This time she was indifferent to their audience.  Her fingers softly touched his cheek as she deepened the kiss.  She loved him so much.  This man was her strength; her joy; her peace and he loved her unconditionally. 

She also loved this special treat he had arranged for her.  Paris was her go to place of  pleasure and comfort. For her first and second year anniversaries, her husband had brought her to Paris.  She cherished wonderful, erotic memories of their nights here. 

‘Darling,’ Brad sighed.  ‘I must buckle Lyndon in.’

‘Oh yes sorry,’ Tessa pulled away and turned around to see where their son was.  Brad stood up hurriedly to strap his son in, only to find Bentley strapping Lyndon into the seat next to his.

‘My daddy,’ Lyndon lifted his arms to his daddy pleadingly.

‘Thank you Bentley.  Let me rescue the blighter,’ Brad quickly unbuckled Lyndon.  ‘We will have to be quick son.’  Brad lifted Lyndon into his arms and brought him to their seats.   Brad buckled Lyndon in, in between Tessa and himself.

‘You okay my angel?’ Tessa linked Lyndon’s tiny fingers into hers.

‘Yes momma,’ he stretched out his other hand to hold his daddy’s.  Tessa caught her breath, filled with love for her little boy that was so secure in his mummy and daddy’s love.  She looked up to see Brad’s eyes trained on her.  Tessa smiled at her husband, she leaned over Lyndon’s head, Brad met her halfway.   His lips joined Tessa’s as they indulged in a slow, lazy kiss.

‘Daddy, go back,’ Lyndon pushed his daddy away towards his own seat.  Brad and Tessa laughed as Brad drew away from Tessa.   Lyndon leaned his head against his mummy’s shoulder.   

      The hotel manager was at the reception to welcome Brad and his family.  As always, Bentley had booked them into the Hôtel de Crillon in Paris's Champs Elysees neighborhood.  The Blakely family’s Superior Suite King Bed was tastefully decorated in chic European décor.  Expensive French paintings hung on the walls.  The bath suites were fitted with gold, marble and expansive mirrors.  It was luxury fit for a king.  It offered a panoramic view of the city, allowing a picturesque view of Paris’ most famous land marks; the Elysee Palace; the Arc de Triomphe; the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre.  The suite had an adjoining room for Lyndon.  It contained a mini office with accompanying equipment for Brad.  It also provided a very cozy family sitting room.  Another door led from the opposite side into Lyndon’s room.  Stacy would occupy that room for easy access to Lyndon.  Bentley occupied a room opposite the executive suite of the Blakely’s.

As Bentley was busy engaging with Brad on some work related matters, Tessa guided her son to his room.  Lyndon would be tired, she wanted to bathe him and dress him for dinner.  He had not had his afternoon nap and after the flight and all the excitement, he would be exhausted.  After bathing Lyndon, Tessa dressed him in a lounge shirt and evening trousers.  She joined her husband and Bentley in the public room of their suite. 

‘Darling would you mind if I spent an hour with Bentley after dinner?’ Brad asked, his hand lightly at her lower back.

How could she mind when her adorable husband had dropped everything just to spoil and pamper her at a breath’s notice?  After all they had about four days in Paris.  She could spare him an hour.

‘No, of course not,’ she looked up into Brad’s face.  ‘Take all the time you need.’

‘Are you sure?’ Brad raised an eyebrow questioningly.  They were supposed to be taking a break from work.

‘We will be having dinner together right?’ Tessa checked.

‘Yes.’

‘Then that’s fine.  I will spend the time with Lyndon.’

‘Thank you,’ Brad pressed a kiss to his wife’s cheek.

‘Bentley you will join us for dinner,’ Tessa instructed.

‘Excuse me?’ Bentley was surprised.  Mrs. Blakely was always looking after the staff’s interest, but this was supposed to be the Blakely’s family time.

‘That means it’s not negotiable,’ Lyndon answered, his hand behind his back.  His chest puffed out mimicking his grandfather.  Brad and Bentley laughed.  Tessa bit on her lower lip as she directed a look at her son.

‘I’m going to ask Stacy to join us as well,’ Tessa continued.

‘Okay,’ Brad took charge.  ‘We shall meet for dinner in an hour?’ 

‘I’m sorry to take up some of our private time,’ Brad drew Tessa into his arms.

