Seb nodded, still deep in thought as he wrote down a few more words. As they finished lunch, Seb still had no name, no dates in mind. He continued to look from the laptop screen to his notes, to Dori, to his sleeping daughters. He continued to jot down random words as they came to him, still hoping something would come to mind. “Something that would get people’s attention… be a catch phrase that was short… yet got the message across… something… “Seb thought to himself. “Rainbow… rainy day…warm… Mama… care… fairytale… Hoedown…heart…need…hero… despair… The words he had written, mixing and echoing through his mind by the people that had said them. “Dori, what is a Hoedown?”

Dori laughed. “Seb, it is another word for a big party with food, drinks, dancing and music. It’s very casual and relaxed, but it can turn rowdy at times… like in American Country Music videos and songs. Like Shindig was in the 50s & 60s. Why?”

“Oh, just something Suzie said…” Seb said, crossing out the word on his list. “What does No Shirt, No Shoes, No Problems mean then?”

Dori smiled again and asked to use his laptop a moment. Finding the video, “It’s a song by Kenny Chesney… it was and still is very popular…here… watch it.” Seb watched it as the words drifted through his mind again. They finished their lunch quietly. After Dori took the plates back to the kitchen and cleaned up, she returned to the living room to check on the twins. Seb was still in thought, rolling the pen idly between his fingers, glancing over at the girls every now and then. The afternoon crept by. Dori went outside to water her flowers as the girls napped. The sound of the water from the garden hose reminded Seb of the rainstorm Cyd had talked about, earlier that morning. The light rhythm cascading against the ground was soothing to his racing mind. As he became caught up in the quiet cadence, he was startled by the babies starting to stir and fuss. The concert details vanished from his mind as he walked over to comfort them. Resting a hand lightly on each one, he started to hum the melody of “Over the Rainbow”. They had never done that song in concert, but it was one of the songs he liked to sing to the babies. As he did so, they seemed to quiet and drift back to sleep.

Suddenly, it all came together in his mind. He walked back to his laptop and started to write an email to Urs, asking him to contact him ASAP. No sooner had he hit send then there was a reply and the video link was activated. Seb and Urs talked briefly through the details, Urs nodding as they talked, agreeing with many of the things Seb had said. Urs could picture it clearly in his mind. Thirty minutes later, Siobhan tapped Urs on the shoulder, whispering quickly and stepping out of view. Urs mentioned the date Siobhan had suggested and Seb nodded in return. August 28th through the 29th would be just before the Labor Day Weekend in the US, marking the unofficial end of summer. The weather would be nice and hopefully mild with warm days and cool nights. Those that attended would still have the rest of the weekend to relax and have their parties before heading back to work or school. It would be the perfect time.

Soon, David and Carlos were brought into the link. All agreed and thought it was perfect. Calls were made and there was a flurry of faxes, emails and video linked conferences. Before the week was over, the last details had been completed. Each of the couples in the Il Divo family now held a copy of the final draft of the advertisement. The Daze Bizz would start the campaign in the weeks to come. The forum, other newspapers and magazines would follow, as the news spread around the globe announcing their event, “Dare to Care.



Back in Spain, Carlos looked from the advert on the table to Cyd as she snuggled Leila Elena gently in her arms. With a satisfied smile on his face, Carlos wrapped his right arm around Cyd’s waist and lightly rested his left hand on Leila Elena back as Cyd whispered softly, “There really is no place like home.”




MANDI AND DORI’S T-SHIRT HUNT

*Two weeks later*

Dori was happy to see Mandi return and stay with her, Sebastien and the girls. It had been a few weeks since she had been in the States, so she decided to spend time with the family. Mathew had been busy flying Urs and Siobhan to Spain and helping David get things ready for Camille’s trip to Spain.

Today would be a great and exciting day for all. They were hoping Leila Elena would be awake this time when they got together via video hookup at Sebastien’s home. David and Suzie were coming to the house so all would be together when they did. Carlos had the same set up and so he too would not miss out on anything that went on.

Carlos made the link with Sebastien not long after David and Suzie arrived. Urs and Siobhan were still in Spain with Carlos and Cyd, so the families were together. Cyd brought a very alert Leila Elena to the bar room, so she could meet all of her aunts and uncles in the states for the first time. She is a beauty and all agreed she looked like Cyd and Carlos with her having his eyes. She would be a heartbreaker some day. Carlos and Uncle Urs had already decided they would each watch out for that in the future. Carlos and Cyd were happy she had responded so well to being in the new house and getting settled. Cyd was a vision after having her and seemed well rested. The video call lasted about an hour as they all put in their comments of the newest member of the Il Divo family. Just before the call ended, Carlos sat Leila Elena on the desk and held her wrist, making the motion to wave good-bye.

The next day was a shopping trip for Dori and Mandi in search of new things for the twins. They were going to Spartanburg, SC to the big mall called ‘Westgate’ and would be gone most of the day. Dori was concerned about leaving the girls to go out, but Sebastien assured her he could handle taking care of their two daughters without any help. He wanted Dori to have some time away from the babies to spend some time with Mandi being just adults. So, the next morning about 9am, Dori and Mandi headed out for the 45 minute drive to Spartanburg, SC. Sebastien settled in for some quiet, quality time with his girls, who happened to be sleeping for the moment.

Mean while down at the farm, Suzie had a day planned of shopping in Asheville, getting errands done and being back at about 6pm to have a Romantic and peaceful dinner with David. While she was gone, David continued working on the plans for Camille’s trip to Spain. There was still a lot of paperwork had to be completed and approved for her to be transported to Spain from America.