hands together. He seemed content. Mari peeked in the kitchen and Urs was dutifully standing watch over the coffee and tea pot, so she stepped outside, ignoring Seb and Carlos in the corner. As she closed the door, she looked toward the ocean and the fast approaching wall of fog. She would have to hurry around the area or, stay out of sight of the guys, but near the building to think. As she pondered, she kept one hand on the original lighthouse wall, deciding that it would be best to stay close and out of sight. If she lost track of time, which wasn’t unusual, she could be lost in the fog. There was no way she was going to consider the guys seeing that, let alone four city boys attempting a rescue even if one Was at one time a Boy Scout. She giggled to herself at the thought. Watching the ocean’s waves had always been relaxing for Mari, but tonight, they held no comfort for her. It just showed her the distance that had grown between her and Seb while he was with Il Divo. A thought she wanted to avoid. Now he had come back, but Mari was still puzzled by it all. “Why would he come back with his new friends?” she thought, absently rubbing her shoe against the stones at the base of the lighthouse tower in time with the waves coming in. She hugged herself against the wind.
She wanted to get lost in the fog, to forget the images that were coming through her mind in torrents. The memories were crashing against the visions of him coming back and what could happen now. Her heart raced with both anticipation and dread. “…was he here just to say hello because he was in the neighborhood while they were touring?.... Did he think we could just pick up where it was when he left?... Is he here to tell me he’s fallen in love with someone else?... Does he even still love me? …. Why did he bring the rest of the band?... Is he…”
Mari’s thoughts were abruptly interrupted by David’s voice yelling, “Deb, oh sorry, Mari… Are you OK? You’ve been out here over an hour and we were getting worried.” Mari shook her head and headed around the building to see where he was. David was standing in the pathway near the only light available other than her lantern. Mari looked down and quickly turned it on as she took a deep breath. Time had escaped her again, and the thick fog had come in against the lighthouse while she was deep in thought. Soon, she saw him and yelled her reply, “Oh David, I was busy making sure everything was secured and stuff. I must have lost track of time, as usual. The view is just so beautiful, that sometimes I just stand there and watch it.”
David smiled and said, “But with this fog, how can you see anything?” By this point, Mari had made her way around the building and into his sight. He walked toward her, with his hands buried deep in his jeans pockets. He reached for her lantern and put his arm around her. “I hope you don’t think this is too personal, but, we were worried and you look like you’re freezing, so… being the good scout that I am, this is just… ummm…. Sharing body heat… Ok… you know… it’s not a pass or anything. “
Mari hadn’t realized until then how cold she really was and welcomed his hug. It did seem like the big brother hug to her, not like Seb’s many that came flooding back into her mind. They walked back into the annex and were greeted by the rest. Urs stood and poured her a hot cup of coffee and handed it to her. There was concern in his eyes as he looked at her. David checked the fireplace quickly and added a few more logs, stepping aside and motioning for Mari to come closer to get warm. As she moved toward the fireplace, Urs came with her, staying at her side. Seb and Carlos seemed to still be engrossed in the heated conversation and, best Mari could tell, hadn’t noticed that she had even come back into the room. Mari tried to focus on the fire and getting warm again. She forced the sight of Seb and Carlos from her mind as best she could. Soon, there was David’s arm, wrapped around her shoulder again. Urs was also close by and seemed uncomfortable about what he should do. As she warmed up, the thoughts seemed to die down in her mind. She had four handsome guys in the room and she wasn’t being the hostess. Clearing her throat and taking a sip of her coffee, she straightened her shoulders and looked at David, then Urs. They were so nice, not knowing her from Adam or Eve for that matter. She knew they would be from being on the forum. What they didn’t know was her forum name and that she had followed their success there, as well as her music sources all along.
“Mari, Seb said that you are in the music business too, but you told us you weren’t Deb anymore. I don’t understand.” Urs said sheepishly. “I’d like to hear more about you, from someone other than him, but I can’t seem to find anything on the computer that’s recent. “ Mari smiled. She explained to Urs and David that she had more or less retired from the music business and wasn’t actively performing any more. Her life was all about the lighthouse now and the quiet area that surrounded it. How she had always loved the water and found the lighthouse and became the unofficial caretaker. David and Urs listened and nodded as she spoke. Every now and then, she would see a glance from Carlos, but no eye contact at all from Seb.

As Mari finished up her story, she glanced out the window to the heavy fog outside. She couldn’t see the SUV in the parking lot, and walked over to look closer. David and Urs followed her as well and all three peered silently into the mist. David sighed and put his hands on his hips. “Seb, it appears as though we will have a very difficult time getting out of here tonight. I don’t see any street lights and I can’t even remember where the road was, let alone see it now from here.” Urs nodded in agreement, and walked over to the opposite side of the room to try another window. Soon, he returned shaking his head as he came back to Mari and David. Mari didn’t notice the glare he had given Seb as he passed them, but Carlos did. Abruptly, the barely above a whisper discussion between Carlos and Seb, in a language Mari didn’t understand, stopped. Soon, Carlos joined Mari, David and Urs at the window. He smiled his broad stage smile at Mari and made her blush. She wanted to invite them to stay, but was struggling with the sleeping arrangements. The blankets and pillows she had, the right number of beds she didn’t… unless….
There was no way she was going to let them chance leaving in this weather. Even she would have trouble making it back out onto the highway to head toward town and she knew the area well. She couldn’t chance the guys not making it out and getting hurt… much as Seb’s actions after that nice greeting upset her, as much as them being there remained a mystery to her. She thought she knew him; it was something new, something she didn’t remember, or had simply wished to overlook before.
“Maybe he’s just nervous because the guys are here.” Mari told herself. “Maybe if we had some time alone, to talk, it would be…. different… better… something else at least.” Mari sighed and sat her now empty coffee cup on the end table near the window. Looking out the window again, she said, “I don’t think you’re going anywhere in the heavy fog. It wouldn’t be safe, and heaven forbid you would hurt yourselves or something… the fans of Il Divo would never forgive me. I don’t have a lot of room here, but you’re all welcome to stay here…. with me… at the lighthouse for the night. This fog won’t thin out at all until morning at the latest. Then, only if the sunshine, or should I say Sebbyshine… burns it off.”
Carlos raised his eyebrow in classic fashion. Seb seemed to look at the floor and nothing else. He had stayed apart from the group. Neither David nor Urs seemed to understand his separation from them either. Instead, David cleared his throat, rubbed his hands together and politely said, “Mari, we’re grateful for the offer. I can’t speak for the group, but I’d love to stay. I’m used to being driven around now, so my driving skills aren’t what they used to be. So, what can I do to help?”
Urs looked at Seb and frowned. He never understood him at times. Seb was always the smiling, chatty one with David. Most of the time he wanted Seb to be quieter, but this wasn’t one of those times. Urs knew why they had come, why Seb spent hours and hours trying to find her. “Why doesn’t he just get to the point? Get it over with; say what he has to say to her? “Urs thought. “Has he’s changed his mind Again? “ Urs wanted to talk to Seb, but was trying to figure out how, when Mari headed for the stairs.
“David, if you could help me carry a few things down, that would be great. Lets see, a couple of blankets, some pillows, some sheets… towels… ummm that should do it for a start.” Mari said as she started up the narrow stairway. David dutifully followed. Carlos, Urs, and Seb watched them slowly head up the stairs. Once Mari was out of sight and hopefully hearing range, Urs turned and looked Seb squarely in the eyes. “Well? Is this going to happen or what? Are you going to tell her? You need to tell her Seb. She’s such a nice lady…. Everything you said and then some, but come on….You can’t leave it like this. You Just Can’t.” Urs stormed out of the room and into the kitchen. Carlos was torn between staying with Seb and going to check on Urs. It was unusual for Urs to flare up like that, and Carlos knew it better than the others… He was the one for the flare-up not Urs. Sighing, he patted Seb on the shoulder and walked back toward the fireplace. He picked up the empty cups and put them on the tray. He could hear footsteps above and an occasional laugh coming from above. Once he had everything back on the tray, he shook his head at Seb and walked silently into the kitchen. Urs stood seething at the sink, trying to look out the window and regain some kind of composure. The tension in the room could be cut with a knife.
Carlos put the filled tray on the kitchen table and walked over to Urs. Like the brothers they had become, they knew each other well, all four of them. Carlos put his arm around Urs’ shoulder and smiled, but Urs stiffly stood at the window. Carlos, the one that normally lacked patience, remained quietly at his side. Within a few minutes, he seemed to relax a bit and looked at Carlos. “I guess we’re here for the evening then Carlos” Urs said with a heavy sigh.
“Urs, he just needs a bit more time to tell her. Look, if I can be patient, anyone can. You’re the one with the patience, not me… now look at us. Seb is usually the chatty one and I can’t get him to tell her, nor can you. He’s sitting out there by himself and we’re the chatty ones. He’ll tell her when he’s ready Urs, and not a second before. We need to stay together on this just like a concert… He’s just not ready to solo again… that’s all… like a case of stage fright. “Carlos said gently, looking toward Urs. “Think back to your first time on stage…as the star. I think that’s how he must be feeling now. We’re more than just co-workers, we’re friends, and we need to be here for him when he tells her. “Urs nodded and smiled weakly. He didn’t want to be a part of this “personal thing” at all. They continued to chat briefly, leaving Seb to himself in the other room.
Upstairs, Mari and David were chatting away like old friends. Mari pointed to the sheets and pillow cases on the top shelf and David dutifully took them off and laid them beside the other supplies they had gathered. Next he reached for the blankets without Mari’s direction. “So David, how’s life really like for the four of you on the road? I always was by myself, so I’m curious. “Mari was hoping to gather some inside information that would give her a clue to the real reason they were here tonight. As David responded, Mari spent more time watching his body language than listening to his words. David tried to be cheerful as he chatted away, priding himself on being the big brother for the group and trying to settle things when there were disagreements. He could tell Mari was watching him closely as he spoke. It made him nervous in a way, not like the female fans staring at him during a performance or before and after a concert. He was being man-handled and didn’t like it. “Why did Seb have to bring us along? Oh that’s right, we’re a group… geez… silly me…” he thought to himself. Mari noticed him glance at his watch suddenly and blush. She could tell he was thinking something, but not what he was thinking about. She leaned closer, thinking he wanted to tell her something in private.
“Maybe a clue or he’s going to outright tell me.”Mari thought. David cleared his throat and said “Wow, look at the time… it’s getting late. Are you sure you’re okay with all of us being here tonight Mari? We’ll give you your privacy… honest.” And he meekly made the Boy Scout sign. “We’re outta here otherwise… I mean, we’ll be out of your hair as soon as we can... “He stuck his right hand into his pocket. looking around the room. Mari looked at the large stack of supplies they had gathered and sighed.
“You and the rest are welcome to stay here as long as you like David. I’m a big fan of the group and proud of all of you for what you’ve accomplished. I know how hard the climb is. Perhaps that’s why I’m living here, being away from the crowds, re-grouping so to speak.” David smiled and put his hand on her back, “Are you here because you’re re-grouping Mari, or hiding out? I know you’re a musician or were and I’ve listened to the stories from Seb and listened to your music. You have a very nice singing voice and speaking with you has been my pleasure.”
Now it was David’s turn to watch and listen. He didn’t know why Deb MacKay disappeared either. Seb had no idea and spent considerable time guessing… the rest of the group was getting tired of his endless speculation. Seb had made her seem bigger than life itself to them… walk on water almost. David could see with his own eyes that she was a star… was still a star, at least in his eyes. She had all of the qualities he tried to be, and it seemed so easy and natural to her - not Hollywood hype. He had met some stars and most of them were so different in person as opposed to on TV or in the trades. Mari was genuine, like he was, like all four of them were really. As Mari crossed the hall with the stack of sheets and pillow cases, David followed, carrying the blankets. She opened the door across from the upstairs bathroom and flipped on the light. The room had been her original office, complete with pull-out sleeper/sofa and a recliner. There would be room for three in the room, or all of them if one wanted to sleep on the floor. She wasn’t about to offer her own room or bed to any one. The other one could be on the couch downstairs or sleep in the SUV for that matter… she didn’t care. She was not getting any clues at all and it was beginning to frustrate her. Tiredness had also set in. She put the stack down on the ledge and pointed beside it for David to do the same.
Seb sat staring at the fire in the fireplace most of this time. The words he had so carefully constructed were jumbled in his mind. He tried desperately to straighten them out, but it wasn’t working. As he continued, he thought of different ways to say the same thing, but was still unable to speak them even with Carlos’ suggestions. Finally, with no one else around, he buttoned up his thin jacket and stepped outside. Perhaps the cool night air would help. Instead, the words to the songs they sung echoed through, followed by his own from earlier in his career… when he met her for the first time.

Seb’s mind wandered back in time ….They had started out as colleges, then friends, then more. His heart was in the right place when he told her that fateful night that he would be back... soon. He had meant to write more often, call, stay in touch, but Il Divo kept him so busy with the breakneck schedule of tours, recording songs, the forum and the charity work. He didn’t even have time to write songs anymore. His time wasn’t his any more, until now… And now, he wanted to tell her, but couldn’t. “What if she says No… go away… leave me alone?” Seb thought to himself. “Regress a mi, Deb… oh Mari… no… Deb… I want Deb… I want Deb in my life again, not a college, not a friend, what we had… before IL Divo… before…”He signed again. “What or who is this Mari? Is she Deb…? The Deb I remember? “He needed to find that out first in his own mind… to be sure first. He needed to be sure it was his Deb, as real as he had remembered, as real as his heart had told him again and again. Yet, something inside him had told him, during that hug, that things had changed… they were both older and perhaps wiser… but it was different. “Did the money and fame change me? Why does everything feel so different? Why did she just stand there? “He tried to remember their last contact… an e-mail… yes, he had hurriedly written a quick note while on tour. “But she knows what it’s like on tour… how busy… Oh, maybe not…” Seb started to pace, keeping one hand on the lighthouse wall. “She said Deb was gone… now she is Mari… what does that mean?”