‘Don’t be,’ she murmured.  ‘We have more than enough time here over the next few days.’

‘Have you checked out your wardrobe?’ Brad smiled.

‘Not yet.  I just wanted to give Lyndon a bath before he passes out.’ 
Not that she had anything to worry about as far as her wardrobe was concerned.  Her husband had exceptional taste.

‘I’m not passing out momma.  I am going to have dinner.’

‘That’s a good boy,’ Brad lifted his son into his arms, as he guided Tessa to the master bedroom.  Tessa opened the closet and was met by an array of the latest and most expensive fashion items.  There were cocktails dresses in various evening shades.  Casual day trousers, dresses, cardigans, silk blouses, night wear and off course sexy lingerie.  Designer stilettos, boots and casual pumps for day wear.  Her thoughtful husband had even remembered to order sportswear for her to gym in.  Tessa knew everything would be her size and would fit her hour glass figure perfectly.

‘This was the mysterious phone call you made from the office,’ she smiled, running her fingers admiringly over the assortment of clothes hanging in the closet.

‘Guilty,’ he grinned.

‘Thank you so much darling.  I love you.’ Tessa offered her husband an appreciative kiss.’

‘My pleasure.  There’s something for you too son,’ Brad opened the closet that should house his own clothes.

‘What do you have for me my daddy?’  Next to Brad’s set of clothes, were two pairs of designer boy’s denims, a pair of sneakers and two baseball caps.  Not surprisingly Lyndon dived for the cap.  ‘Wow this is mine?’  Lyndon grabbed the fist cap that depicted a famous Disney character.

‘Yep it’s yours,’ Brad smiled.  Tessa watched her son admiringly, as he placed the cap on his head.

‘Let’s go to dinner momma,’ he urged.

‘Oh you’re not wearing a cap to dinner Lyndon Blakely,’ Tessa exclaimed.

‘And that’s not negotiable,’ Brad added with a smirk.  Reluctantly Lyndon removed the cap.

‘You can wear it all day tomorrow, when we go out to do some sightseeing,’ Tessa made amends.

‘And can I wear those sneakers please?’

‘With pleasure son,’ Brad kissed the top of his son’s head.  ‘Now mommy and I need to shower before dinner.  ‘Would you like to go first darling?’ Brad offered.

‘No you go ahead,’ Tessa took Lyndon.  ‘I will just have a word with Stacy about dinner tonight.’

‘Oh, Stacy must baby sit Lyndon tomorrow evening.  We have plans,’ Brad hinted, as he removed his tie and jacket.

‘So mysterious,’ Tessa grinned, thrilled about the secret plans her husband had for them.

Tessa extended an invitation to Stacy to join them for dinner, which she gladly accepted.  Tessa also requested Stacy to look after Lyndon the following evening, as per Brad’s instructions.  Lyndon should be no trouble.  He would be exhausted after the activities of the day tomorrow.

‘You can have the night to yourself tonight Stacy,’ Tessa smiled.   ‘I shall keep Lyndon with me.  Brad and Bentley will be finishing of some work after dinner.’

‘You can rest Mrs. Blakely.  Tonight I will see to Lyndon with pleasure.’

‘No that’s okay,’ Tessa hugged Lyndon to her chest.  ‘I would like to spend the time with Lyndon.’

‘You will read a story to me momma?’

‘Yes my angel, as many as you would like.’

‘Yippee!’ Lyndon gave his mummy a hug.

Tessa was surprised that Lyndon had not fallen asleep at the dinner table.  They had all enjoyed a lovely dinner.  Brad had steered the conversations to light, general topical news and a little sport and everybody  contributed  to discussions on music, sport and Paris' most famous attractions  on offer. 
Stacy had initially been a little shy, but Tessa, Brad and Bentley managed to coax her, that she was able to relax, enjoy the dinner and contribute to the conversations. 
Stacy would have the day off tomorrow, but her services would be required in the evening.

  ‘What are you going to read to me momma?’ Lyndon asked as his mummy brushed his teeth.

‘You can have your pick darling.  Would you like to lie in mummy’s bed?’

‘Yes thank you.’

‘Okay run to your room and fetch all the books you want,’ Tessa smiled.  Whilst Lyndon was collecting his mountain of books, Tessa undressed from one of the very sexy cocktail dresses she had adorned.  She slipped into a night shirt and matching shorts as Lyndon returned with his arms full of books.

