The cabin rental in the mountains nearby*

Urs had been watching Siobhan sleeping beside him. His mind raced with the words of the songs, his heart pounding to the beat of LVSA. He closed his eyes and tried to rest, knowing he would be tired later with the schedule they had set. As he did so, Siobhan snuggled closer, resting her head on his shoulder. He smiled as he wrapped his arm around her, holding her close.

“What’s wrong? Can’t sleep?” Siobhan whispered softly. She had been with Urs before when IL DIVO had toured. She knew the idea of performing was exciting to him, but also knew he needed to rest.

Urs nodded slowly. “I know I need to rest… but there is so much to do… so much to remember… “

“Shhh Urs… save your voice. We both know you’ll need it later. I think I know what you are going through. But it’s you performing, not me. You know the words, you know the notes, you know the moves… you have the whole schedule in your head. There is nothing else to be done but rest now.“

“I know, but I have all of this energy now… I can’t put it in my pocket and save it for later. I don’t work that way…don’t know how to do that. Maybe a walk will help. You stay here… I’ll be back.”

“May I go with you? I know you’re a very private person, darling, but I don’t want you to be alone when you’re like this. If you don’t, I understand… I’ll wait… but please?”

Urs thought a moment, letting his fingers trace the outline of her lips, before nodding. “Yes, that would be nice. Thank you.” He kissed her forehead softly.

Both got out of bed and dressed quickly, Siobhan strapped the fanny-pack to her waist that held her camera. As they stepped outside, Urs reached for Siobhan’s hand, holding it gently in his. Instinctively, his eyes searched the mountains… hoping to take a deep breath and relax. It wasn’t quite light enough outside for them to find a trail to hike in the woods, but Siobhan had noticed a small pond down the road when they had come in the day before. Pointing in that direction, they headed toward it.

As they walked silently, Siobhan could sense the excitement building again in Urs… knowing he needed it, but not wanting it to fade too quickly. He was the type that needed little sleep, but this was more hours than she thought he had imagined. She had calculated it enough times in her mind now that it had become a parade of numbers, marching along to its own beat. Somehow, it seemed to keep her calm, hoping Urs would sense it and calm down himself. As they reached the crossroads, Urs could see the primitive, wooden dock at the waters edge with the mountains looming in the distance. He paused a moment to let it sink in.

“I saw this the other day, Urs and it reminded me of…” Siobhan started to say, but stopped, seeing the look on his face.

His eyes widened and glimmer in the morning light as the corners of his mouth turned slightly. “How did I miss this? How could I have missed it?” He looked at Siobhan, turning her toward him. “It’s like….”

Siobhan nodded, reaching for the pendant on her necklace and touching it lightly. “Not as big…No snow on the mountain tops, but yes…” She whispered softly before kissing him.

His hands reached to hold her face lightly, kissing her deeply. As their lips parted, he smiled broadly. Something Siobhan hadn’t seen the last few days with all of the traveling and rehearsals. His thumbs lightly rubbed her cheeks before he kissed her again, letting his mind drift back to the first full day of their honeymoon. Siobhan could feel his shoulders relax slightly. A moment later, they walked to the dock and looked at the water beyond. Hesitating only a moment, Urs stepped on the boards of the dock, keeping Siobhan behind him. As he stepped toward the far side of the small dock, Siobhan could sense the change in him. When he knelt down and let his hand tentatively reach for the water surface, she knew he would be able to relax a bit before the concert started. For now, there was just the sound of the birds in the treetops singing their early morning greetings, the occasional soft swish of pebbles skimming across the smooth pond surface, and the impromptu quick series of clicks from Siobhan’s camera.

An hour later, Urs took Siobhan’s hand and said, “Suddenly, I’m so tired. Can we go back now?”

Siobhan put her camera away and smiled. “Yes… I think it’s time you rested.