In the cold foggy silence, Seb heard a lone fog whistle off shore. It sounded melancholy to him at the moment, alone with his thoughts. “How ironic,” he thought to himself, “perhaps we were just two ships passing in the night. It wasn’t the same for her as it was for me, I guess. Me, the French romantic… Ha! The romantic fool is more like it.” Seb’s version of reality at the moment was as cold as the weather. “No, I’m not saying anything about how I feel until I know how she feels. I won’t …”
Sighing heavily at the decision made, Seb turned around and paced back, feeling for the door as he walked. After several steps, he only felt the cold, damp wall of the lighthouse. He stepped further and still, no door. Little did he know, he had walked to the other side of the lighthouse farthest away from the annex where Mari resided. Now, panic was starting to set in, along with the cold and damp weather. Having no idea where he was on the property, and arriving near sunset, he hadn’t had time to really look around. He stopped and listened… the ocean waves seemed louder… or was it just his imagination again? “What did they always tell children in case they get lost from their parents or friends? Oh… stand in one place, don’t walk around… someone will find you… was that it?” Seb was not about to yell for help… and it wasn’t just a pride thing either… he had to take care of his voice… yelling could damage something, Urs, Carlos, and David had told him before. He was getting very cold now and squatted against the building to try to stay warm, as he started to shiver.
David and Mari had finished chatting upstairs and started down the hall. She pointed to the bathroom they could use with a shower, explaining the hot water heater could be cantankerous at times, but if they were a bit patient in between, they could all get a hot shower this evening. With that, David stretched and yawned, nodding. As they descended the stairs, they both seemed quiet, as though both had suddenly run out of things to say. Carlos and Urs spoke quietly in the kitchen, neither had noticed Seb walk outside. Mari looked around, noticing Seb wasn’t there and the fire had died. “Wow, were David and I gone that long?”She thought to herself. “Maybe long enough for someone to get jealous? Doubtful, the way he’s been acting.” Looking at the antique clock on the mantle, she noticed the time. They had been upstairs chatting for over two hours. “Where is everybody?” Mari finally said aloud.
Carlos and Urs were found in the kitchen, but no sign of Seb anywhere. They searched inside frantically, including the hallway to the original lighthouse, but the tower of the lighthouse. Carlos was the first to notice Seb’s jacket was not with the others at the doorway. They re-grouped in front of the fireplace to decide what to do next. Urs was pulling out his cell phone, when Mari stopped him with a gentle grasp of his wrist. “First of all, let’s not get out of control here. Second, hun, I doubt you’ll get a signal on a cell phone with this weather, way out here. Besides, who are you going to call? We don’t have 9-1-1 and I think the Coast Guard has other things to do at the moment – and they’ll insist he be missing on land for 24 hours first. David and Carlos both pulled out their cell phones and looked… neither had a signal showing. The turned them off and returned them to their pockets.
“When was the last time you guys saw him? He couldn’t have gone far… not in this weather.” David finally asked with a hint of desperation in his voice. Urs and Carlos looked at each other and shrugged. They mumbled something about being in the kitchen shortly after Mari and David headed up the stairs. Mari looked at the clock again, urging the hands to turn in reverse in her mind… that was almost three hours ago now.
Mari was not one to be rattled easily, but with the day she was having this was almost too much even for her. Taking a ragged breath, she put her hands together and straightened her shoulders. Looking around the room, she had already decided, “he has to be outside… in this weather. Guys, he’s been outside, if that’s where he is, and I think that’s our only choice now… I need you to stay inside. I know the area, you don’t, and I can’t chance anything else happening here tonight with the rest of you. I’m going outside to look for him. Hopefully, he didn’t go too far as you said David. Carlos, in that cabinet over there is some Jim Beam. Get it for me would you please and a few glasses? David, be the good scout you are and start another fire. Urs, could you go to the kitchen, in the pantry to the right of the stove is some canned soup. Open the biggest can you can find or two small ones and start heating it on the stove…. Oh, and heat some water too. He’ll probably need some something warm to drink when he comes back in. “All of them nodded silently, none of them moving at first. Urs put his arm around Mari’s small waist, the other on David’s shoulder. Carlos, standing opposite, did the same. Soon, all four of them were grouped in a small hug, as they took a moment to gather themselves. Mari broke the tension by stepping away and shoved Siempre into the CD player. As she once again tugged on her coat and tucked the cordless phone into her pocket, the guys started about their tasks as well. Nights in White Satin’s chorus echoed in the room as she opened the door and stepped out with the lantern already turned on.
Once she had firmly closed the door, her tears fell. Mari had never cried in public before, and tonight would be no exception. Her shoulder’s shook as she cried. “Why tonight? Then, it hit her… “It was two years ago today he had flown to London… two years ago today he had said…promised... “ His words echoed through her mind again, as she brushed away the tears. She tightened her grip on the lantern and stepped away from the doorway. Mari hoped he had stayed close to the building, as she made her way around the annex section, holding the lantern in front of her. She made a pattern as she searched – one arm’s length away from the wall looking forward, left, and then right. Two steps forward, left and then right. She walked the entire length of the annex with no sign of him. She had assumed he would stay to that side as it was where they had come in. She took four steps away from the building and returned using the same pattern to the door, continuing to whimper as she searched. As she turned to make another trip back eventually coming to the parking lot, she stopped. “Maybe he had found his way to the SUV?”Mari whispered to herself. She walked the pathway to the parking lot and checked the SUV with no result either. Clearing her throat, she yelled… “Seb… Where are you?” She listened for the quietest of responses. Her first grid pattern had taken 30 minutes and she still had the lighthouse side and the rest of the grounds to cover. She yelled again and again, nothing. She retraced her steps back up the pathway toward the lighthouse. Touching the door to be sure, she turned and started her pattern again. After making her way around most of that side, she thought she saw something.

There, huddled and visibly shivering was a very cold and damp Seb… eyes closed and cheeks wet with tears. At first, Mari thought she was seeing things, as she reached out to make sure. His breathing was shallow and ragged, and he didn’t seem to respond at first to her touch. As her hand touched his cheek, his eyes opened slightly and a weak smile appeared on his face. Quickly, Mari set down the lantern and reached for his hands. They were as cold as ice. Not that hers were much warmer, but she held his hands and rubbed them gently for a moment before hugging him close. He seemed to be cold all over. Hugging him didn’t seem to lessen his shaking and shivering much at that point, as he was barely able to move with the cold. There were only minutes before full blown hypothermia would set in and Seb would be in trouble. Mari reached for the keys to the lighthouse door and found them. Inching their way along, she was finally able to get him to that doorway, prop him shakily against the wall and unlock the door. At least inside, she could get him out of the cold air and start to warm him up a bit.
The lighthouse door had seen better days, but opened with considerable effort on Mari’s part. She reached inside and hit the light switch just inside the threshold. She shoved Seb through the doorway and stepped in herself. She knew there would be no way she could single-handedly get him to the annex. The question that was foremost in her mind was how to get the guys attention. Seb no sooner cleared the threshold then he crumpled to the floor in a heap. Luckily, he hadn’t hurt himself on the way down Mari thought. Sighing, she straightened him out as best she could, and started to unzip his jacket. She knew she had to warm him somehow. She remembered seeing on TV shows that they would share body heat, so she figured she would give it a try. There were no blankets in the lighthouse this time of year; she would have to use something else to cover the difference in their heights. Nothing came into view at first, then, she remembered the old lighthouse keeper’s coat folded and sitting in the corner display case. She ran over and pulled it out, shaking it out as she returned. It wasn’t much, but would have to due for the time being Mari decided. Mari draped it over Seb’s legs, noticing he had stopped shivering. As she looked at his face, his lips had a blue tint to them. Mari started to panic. She was only 4’ 11” to Seb’s 5’ 10. She quickly straddled his hips, tucking the keepers coat under her. She unbuttoned Seb’s shirt and pulled up his t-shirt, not stopping to admire his chest as she went. Seb was quiet, too quiet, as she laid his ice cold hands on his belly. She yanked up her own shirt and laid down on top of him, chest to chest, hugging him close with her arms and legs. If only she could get his torso warm, the rest would follow. Romance was the furthest thing from her mind, though her body wanted it to be different.
Meanwhile, the guys set about getting things ready, hoping that Mari would find Seb safe and sound, somewhere close by. They waited quietly, jumping at each sound they heard… glancing anxiously at the door as time ticked away. The soup was heated through, so Urs turned down the burner and put a lid on it to keep it warm. He had also filled the tea pot and it stood ready too. The fire was blazing in the fireplace and David paced from it to the window, peering out into nothingness and back to the fireplace again. Carlos had rummaged through the liquor cabinet Mari hand pointed out and finally found the Jim Beam. He figured Seb wouldn’t like it, but the warming sensation would or should help, if it came to that. He pulled out the glasses and went to the kitchen in search of ice for the ice bucket. Seb wouldn’t need anything cold, but it was getting very toasty in the room and he was getting too warm. David’s fire in the fireplace was a bit too big for Carlos’ liking. He shook his head as he opened the freezer compartment and pulled out the ice trays. He emptied the tray into the ice bucket and thoughtfully refilled the tray with water, before returning it to the freezer. He continued to look thru the cabinet marveling at the assortment Mari had on hand. He was hoping it would take his mind off Seb, but it didn’t. As he reached for each bottle, he would think to himself, “Yes, Seb would like that” or “No, Seb wouldn’t touch that at all.” Urs was wiping down the counter top for the fifth time when he thought he heard something… “Was that a door opening?” as he peeked toward the front door again. That door hadn’t budged or moved at all. Sighing, he returned to the counter and continued to wipe and dry it again. It was a small kitchen area, so there wasn’t much else he could do. Eventually, he turned off the burner on the stove, leaving the lid in place and made himself another cup of tea. Urs dropped the spoon he had been using as he thought…. “Oh my Goodness, the lighthouse door, not that one!” and he raced out of the kitchen and over by the desk where Mari’s computer sat. Looking around, he tried to remember which door it was Mari had pointed out during the search earlier. David’s face looked puzzled as he stared at Urs. Carlos, trying to remain calm, raised the signature eyebrow as he too was startled by Urs’ sudden entrance.
“What is it Urs?”David finally asked. Urs wasn’t so sure he had heard anything before, and didn’t want to jump to any conclusions, but he had to say something, even if it meant they would think he was crazy. He told them about hearing something… something he thought might have been an old creaking door while he was in the kitchen. It was faint, but he swore he heard it. Looking around the room, he tried to remember which door it was and finally asked them. Carlos’ eyes light up at the idea. He walked to the window and leaned on the glass. “I think I see a glow in that direction. It might be the lighthouse, it might be nothing, but I think the door’s on that side.” He finally said pointing. David tried a door and found a closet, another one a dark stairway. Splitting up, they tried door after door and finally, a faint light near the end of a hallway. Urs had found it. They all gathered together and listened. Not a sound anywhere.
“Maybe Mari has lights on timers.”David said. “Do we chance it?” Carlos dropped his chin to his chest to think and listen harder. Urs looked to David and nodded. “She told us to stay inside, and, we are. It doesn’t look like it goes outside at all, so either way, we lose nothing.”Urs blurted out. David nodded and opened the door further. “David, I’ll go and see, I’m more used to the cold than you are. Keep the fire going and turn on the burner on the stove to reheat everything. I’ll yell if I find him, her, or them.” Urs said. Carlos backed away from the door to make room for Urs. Looking at each other hopefully, David and Carlos each put a brotherly hand on Urs shoulder and all took a deep breath. Nights in White Satin was playing again, but none of them heard it in the background. Looking over at the computer now, David said… “Nights… maybe it should be Knights with a K as we are brothers, united more so now.”
Urs walked across the room and grabbed his jacket in case and headed back. David felt the walls and finally found a light switch, turning on the lone light bulb in the hallway. Peering down the long hallway, now neither was sure, but Urs headed down. Carlos couldn’t watch, he looked away with a bad feeling in his heart. He headed to the kitchen and turned the burner on low as Urs had suggested.
Seb’s breathing had started to return to normal, as Mari continued to hug his close and cover as much of his torso as she could with her body. Her mind raced for a way to contact the guys as she knew she needed to get Seb out of his damp clothes as soon as possible. His hands still felt cool on her belly, but didn’t seem as cold as they had been. It seemed like hours, but only minutes had passed when Mari thought she heard something. Footsteps in the distance… “Oh please don’t tell me the guys are outside… please God, don’t let them be outside… I can’t take much more of this… please?” Mari said softly, looking briefly to the ceiling. Seb mumbled something, but Mari couldn’t make it out. He drifted off and was quiet again. Mari was afraid to keep him awake, but, didn’t know what to talk about if she had. She just hoped he was getting warmer and they could get through this. She heard it again, this time, getting closer.
Urs made it halfway down the hall before looking back toward David, standing silently in the doorway. He waved him away, but David wasn’t budging. He had looked over at the fireplace and decided there was nothing else to do, so he was standing firm. Carlos returned to the doorway just then and gave him the OK sigh. Urs continued. Though the hallway wasn’t that long, it seemed like miles to him. He felt like the other door was not getting any closer. Finally, he made the other door and gently put his hand on it. Putting his ear to the door, he tentatively listened, before reaching for the knob. Again, he looked back at David and Carlos and shook his head and shrugged. He opened the door and stepped into the room. The light was brighter here, and it took his eyes a few seconds to acclimate to the change. He left the door open and started to pan the room for any signs of anything.
Mari heard the door and sat up to see who it was. She hadn’t realized her shirt was still up when she sat up and didn’t really care. The motion caught Urs attention firs; then he focused on the far wall area where it had come from. There was Mari on the floor with Seb. He ran over and rubbed his eyes to be sure he really saw them, as he knelt beside her. Checking Mari’s face first, only then did he let his eyes drop to see his friend on the floor. Gasping at first, Urs was not prepared for what he saw. Mari gently touched his arm and whispered, “He’s ok Urs, just very cold. We need to get him warm slowly. I need you to help me get him back to the annex. Can you do that?”