‘Okay angel,’ Tessa lifted the bed covers.  ‘Hop in and tell mummy which one we are going to start with.  Tessa brought two bottles of still water from the mini refrigerator and offered one to Lyndon.

‘Thank you momma,’ he accepted the bottle. ‘Can we start with this book,’ he pointed to an adventure story of pirates at sea.  Tessa was glad the book was pretty thick.  She knew she would not be half way through, when Lyndon would be lights out.  Tessa slid into the humongous king size bed.  Lyndon shifted up and snuggled up next to his mummy.  She had barely read six pages when Lyndon’s head drooped onto her chest.  Tessa kissed his cheek, lowered him onto Brad’s pillow and cradled him tightly.  She was tired.  It was more than two hours, since Brad had gone to meet with Bentley.  She did not mind.  If she fell asleep, Brad would carry Lyndon to his own bed.

When Brad tiptoed into their suite an hour later, he found the lights out.  Just the bedside light on Tessa’s side was on dim.  She was fast asleep.  Their son was comfortable on Brad’s side of the bed.  He smiled.  His wife was in night clothes.  She disliked having clothes on in bed.  Her arms were protectively around their son.  He laughed softly at the stack of books on her bedside table.  The book right on the top was about an adventure at sea.  Surely his wife knew their son would pass out before she could finish reading half of the first book.

Brad walked to Tessa side and carefully lowered himself onto the bed.  He raked his fingers through the curtain of hair on her pillow.  He bent his head and pressed his lips to hers.

‘Darling,’ she whispered in her sleep, draping her arm around his neck.

‘Good night,’ Brad murmured, brushing his lips against her throat.  Gently he removed his wife’s arm from around his neck.  Brad undressed, followed suit like his wife and put on a pair of silk boxers.  Their bed was huge enough to accommodate three people.  Brad slid into bed next to Lyndon. 

Tessa kept waking up in the early hours of the morning as Lyndon repeatedly kicked the bed covers off.  At one stage she removed his night shirt thinking he was too hot.  When he continued kicking at the covers not wanting anything covering him, she was concerned about his chest being cold and put his shirt on again.  Her husband was in bed and oblivious to their restless son.  Tessa smiled as Lyndon drew closer to her and even in his sleep, was kicking at his father who did not feel a thing.

Her built in biological clock awoke her at the normal time she got up to gym each morning.  Red eyed and tired, Tessa lifted her head to check the time, only to find her husband wide awake and smiling at her.  Tessa groaned and dropped her head on her pillow.

‘Never again,’ she moaned into her pillow.

‘Good morning,’ Brad reached over Lyndon and kissed his wife.

‘Why didn’t you carry your son to his own bed?’ Tessa complained.

‘You looked so adorable, holding him so protectively I did not want to disturb either of you.’

‘I kept waking up.  Lyndon was fighting with the covers for half the night.’

‘You should have woken me up.’

‘For future reference, your son is never to sleep in our bed again,’ Tessa sighed.

‘Noted,’ Brad grinned.  ‘Why don’t you try to sleep for another hour?’ Brad suggested.

‘I’m wide awake,’ she spoke into her pillow again.

Brad got out of his side of the bed and walked over to Tessa’s side and sat down.

‘You always liked this,’ he murmured, slipping his palm under her shirt.  Tessa sighed appreciatively as Brad’s fingers kneaded over her shoulder blades and down her spine.

‘I should go workout in the gym,’ she murmured.

‘Ssshh,’ he continued to massage rhythmically, working her shoulder blades and her lower back.  After about twenty minutes, Tessa had fallen asleep again.   It was not long thereafter, Lyndon got up noisily.  Brad quickly lifted their son and took him to his own room.

‘Son, mummy is still tired.  We’re going to be quiet okay,’ Brad whispered.

‘Yes daddy,’ Lyndon whispered back.

‘Shall we have breakfast in our suite?’

‘Yes,’ Lyndon nodded enthusiastically.  Brad placed an order for a full breakfast for three.

‘Okay, lets shower, brush our teeth and breakfast should arrive when we’re done.

Lyndon helped himself to a new pair of denims, the pair of sneakers and the animated cap he had his eyes on the previous night. ‘I’m want to dress myself please daddy,’ he looked up pleadingly.

‘Sure sport, go ahead,’ Brad winked, as he dressed.

