March 20th, 1982 (Saturday)

It was a rainy day and Robert was on call. Regina stayed home with her parents and her daughter, researching songs to work with the choir. Research about what was new on the musical world was something that she loved to do.

In the afternoon, she was playing dolls with Andrea, when the doorbell rang.

Louise had arrived unannounced.

They hugged each other. Her friend hugged Andrea tightly and then greeted Regina's parents.

─ I'm sorry to show up unannounced, but I really need to talk to you, Re. It couldn't wait.

─ Louise, you're family already, stated Sonia. Would you like a cup of coffee?

─ Yes, thank you aunt.

Walter got up to leave the room. ─ I'll go watch some TV and leave you to it.

─ Let's sit there on the couch, Regina invited her noticing her friend's sad look.

─ I couldn't wait any longer to give you this news, because it impacts on your wedding.

─ What are you talking about? What happened?

─ You don't have a groomsman anymore. Lucas and I broke up.

─ But is it for real, Louise? Couples fight and make up.

─ There's no turning back, Regina. He broke it off, because he is with someone else. She's pregnant. Louise's green eyes filled with tears.

─ I... I... don't know what to say, Louise. I guess "I'm sorry" doesn't seem totally appropriate. I'm shocked.

─ I know. Me too. He told me this morning. I haven't wrapped my head around it yet. I couldn't be alone in my apartment. Everything there reminds me of him. I don't want to go to my parents' house, they would be disappointed.

An idea crossed Regina's mind.

─ I see. I want you to stay here with me this weekend. You'll sleep here and tomorrow we'll go to Robert's family farm for a ride.

─ Sorry, Re. But I'm not in the mood to meet other people. Thank you for the invitation.

─ Lou, I won't take no for an answer. I know how you feel, but nothing like some fresh air to calm you down and give your heart a break.

─ I'll think about it, Re. But I can't promise you anything. I appreciate on you letting me spend the night here though, it would be very hard to sleep on my bed alone.

They spent the rest of the afternoon calmly. They had a snack and played with Andrea, who noticed Louise's sadness, but didn't say anything.

In the early night, Robert showed up. He was surprised to find his assistant, since she had called in sick for work that day. He realized something was not good. Regina took him by surprise when she asked him if he had let his mother know about their visit to the farm that weekend. He looked confused and Regina gave him a little wink. Immediately, he called his mother and let her know they would be visiting her on Sunday.

Sonia served dinner. During their meal, Louise told everyone what had happened, and Robert was shocked, since he knew Lucas very well. They were colleagues in the hospital.

─ Louise is worried that I don't have a groomsman anymore. Of course, I already have someone else in mind, Regina said.

Everyone looked at her.

─ I won't say who he is until I'm sure he'll say yes.

Sonia gave the guest room to Louise and Regina asked Robert to stay on her parents' house so they could leave early for the farm. He refused. He made up an excuse about how he had to run by the dry cleaning first and that he didn't have any clothes for the farm. She had to accept it. He would come back tomorrow at 9am to pick them up. Andrea would go too.

Louise told her that she was with a headache and didn't feel like traveling. Regina gave her a painkiller and asked her to go to bed. Nothing like a good night sleep to clear her mind.

On Sunday, everybody woke up early. When Robert arrived, they were ready. Regina didn't give any time for Louise to think about it. Lent her some shorts and a t-shirt and dragged her to the car.

Her parents accepted their invitation to join them. Walter was in the passenger seat next to Robert and all the ladies in the back. They couldn't stop talking for the entire trip. The two of them didn't know how they could understand each other. All of them talked at the same time and about different subjects. Andrea, as usual, was super excited about going to the farm. She loved her "cousins" and had a special bond with Oliver, the youngest son of an old farm employee. Oliver, or Ollie, as he was called, loved Andrea too. He only called her Clair.

When they arrived, they were greeted with Robert's family usual joy and hospitality. They made everyone feel welcomed. Louise was charmed by the beauty of the place and Regina was sure that bringing her along was a great idea.

Introductions were made and Louise recognized everybody from Regina's birthday party. The only one missing was Edward, who had gone to the city to buy some food.

Regina took her friend to the stable to meet Skylight. Together, both wearing jeans, was a pair to make men fall head over heels. Louise was tanned, a little taller than Regina e curvier, she had long dark brown hair and green eyes. She had a very Brazilian beauty, contrasting with Regina's more European look.

The farm's employees couldn't look away. But they kept their respect. Regina was the boss' wife. But it was certain that they would have trouble sleeping at night and would need a couple of cold showers.

Louise was in love with Skylight. Regina asked the horse keeper to saddle two horses and they went for a ride.