Urs jumped to his feet and ran the distance across the room, yelling down the hallway”I found them. David, get down here NOW!” He ran back to Mari and Seb without looking back to see if David was coming or not. Mari straightened her shirt while Urs stepped away, but remained perched on top of Seb. Seb’s color hadn’t returned yet and Mari was getting worried. If they didn’t get him warmer soon, there would be trouble. David appeared out of nowhere at Mari’s side and knelt beside a concerned Urs. He had grown up in Colorado and knew the signs as well as Mari did. It was something he never forgot even though he lived in New York City when he wasn’t touring with Il Divo. Between the three of them, they managed to get Seb to his feet. Urs on Seb’s right and David on his left, each with an arm across their shoulders, they managed to navigate the room and head down the hallway. Mari followed, turning off the light and closing the door before heading down herself. Carlos, smiling hopefully at first, took a closer look at Seb’s limp body between Urs and David. He stepped forward, but David, face straining, shook his head briefly and Carlos stepped back. To Urs, the trip back was equally as long as the one he had taken down in search moments ago. The height difference between him and David was causing problems. “I should have just picked him up and brought him back myself.” He said under his breath.
Finally, they made the threshold to the annex and Carlos replaced David for the final leg to the sofa. Mari looked to David and said”Could you please go get some of the blankets we sat out on the ledge upstairs?” David ran up the stairs two and three at a time and thundered down the hallway. Within seconds, he was leaping back down the stairs with several blankets tucked under his arm. Mari took the top one and opened it onto the sofa. Looking to Urs and Carlos she calmly said”We need to get him out of those damp clothes first, then, we can cover him up to get warm. We need to warm him up slowly, throughout… got it?” Without another word, Mari walked over to the tray with the Jim Beam bottle and glasses and poured herself a generous shot, tossing it back in one swallow. Taking a deep breath, she told them she would give Seb some privacy while she checked on things in the other room. She headed to the kitchen as the guys figured out how to get a very limp and weary Seb undressed and onto the sofa.
Mari went into the bathroom next and closed the door. Again, she cried silently, thinking to herself”As if I haven’t shed enough tears for him already…” She turned on the faucet and let the water warm up. Carefully, she washed the tear stains from her cheeks and dabbed them dry. She reached for a wash cloth and ran the cold water. Touching it to her forehead and cheeks again, she tried to regain some composure and strength for the hours that lay ahead. By the time she came out, Seb was resting on the sofa with blankets covering him from chin to toes. Carlos sat on the floor beside him as David tended to the fire again and Urs was returning with a bowl of soup and cup of tea. Mari stopped Urs on the way over. I don’t know that Seb’s coherent enough to eat anything just yet Hun. Let’s wait a bit first. David, Carlos and Urs had pushed the sofa closer to the fire, while Seb lay on it. Mari walked over and felt Seb’s hands and noticed they were starting to turn a healthier pink color. His face was still pale and his eyes remained closed. As she touched his forehead, he opened them slightly and smiled again. “Deb, you’ve come back to me…. I’m so happy….” And he drifted off again. David smiled and pulled Mari aside.
“Are you okay Mari? You look tired. Is there anything we can do for you?” David said quietly. “I hate to say this, but we’ve used all of the rice Urs could find in the pantry… I put a few handfuls in a couple Ziplock bags and used the microwave to get each one warm. I have them in hand towels all over Seb’s body at the moment. I’ll replace it later… promise. It was the only thing I could think of to get him warm slowly and cover a lot of areas at one time. I have a rice bag myself, I keep it with me on the road traveling for those little aches and pains and it comes in handy when there’s a microwave close by. I like the nice dry heat you get after it’s warmed, and it’s lasts a good while too…maybe half an hour or so. We’ll have to keep warming and changing them for awhile, but I think it’ll work. We’ll know soon enough.” Mari smiled and nodded. It was something she hadn’t thought of.
Mari saw the heap of damp clothes on the floor and walked over to pick them up. As she looked around, she asked if there was anything else that needed dried and the guys shook their heads. They hadn’t anticipated staying the night, so there were no clothes to change into for any of them. She walked to one of the doors the guys had tried earlier and flipped on the light. She popped the clothes into the washing machine, added detergent and turned it on. Moments later, she returned, picked up one of the spare blankets and walked back into her laundry room. She put the blanket in the dryer and turned the setting to damp dry to warm the blanket for a few minutes. When she returned to the room, Urs, David and Carlos were huddled in a whispered discussion which seemed to stop as soon as Mari reappeared. She put the now warmed blanket over Seb and tucked it in. “That should keep him warmer for awhile longer.” Mari said with a gentle pat on Seb’s forehead. As she did, she noticed his face was getting color back too.

The four of them looked at each other in sudden quiet silence. David shuffled forward from the huddle and looked at Mari. “I… we think we should take turns keeping an eye on Seb through the night. I…we agreed that he’s more or less out of the danger zone and, well, we just want to be sure that we’re out of your hair and…. Ummm… way as soon as possible, not that you haven’t be a great hostess or anything, we just feel… well you know.” And he stared at the floor. Carlos and Urs also stared at the floor, none of them wanting to look Mari in the eye. Suddenly, Seb started mumbling something that distracted them for a moment. Seb started singing quietly the words to “Regress a Mi” and everyone suddenly smiled. Just as suddenly, he rolled over on his side, nuzzled the pillow and quieted as though nothing had happened, tucking his hands under his cheek like a sweetly sleeping child.
Urs then stepped up to where David had stood. “I will take first watch with Seb, then Carlos, and David last. That gives him the most time to sleep so he can drive tomorrow. Carlos and I don’t have driver’s licenses for here, David and Seb do. Obviously, we can’t let Seb do any driving yet. You’re welcome to sleep the whole night or stay as long as you want with any or all of us. “ Carlos remained behind, returning to staring at the floor, looking like he would bolt at any second.
Mari slowly looked from David to Urs, to Carlos with a steady stare as she crossed her arms across her chest. She didn’t know whether to be relieved or mad. Too many things had happened tonight and she was tired, but she had to stay with him… just in case he did have something to say, o she could get one of the guys to tell her what was going on. As she silently measured them up, she quickly picked out her intended target… if the need arose. Smiling, Mari replied that she should stay up as well in case there was an emergency to make the calls and/or drive. Her time during the day would be her own, so she could sleep when ever she needed to. With that, the guys silently nodded and David and Carlos moved toward her. Without looking her in the eye at all, they dutifully hugged her and headed up the stairs. Urs, now alone with Mari felt trapped. Nervously, he rubbed his hands up and down his thighs as he perched on the corner of the sofa to be near the sleeping Seb. She stepped into the laundry room and moved Seb’s clothes to the dryer.
Mari picked up the tray that Urs had brought out earlier and asked Urs if he was hungry or needed something to drink. Urs smiled and said he had already had tea and he just needed some quiet music to relax. Mari pointed to her computer screen and told him to choose what ever music he liked. With that out of the way, Mari headed to the kitchen to check on the coffee she was re-heating. She poured some into a mug, turned off the burner, put the soup in a container and stuck it in the refrigerator, then headed back to the other room. Urs stood staring at the computer screen. He had no idea how to start any music from the computer… he wasn’t that well versed. Mari sighed, rubbed her forehead, remembering that, and strolled over to help. Within a few minutes, they had chosen some music and both were not comfortably seated close to Seb. Mari and Urs let the fire in the fireplace die out, just in case both had accidently drifted off. Urs looked everywhere but at Mari. He had something on his mind, Mari could tell. “Perhaps he just needs some gentle persuasion…” Mari thought to her self as she smiled. No, Urs wasn’t the target, but it would be interesting to talk to him. She was, after all, a Babe. He was the one she favored in the forum. Now was her chance to get to know him one on one. As they sat quietly, Mari tried to get a conversation going about the music. Urs was polite, but avoided eye contact with her, as Seb had done earlier. He seemed polite enough to Mari, but she could still tell. After an hour of trying, Mari stood, stretched and walked to the kitchen. She offered Urs another drink or something to eat, but again he refused. What Urs needed was a guitar, something to occupy his mind, because listening to music wasn’t helping him get over his feelings. Within a few minutes, he too stood and walked silently to the kitchen and stood in the doorway. After taking a quick look over to Seb, he cleared his throat and looked at Mari, blushing. “Mari, I know you are or were a musician, but do you have a piano or guitar around. I have this melody stuck in my head I’d like to work out, if it wouldn’t be any trouble. I’ll keep it quiet… I can even go in the lighthouse room for a bit if you could keep an eye on Seb for me… just a few minutes. “Mari smiled… she didn’t have the piano, but she had a guitar. Nodding, Mari pointed to the closet across the room and smiled. There’s a guitar in the back of the closet… it hasn’t been out of the case in ages. You’ll have to tune it… it’s an acoustic guitar… is that okay?” Urs nodded, sticking his hands in his jean pockets and turned around. It was the closet door they had tried earlier that night, and the thought just made Urs all that more nervous. “Maybe it wouldn’t be a good idea after all. I’m supposed to be watching Seb, not you. Thank you, but I’ve changed my mind.” Urs turned suddenly and walked back to Seb. Again, he perched on the edge of the sofa and stared at him. Seb continued to sleep soundly, breathing more deeply with each breath. Urs reached under the blankets, now warm from Seb’s body heat and started to remove the towels with the rice bags in. He stacked them carefully on the coffee table and counted. He counted a second time, and then reached under the covers again.
Seb’s eyes popped open with a start. “Urs, we’re together in music, but I don’t think we are That close… Excuse me!” With that, Seb was fully awake and seemed alert. Urs blushed and quickly moved his hand from under the blanket. “Sorry Seb, but ummm… I was looking for something...something else.” And Urs blushed again. “Obviously…” Seb said trying to be indignant, but smiled.
Mari heard voices and came running into the room. Seeing Seb sitting up and talking was a sight for sore eyes. She rubbed hers and looked again and she moved closer. “Well good morning.” She finally blurted out. “How are you feeling Seb? You gave us quite a scare earlier, and worried your friends here almost to the point of gray hair. We can’t have that you know. You guys are way too young for that.” Mari had reached the sofa and was standing with her hands on her hips also trying to look concerned, but failing. Seb’s smile had melted her heart, much as she didn’t want to admit. She reached for his forehead and touched it lightly, letting her hand run to his cheek. He continued to smile and look up at her. He reached shakily for her hand and held her wrist gently, moving her palm to his lips. He kissed it softly and held it there.
Urs cleared his throat and stepped away into the kitchen, mumbling something about re-heating some soup and making tea. He just wanted to get out of the room for a bit. He opened the refrigerator door and took out the container with the soup. Looking through cupboards again, he found a saucepan and turned on the burner. He also turned on the burner under the tea pot and kept himself busy, hoping Seb would finally tell her what he had come to say. They hadn’t scheduled this visit to Urs way of thinking and Management would be furious if they ever found out.
Seb looked up at Mari. She couldn’t see the smile other than by the glint in his eyes, but her hand felt it. She was hoping Urs exit was a sign that Seb would finally tell her something… what ever the reason was for his sudden appearance and strange behavior. Seb moved over on the sofa, wanting Mari to sit down. That was when he realized that he was without any clothes at all, under the blanket… and he felt something strange. Letting go of Mari’s hand for a moment, he reached under the blankets and pulled out the towel and rice bag with a puzzled look. Handing it to Mari he said, “I guess this is what Urs was looking for earlier? Oh and…. Where are my clothes? He said taking a quick look under the blankets to be sure and looking around. Again, he blushed, covering his mouth with his hand.
Mari laughed. ”Missing something are you? Sounds familiar, I think I’ve heard that line before. As I recall you were drunk out of your mind, running through the woods naked singing Kum-ba-ya. It took several of us to round you up before you were arrested. I hope you’ve learned to stay away from the tequila Seb or mix it with a bunch of other drinks either.” Mari giggled to the point of tears. Seb blushed, not remembering much of the incident at all, but the hangover the next morning was a different matter. Mari had no idea what had happened to his clothes that night, she had been busy with something else and suddenly heard him singing and jogging off into the woods just outside of town.
Seb blushed and looked at Mari’s smiling face again. “May I please…. please have something to wear? The morning after that still brings back memories and No, I don’t drink tequila at all. I’m sticking to wine mostly, when I do have something… which is rare. Now… please… where are my clothes? I don’t have a headache and I don’t feel sick, and I Know I wasn’t drinking, so… please?”
Mari nodded her head and walked into the laundry room to gather his now clean, dry clothes. Urs popped his head through the threshold and saw that Seb was alone. He looked around for Mari and noticed the light on in the laundry room. He assumed she was checking on Seb’s clothes, so he didn’t step into the room. Instead he said, “Seb, are you hungry at all? Mari has some great soup in here, I’d be happy to bring some to you if you want.” Seb was hungry at the moment, but wanted to put some clothes on first.
Seb nodded and Urs disappeared from view. Moments later, he was carrying a tray with a bowl of warm soup and a cup of hot tea. Mari appeared from the laundry room at about the same time. She handed Seb his still warm from the dryer clothes and stepped away. Much as she would have loved seeing him get dressed, she didn’t want to do so in front of Urs – on the off chance the guys didn’t know about her and Seb’s history together beyond the music.