‘Can I have some too daddy?’ Lyndon extended his hand out for some of his daddy’s cologne.

‘I don’t know if mummy will approve Lyndon.’

‘She will say, “you smell nice darling.  I love you.”’ 

Brad looked down at his son, raising an eyebrow unbelievingly.  He was beginning to think his son was overhearing much more that he was supposed to.  ‘Just a little,’ Brad whispered conspirationally, handing his son the bottle.

Brad laughed when he saw his son climbing into his denims.  ‘What about your underpants master Blakely?’

‘Oops,’ Lyndon giggled.  Brad assisted his son to get into his clothes.  Whilst Lyndon put his sneakers on, Brad answered the door to receive their breakfast.

  
Tessa stretched and turned her head to the other side of the bed.  There was nobody there.   Instinctively her hand reached out and touched Brad’s pillow.  His side of the bed was cold.  Her wrist watch told her it was an hour later than she normally rose. She should have finished an hour’s circuit of gym by this time.  Tessa strained her ear.   She could hear her husband and son giggling about something.  She smiled.  Tessa recalled complaining to Brad about her lack of sleep last night.  She remembered Brad coming to her side and soothingly massaging her back.  Surprisingly, she had fallen asleep again.  Her tummy was rumbling.  She could smell fresh filter coffee and breakfast.  Brad’s gentle voice and a gurgle of laughter from Lyndon drifted into the bedroom.

Tessa threw the covers off.  She went into the bathroom, brushed her teeth and washed her face.  She tiptoed to the front room to find Brad on his knees, handsomely dressed in tight fitting denims and a polo shirt.  Lyndon was ruffling his daddy’s hair, whilst Brad was tying his son’s shoe lace.

‘Momma! I put my sneakers on the wrong feet,’ Lyndon exclaimed proudly.  Brad looked over his shoulder and smiled at his wife.  She looked refreshingly beautiful in the morning.  Her hair tousled, she was barefooted and still in her skimpy night wear.

‘Good morning,’ Tessa smiled at her husband and son.  ‘You dressed yourself?’  Tessa extended her arms out to Lyndon.

‘Yes momma,’ he proudly exclaimed as he dived into Tessa’s arms.

‘Tell mummy, you forgot to put your underpants on,’ Brad kissed his wife.  Lyndon looked at his mummy sheepishly.

‘Are you using daddy’s cologne darling?’

‘Yes,’ he mumbled not so confidently.

‘It’s too strong for your skin my angel.  I don’t want you using it okay,’ Tessa kissed his cheek.

‘Okay momma,’ Lyndon raised his eyes surreptitiously at his daddy.

‘Coffee darling?’

‘I want to visit the gym first,’ Tessa responded.

‘Oh.’ Brad looked disappointed.

‘Darling,’ Tessa sighed, cupping Brad’s cheek.  ‘I’m going to feel miserable if I don’t at least put in a little exercise.’

‘I thought we’d go on a cruise down the Seine, enjoy lunch on board and perhaps walk through the Champs Elysees today.’

‘Come on momma.  My daddy is taking us on a boat.  Let’s go.’ Tessa looked at her husband accusingly.  She knew he had deliberately thrown those comments, knowing Lyndon would take the bait and coerce his mummy.

‘Have you had your breakfast?’ Tessa smiled at her son.

‘I had a waffle,’ he answered guiltily.  Tessa looked at her husband.  He knew she like Lyndon to have a healthy breakfast.  He could have a little waffle after he’d had something nutritional first.

‘He promised to have some fruit,’ Brad answered defensively.

Tessa smiled at her son.  ‘How about you go and finish you breakfast, whilst mummy showers.’
‘Are we going on the boat momma?’

‘Yes,’ Tessa smiled again.  Not only was her son enthusiastic, Brad’s eyes also lit up excitedly.

‘I’ll see you just now,’ Tessa draped her arms around Brad and kissed him.

‘Hurry,’ he urged returning the kiss lingeringly.

‘My daddy please serve my fruit,’ Lyndon demanded, employing any means available to keep his daddy away from his mummy.  Brad’s amused eyes held Tessa’s.  Reluctantly he shifted his lips away.  

‘I thought it’s parents that issue the instructions,’ Tessa kept her arms around Brad’s neck.

‘Times are achanging,’ Brad grinned, dropping his arms.  Tessa did the same and walked back to the bathroom.

