The day promised to be radiant. On this Sunday morning, the whole family had left the hotel at the same pace to enjoy a day together at the lake. Roland and Julia had accompanied William to the church. The couple exchanged a tender kiss and the young man entered, Julia then went on her way, pushing the pram before her to get to the lake, this place she frequented with William from time to time, their favorite place. She prepared the picnic, leaving Roland play on a large sheet beside her. She arranged the menu, drink and once sitting against the trunk of a tree, she removed her straw hat and her shoes to lean against the trunk and play with Roland during minutes. She loved spending time with the little boy, those long hours playing with him, to make him laugh, depositing soft kisses on his face and stomach. She knew she would not get bored waiting for her husband. While there were a few more weeks, she waited for him to return from the Mass by reading a book, today, she played with Roland. It was not until he threw his rabbit laughing as far as possible for the fourth time that Julia lost patience.
-Oh Roland, this is the fourth time, she said, rising, I think it's not funny now, mom will not continue to pick up your things, she said with authority.
Yet when she met the gaze of the little boy smiling at her, she did the same.
-Between you and William, I feel I'll often lose the battle, these two little charmer Murdoch, she said, stroking his nose before leaving to go pick up the toy that had failed many meters away.
But when she bent to pick up, she met the gaze of a woman about her age who held it.
-Thank you, Julia replied by taking, I do not stop to pick it up and yet it's his favorite toy but he seems determined to want to throw even further.
-It's always fun to run mom, replied the young woman watching Roland approaching Julia at fours.
-I think that you are right, Julia said laughing before reaching down to take the baby in her arms, is not it little angel? You like to run your mom?
They looked at the child Julia was holding in his arms and gave broad smiles to the unknown in front of them.
-This child is adorable, she said smiling, what is his name?
-Roland, Julia replied proudly, he brought happiness to his dad and myself, although he seems to hate mashed vegetables.
-Oh, I know this, sighed the young woman, my daughter iwas the same, unable to feed her.
-My husband seems to have more success than me but I do not know why, Julia sighed.
-The little bird, the woman nodded.
-The little bird? Julia repeated, frowning.
-Yes, it's the story of the little bird that goes into the nest, the bird is the spoon, nest mouth. Just make grand gestures in front of him and mimic you as you eat, it works in general.
-Oooh, so that's it, he was careful not to tell me.
-You are very lucky that your husband helps you take care, fathers always leave that to mothers.
-We are a modern couple, William helps a lot. And I think he is proud to do it, he is a very good father, though a little lost at first to change his diapers.
-Being parents learn, I think you're doing great, this child is very endearing.
They exchanged a look and a smile as the unknown still looked forward to the little boy before speaking again.
-He reminds me of a little boy with a friend, always smiling and cheerful, he had the same look, he left a great space when he left.
-Left?
-Oh, a sad story, back three months ago, the baby was gone, at night while sleeping in his room. They accused the nanny, but there was never any proof because they never traced her. My friend did not lose hope that they return his son one day, but we know it will probably be impossible. They should be far now.
-It must have been a terrible ordeal, Julia whispered watching Roland, I can not bear that takes him from me.
-Indeed, she is still very devastated. Always be sure to keep an eye on him, you seem to me to be a young woman very nice and very close to your son. I wish you all the happiness we can have and never experience such misfortune. The life of a child is so fragile.
-I know, whispered Julia.
-I'll leave you, she said in a lighter tone, have a nice day.
-Thank you Madam, Julia nodded politely smiling too.
-Goodbye.
-Goodbye.
-Goodbye little angel, she said, bowing Roland of the hand that he did the same smile.
Julia watched her go, silent and motionless a few moments before turning towards Roland again and her smile.
-What if we were reading a story while waiting for your dad? He will not be long now.
She joined the trunk of the tree to sit, placing Roland on her lap. He instinctively rested his head against her chest and Julia opened the book she was reading for a few days. This was not a children's book, she was conscious, but Roland did not seem to care, all that mattered to him was to be in the arms of his mother, hearing her voice, as she read gently.