Little did she know…

As soon as Mari was out of sight, Urs sat down next to Seb and handed him his shirt. Seb had managed to wiggle into his briefs while under the blanket. Seb put on his t-shirt, then the crewneck sweatshirt, then stood to pull on his jeans. Finally, he tugged on his socks and sat back down, moving the blanket as he sat. He looked over the edge of the sofa and found his sneakers, still cold and damp. He decided to forgo putting them on, moving them closer to the fireplace instead. He looked over at Urs with a smile and leaned closer to him. “I’ve decided to wait to tell her Urs. I’m not sure I’m doing the right thing, but I think I should wait after all. Coming back with no warning and everything… she’s changed Urs, as have I. I need to start a relationship with her all over again. I get the feeling she thinks we’re friends and nothing more. I just want to hold her close and tell her the last year didn’t happen. I’m happy to be a part of Il Divo and the money is great, I can take care of her now, instead of the other way around. I didn’t want her to have to take care of me. You understand don’t you?” Seb whispered. Urs reached up to run his fingers through his hair and take a deep breath. They had been through this conversation hundreds of times, Seb always changing his mind at the last minute.
“Seb, yes or no, do you love her or not?” Urs said for what seemed like the millionth time to him. Seb sat back on the sofa and looked beyond Urs to where Mari had been a moment ago. “Sometimes I think I love her more than life it self, other times I wonder if I’m in love with love. This is so difficult Urs. I want to do the right things; say the right things to her: be there for HER. With Il Divo and everything, I don’t have time for me, let alone anyone else. That wouldn’t be fair to her or anyone else.” Seb said, resting his face in his hands. Urs put a brotherly arm across Seb’s shoulders and smiled. Both sat quietly on the sofa, each staring off in different directions. Eventually, Seb picked up the bowl of soup, ate it quietly and sipped at the tea. Urs had yawned occasionally, and had drifted off to sleep. Seb stood up, stretched and tried a few tentative steps with no problem or ill effects. He returned the bowl and tea cup to the tray and picked it up. As he carried it to the room where he had seen Urs come from earlier, he noticed a light on down a short hallway. He took the tray into the kitchen and placed it on the counter. Coming back into the other room, he turned the kitchen light off and headed to the sofa. There, he tucked the blanket around Urs shoulders and put another one over his legs.
Mari walked down the short hallway to her bedroom, opened the door and flipped on the light. She was tired but wanted to give Seb and Urs time to talk and Seb to get dressed. She figured she would freshen up a bit and see what was going on after that. Leaving the door open just a crack, she walked over to the guitar case leaning in the corner of her room and caressed it gently. Sighing, she also reached down and let her index finger outline the small brass plate above the latch. Yes, she had gotten it for him the day after he had flown to London in the off chance it didn’t work out. She added the small engraved brass plate later in the week as an after thought. He didn’t know anything about it. When Mari had heard and seen the success of Il Divo, and his messages and contact faded, the guitar sat. She hadn’t given it to him… hadn’t had the chance. The last months, it seemed to mock her. Once, she tried to put it out of sight, but she didn’t have the heart. It sat quietly in the corner ever since. She patted the top of the case gently and walked toward her bathroom. Turning on the light, she felt more tired than a second before.
Instead of a shower, Mari decided a nice hot soak in the bathtub would be better, and it would take longer so she wouldn’t be back out there too soon. Mari started running the water. When it started running warm, she plugged the tub and added some scents to help her relax. Stretching, she started getting undressed. Soon, she was relaxing in the warm water, lightly splashing her feet as she hummed an old tune to her self. Seb looked over his shoulder to make sure Urs was still asleep. He timidly tiptoed down the hall toward the slightly opened door with the light on. Standing to the side, he listened for any signs. He could faintly hear Mari humming and remembered the tune. He smiled and thought about whether he should hum along with her. He stepped away from the door and crept back up the hallway to check on Urs again first. His mind filled with the song Mari was humming… it was special to both of them. Blushing, he carefully looked over at the sofa and thought Urs was still asleep. He crept back down the hall again, rubbing his hands together and smiling. Again, he stopped at the door and listened. Mari continued to hum, relaxing and soaking in the bath tub.
Upstairs, Carlos and David talked briefly after David raided the linen closet again for blankets. It wasn’t often that any of the guys shared a room, they were all used to having their own space. Neither seemed tired at first, but after being quiet a moment, the weariness of the day started to catch up with them. Carlos listened to the waves just outside the room and drifted off. David set his alarm on his watch and laid it on the stand between them, telling Carlos how to turn it off for the next shift change. David yawned, snuggled under the blankets and soon drifted off to sleep. He never heard the alarm a few hours later. Carlos had waited until he thought David was sound asleep, reached over and held the watch in his hands, debating whether he should turn the alarm off. He was worried about Seb and the last discussions they had before Seb had disappeared into the fog. Carlos considered himself the ladies man, he knew what they thought and what they liked or wanted. He had tried to talk Seb into talking with Mari. Seb wasn’t fond of the idea even though Carlos has even offered to speak to her himself on Seb’s behalf. Seb liked that idea even less. He had even tried to bully Seb into it, calling him a sissy and a wimp, but to no avail. Seb wasn’t budging, or so he said. An hour had passed and Carlos wasn’t tired at all. In a few hours, he would be walking downstairs to replace Urs on” Sebby Watch”. He continued listening to the waves and the occasional fog horn in the far distance. He missed his family on the other side of the big pond. He wanted to call his wife and talk to her, but she would be sleeping now. He crawled out from under the blanket and stood. Walking over to the window, he still couldn’t see much, the fog was still too thick. Rubbing his cheek lightly, he made his way to the door and peeked out. Not a sound could be heard from downstairs, so he made his way to the bathroom and stopped. Still no sounds could be heard. He hoped Seb was still okay and Urs was reading or something to pass the time. Mari had a nice collection of books and music, so Urs should have been able to find something to occupy his time and stay awake. He stepped into the bathroom and reached for the light. Turning it on, it took his eyes a moment to adjust. He walked over to the sink and washed his face and hands, taking his time as he did so. Still another hour to go, he looked around for something to read, having no luck. Finally, he headed back the hall to the bedroom and stood at the window again. He was able to make out the shoreline now. The fog was lifting a bit. He gazed down and saw the dune the lighthouse was built on. He hadn’t noticed it from downstairs. It seemed to drop several meters to the beach below. The full moon was a blur still, but now he could see a milky glow in the night sky.
David suddenly rolling over and mumbling something startled Carlos for a second. He shook his head as he looked David’s way thinking, “That man, I swear, can sleep anywhere, through anything…” and smiled, shaking his head.
Mari turned on the hot water again to re-warm her bath water and continue her long soak. Seb took that opportunity to quickly open the door. Once he saw her bedroom, he smiled again, blushing at his thoughts. He remembered how Mari loved to soak in the bath tub, how they would spend hours in the hot tub when they were together. He tried to do his best Carlos eyebrow impression, but it turned out awkward when he peaked into the mirror of Mari’s dresser. Looking around the room, he spotted the lone case in the corner. His eyes lit up with a new idea… “French romantic that he was...” he chuckled to himself. He tiptoed over as Mari turned off the water in the next room. He looked down and turned his head to read the small brass plaque above the latch.
Seb’s mouth dropped as he read the inscription…”Seb, My Irresistible Bliss”. Seb stopped a moment and closed his eyes, whispering to himself…”Damn it Seb, you are a fool.” He opened his eyes and looked at the case further, rubbing his hands gently down the case. He picked it up gingerly and laid it on the bed and stepped back, hesitating. Taking a deep breath, he brought his hand to his mouth and thought about what it meant. “Irresistible Bliss” was a song he and Mari had sung that first special night together. He had played the guitar as Mari started singing it, Seb later joined in harmony. The harmony that occurred later would out do the song. He remembered the dark nightclub where it was just the two of them. The bar had closed hours before. Seb wanted to rehearse some new material and asked Mari to keep him company. He didn’t know she could sing as well. He had worked hard on the song’s intro and wanted to try it again. Mari looked over his shoulder as he pulled out the sheet music. As he started the intro, Mari chimed in with the melody. On the Chorus and second verse, Seb added the harmony. Soon, the guitar was laid down on the old piano lid and he held Mari in his arms. The music hadn’t led him there, it was Mari’s voice. As he listened, he now knew who she was… the voice that he and everyone else knew. - The voice that inspired him, without her knowing it, to write his own music and perform, that he had hoped one day to meet. He held Mari tightly in his arms that night… kissed her deeply at the end of the song and gazed into her eyes, smiling. As her eyes met his, she too smiled. He gently picked her up and sat her on the top of the piano, not taking his eyes off of her. At first, he thought it was simple hero worship, but it wasn’t. Soon, the music, guitar and piano were abandoned as they walked hand in hand to her penthouse. She unlocked the front door and they silently walked in. Mari wanted to turn on another light, but Seb took her reaching hand and kissed it gently, before resting it on his cheek. Stepping away for a moment, Mari turned on the stereo and pushed a few buttons… she liked the sultry jazz with the muted trumpet… that smoky nightclub music that made her think of black and white movies of the true romantic movie era… Katherine Hepburn, Cary Grant, Humphrey Bogart… The great dresses, the fedora hats, the inevitable trench coats… It made her feel sexy just thinking about it.
Seb sat beside the guitar case and rubbed the outside of it again, as he thought and remembered. Sighing, he gently lifted it off the bed and returned it to the corner where he found it. Walking the few steps back to the bed, he sighed. He quickly smoothed out the comforter and headed for the bathroom door. Gently, he put his hand on the closed door and took a deep breath.

Gently, Seb knocked on the bathroom door as he hummed the harmony to the song Mari was singing to her self. When she heard the knock, she paused, looking around for a towel or something in the event she had to make a quick exit. Hesitating, she continued the song, but quieter. Soon, she heard Seb’s voice singing harmony. Smiling, she increased the volume in her voice and Seb did too. He hadn’t opened the door yet, but was waiting patiently, as they finished the second verse of “Irresistible Bliss” together. Mari closed her eyes and held her breath, not knowing what to do next.
“Deb… its Seb, can we talk, please?” Seb said from the other side of the door.
“Finally…” Mari whispered. “I’ll be there in a minute Seb… just wait a second, ok?” Mari was out of the bathtub and tugging on an oversized bathrobe in seconds. She left the water in the tub, checked her face and hair as she tied it closed and opened the bathroom door. Seeing him there, smiling sheepishly, she opened her arms. Seb took a step forward as he opened his arms to hug her close. “This is the Deb I remember.”He thought to himself. He reached up to her cheek with his hand and leaned down and kissed her. Mari’s arms reached up to his shoulders as she kissed him in return. He looked into her eyes, continuing to touch her cheek. Looking down, Mari noticed she was still dripping a bit from the bath tub. Giggling she said, “Seb, I have a feeling you’re going to get wet again. “
Seb leaned back and looked at the puddle on the floor. Laughing, he picked her up in his arm and stepped into the bathroom, kicking the door closed behind him. Sitting Mari on the sink counter, he kissed her again. Carefully, he untied the loose knot of the belt Mari had just tied, opened Mari’s damp robe and tucked it under each of her thighs. He smiled as he looked at her… remembering each luscious inch of her, as Mari leaned against the mirror. She wanted him to see what he had missed. Seductively, she leaned forward, wrapped her legs around his waist and pulled him close. She kissed him long and hard, as her hands found the bottom of his shirt. Seb’s hands slid against her thighs and inched their way around her hips, pulling her close. Breathing heavily, Seb looked longingly into Mari’s eyes and kissed her again and again and again with each one, stronger and longer than the last. Mari pulled off his shirt and t-shirt in one swift motion. Her hands remembered the feel of his skin… especially his chest, as they lingered there. Seb’s pants dropped to the floor with no flourish, with the briefs soon after.
Picking Mari up, he carried her to her over to the tub and stood her in it. The bottom of the robe was wet, but neither seemed to notice as it tumbled to the floor on the other side of the tub. He bent down and scooped up a handful of bubbles and held them briefly, looking at Mari’s glistening body again. Stepping in himself, he didn’t take his eyes off of her as he debated in his mind where to start. Gently, he reached for her hand and spread a path of bubbles up her arm to her shoulder and inched closer. Bending again, he scooped up more and made another path beside the first one, taking a deep breath as he did so. Mari could barely breathe her self. She wanted to touch him, caress him, hold him close, but couldn’t move. His face and touch was so light and tender. She looked in his eyes and saw that familiar glint. Seb stopped reaching for bubbles, wrapping his arms around her waist. Mari leaned against his chest briefly as her arms reached around his shoulders and down his arms. A little trickle of water ran down her raised arm and onto her chest and Seb couldn’t resist following its path with his eyes. Reaching, he traced the channel it had made and Mari’s skin tingled with anticipation. His hands were very warm now as he created a path of his own down Mari’s torso and slid around her hips, stopping on her butt. She sat and Seb followed, staying close. His hands wanted to explore her again, rekindle and confirm his memories of her. Mari hesitated at first, but welcomed his touch… she didn’t care now about the past hurts, she was in the moment and Seb was with her again.
They stayed in the bath tub, enjoying each other for some time. Their time apart evaporated with the bubbles in the tub. Eventually, they stepped out, dried each other off and strolled to her bed. Pulling back the comforter, Mari slid under it and Seb followed. They snuggled silently at first. Mari remembering just then, that the guys were in the house as well so she tried to stay as quiet as she could. Seb didn’t care either way. They weren’t there to be an audience for him… and there was still at least one door between the guys and them. Seb lay on his back with his arm around Mari, as she lay on her side, nesting her head on his shoulder. Her hand once again caressed his chest and belly. Kissing the top of her head, he pulled her on top of him. Mari’s legs once again hugged his hips close, but not to keep him warm this time. His arms wrapped around her as she felt him eager to continue what had started in the tub. He blushed at her smile as he kissed her lips softly and continued down her neck.