       ‘Clip these on son,’ Brad handed Lyndon a pair of earphones, so he could listen to the special commentary for kids.  They were seated in the luxury boat’s open deck on the upper level.  The magnificent boat resembled a moving five star restaurant.  It had all the modern lavish bells and whistles that money could buy.  The boat was a supremely majestic looking piece of art with endless arched windows with narrow columns.  As the boat slowly moved through the water, it passed special nooks of the city.  The passengers were able to admire the stunning monuments, and ornate bridges in the capital city.

The boat passed the Musée du Louvre.  In Brad and Tessa’s earphones a very accented French voice narrated that the Louvre built in 1793, was the most visited art museum in the world.

‘Oh look,’ Tessa pointed to the Arc de Triomphe.  Again the narrator’s voice filled their ears.  The Triumphal Arch, as the Arc de Triomphe is also known was erected to honour the soldiers who fought for France and died in the French Revolution and Napoleonic wars.

The narrator proceeded to inform them of the next eighteenth century monument the boat passed, the Place de la Revolution as it was previously called.  That was where the infamous guillotine was erected.  Some famous persons beheaded by the guillotine for treason, included King Louis XVI in 1793 and his wife Queen Marie Antoinette.  In a spirit of reconciliation the Place de la Revolution was renamed Place de la Concorde, as it is known today. 

‘Poor Marie Antoinette,’ Tessa whispered.

‘Poor King Louis,’ Brad winced.

After enjoying a superb light lunch on the boat, the Blakely family disembarked at the Champs Elysees, the most breadth taking through fare in Paris.  It housed cafes, cinemas, souvenir shops and luxury speciality shops.  It is said, it is arguably the most beautiful and most expensive piece of real estate in the entire world.  During their sightseeing Brad treated Lyndon to cotton candy and sugary drinks to Tessa’s utter consternation.

‘He’s on holiday,’ Brad urged, attempting to bribe his wife with a kiss.  To which Lyndon grinned happily.

‘You’re so not having dessert tonight,’ Tessa stated. 
Lyndon directed a wounded look at his daddy.

‘We’re going in here,’ Brad steered Tessa to one of the exclusive jewellery stores.

‘I don’t want anything,’ Tessa sighed.

‘You need a pair of earrings for the red number you’re wearing tonight,’ Brad whispered in her ear.

‘Oh really?’
She didn’t know she was wearing a red dress later that evening.

Brad walked to the display case that had the most exquisite platinum earrings on display.  He always bought her the most extravagant jewellery.  Some of her jewellery cost more than most people earned in a year.  Not a single item had a price tag.  It meant if you considered the price you could not afford it. 

Tessa watched her husband with a polite smile on her face.  He scanned the display and with single minded certainty, pointed to a pair of exquisite earrings and handed a black charge card to the sales manager.

Tessa was loving every precious second of the valuable time with her doting husband and son.  It thrilled her spending the time window-shopping in the outdoor promenade. The French capital city was not only a perfect place for lovers, the tourist setting was idyllic, with cobblestone streets lined by a rich history of ancient monuments, old churches and beautiful concert halls.  What appealed to Tessa was simply being in the city.  Walking with her hand laced through her husband’s.  Enjoying everything it had to offer, having refreshments at cafés with Brad and watching the delighted expressions on Lyndon’s animated face. Paris was to Tessa, what comfort food was to others.

       Tessa smiled to herself as she caught her husband’s dark eyes in the mirror.  She had put the red cocktail dress on that he’d wanted her to wear.  It looked stunning against the milk white of her completion.  Tessa had pinned her hair up, so the splendour of her brand new platinum earrings could be seen to advantage. 
Now her husband restrained himself with difficulty.  Poor Brad, last night Lyndon had been in their bed, he could not make love to his wife in the City of Love.

‘We could set dinner back by half an hour,’ he murmured.  Brad stood behind her, his head bent, as his lips worried seductively at her throat.  She knew his half hour could stretch to two hours.  Besides she knew he had tickets to the most amazing cabaret show.  She was not supposed to have seen that when she opened the door to Bentley’s knock.  Brad had dived forward, deftly retrieved them from Bentley and slipped them into his pocket.  Tessa had pretended not to have seen it. 

