Woodfield Inn across town*

Cyd peeked out into the dimly lit living room to check on Leila Elena before she took a shower. Carlos was sleeping soundly, with the blanket carefully tucked under his chin. Luckily, she was still sleeping. The time changes that had reeked havoc with her sleeping schedule no longer seemed to be a problem. For now, it seemed she was back to her usual self. Taking a deep breath, Cyd crept back to the bathroom to take her shower. When she was finished, she would pack a few things into a day bag for Leila Elena including clothes, diapers, formula, and toys. The baby food was already at Seb and Dori’s so that was one less thing she had to think about.

As she walked into the bathroom, she changed her mind and started to run a bath. She turned the volume up on her mini-Marin monitor so she could hear Leila Elena if she woke up. She poured in Rose-scented bubble bath, her favorite, before she slipped out of her nightgown. She pulled her long, dark hair up, securing it with a butterfly clip. Soon the tub was full and Cyd eased into the steamy water, breathing deeply. As she rested, she thought about the long day ahead. Carlos had seemed calm on the outside, but something was bubbling, just below the surface. She couldn’t quite put her finger on it, but it was something.

She started to hum to herself… the song Carlos sang to Leila Elena every night before she would go to sleep. As she did, her mind went back to the first night at the hospital when Carlos thought she was asleep. She smiled to herself, knowing how proud he was of their child. Continuing to hum, she didn’t hear the bathroom door open or Carlos tip toe inside. Suddenly, his voice softly matched hers as he undid the butterfly clip from her hair. He stopped humming as he watched her wavy dark hair cascade over the rim of the bathtub.

Cyd’s eyes popped open and she started to sit upright. His warm hand on her shoulder and the smile on his face told her otherwise. Carlos laid the clip on the vanity before he turned back to her with a light blush to his cheeks. By now, Cyd had stopped humming and watched him. Hearing the quiet, Carlos continued to sing the song softly to the final words before he kissed her deeply. As he did, Cyd pulled him close, covering his shoulders with bubbles.

“I love the smell of roses Querida, but not on me… it is much lovelier on you.” He whispered softly.

Cyd giggled, doing her best to wipe them off as Carlos continued to kiss her softly. “Shhhh or you’ll wake our sleeping butterfly. Hey, Urs had a beard during the one break… how do I look with a little beard? “He said, scooping up a handful of bubbles and putting them on his chin. He wiggled his eyebrows as Cyd giggled again. “I love that laugh… you need to laugh more often. I feel like you are overwhelmed with babies these days… our little butterfly, Twinkle, Camille… is it going to be too much for you? I wanted to fill your life with happiness, yet it seems to be so… ”

Cyd touched his lips with her fingers. “Carlos, I love our child, Twinkle, Camille, and all of the animals at home. I miss the animals now, but they are safe. We will give them a good home… lots of love… and they will be there when we get home. Our home… it is so special Carlos… and Leila Elena is our beautiful little girl. There is so much love there, my heart is full. Please, don’t worry… there will always be love waiting for you when you come home from touring. Keep that in your heart… we love you. Leila Elena will know who her father is… what a great man he is whether you are at her side or not. I wouldn’t have it any other way. Music is your life Carlos… it doesn’t age as we do... it is timeless.”

Carlos kissed her again, rubbing her cheek as he stared into her dark green eyes. As he did, the monitor seemed to come to life. Cyd tried to sit up, but Carlos stood, “Stay and enjoy your bath… I’ll get our little butterfly for the moment. Come out when you are ready… but not looking like a prune… ok?”

Carlos stepped out of the bathroom, closing the door behind him. Cyd could hear him greeting this daughter as she quickly finished her bath. As she tugged on her bathrobe, she checked the mirror before opening the door. When she walked into the bedroom, her eyes filled with tears and a smile broadened on her face. Carlos was propped up in the bed with Leila snuggled on his chest, as he cooed softly to her, “Your mama is such a wonderful women. I love her so much… and you too, mariposita (little butterfly). I know you will grow up to be just like her. And someday, somewhere, the man of your dreams will sing you a song that will be more special than ours. But know, that I loved you first… and the longest of all of the boys and men that will be in your life. “

Cyd crept out of the doorway and grabbed her camera from the bag on the table. Quickly, she sped back and took the picture of the two people she loved the most in the world. As she checked the digital display of the photo, she smiled again, before wiping away a tear. She laid the camera down and joined them for a few moments before Carlos went to take his shower. In a few hours, they would be driving across town to the farm house. It was going to be a great day after all.