Urs awakened suddenly and looked around. “Oh God, I’ve lost him again!” He said to himself. Tossing off the blankets and standing he looked toward the dark kitchen. “Jesus… the rest are going to kill me.” Frantically he looked around again and opened a few doors but all of the rooms were dark and there was no sign of Seb anywhere. He remembered the door to the hallway and checked it. It was locked, as was the front door of the annex. Sighing, he considered that a good sign, along with Seb’s coat draped over a chair drying. Walking back to the middle of the room, he remembered the hallway Mari had disappeared down earlier. Looking that way, he saw a light still on from the bottom of the doorway. He debated in his own mind whether to bother Mari, wake the guys for yet another search, or just continue on. He rubbed his chin and jaw as he pondered and paced. Looking outside, he noticed the fog has thinned a bit, but not enough to see beyond a few meters. Taking a deep breath, he headed down the hallway to the only lit room he could find. He slowed as he neared, swearing he heard a giggle. He stopped near the door and waited, just in case. Checking his watch it was midnight. He hoped he wasn’t making a mistake if Mari was sound asleep and he woke her for nothing. He squared his shoulders, and stood in front of her bedroom door with his feet spread apart to match his shoulders. He knocked lightly once and waited, thinking, if she was still awake she should hear it. If she didn’t, that would mean she was asleep and he would search on his own.
Seb and Mari were united - hip to hip when Mari heard a noise…knocking???? Seb’s eyes popped open wide, thinking they had been caught doing something naughty. Mari shook her head and bent down to kiss Seb to try to bring back the mood. A second time, faintly but…”Oh my God…. What” screamed in Mari’s head at the moment. This was not a good time to be interrupted. She wanted to be alone with Seb, with Seb inside her. They were close again, as though their time apart had never happened, a bad aftertaste washed away by passion’s sweet elixir.
“Mari… its Urs, are you awake?” He said through gritted teeth, with his hands firmly on the door’s threshold. “Please be awake Mari, please…”He whispered to himself. “I….umm... well…. Need to ask you something. If you have a minute… it’s kind of important.” He continued to the still closed door, shifting his weight from foot to foot as he spoke.
Mari’s forehead touched Seb’s chest as she closed her eyes and tried to make her voice seem normal, despite the heavy breathing that had occurred over the last hour. Sighing, she finally replied”Yes Urs, I’m awake… what’s the matter? Can it wait? Ummm I’m a little busy at the moment… ” Holding her forefinger to her lips to signal Seb not to say a word. It wasn’t that she didn’t want him to know what was going on, she just didn’t know if Urs knew about her and Seb’s past together in that way. Seb tried to stifle a giggle and covered his mouth with his hands, eyes rolling to the ceiling.
“Well…God, how can I say this… Have you seen Seb? I think I’ve lost him again… And…” He said, moving his hands from the doorframe to his hips. “You must think I’m a terrible friend for losing him, again, after all you’ve done this evening… but…”
Mari smiled at Seb who grinned and reached for her shoulders. “I know where he is hon. Don’t worry, he’s safe… and we’re…. um….talking. It’s okay. Go to sleep, get some rest. We’re fine.” She yelled over her shoulder toward the firmly closed door. A giggle escaped her suddenly and she covered her mouth to hide the oncoming others. Seb bit his upper lip and tried not to laugh either.
Urs dropped to his knees and raised his eyes to the ceiling, whispering his thanks, thinking…”Was that a giggle I just heard? Oh my…” Blushing suddenly, he stood. “Okay …. I’m glad he’s with you then. I’ll just go back down the hall and leave you two alone…” And he bolted back down the hall. Seb and Mari both giggled loudly at the footsteps they heard. They continued to enjoy each other and vowed they would never forget that moment…ever. As Carlos made his way down the stairs to relieve Urs, Mari and Seb drifted off to sleep.
Carlos was pleased to see Urs awake and sitting calmly with a small fire going in the fireplace. Urs seemed to be staring into the fire mindlessly. What concerned Carlos was the lack of seeing Seb on the sofa… or, in the room for that matter. Tapping Urs on the shoulder to get his attention, he saw the smile on Urs face. He didn’t have to ask, as he followed Urs glance to the hallway. Carlos moved an abandoned blanket out of the way and sat on the sofa. “Mission accomplished?” Carlos asked, rubbing his hands together to warm them. “I think this took more planning and strategy than sending a rocket to Mars.” He continued with a laugh.
Urs nodded his head and blushed. “I think I’m going to try to sleep now. They’ve been talking together for hours. I don’t think there’s anything for us to do, but rest and not go down that hallway.” Urs stood and stretched. He rested a hand on Carlos’ shoulder and turned toward the stairs. Urs was suddenly tired, he missed his family and ached to hold his girlfriend close and snuggle. He thought about her a lot when they weren’t singing, planning or rehearsing. Quietly, he climbed the stairs and wandered down the hall to find the room with a sleeping David. He kicked off his boots, pulled off his sweater, then his jeans and snuggled under the warm blanket. Soon, he drifted off, listening to David’s even, relaxed breathing and the ocean waves lightly cresting outside. Neither he nor David heard Carlos creep up the stairs and turn off the alarm he had set to wake David for his shift. All of them needed some sleep. Carlos returned to the sofa and waited for the fire to die out before drifting off to sleep himself.

Mari awoke early that morning with a nice warm arm wrapped around her waist. She looked up slowly to a lightly sleeping Seb nestled beside her, his other hand tucked under his cheek. Gently, she reached a warm hand to touch his face, slowly outlining his eyebrows, eyes and circling slowly down the side of his nose to his slightly opened lips. He didn’t seem to stir, until she reached their full center, making a complete circle around them. The warm hand tucked under his cheek reached to hold Mari’s hand as he slowly opened his eyes and smiled. He kissed each finger slowly and deliberately as the arm wrapped around her waist pulled her against him. Seb was not an early riser and had only seen a sunrise when he was on tour and they had to get an early start. Otherwise, he preferred to sleep late. This morning was the exception. The sun wasn’t even up yet as they snuggled and made love again. Just before the sun rose to burn off the evening’s fog, they looked over the headboard of the bed to watch the morning begin through the lightly tinted window, holding each other close. As Seb saw the light break the horizon over the ocean’s gentle morning waves, he kissed Mari again. He was content again… music… their music filled his heart and danced slowly and seductively in his mind. Il Divo’s music took a back seat for now.
Mari’s mind drifted as well, strains of ‘Una Noche’ floated in and out mixing with other thoughts. She knew that what the guys would be leaving to return to touring soon. She hadn’t checked the tour schedule in the forum for awhile, but knew they did have regular breaks now and then. She hoped one was now or soon, but didn’t want to ask, feeling it would break the moment. She glanced over at the guitar case in the corner and it no longer mocked her. It stood in somber silence once again. Just as she wanted to take time to stroke and caress Seb’s magnificent chest again, there was a thundering noise in another part of the annex. Sitting upright, Seb’s eyes widened and he recognized the sound and laughed.
David was thundering down the stairs like a rambunctious child, shouting as he went. “Carlos, for God’s sake, why didn’t you wake me up or set the alarm? Damn it! What’s your…..” Seeing a soundly sleeping Carlos on the sofa and no Seb caused David to stop abruptly. Like Carlos had earlier, he looked around to see where Seb was. He also checked the doors, noticing the front annex door was locked and Seb’s now dry coat draped over the chair. Carlos stirred, hearing the footsteps. Rubbing his eyes and yawning he said, “Seb and Mari were talking… I guess they still are, because I’ve not seen either of them. Let them work it out David. Give it a rest… let us get some rest. … Go back to sleep for heaven’s sake.” With that, Carlos fluffed the pillow and closed his eyes, pulling the blanket up to his chin.
David was the early riser of the group. He was always the first one awake, usually followed by Urs. He walked over to the window facing the ocean and watched the sun continue to rise, burning off the few wisps of early morning fog as it went. David loved watching the waves, which he had little chance to do when they were touring, or in the city where he lived. He stood at the window and watched for awhile marveling at the simple beauty. Yawning, he stretched and rubbed his arms, thinking coffee about now would be great. He padded quietly to the kitchen and looked for the light switch. He turned on the light and checked the counter for the coffeemaker. There was some left over from the night before, so he poured a cup and popped it into the microwave to heat. He didn’t want to look for anything else at the moment feeling that would be an invasion of Mari’s privacy. He wasn’t that type of person… there were two things he would never do, scope out someone’s kitchen unless it was a dire emergency of epic proportion or scope out their bedroom. That was just being too nosey and personal. As he sipped his coffee, he returned to the window to watch the waves and sun rise. He also looked down the shoreline, thinking that would be a nice walk with the weather warmer. He hoped he would have the chance some time in the future, with the right weather and/or clothes. Soon, Urs padded quietly down the stairs and joined him at the window. Smelling the last bit of David’s coffee, he headed to the kitchen. Not much left in the coffee pot, so Urs made himself some tea instead, thoughtfully heating the last of the coffee for David at the same time. David strolled into the kitchen as Urs finished up. Urs poured the coffee into David’s cup and turned around to pick up his tea cup. Silently, they each raised their cups in a mock toast. Soon, both were discussing the next plan, which was to get back into town, change clothes, and give Seb and Mari some space. The next few days would be concert free for them. David wanted to visit with family, Urs wanted to check out some guitar shops he had heard about to possibly add to “The Collection”, Carlos would most likely fly back to Spain to be with his wife.
Seb wanted time to stop for the day… he didn’t want to leave Mari, return to working, or be the pop star. He wanted to just be with her, hold her, make love with her…“…drink her in like a fine red wine…” he thought to himself. “…sip by sip, an unending bottle of fine wine …”He stroked her arm sliding his hand down to her hand. He kissed it gently and held it to his cheek for a moment, closing his eyes to remember the moment. Mari turned her palm to touch his face as he continued to hold it close. She softly kissed his chest and rubbed her cheek against it. She loved the quiet beating of his heart and the feel of being close to him as she wrapped her other arm around him and pulled him close. She too wanted time to stop… she wanted their time to last, like it had before… she wanted to have her shining knight. Seb lightly kissed her palm again and continued up her arm reaching her shoulder. There he stopped briefly and smiled tenderly at her. Kissing her deeply, he slid down to be face to face with her. Her arms wrapped around him and she rolled onto her back, pulling Seb on top of her. They made love again, with urgency this time, knowing in the back of their mind that it would end at some time… some point, reality would set in like the prior evening fog and separate them. Seb tried not to think about it as he looked deeply into Mari’s eyes again… drinking her in again… sip but sip, savoring every drop of her.
Later, as they snuggled again, Seb drifted off to sleep. Mari held him close and closed her eyes tight, breathing him in yet again; memorizing every inch of him with all of her senses. Taking one last deep breath, she rolled away from him and stood up. Soon, she padded over to the bathroom, picking up his clothes and checking them for dampness. She unplugged the now cold water from the tub and rinsed the last of the bubbles down the drain after she wrapped herself in a large towel. She took a quick shower and dressed as quietly as she could. Closing the bedroom door behind her, she headed down the short hallway to be greeted by David and Urs standing in the kitchen. Both smiled and said “Good Morning” each running a hand thru their hair as they did so. Mari returned the greeting and opened a cupboard door, pulling out the coffee and starting a fresh pot. As the coffee brewed, she chatted lightly with David and Urs asking each if they had a good night’s rest… such as it was. Both nodded without saying anything, looking at each other for confirmation. Mari offered them breakfast and again each nodded politely. She couldn’t understand their sudden silence. She made them each a large omelet with cheese and mushrooms, potatoes and toast. Both were hungry and finished in short order. Mari sipped at her coffee and nibbled at a slice of toast. As they were finishing up, Carlos walked in. Mari rose, offered him coffee and breakfast as well. Carlos accepted the coffee, but politely refused the food. “It’s too early in the morning to be eating”, he explained to her. She checked the refrigerator and pulled out some orange juice, offering it to all three of the guys. Urs accepted, but David and Carlos declined. Carlos joined the others at the table, looking to Mari for some kind of response. All three knew she and Seb had “talked” but neither knew anything else of the evening/morning events. Mari was never one to kiss and tell, so she chatted about everything else but her and Seb. Finally she said she was going back the hall to check on Seb and left the room without further explanation. Soon she was back in the kitchen with a still somewhat sleepy Seb. She offered him breakfast as well, but he pointed to the coffee and helped himself to a cup.
Mari sensed the group needed time to talk themselves. She explained quickly about morning rounds and headed to the door to the hallway that led to the lighthouse. She wanted to be as far away as possible in any event. It would give her time to prepare for what she knew could happen. He would leave again, she would be alone again – ‘Solo Otra Vez’ she hummed. She opened the door to the lighthouse room and turned on the light. The memory of his rescue was still fresh in the air. She walked over and picked up the lighthouse keeper’s coat and shook it out. Carefully, she folded it and returned it to the display case, patting the door after closing it. She returned to the area where they had laid. Kneeling, she caressed the floor gently where it happened, remembering his cold hands, cold body, shivering and ragged breathing. “He was so close when I found him last night.” She thought to herself. “Now, he’s fine and he’ll be gone… gone again.” A lone tear slid down her cheek. She closed her eyes and returned to his touch… this one warm, soft, shivering with pleasure, not cold… as another tear followed the first one’s path. Standing, she stepped away and opened the lighthouse door. Walking out, she turned right instead of left. She wasn’t ready to turn left and return to the place a few steps away where she had found him just yet. She walked a few paces and peered over the dune’s edge to the rocky beach several meters below. “Yes, he was so close…”Mari repeated. She took a moment to gather herself, glancing out at the ocean as a dear close friend, and walked back to the door, closing it behind her.
She locked the lighthouse door from the inside and headed across the room. She turned off the light and continued down the hallway. She could always walk the grounds if they needed more time, she thought. She opened the last door and re-entered the annex. The guys were gathered at the kitchen table, sipping tea and coffee. They seemed to stop their whispers as Mari looked in. “This whispering crap has got to stop.” Mari mumbled to herself, smiling at the group. Seb stood and pushed his chair in. Walking to her, he hugged her close and kissed her cheek lightly. “Mari, we have a plan… at least for now, if you agree, if not… no worries… okay?”He said lifting her chin to look into her eyes. “Let’s go into the other room and talk… privately.” Mari glanced over at the three at the table. All three had been watching, but seeing her glance, looked sheepishly down at the table, fumbling for the cups in front of them. She looked back into Seb’s eyes and the look on his face. Mari’s heart sank.