When William arrived at the place of the rendezvous he had with Julia, was born a huge smile on his lips. He looked at his wife tenderly read to their son in Julia's arm tenderly stroked his head with one hand. Really, he never tired of watching her over and over again, for hours. Yet, he could not do so long as Julia instinctively looked to him to meet his eyes. They smiled tenderly and he approached them to come and sit at their sides.
-You brought your camera? Asked Julia saw William put the camera he often used during his investigations.
-I wanted to have memories of that day, the young man replied, stroking the cheek of Roland.
-It's a good idea, Julia nodded slipping a hand to the back of the neck of William playing with his hair and draw his face to hers, you always have brilliant ideas Mr. Murdoch, she blew on his lips before kissing him languorously and deeply.
They parted to catch their breath and smile before separating and start eating. They talked about everything and nothing for minutes. Then William leaned against the tree, attracting Julia in his embrace while Roland slept on the sheet beside them. Julia sighed in pleasure as she felt the hands of William tenderly stroking her back. She tightened her fingers on his shirt and she placed soft kisses on his neck.
-Julia, William whispered in a deep voice, what is going on?
She looked up at him and she looked into his. He tenderly stroked her cheek and brushed with the tip of his thumb her lips and he spoke again.
-You're concerned, I see it, what's happening?
-I ... I saw how happy we were and I fear ... that everything stops, that something will happens to you.
-What do you want to happen to me?
Julia moved away from him to the overhang and she slipped her hand into his neck without leaving his eyes.
-I fear of losing you William, she said in one breath, I was always afraid that something happens to you and I will not stand, I will not survive in your absence, you are always take so many risks that one day I am afraid to see George come to the morgue, tells me that we have a body, that this man died, it's you. Even if I put these thoughts aside most of the time today, it's different, she said softly glancing toward Roland, now I know that I could never raise Roland without you, I love you William, added Julia on his lips, I love you so much that my heart will stop beating if you leave me.
-Nothing will happen to me Julia, William replied, closing his eyes while resting his forehead against his wife, I will not let you. Never. Never, repeated the young man before sealing his lips with those of Julia for a long, deep kiss.
They then exchanged a look and they kissed again. William's hands made their way from the body of Julia, to caress her without leaving her mouth. They rocked gently on the floor and he overhang her without stoping his sweet torture, directing his kisses to the neck of the young woman who already arched her back, sighing the name of her husband in his ear. They both knew that if the surroundings were not as popular, William would make love to her in the second for long, endless and delicious minutes. It was only when Julia felt how William's body was reacting to their exchanges they calmed the game. Her hands slipped under the shirt of William to caress his skin, Julia spoke, trying to calm her breath.
-William there ... there's something else.
He walked away from her, just enough to meet her eyes, still lying against her while resting on his elbow and he tenderly played with her blonde locks next to her ear. He simply waited, his gaze plunged into hers. He saw Julia pinched lips to take courage and spoke again.
-I saw a woman this morning who told me that Roland was like the son of one of her friend. This son has disappeared, he had three months. He was kidnapped by her nanny, at night. ... William, Roland's parents, they are died is not it?
-You performed autopsies yourself Julia.
-It was them , are you sure?
-Why they have not been? George has researched and ...
-I fear that somene will take him, William. I fear that one day someone would come and get him.
-Roland is our son, and will be forever. Do not get so worried, alright? William insisted, patting her cheek.
She nodded and he smiled before laying a kiss on her lips. They noticed the boy begin to fidget beside them and they separated. They decided to take Roland to the water. And so in a few minutes, they found all three in swimsuit. Julia had put on her hat to protect her pale skin from the scorching sun rays and she was sitting on the sand, small wavelets caressing her legs and hips, Roland sat among them and playing in the water laughing while William immortalized the moment, taking several photos they wanted to keep as a souvenir.
to be continued...