Chapter 35
Urs knocked on the door before he entered. “David said you wanted to see me.”
Tracey patted the sofa next to her. “Come and sit.”
He did and Tracey took hold of his hand. “You are an amazing man you know that don’t you Urs? So many people have no idea what lies just under the surface. If David hadn’t stolen my heart I think maybe you might have.”
Urs smiled and squeezed her hand. “I’m dying.” Urs went to say something but she stopped him. “It’s ok. This is going to be so much harder for all of you than me. But I need you to be strong for just a little while longer. For all her energy and craziness this will hit Nat hard, harder than even she thinks. She’s a tough girl but she is going to need you. I am going to need you to take care of her Urs. If you do that then she will be able to take care of you.”
Tears fell down his face and Tracey gently brushed them away. “I need to thank you.”
Choking back more tears Urs spoke. “For what Tracey? I don’t understand?”
“For bringing David into my life. If not for you, and me getting a bee in my bonnet about your health in the beginning we would never had met. You brought him to me Urs and because of that I got to love and live a life I never thought possible. If it had only been for six months I would have been grateful but I got so, so much more.”
Urs could no longer hide his own grief, unable to speak he hugged Tracey and she held him until his tears had stopped. “Don’t be sad my Swiss Cowboy, Live a good and full life for me, cherish the time you have with Nat and you friends.”
“I already do Trace. I already do.”
Urs left Tracey with instructions to send Sebastien down to see her.
As she had with Urs, Tracey made Sebastien sit next to her. He had seen the pain on Urs’ face but all he had said was Tracey wanted to see him.
“What is it Cherie? Is there something I can do for you?”
Tracey smiled, every the caring soul, always looking after others before himself. “Don’t be afraid to live Capt’n Jack.”
Sebastien smiled, these days only Reba and Tracey called him Jack. In the beginning he was not at all sure he liked it but his new nick name grew on him and it had been useful. Sometimes when there were out and wanted to remain anonymous Reba would call him Jack.
Tracey continued. “And when that first baby is born give it a good strong name. I know you are afraid that you won’t make a good father Seb but you will. You will be outstanding. I know you. You would love nothing more than to spend time with good friends, good food and a brood of your own running around the back yard.”
Sebastien had tears in his eyes. “I have told no one of this dream Cheri, even Reba says someday we will have children.”
“She only says that because she is giving you time. Sebastien do you remember when you proposed to her?”
Again he smiled. “It was the happiest day of my life.”
“Mmmmm, but you needed a little push. Well I am giving you another push okay. Tell her it is okay, you’re ready and you will make her the happiest woman on earth. I promise.”
Sebastien took her hands. “How is it that you know all these things?”
“In your heart you know them to.”

Tracey’s next visitor was Carlos. He waltzed into the cottage in his own sweet flamboyant way, giving Tracey a bend at the waist bow. “A private audience with our Florence Nightingale.” Carlos held out his hand. “Mrs Miller, could I have the honour of this dance?”
Tracey smiled; she still so loved to hear that name. “I am so sorry Mr Marin but just now my dancing legs are a little tired.”
“You sound like Sue, but when she says that she means later. You really mean now don’t you?”
Tracey nodded.
“Then I will be content to sit by your side and drink in your beauty,”
“Oh Papa Smurf, I don’t think I could qualify as beautiful.”
Carlos took her hands and kissed them. “You shall always be a beauty Tracey; your heart could not let you be any other way.”
Tracey gently brushed her hand across his cheek. “Thank you Carlos, that means a lot.” She sighed. “I have a big favour to ask of you.”
Carlos remained silent only looking into her eyes and waiting. “I need you to be Papa Smurf when I am gone.” Tracey felt his grip on her hands tighten just a little. “The boys will all need you to help them get through it. The girls will rally around each other; they will talk to each other and in their own ways will help each other move on. But the boys, Carlos you need to help them talk about their grief, their pain, their anger. You will need to be a father and a friend to them. Let them know you are truly there for them when they need to talk.”
“But Tracey. We are there for each other, we always have been.”
“I know Carlos and I know I am asking a lot but you will need to show them, really show them they can talk to each other and to you. I don’t want them to bottle it all up. I don’t want them to make the same mistake I did. Especially David.”
Carlos got down on one knee in front of Tracey, still holding her hands. “As God is my witness I will try my hardest to do this for you.”
“I know you will Carlos and I love you for it.”
Tracey had fallen asleep on the sofa and it was David’s gentle touch that woke her. She smiled, looking into a face of the man she loved so much. He kissed her. “Sue sent down some sandwiches for your lunch. Would you like a cup of tea?”
“Yes please. Where are the others?”
David answered as he busied himself in the kitchen. “Urs and Nat have gone off horse riding; Sebastien and Reba have gone for a walk. Sebastien had a very serious look on his face. You didn’t give him another little push by any chance did you?”
Tracey smiled to herself. “Maybe.”
“Just as I left Carlos was heading out with Darrel and Simon and Gillian and Sue.” David paused bringing over the sandwiches and tea on a tray and placed them on Tracey’s lap.

Sebastien had indeed taken Reba for a walk. Tracey had given him the courage to talk to Reba about a family, their family. As they walked he told her of his desire to have children and not just one or two but maybe six or seven.
Reba Laughed. “And who is going to have all these children my sweet Prince?”
Sebastien was horrified, thinking he had done and said the wrong thing. “No Cherie, this is only if you want to have children. I will be happy with how ever many you want.”
“Well how about we see how we go with the one I am carrying and take it from there.”
Sebastien almost fell over his own feet he stopped so fast. He just looked at Reba bewildered. “D’enfant? You’re pregnant. But how?”
“Well Seb if you don’t know how we need to have a major talk.”
Sebastien blushed a little. “I mean we took precautions.” He grabbed Reba and hugged her. “We are going to have a baby. How long have you known?”
“Three weeks, I was so worried. You never talked about children. I didn’t know how to tell you and with Tracey being so ill. I wasn’t sure if this was the right time.”
Sebastien was amazed. “You have not talked to Tracey about this?”
“No Seb. I have not told a soul why?”
“Just this morning she told me that when our first child was born to give it a good strong name.”
“So I take it you are happy we are having our first child.”
To show how happy he was Sebastien howled, loudly.
Off in the distance Tracey heard that howl and smiled.