Seb and Mari walked to the sofa. Mari dropped the now folded blankets on the floor and sat down slowly. Seb perched beside her, reaching to hold her close. As he pulled her close, he tucked her head carefully under his chin and took a deep breath. Mari closed her eyes and once again listened to his steady heart beat…wishing he wouldn’t say a word, just hold her close. Her arms wrapped around his waist as David, Carlos, and Urs slinked out the door behind them… not wanting to be in the room or the building as the quiet couple talked. Hearing the door close behind him, Seb pulled away slightly and reached for Mari’s chin, lifting her head to looking longingly into her eyes. Softly, he kissed her as Mari’s heart started to flutter. He kissed her again, more deeply, wrapping his arms around her tight, pulling her onto his lap. Mari rested her forehead against Seb’s cheek and waited to hear what he struggled to say.
With the sun out, the guys decided this may be there only chance to explore the area, so, they headed around the annex toward the lighthouse. They wanted to give Seb plenty of time as well. Walking the short distance, they soon reached the door of the lighthouse and saw the dune’s edge beyond. Walking over, they also peered over the edge and saw the drop to the rocky bottom below. By coincidence, they all backed up a step at once. They stood, hand in their pockets a moment and watched the waves and ocean in the distance. Eventually, they turned around and headed back to the annex and the open land beyond. David wanted to explore the beach area further on, as he had remembered seeing from the window earlier that morning. They continued their walk, keeping the lighthouse in view as they went for an hour.
Meanwhile, Seb cleared his throat and held Mari close. “Mari, as you know, we’re in the middle of a tour season that can’t be changed. We have a few days off while they move and prepare the sets for the European leg of the tour. If it’s okay with you, I like to spend those days with you, rather than go back to Paris. The guys already made their plans and will be leaving. I can stay with you for awhile or I can leave with them. “With that said Seb took a deep, ragged breath and hugged her close, hoping her answer would be the one he had wished for. Mari’s heart all but leaped out of her chest. .. Her mind reeled with a million thoughts at once.
She softly kissed his cheek as her arms reached toward his shoulders. Leaning against him, cheek to cheek, she softly whispered in his ear, “Stay with me. Stay with me as long as you can.” She hugged him close, pressing her chest to his, hoping he could feel her heart beating faster. She could feel his smile against her cheek appear on his face without looking. As he turned to face her again, she could see that same glint in his eyes before he kissed her again.
“Mari, you make me very happy. I want you to be with me always… now and later. Promise me…. Tell me it’s the same for you… if it’s true. Don’t lie to me… please” Seb looked hopefully into her eyes and held his breath waiting.
Mari’s fingers gently touched his hair and traveled down the side of his face, resting on his full pink lips. She traced their outline again and let them wander to his cheek, holding it close as she kissed him once again. She had thought of her response before, also wishing he would say it…. just as he had. Now, that response floated away. “I do Seb… “was all she could whisper as a tear silently rolled down her cheek.
Sighing, they both remained quiet for a moment, letting their new confessions settle within them. The hard part for Seb was over. He had said what he wanted and heard what he had wished for. For Mari, it seemed like a dream. She held him close and knew then it wasn’t. They chatted quietly while the guys were out and made plans for the next few days. Mari wanted Seb to see her new life and the area. See what the ocean and the lighthouse had become to her. Seb wanted to be with Mari… Deb MacKay was now a distant memory. He planned his future with Mari, tucking Deb into the recesses of his heart.
David popped his head in the door behind them to take a quick peek. He didn’t know what to expect. He hoped everything was okay. As he glanced toward the sofa, he saw them cuddling in each others arms, whispering between them with an occasional blush and smile. Neither Seb nor Mari seemed to notice his arrival, so he opened the door wider and stepped in, closing the door a bit louder than needed. Urs and Carlos waited nervously near the SUV, hoping for a quick exit… regardless of the outcome. Both of them wanted to change their clothes after a long hot shower. Neither of them saw the point in taking a shower there only to put the same clothes back on and change clothes later. The door closing rather loudly disrupted the couple’s conversation. Both looked back and smiled. Seb raised his arm to signal a quick wave and thumbs up. David walked toward them, stuffing his hands into his jean pockets as he got closer.
“Seb, we’re going to go now… can I get the keys to the SUV? I’ll be back with your stuff, if that’s okay or did you want to get it yourself and then drop us off after check-out and then come back? Mari, you’re welcome to come along back… in case we get lost or something… which, with my driving skills and no sense of direction, could happen. Sorry, that part of Scouts never really stayed with me. I can read a compass and a map, but no sense of orientation at all. No plans for ‘Survivor’ in my future either. Ha ha! “
Mari kissed Seb on the cheek and stood up. Seb lazily stood beside her. Holding his hand firmly in hers, she said, “I guess we can’t have anything more adventures between you guys, so, I’ll get you back into town. “ Seb pulled the keys from his jacket pocket and handed them to David as he and Mari put their coats on. Mari walked to the computer desk and pulled out her purse, reaching for her car keys. “David, I’ll lead, you follow. What hotel are you guys staying at? I can bring Seb back with me that way you have the SUV for what ever you need to do. When it’s time, I’ll make sure he gets to the airport, or whatever, to be on his way.”
Seb smiled and nodded to David with a quick wink, a bit of Carlos eyebrow action and blush. David rolled his eyes and turned to the door, opened it just enough to signal a quick thumbs up to Carlos and Urs and hitting the remote to unlock the SUV doors. David told Mari the hotel name and address as the three headed out the door. Mari pulled the annex door closed and locked it. Turning, she hit the remote locks to her car and stepped onto the pathway. Hitting her remote start button to warm up her car, she headed down the pathway, following David and Seb to the SUV. David opened the driver’s door and started the engine. All 5 of them gathered a moment to go over the directions and next step. Urs was great with directions and asked a few questions along the way. Looking to David, he nodded that he understood where to go on the highway in the event the two vehicles were separated in traffic. He put his hand on Seb’s shoulder and gripped it firmly, reaching around to give him a brotherly hug. Carlos followed as Urs stepped in front of Mari to say thank you. As he held her tight, he carefully whispered in her ear, “Be well Mari and don’t’ break my friend’s heart. I trust you now… rock and romance on.”And he lightly kissed her cheek. Carlos stood back a moment, politely waiting his turn. He too hugged Seb and patted him on the back. As Carlos reached to hug Mari, he rocked her slightly in his arms. “Take care of our Sebby, Mari.” He said looking into her eyes. He too kissed her cheek and stepped back. David walked around the SUV and pulled both Mari and Seb into a giant group hug, kissing Mari on the forehead. “The other two seem to have covered it, so what more can I say. Mari, it was a pleasure to meet you, thank you for everything… hope to see you soon.”He patted Seb on the back and turned around, heading back to the driver’s seat as Urs and Carlos were already in there seats with seatbelts buckled. Hand in hand, Mari and Seb headed to her car.
Soon, they were headed down the highway, Mari in the lead with the SUV close behind. Seb held Mari’s hand the entire trip, occasionally kissing it gently when he thought it was safe. Within an hour, they were pulling into the hotel’s parking lot. Mari and David parked side by side. David, Carlos, and Urs waved at Mari and Seb and headed for the lobby, each pulling out their pass keys as they crossed the hotel lobby. Seb and Mari lingered behind them, electing to ride the elevator alone, hugging and kissing each other on the short trip up to Seb’s floor. Mari sat in one of the chairs as Seb gathered his things and plopped them into the suitcase. He double checked the drawers and bathroom before zipping his suitcases shut. Mari carried the overnight case while Seb struggled with the large one, reminding himself yet again to pack fewer things next time. As they neared the door, Seb looked back at the unused bed and sighed. Looking at Mari and touching her shoulder, he said”Ya know, check-out isn’t for a few hours yet. We could send the guys off and hang around here awhile yet.” Mari dropped the overnight bag on the floor as soon as the words left his lips. Seb let go of the handle of his rolling bag at the same time, taking Mari in his arms and kissing her warmly.
He reached for the door knob, opened the door and looked out in the hallway. None of the guys were there yet. He closed the door and walked back to the phone, ringing David’s room. David apparently answered and within minutes Seb hung up the phone smiling. “The guys are each taking a shower before they head out. They’ll meet us in the lobby in two hours.” Stepping toward her, he continued,”So, what would you like to do?” Mari dropped her purse, letting it tumble open as keys and wallet spilled across the floor. Seb opened his arms wide and caught her as she ran the dozen or so steps back to him. “How about if I get cleaned up like the others are and you think about it while you wait?” Seb said after kissing her again and again.
Mari grinning ear to ear replied, “How about I help you get cleaned up and we’ll see what happens from there?” She quickly walked over to the door and popped the “Do Not Disturb” sign on the exterior side of the door’s handle, bolted the latch and leaned against the door.
She helped him out of his jacket, sweatshirt and t-shirt, tossing them to the floor. Soon, the pants and briefs followed as well as Mari’s clothes. He chased her around the bed and into the bathroom, leaning against the closed bathroom door, catching his breath as Mari giggled in his arms. She carefully looked around and saw the hot tub in the corner, beside the tall glass shower stall. “Two hours would not be nearly enough time,” she said giggling again. Seb smiled and kissed her again, rubbing his hands up and down her back.
“No pressure.” he said blushing. He looked at the shower, then the hot tub. He really wanted a shower, but knew Mari would love the hot tub more. They only had two hours and then the guys would be off. He had days with Mari to love her, be with her… decisions… decisions. His eyes darted back and forth between the tub and the shower. As if Mari had read his mind, she stepped away from Seb’s warm caring arms and opened the shower door. She looked over her shoulder with a “come and get me look” and stepped in, leaving the door ajar. Seb glanced at his watch to check the time as he quickly slid it off his wrist and laid it on the shelf. Smiling, he peeked into the mirror, rubbed his cheek and headed for Mari. He made a mental note to shave later… time permitting… after the guys left… after… well… later.

Mari turned on the water in the shower and in seconds there was a light steam in the room. Seb had joined her as the water heated. Wetting his hair and washing it, Mari waited and watched. “He would do that himself, but the rest of him is mine to wash…” Mari thought. Mari squeezed some liquid soap into her wet hands and rubbed them together. As Seb rinsed his hair, Mari’s sudsy hands glided over his chest covering it with bubbles. Seb’s eyes lit up as she continued down his belly below his navel. He pretended to frown as she poured more soap into her hands and rubbed down each arm from shoulder to hand also covering them with bubbles as she stepped close and squished the bubbles on his torso between her and Seb, gently rocking side to side to move the remaining bubbles around. Seb’s mouth reached to her as he kissed her hungrily. Mari poured yet more soap into her hands and gently turned him around, rubbing her hands from his shoulders down his back and butt. Again, she pressed her sudsy body against his, rocked again, and wrapped her arms around him, caressing his chest. He closed his eyes and leaned into the water, rinsing the bubbles that weren’t trapped between them away. He turned and held Mari in his arms again, laying her gently on the cool, wet shower floor. His hands held her head off the floor and out of the small puddle of water as he entered her. The water from the shower seemed like a gentle summer rain to Mari. She had fantasized about making love in the rain or under a waterfall before. She didn’t regret not washing down the rest of him now as she wrapped her legs around his lower back.
Later, they got out of the shower and again dried each other off, wrapping the towels around them. Seb picked up his watch, wiped the moisture off the face and checked the time. Taking Mari’s hand, he opened the bathroom door and stepped into the room. Looking across the bed, he noticed the phone light was flashing. Mari sat on the edge of the bed while he checked the message, rubbing his hair with a hand towel as he listened. Smiling, he replaced the receiver and sat next to Mari. He reached over and pulled her close, loosening her towel as she moved. Mari looked concerned as they only had 20 minutes to finish getting ready to meet the guys in the lobby. After Seb kissed her again he wiped a lock of hair from her cheek. He lifted her chin and said, ”That was Urs, they were ready ahead of schedule. They wanted us to know, but since we didn’t answer, they’ve left already. Urs also paid for an extra night for us to stay in this room if we want. What do you think… should we stay or should we go?” He reached for Mari’s hand and kissed it. He kissed her hand again and continued up her arm. “If we stay, I can order room service, or we can go out somewhere. You decide… I can’t think right now…”
Much as Mari wanted to stay in the room with Seb, the stores were only open so long and she was determined to get him a warmer coat and some warmer clothes, even if it was only for a few days. He could leave them with her if he didn’t want to take them along, or didn’t have room in his suitcases. She wasn’t going to have him get sick or chance hypothermia again. They snuggled a bit and talked, curled under the blankets of the bed. Seb was starting to get hungry now, so changed the subject to lunch. Mari got out of bed first and ran her hands through her hair. It was almost dry. She walked to the bathroom, and checked, grabbing her clothes as she went. Seb reluctantly left the warm bed and met Mari in the bathroom in just his briefs. He checked his hair and opened his toiletry bag. Mari stopped him from shaving, saying she liked the scruffy look… and it tickled. He kissed her, rubbing his 5 o’clock shadow against her cheek as she giggled. Within a few minutes, Seb was partially unpacked again and dressed in the last clean clothes in the suitcase. Mari took Seb to a nearby pizza shop. There they snacked on pizza and beer. Finally full, Mari and Seb set out to do some shopping. Mari found a nice heavy winter coat for Seb and he tried it on. He picked out some warmer clothes as well as another overnight bag to store them in. He wore the warmer coat out of the store and they dropped the bags in Mari’s car before heading off to shop again and see some of the sights.