‘I don’t ---think so,’ Tessa sighed.  Her head angled onto Brad’s shoulder as his tongue caressed the nerve bobbing at her throat.   Brad was aroused, she could tell from his erratic breathing.  She turned around into his arms, her lips found his as she offered him an ardent kiss.

‘We will miss the show,’ her mouth moved away from his demanding lips. 
Brad’s head lifted, his eyes flew open. 'You know?’ he accused.

‘Sorry,’ she smiled contritely.  It was difficult not to have seen when Bentley stood there smugly with just the tickets in his hands.

‘Let’s go,’ Brad sulked.

Tessa lifted her purse from the dressing table.  ‘I just want to check on Lyndon,’ she pressed a kiss to his lips.  Tessa quickly retouched her lipstick before she opened the door to Lyndon’s room.  Stacy stood up quickly, closing the novel she had been reading.

‘We’re on our way,’ Tessa whispered with a smile. 

‘You look lovely Mrs. Blakely,’ Stacy complimented softly.

‘Thank you Stacy,’ Tessa touched her arm lightly.

‘I shall be here until you return,’ Stacy assured them, as Brad looked down over their son, moving the hair away from Lyndon’s forehead.

‘Good night my angel,’ Tessa whispered as she kissed the sleeping Lyndon on the cheek.  Lyndon had had a long and tiring day, he’d fallen asleep almost immediately after his bath.

After a delightful dinner at the Eiffel Tower, Brad had escorted Tessa to the scintillating cabaret show at the Moulin Rouge.  His stunning wife was drawing lustful stares and admiring glances from every second male.  She seemed oblivious to the mounting attention.  All Brad could do was place his hand to the lower of her back, as he guided his wife inside.

‘So you looking forward to what some call the “seductive dance of the courtesans?” Tessa whispered with a grin.

‘Perhaps you will learn a trick or two and we can test it out?’ Brad retorted smugly.

‘Oh so now I needs tips do I?’ Tessa smiled, but her eyes challenged him.

‘Don’t put words in my mouth Mrs. Blakely,’ Brad grinned.  Tessa narrowed her eyes accusingly before Brad assisted her into her seat.

The lights went out and the spectacular show began. A bevy of strikingly beautiful women in the scantest of mini dresses gave breathtaking performances of various dance forms.  Their choreographed intricate dance moves looked daring, yet the ladies performed it successfully with ease. 

In the middle of the show, Tessa’s mobile vibrated and she quickly scanned the screen.

‘Darling we have to leave, Lyndon’s not well,’ Tessa whispered urgently into Brad’s ear.  He immediately rose, guiding Tessa by the hand from the darkened room.  The ushers drew their own conclusion to the hurried escape by the attractive gentleman and the very sexy lady he was hastily guiding outside.  Brad flagged a nearby taxi and issued the name of their hotel.  His wife sat quietly next to him, her tense body the only outward sign of her concern.   Brad reached out and linked his fingers through hers.  Tessa lifted her head and offered her husband a smile, but he saw the troubled look in her eyes.  The taxi had barely stopped and Tessa was already out and running into the foyer of their hotel.  Brad hurriedly handed the driver a few crisp notes, to which he seemed more than gracious for.  Tessa held the elevator as Brad rushed in and stabbed the number to their floor.

      'Have you called the doctor on duty?’ Brad enquired politely as Tessa rushed to the crying Lyndon and lifted him into her arms.

‘Yes sir he’s on his way.  Lyndon’s been vomiting and he seems to have a temperature, Mrs. Blakely.’

‘Thank you for notifying us Stacy,’ Tessa acknowledged.

‘I’m sorry momma, I messed by shirt,’ Lyndon sobbed.

‘That’s okay my angel,’ Tessa noted Stacy had bathed him again and changed his sleep wear. Brad tried to take his son into his arms, but he tightly clung to his mummy.  

‘Let me remove your shirt my angel,’ Tessa was concerned he was getting too warm for her liking.  Brad brought a damp towel and handed it to Tessa.  There was a knock on the door and everybody breathed a sigh of relief to see the doctor.

‘Monsieur, Madame,’ the doctor greeted with a concerned look.  ‘I am Doctor Beaumont,’ he extended his hand to Brad. 

‘Good evening Doctor Beaumont.  I’m Brad Blakely, my wife Tessa and our son Lyndon’s caregiver, Stacy Cummins.’