All of that nature made Louise feel so great that she even forgot about Lucas.

The horses were trotting slowly through the little road near the farm, when they saw a vehicle approach them.

They pulled over to give it some room, but the car stopped. It was Edward returning from the city. He got out of the car and stood there, staring at them.

─ What a sight from heavens, Lord! God be praised! He made a cross sign.

The girls laughed and Regina introduced them:

─ Louise, this is Edward, my horny brother-in-law.

─ Nice to meet you, Edward.

Edward took an X-Ray of Louise with his look that made her embarrassed.

─ Are you girls real or just fell from the Olympus to drive human crazy?

─ Eddy, come back to Earth. Louise just met you and she'll have a terrible impression. I need to talk to you as soon as possible. Go to the house and we will meet you there.

Regina signed the horse to continue trotting and Louise followed her. They rode by Edward laughing and he was dazzled, watching them ride away with their round butts on top of the saddle.

Edward parked his car in front of the house and saw Robert on the hammock.

─ Bert, come here to help me.

Robert went to help him and when he got near the car, Edward asked:

─ Do you have any pills? I think I'm having a heart attack. He put his brother's hand over his chest.

─ Only if it's for a bitch attack, Robert answered laughing.

─ Dude, I saw it, I saw it... no one told me.

─ What did you see, Eddy? ─ Robert continued laughing at his brother.

─ Don't laugh. It's true. There are two Olympic Goddess riding horses over the road. One I had already met, but the other... tell me the truth, Robert, did you find the ticket to the heaven?

Robert even felt a pinch in his stomach from laughing so hard.

At that moment, he realized Regina's intentions on bringing Louise to the farm. For sure she would invite Eddy to be her groomsman. The guy would freak out. Robert tried very hard to stop laughing and Eddy kept looking at him waiting for an answer.

─ Calm down, Eddy. She is real. And she really is very pretty but, as every woman, she is complex. Go slowly with her. Louise is very heartbroken with the end of a long relationship. The guy was a prick to her.

─ Some men don't know how lucky they are!

The brothers started unloading the car.

Half an hour later, Regina and Louise came back. Robert and Edward were talking on the front porch when they saw them coming towards the house. Robert admired Regina's bravery and tapped his brother's chin.

─ Wipe your drool, Eddy.

The girls got to the front porch and Regina greeted Edward with a hug. He tried to disguise the goofy look on his face but couldn't.

─ Eddy, I would like to propose something to you, and I would be very happy if you said yes, even being on such short notice.

─ Are you taking me to the Olympus where all your goddess sisters live?

─ Eddy, you crack me up. Regina laughed and continued. ─ I lost access to the Olympus when I met your brother and I decided to become mortal.

─ Would you give me the honor of being my groomsman, being Louise's date?

─ Oh... oh.... oh... Robert could you grab my heart pills, please?

─ Is that a yes, do you accept it?

Eddy stared at Louise deep in her eyes and affirmatively shaking his head while his eyes focused on her mouth, neck, breasts and legs. He started to blush and sweat.

Louise blushed like a tomato as well and didn't know where to look, while Robert and Regina couldn't stop laughing.

─ Honey, go get something for your brother. I think he really is going to have a heart attack.

The racket called everyone's attention and they all went to the front porch to see what it was about.

Regina told them that Edward had just accepted her invitation to be her groomsman and he was very excited... Robert sat on a chair still laughing, while the other came to congratulate his brother.

At lunch time, Regina made some arrangements and, strategically, placed Louise sitting next to Edward. After some time of embarrassment, they both started talking and seemed very comfortable.

When they were leaving, Louise approached Edward to say goodbye and quickly kissed him on the cheek. He was paralyzed and blushed.

Regina told him not to buy his suit at the last minute to avoid any problems. She was sure he would be in Goiania faster than the light.

Back to the city, Robert left Louise at her house. She was already feeling better to face her loneliness. She was tanned after spending a day on the outdoors.

When they arrived at Walter's house, Andrea had already slept on Sonia's lap. The grandfather said goodbye to Robert, thanking him once again for a great Sunday and carried his granddaughter inside. Regina told them that she would sleep at Robert's apartment.

While taking the passenger seat, Regina looked at Robert who couldn't hide his laughter.

─ Do you mind telling me what the joke is? I want to laugh to.

─ Who needs a joke when I have a creative and crafty woman like you? So, you lost access to the Olympus when you met me? And now you're playing cupid along terraqueous?

─ Exactly! Let's say it was... for a good cause.

─ You're amazing, Re.

They barely walked in the apartment and already started to take their clothes off, leaving them on the floor spread around from the living room to the bedroom.

Another night swept away by their passion.