As Mari tried on another outfit, Seb browsed as well. He didn’t know anything about women’s clothing and wanted to find something nice for his mother that would be warm. Mari soon returned to his side, returning the last outfit to the rack. She helped him pick out something for his mother and they left the store. Walking down the street, the sun was setting now. They made one last stop in an antique shop. Seb like to poke around and see if he could find any “old treasures”. Mari went to the back of the store to look for snow globes and crystal figures. He picked out a few small items and paid for them as Mari finished up. He tucked the small bag into his coat pocket as Mari returned to his side. Hand in hand, they walked back to the hotel. Once there, they tugged off their coats and snuggled on the freshly made bed. Mari turned on the TV to see if there were any special events going on in the area and check the weather. The next evening would bring snow showers. “…figures…” Mari said as she turned off the TV with the remote. Seb hugged her close and asked her if she was hungry yet. She nodded as he reached for the phone to check on room service. He held the phone close to Mari so she could hear the specials as he did. Covering the receiver, they decided on their meal and some wine to be delivered to the room in about an hour and a half. Mari raised an eyebrow at the time Seb mentioned and he winked back at her. He hung up the phone and stood up from the bed, holding out his hand to her. Mari stood and took his hand. He bent down and kissed her lightly whispering, “It will give us time to try out that hot tub in the bathroom...Can’t go in the water after eating a big meal without waiting at least an hour. I don’t think I can wait that long can you? “He kissed her cheek and nibbled her ear. His eyes lit up as he slowly undressed her, caressing her as he gingerly took off each item of clothing… pausing to kiss her and look into her eyes. As her panties floated to the floor, Mari took a deep, seductive breath and opened her arms to great him. He smiled and tore off his clothes as quickly as he could. He didn’t wait for Mari to help him and stepped into her eager arms. They returned to the bed and made love first. She wanted him to be deep inside her again, united as one in that way…climaxing together in the ultimate harmonious duet. Later, she filled the hot tub and they lounged there, cuddling and once again enjoying each other until just before the meal arrived. Seb hopped out first and dried off, giving Mari a bit of privacy as he pulled on some sweatpants and his t-shirt to answer the door. He closed the bathroom door just as the knock was heard by both of them. Mari giggled and asked Seb if he thought it was Urs again. Seb smiled and walked over to open the door for room service. He held the door as the cart was brought in, closing it soon after. The waiter placed the meal on the table and lit the tapered candelabra, turning quietly and leaving the room. Seb padded over to the bathroom door and knocked softly. “Mari, it’s ready. We should eat it before it gets cold.” Mari appeared soon there after. They quietly ate the meal, enjoying each bite and sipped the wine Seb had chosen. The champagne would wait for another day. Both were full and feeling tired. They returned to their bed and soon drifted off to sleep, holding each other close. The next morning they woke up and cuddled as they planned the day. Seb dressed in his new warmer clothes and Mari put on the new teal sweater she bought the day before during their shopping trip. Seb once again double checked the drawers and bathroom before closing the large suitcase again. They checked out and headed back to Mari’s lighthouse home, stopping for groceries in town first. Seb walked over to the liquor store and purchased a few bottles of wine while Mari was getting some fresh fruit and milk. She wanted to be prepared in the event the snow forecast was wrong again and they received more snow then predicted. He waited for Mari by the car, checking his cell phone for a message from any of the guys. He had received one and smiled as he listened, looking for Mari to appear from the doors of the store. He wanted to be sure to help her with the bags when she came out. As he hung up from listening, he received another call. Again, he smiled, watching for Mari as he chatted. Mari soon appeared with two small bags in her arms. Seb ran over to help her and they each carried one so they could also hold hands as they strolled their way to the car. The rest of the drive was uneventful as they finally pulled up to the end of the lighthouse parking lot. Mari carried the grocery bags and unlocked the annex door as Seb struggled with his luggage and the bags from the prior days shopping. He didn’t want to leave anything in the car if it was going to snow.
After Mari put away the groceries and helped Seb get his bags back the hall to the bedroom, Mari suggested she wash the clothes Seb had in the suitcase. He blushed and agreed, thanking her with a big hug and kiss. She sorted them and carried the first load to the laundry room, starting the washer. Seb carried the remainder in and kissed her cheek once again. The sat on the sofa awhile before Mari realized she needed to re-stock the wood for the fireplace before the snow hit. Seb offered to get it for her and she directed him to the woodpile on the far left side of the annex. Seb filled his arms several times, making almost a dozen trips until he was satisfied with the stack of firewood. Mari shook her head and smiled. It was three times as much as she needed, but she didn’t say a word.
Seb eventually asked Mari if her internet connection was. Mari replied looking at him curiously. Then she remembered from the forum that some of the guys had laptops. Seb wanted to use his laptop a few minutes to check his email and send his mother a quick email that the plans had changed and he would see her next week in Paris before the concert. Mari felt bad. She didn’t know he had changed his plans to see his family. She had read in the book that they had reconciled and now she had messed things up… or so she thought.

Seb strolled back the short hallway and retrieved his laptop. He turned it on and logged in, checking the forum while Mari looked on. Mari was curious to see where he looked within the forum as she suspected they did watch to see what everyone posted. Soon, after suspicions were confirmed, she wandered away to the laundry room to change loads, continuing to wash Seb’s clothes. Seb waited briefly, glancing in that direction, before clicking onto his personal email. He logged in and smiled as he scanned the list, opening the ones he was looking for first. He created a new folder and popped those in as Mari returned to the room and glanced over his shoulder to see how he was making out. She didn’t recognize any of the addresses, but really wasn’t paying attention that closely. Some things stayed private between them, his email, unless it was in the forum as a vulgar PM, didn’t bother her at all. Seb dashed off a quick note to his mother and read the remaining emails, smiling as he finished. He checked on flights to catch up with the guys. After asking Mari a few questions, he purchased his ticket and closed the laptop. He wanted the rest of the day to be with Mari.
She thought about giving him the guitar while he was here… before he left… again. She knew what touring was like. She had pulled those dusty memories from her mind as she worked on his laundry moments ago. She knew that it was the little things, those normal everyday things we all take for granted, that mean the most… helped get you through the hard times, give you that extra boost when you think you can’t do one more show. She wanted that for him… she wanted to give him that tangible something that was from her that joined the past with the future…would be there when she wasn’t… or couldn’t be there for him in person. She already decided she wouldn’t tag after him… be the groupie… be the fifth wheel. He would hate that after a time and it would separate them. Mari sat down beside Seb and reached for his hand, pulling it onto her lap with both of hers. Seb smiled at her and laid his other hand on top of both of hers, rubbing them gently. Mari opened her mouth to speak, but Seb kissed her first. The longing in his lips persuaded Mari to change her mind. The guitar would wait for another time. His arms wrapped around her as he pulled her onto his lap again. Mari let her hand slowly slide up his chest and around his neck. Her fingers playfully ran through his hair as she pressed her chest to his. He rested his head against her forehead and hugged her close. He, once again, wanted time to stand still, yet knew it wouldn’t. He rocked her in his arms and hummed a part of ‘Unchained Melody’ to her. He knew she would understand… hoped she would. As she listened, her fingers gently touched his face, tracing his jaw line, feeling the vibration of the notes as they spilled from his heart. They held each other close and locked away the rest of the world for the moment, even after the song had faded from him.
Later, they chatted quietly as they had a quick, light lunch. Mari wanted to show Seb her world… the lighthouse, the property, her life. The put their coats on and headed outside as the sun seemed warm. They walked the grounds beyond the lighthouse, stopping now and then to watch the ships on the distant waves. The air was cold but crisp and it invigorated both of them. Mari also showed him the area where she had found him that foggy night. They both touched the lighthouse door that had been the hatchway to his rescue. She also showed him the dune’s edge just beyond the door. His eyes widened as he looked down at the rocky bottom below. Mari didn’t need to explain how lucky he had been that night… he now realized how lucky he had been beyond what he felt before. Mari explained to him that during the warm months there was a metal bars barrier in place to stop anyone from going over the edge. With it being the off-season and regular high winds tended to be more frequent, the barrier was removed as it was just her with the occasional visitor. Once again, they stood and stared at the ocean, now a deep blue from the bright sun high in the sky. Seb held Mari close against the sudden breeze and memorized the moment as he kissed her deeply. Mari could hardly breathe, he was seeing her life now, accepting it… appreciating what she loved and cherished that wasn’t him. Getting chilled, they headed back to the lighthouse door. Mari unlocked it and shoved the door open. Seb had only a vague recollection of the room, dusty and foggy in his mind. Now, he saw it in the daylight and smiled. He saw her “old treasures” as he liked to call them. She pointed out some of the interesting things she had collected over the years or found in the deep recesses of the lighthouse; repeating some of her favorite stories of the sea and the lighthouse. He listened with a sense of wonderment at what Mari had become; he saw the bright glint in her eyes as she spun the tales of sea adventures. The sun was setting as she finished her tales. Together, they watched the sun slowly set in brilliant shades of red and orange on the far horizon. Mari sighed as Seb held her close as they watched. It would be this moment she would carry with her for a long time… one of many, but this one most of all. As was her norm, she quietly blew a kiss to the sea before she and Seb headed back to the annex.
Seb was suddenly tired from all the fresh air and activity of the day. He yawned suddenly as he pulled off his coat and hung it by the door. Mari noticed it too and suggested he take a quick nap while she finished his laundry. She promised to wake him in an hour, checking her watch for the time, as he padded back the hall. Mari walked over to the laundry room and added the last load to the washer, folded the dry clothes and stacked them neatly. That finished, she walked over to her computer desk and turned on her computer. She wanted to check the forum and see what was going on with her forum friends. She also wanted to see where the guys would be performing next… in the off chance it was a place she wanted to visit. London would be the first stop, followed by the rest of the UK, then on to Paris. There, Mari decided, would be where Seb would catch up with his mother and visit. It would be the end of the week. Mari frowned as she remembered what he had said earlier. “It was his choice” she said to herself, half believing it.”He’s a grown man and can make up his own mind.” She sent off a few PMs, one to David, Urs and Carlos to thank each of them for visiting and wish them well, knowing they would probably go off into cyberspace and never be read by them, but it was the thought that counted to her. She pulled up a few of her favorite videos and watched them to pass the time. Now, she watched Seb rather than Urs. She could enjoy watching him now. The thought of her changing to a Siren appealed to her, but it couldn’t be a sudden move in the forum. She would have to take her time. She checked the time again and logged off, switching off the computer as she stood.
The last load was moved to the dryer and she folded the newly dried set as she had the other one. Lifting the two neat stacks, she headed across the room and down the hall. She laid the clean clothes on top of the large suitcase. She perched on the edge of the bed and watched Seb sleep before waking him with a gently kiss on his forehead. His arms reached to her and he pulled her down beside him, snuggling her close. She smiled as they cuddled for awhile. He serenaded her with love songs and kissed her between each one. She loved his voice, now stronger that before. He had hoped she would sing with him, but, seeing the look of enchantment on her face, he understood.
The phone ringing beside the bed shattered the moment. Groaning slightly, Mari answered it. It was David, checking in. Laughing, Mari told him to be sure to check his PMs and the other guys as well. She handed the receiver over to Seb. Seb tucked his hand under his head and spoke to David briefly, smiling and nodding as they chatted. Mari got up to give him some privacy. After she stepped into the hallway, Seb questioned David in more detail. Mari could hear Seb’s voice, but couldn’t make out all of the words. “Did he say it’s a go or where’d ya go?” Mari thought to herself. She didn’t want to pry, so she wandered down the hall and back to the laundry room. She finished the last set of clean dry clothes and headed back to the bedroom to put them with the others. Seb had finished his call and laid on the bed smiling contently as he stared at the ceiling.
Mari placed the new stack beside the others and reached for Seb’s outstretched hand. He wanted to snuggle again, but Mari pulled him to a sitting position first. She sat beside him and he put his arm around her, kissing her on the cheek lightly before he kissed her deeply on the lips. She held his head close as she kissed him back just as deeply. They chatted briefly and planned what they would have for dinner, staying in as it had started snowing outside. Seb headed to the bathroom to freshen up and Mari looked over at the guitar case in the corner. “After dinner…” she whispered to herself. She stood up and walked over to it. Her hands glided over the case again. Taking a deep breath to solidify her decision, she picked it up and carried it down the hall. She stood it in the far corner of the kitchen for later. As Seb walked into the kitchen, Mari was getting the meal ready. Seb walked over, kissed her forehead, whispered to her how much he missed her since he saw her last and hugged her close. He offered to help make the meal, but Mari had seen him on the Martha shows and politely refused. She wasn’t going to let anything spoil their time together… especially this evening. “Tonight would be the night…”she thought. Seb smiled and kissed her again. He walked over to the wine bottles he had purchased earlier and the unopened bottle of champagne from their night at the hotel. He chose one to go with the meal. Mari nodded and pointed to the ice bucket. He added ice from the freezer and popped the bottle in. He refilled the ice tray with water and put it back in the freezer. Wiping his damp hands on his pants he again offered to help with getting the meal ready. Again, Mari refused, but suggested he pull the small table closer to the fireplace, adding a fire in the fireplace would be nice too. He did so, as Mari finished making the meal. He finished just before Mari did and noticed his jeans were dirty from building the fire. Checking on the progress of the meal first, he walked down the hall to wash up and change his clothes. Before leaving the room, he took one of the items from the antique store out of the bag. He peeked over his shoulder before he reached for it, quickly tucking it into his pants pocket as he stood. He smiled to himself as he checked himself in the mirror and patting his pocket before he headed back the hall humming “My Way.”Mari smiled as she heard his song…”Little does he know…” she giggled to herself, popping the champagne into the refrigerator to chill for later in the evening.