He was elderly in his late fifties or early sixties. As he briskly walked further into the room, he saw Stacy and greeted her politely with a curt nod.  ‘Mademoiselle,’ he opened his medical bag and removed his stethoscope taking a seat on the bed.
   ‘What seems to be the problem young man?’ he smiled gently, as he spoke to Lyndon in perfect English.

‘I ate too much candy and chocolate bars,’ he admitted guiltily.  ‘And I messed my shirt and Stacy had to bath me again.’

Tessa glanced at her husband and smiled at their son’s honesty.

‘Confession is good for the soul,’ the doctor laughed good naturedly.  ‘Does it hurt anywhere Lyndon?’ The doctor asked, as he clipped his stethoscope to his ears.

‘Momma---,’ Lyndon cried, fearing the stethoscope.

‘It’s okay sweetheart,’ Tessa walked to the other side of Lyndon’s bed and lifted his palm into her hand.  ‘It won’t hurt you.  It’s just a little cold, that’s all,’ she smiled reassuringly.

Brad moved closer and prompted encouragingly, ‘son can you tell Doctor Beaumont, if you hurt anywhere?’

‘Here, my daddy,’ he pointed to his temple, ‘and here,’ he pointed at his tummy.’

‘Would you like to hold this Lyndon?’ the doctor offered his stethoscope to Lyndon.  Tentatively he accepted it and tested it against his wrist.

‘It’s cold,’ he giggled.

‘Will you let Doctor Beaumont listen to your chest with it?’ Brad knelt down next to Lyndon.

‘Yes,’ he looked at his mummy and gripped her hand tightly.

Doctor Beaumont placed the stethoscope on Lyndon’s chest, and asked him to breathe deeply a few times.  He requested Lyndon to sit up and placed it on his back and repeated his instructions to Lyndon then took his time and packed his stethoscope away.  He then placed his fingers against Lyndon’s throat examining it for any signs of inflammation.  In the same gentle expert way, he checked into Lyndon’s ears.  Tessa held her breath and waited patiently.  Brad’s face was a polite mask, as he smiled at Lyndon and playfully tickled his ear.  Doctor Beaumont stood up.

‘There is nothing to worry about,’ he looked at Brad, then smiled at Tessa.  She let out her breath slowly and her shoulders relaxed.  ‘I think the young man just overindulged,’ the doctor looked down at Lyndon and ruffled his hair.

‘You won’t give me an injection?’ Lyndon asked.

‘Not unless you would really like one,’ the doctor chuckled.

‘No thank you,’ Lyndon responded politely.  His parents and Stacy laughed.

‘I thought so,’ the doctor smiled, removing some medication from his bag.

‘This is for the headache and to bring the fever down,’ he handed Brad a packet with asprin.  ‘I will not prescribe a course of antibiotics.   Lyndon does not seem to have any viral infections.  Off course you are welcome to take him to your family doctor back home if there is further cause for concern.’  The doctor scribbled a note and handed it to Brad.  This is just my observations from the examination I have just completed,’ he nodded, picking up his bag.

‘Thank you Doctor Beaumont,’ Brad shook his hand.

‘Madame,’ the doctor nodded at Tessa.

‘Thank you Doctor Beaumont,’ she extended her hand courteously.

‘Mademoiselle,’ he greeted Stacy as he exited.

‘Thank you doctor,’ Stacy smiled politely.

‘We appreciate your prompt response,’ Brad handed the doctor a wad of notes.

‘Oh this is far too much more than my call out rates,’ the doctor declined.

‘Please consider it a kind token of our appreciation,’ Brad offered.

‘Very well, thank you,’ the doctor departed.

‘Thank you Stacy,’ Brad expressed appreciatively.  ‘We will take it from here,’ he placed his hand gently on her shoulder.  ‘You may have the day off tomorrow at your leisure.’

‘Thank you sir.’

‘Stacy, I have instructed Bentley to be on hand for you.  This is a foreign country.  I want you to be careful okay.’  Not that Brad expected any harm to come to his son’s nursemaid, but she was in his care and he did not want any harm to come to the young lady.

‘Yes sir,’ she replied, embarrassed at her boss’s protective manner.

‘There you go,’ Brad placed some notes into her hand.  ‘You must buy your folks some souvenirs,’ he grinned.

‘No,’ she declined.  ‘Sir you pay me very, very well indeed.’

‘I insist Stacy,’ Brad stated sternly.