The fire was blazing nicely as they ate their meal, gazing into each others eyes. Mari stood and cleared the dishes as Seb checked the fire and banked the blaze. He didn’t want any interruptions or distractions. Mari peeked out at Seb at the fireplace and reached for the guitar case while his back was turned toward her. She stood it at the end of the sofa and walked over to him. As he replaced the screen, she bent down and hugged him close, kissing the top of his head and tousled his hair. His hands reached for hers and he bent down to kiss each one softly. Slowly he stood, his hands still holding hers. Putting them around his neck, he looked into her eyes. He seemed to want to say something to her, but hesitated… briefly. Distracted for a second, he stepped away and turned on his laptop, logged in and hit a few keys. Smiling and blushing, he returned to her side and put her arms around his neck again. “Where was I?” He whispered to her as he put his cheek to hers. “Oh yes, here…” Mari seemed confused by what was going on. She needed the right moment to set her plan in motion, but things were changing faster than she could keep up. ‘Passera’ played in the distance. Seb quietly hummed along as his hips swayed to the music. He needed the guys and the song for moral support… and it added to the mood. He knew Mari knew the song and hoped she wouldn’t be intimidated or feel like they were in a crowd. “ETILAY” was next as they danced in front of the fireplace. ‘Without You’ followed as Seb held her close, kissing her deeply as the song ended. He had his courage now… and Mari in his arms. He led her back to the sofa and they sat down. Mari reached for the guitar case near her, not noticing Seb reach into his pocket. She pulled it into view and laid it on the coffee table. She turned to face Seb and put her fingers to his lips to stop him from saying anything until she had said what she needed to say.
She blocked the music from her mind; it was melting her resolve, her arms and torso still warm from him holding her close as they danced; the pressure of his kiss still fresh on her lips. As she turned to lay her hand on the black case, Seb slipped the item under a nearby pillow before she could notice. Slowly, she started. “Seb, before you left for London, what seems like ages ago, I found this. I wanted you to have it then as a back-up plan, as a way to continue your dream, create your music if Il Divo didn’t work out or be what you wanted. Now, Il Divo is a success, I want you to still have it, but as a reminder of what you were… where you came from.. a piece of your past to keep you on the right path. I know and understand what fame can do to a person… it happened to me. I don’t want that for you. I want you to be you; the real you… the you… I know… the you… I… “Tears spilled from Mari’s eyes and she stopped to wipe them away. Seb’s heart melted on the spot. He reached for her with both hands and pulled her close, kissing her as he reached for her face. He kissed her still trembling lips; then kissed away her tears. He held her close and rocked her gently, holding back, as best he could, the tears welling in his eyes. Mari’s whole body was shaking; instinctively, she put her head to his chest to listen to his heart and heard it beating wildly beside her. Seb’s hands tried to calm her, quiet her tears and trembling as he held her and softly stroked her hair. He had no words… his mind was filled with her words echoing to the deepest recesses. He closed his eyes and held her tighter, listening to the music… trying to regain his courage. The guys couldn’t help him now… the music changed to just random notes in the distance for him… their magic evaporated as his feeling flooded in. No one had ever said anything like this to him before. He had never been this close to anyone before. His body tingled with warmth and love, a fire-y passion he had only heard and read about.
As Mari’s breathing slowly returned to normal, she stood and walked to the kitchen, returning with the champagne bottle wrapped in a towel. Seb opened it skillfully and sat it on the end table to breathe… and catch a breath himself. Mari’s hand returned to the dark case, slowly opening the latch. Leaning forward, Seb reached in and pulled out the guitar. His hands glided over the strings and neck. He smiled and strummed it softly as Mari stepped away to get some glasses and take a deep breath without him seeing. She had to finish what she started… she had to say The Word… say it out loud to him. He had to know it by now, but she had to say It… needed to say It out loud to him… to make It that much more real.
Seb returned the guitar to its case and kissed her. He whispered a thank you as he looked into her eyes and smiled. She reached for the glasses and Seb reached for the champagne. He poured some into each glass. Mari handed one to him and cleared her throat. “So, here’s to the past, may it protect us and keep us warm now and in the future.” Seb lightly touched his glass to hers and sipped. He hoped it would give him the courage he needed. Mari sipped at hers and reached to set them down. Turning back to him, she reached for his hands and once again, looked deeply into his eyes. “Seb, what I was saying before the flood gates opened. I know we’ve only been back together a short time, but you need to know this. I fell in love with you before you left, time passed without... I won’t let this chance go by without telling you, I love you… now… still.”
Seb kissed her in reply, gathering her close with one arm, while the other reached under that nearby pillow to retrieve his secret treasure and tuck it under his thigh. He reached for the champagne and took a sip, returning it beside Mari’s glass. “Mari, darling…” he reached for her chin to lift it and look into her eyes. “I love you too. I have from that special night we shared that started with ‘Irresistible Bliss’ and the love we made after. I couldn’t ask you then because I knew I couldn’t take care of you the way I would have liked, but I can now. I have the means to treat you and take care of you like you deserve...like I want.” Reaching under his thigh, he pulled out the ring he had chosen for her. “Mari, will you marry me? Will you do me the honor of being my wife… the sole treasure of my heart?” Mari could only nod as tears once again spilled down her cheeks. He slid the ring onto her left ring finger and kissed her tenderly. Through tears she looked at it, as he explained. “The stone is a sapphire as blue as the ocean you are close to, the diamond chips at the sides, are like the salt in the tears we’ve shared; the rose-tinted gold, the blush that comes to my cheeks as I think about you; the white gold band the pure love I have for you that will never end.” He kissed her again, his tears mixing with hers, sliding down their faces.
Later that evening, after they finished the champagne and cleaned up the dishes from their meal, Mari turned off the kitchen light, locked the doors and met Seb at the beginning of the short hallway. He lifted her easily into his arms and walked down the hallway into the bedroom. They made love for hours that night, rekindling the flames of passion again and again. The next day flew by as they continued to share plans for the future and make love with even more passion.
Mari would meet them for the last two concerts in the UK. Seb wanted time to tell the guys in person that she had accepted his proposal. He also wanted tell his mother as well. Mari would meet his mother with him in Paris before the concert. She would fly back as the group finished in Europe and they would have a two week break before heading to Asia. Seb would meet her and they would have a short vacation together… to make plans and set a date.

Seb was almost late for his flight as he had to kiss Mari just one more time before bolting down the hallway to the security gate. Mari saw his plane take off first then she went home to pack for her flight in a few days. She was hoping it would be milder weather in Europe than Canada.
For Seb, the love songs had new meaning; his eyes welled with tears as he sang them with an overflowing heart since she had said yes. He missed some of the words as he was lost in thoughts of her. The nights without her were long, cold and lonely. He counted the days, the hours and the minutes until she would be back in his arms again. Oh how his arms ached to hold her, touch her, be with her. He was at the airport hours early to greet her. He swept her off her feet before she even saw him. He kissed her deeply and whispered “I love you” in her ear. The sounds, the kisses, and the touch she had missed so much. That night, Seb and Mari didn’t sleep; they made love through the night to the early morning hours, hungrily and greedily at first, slower and more passionately later. Finally, exhausted, Mari drifted off to sleep after Seb had kissed her again before he went to rehearsal and sound check. He spent all of his off time with her so they could be together.
The flight, concerts and seeing the guys again was a blur with no time sequence to Mari. Only when they got to Paris did she step back and take a breath. She had met Seb’s mother and given her a silk scarf the night before. Today, while the guys rehearsed, Mari would be chatting with her over a light lunch. Seb would meet them after lunch. Smiling, Mari put on her coat, grabbed her gloves and headed down the elevator to the lobby. As she rode the elevator down, she thought about the excitement of being backstage with the guys, meeting them again, hugging each of them close and how they oooh’ed and ahhhh’ed over the ring and commented on how happy Seb was when he told them she had said yes. Carlos had even taken her aside to thank her for taking such good care of ‘their Sebby’, before introducing her to his wife. They stood together back stage that first concert and cheered with the crowd and crew. She didn’t get to meet David’s “Mimi” until much later.
In the hotel’s lobby, she waited briefly, looking around, before spotting Seb mother, Sophia. Walking toward her, Mari didn’t have to try hard to put a smile on her face. She greeted Sophia with a warm hug and kissed her cheek. Arm in arm, they walked across the street to the café and were seated at a nice table. The waiter explained the specials in French and English and they ordered. Sophia spoke English, which was a blessing to Mari… her French was terrible, as Sophia tended to remind her. They chatted during the meal pleasantly. After ordering dessert, Sophia asked Mari about her plans to have children with Seb after they were married. Mari didn’t know what to say… children at her age would be next to impossible let alone impractical and dangerous at her age. As she tried to formulate a polite answer, Sophia rambled on about the importance of children in a marriage and how her Seb had agreed with her that he wanted children… lots of them. Mari didn’t look her real age, never had; never would. She always looked years younger than she really was. Mari had no answer for her; instead, she stood mumbling some sort of apology, tossed some money on the table and ran from the table crying. She crossed the street, barely able to see traffic through her tears and through the lobby. She jumped into the elevator and closed the doors rudely, wanting to be alone. She dashed down the hall and fumbled with the door key. Finally inside, she dropped her purse and coat on the floor and cried, leaning heavily against the door for awhile. Later, she made her way to the bed and cried more… until there were no more tears left. Seb would come later and ask what happened and hold Mari close and try to comfort her. It took days for her to tell him and he denied it at first. Mari never knew if he had cross words with his mother or not. By the time she could face him to ask, she no longer cared.
The next thing she remembered was being on the plane, flying home… to numb to feel anything. Again, the lighthouse was there with her friend, the sea, to greet and comfort her.
Three months later, Mari has a miscarriage of the love child that Seb would never know about. Urs was the only one that knew and Mari had sworn him to secrecy. He had called her earlier that day to chat and see if they could meet as he was in the area on holiday when the pain from the hemorrhaging and resultant miscarriage started. He was the first to forgive her for her sudden disappearance and change of heart for not marrying Seb when he finally heard the real reason. He was the one that rushed her to the hospital that night, begging to call Seb despite Mari’s protests. She reminded him she promised Urs those months before, that she would not break Seb’s heart… and, though their break-up as a couple seemed to do that for a time, she knew that telling him about the loss of their child would…. A child she hadn’t told him about to begin with… the child she had just recently knew about herself. Urs was the one that paced the hospital halls waiting, worrying, and being the friend. Reluctantly, Urs agreed and kept her secret. The doctor that treated her said that it was ‘for the best at her age’. Those words haunted Mari for some time after. Urs stayed with her while she cried and mourned the loss of both the child and the broken heart that was to follow. He never slept with her; never kissed her romantically; he stayed in the other room on the sofa at night so he was always close by. In the forum, Mari remained a babe for that reason, but visited the forum less and less as time passed.

EPILOGUE: EIGHTEEN MONTHS LATER
Mari packed her bags quietly; her PA was gathering Mari’s notes for her next lecture in the old lighthouse room that had been converted to an office. The lighthouse was now headquarters for Mari’s new career, stocked with souvenirs, awards and accommodations from the colleges, universities, and conservatories she had been to. The guys had hired the PA for her and she worked with the ID staff to try to make Mari’s lecture tour match as many venues they could, so Mari could see Il Divo whenever she wanted. As she finished, Mari looked over at the now empty corner of her bedroom where the guitar once stood. She sighed and gently reached to touch the four pearls on the necklace she always wore… the dark Tahitian one from Carlos, the Golden from Urs, the White from Seb, and the Freshwater pink tinted one from David… her four white knights and her silent partners in the music center. Seb’s came first on the simple yet elegant gold chain, the others followed, in their own little boxes, reaching her at the lighthouse one by one. Each of them, especially Seb, had rescued her from the tower in their own way, whether they knew it or not.
It hadn’t occurred to her at first why the first requests for a speaking engagement had come from conservatories in the US, Holland and Spain. Now it did… it was, after all, part of their original plan to put her back in the spotlight in some small way. As she closed the suitcase, she glanced out the window as the sun rose on yet another brilliant day. Looking down at her right hand, her fingers gently rubbed yet again, the sapphire ring that was once on her left hand. She climbed the reconstructed stairway to the sound studio above her office. The guys came here often to jam and relax, trying out new music for future concerts or just for the fun of it. The guitar she had given Seb that special night stood in the corner. For a time after, the guys had dubbed it “Isabel”, as Mari had tried to return the ring after having lunch with Seb’s mother in Paris that day and several times after. David’s drum set was in the corner, Urs red Fender guitar in the other corner. On the shelves along the far wall were the color coded microphones that were the same as the ones they used in concert. Each labeled by name, each given to her by the guys. She knew in her heart at the time and believed it still that she could never give him the family he so desperately wanted… to have children of his own to love.
It took some months of soul-searching for both Mari and Seb to realize that their marriage would never work, was not meant to be. Seb insisted she keep the ring, moving it with reluctance to her right hand as a gesture of continued friendship and of his continued love as he had so earnestly vowed before. Seb dated off and on, but his heart just wasn’t in it. When Seb, Carlos, David and Urs came individually or as a group, they always spent time with the kids at the workshops… especially Seb. He beamed with smiles as much as Mari did, but as close as he could be to them, he knew they weren’t his. They would belong to someone else… have someone else as a father than him, much as he wished it. Mari spent more time there and had already accepted the fact that as much as she loved the children, she knew they would never be hers except in her heart.
As the limo approached, Mari stepped out of the old lighthouse, walked to the dune’s edge and blew a farewell kiss to her dear friend the ocean beyond. Turning, she slowly walked back and looked to her left at the new construction starting to form for the new wing of the Music by the Sea Center… the yet to be named wing. It would run parallel with the IB, ID, Ancora and Sempre wings, making a simple sun pattern when see high above each touching the original structure as its starting point. The older students had named the center’s original half moon shaped structure “Somewhere”. She hoped there would be time to chat with all the new young students coming this summer from around the world; talk to them about music… the dreams and wishes they had, and tell them that not everyone can be a star in the spotlight in the music world, but you can make a difference with or without the spotlight with simple acts of kindness.
Mari climbed into the limo and opened the letter her PA had thoughtfully tucked into the top of her briefcase pocket. It was from Carlos… they were expecting twins in the fall. They wanted her to be the children’s godmother. Smiling, she wiped a tear from the corner of her eye and read the note again.