‘Yes sir,’ she meekly accepted.  ‘Good night Mrs. Blakely.  Good night Lyndon,’ she waved.

‘Good night Stacy,’ Tessa and Lyndon chorused.

‘Good night my angel,’ Tessa kissed Lyndon, after giving him the medication.  She tucked him in and was about to switch off Lyndon’s light.

‘Momma, Lyndon wants to sleep in your bed,’ he sobbed.  Tessa lifted her face up to Brad and winced.  She was so looking forward to the night with Brad and her husband had been so patient.  Brad nodded and held the interconnecting door open for Tessa.

‘Come on then,’ Tessa gathered Lyndon into her arms.  ‘Sorry,’ she mouthed, and kissed Brad’s lips as she passed him. 

‘Darling, I don’t think it’s a good idea for Lyndon to be sandwiched between us,’ Brad stated.

‘What?’ Tessa exclaimed in confusion.

‘He has a fever.  If he’s going to lie between us, his fever’s not going to go down.’

‘What are you proposing?’ Tessa demanded, already pre-empting Brad’s response.

‘I’ll use Lyndon’s room.’  Though she knew he was going to say those exact words, she felt deflated, hearing Brad voice them.  Besides her six foot eight husband was not going to fit his huge frame in that infant’s bed.  He could always ring downstairs for an additional suite. 

What the hell this huge king size bed could take three people comfortably.

‘No,’ Tessa declared.  ‘Darling please bring the pillows from Lyndon’s bed?’ 
Brad raised an eyebrow but did as his wife bid him to.  ‘There you go my angel,’ Tessa lowered Lyndon onto her side of the bed.  ‘Would you like some water Lyndon?’

‘Yes please momma.’

‘I want you to drink as much as you can,’ she handed him a bottle of mineral water.

Lyndon tilted the bottle to his mouth and took a few long swigs, ‘thank you,’ he handed the bottle back.

‘There you go,’ Brad handed his wife the pillows.

‘Thank you,’ she placed the pillows against the edge on Lyndon’s side.  She removed the outer cover and spread it over Lyndon.  She separated the second set of covers for her and Brad, and smirked at her husband.  ‘There should be additional pillows in the closet,’ she informed Brad, helping herself to his pillow.  Brad obediently brought a pillow from the closet and threw it onto the bed.

‘Would you like to shower first?’ Tessa offered.

‘You go on darling.  I’ll read Lyndon a story,’ Brad invited.

‘Oh thank you,’ Tessa hugged her husband.  ‘I won’t be long.’

‘Are you comfortable son?’ Brad slid in next to Lyndon.

‘Yes thank you.  You don’t need to read to me my daddy.  I want to close my eyes,’ he murmured.

‘Should I put your light out?’ Brad whispered.

‘Yes please,’ Lyndon murmured sleepily.  Brad leaned his elbow on the pillow and with his free hand he brushed at his son’s hair.

‘Good night son,’ Brad murmured, but Lyndon was already asleep.

‘You’ve finished reading?’ Tessa whispered, seeing the light out on Lyndon’s side.

‘No I did not read.  He said he wanted to close his eyes,’ Brad cast an admiring glance at his wife in her sexy cherry red negligee.

‘What?’ Tessa exclaimed with concern. 

Brad slipped off the bed.  ‘The medication has worked rather quickly,’ Brad explained, draping his arms around his wife.  He captured her mouth in a lazy kiss.  She tasted of toothpaste.  Tessa circled her arms around his neck, leaning into him.  Brad drew his lips away gently.

‘Your ingenious arrangement of the bed reminds me of the week we got married, when you declared cold war on me,’ Brad grinned.

‘Please don’t ever remind me of that,’ Tessa groaned.  ‘I am ashamed that you put up with my selfish behaviour,’ she searched her husband’s eyes.  He did not respond.  A smile merely played across his face.  They both remained silent but their unspoken thoughts very briefly reflected on that very short period that resulted in their separation.  Thankfully they had quickly reconciled through Bentley's timeous intervention.

‘I love you---so much,’ Brad murmured huskily.

‘Oh darling, I love you so much too,’ she pulled Brad’s head down and kissed him passionately.  ‘Please go and shower,’ she urged.  Not that there was any chance of anything happening with Lyndon in their bed again, but their love would sustain them.

            -end chapter twelve-