This chapter was so much fun to write, you guys! I needed some joyful fluff in my life. I hope you have fun reading it!

Chapter 12

The older kids were visiting Laura for the school holidays, Sylvie had secretly packed the twins off to the Herrmann household for the weekend, and four glorious long and sunny days alone with her husband stretched out invitingly before her. Not that Antonio knew this. Yet.

"Are you sure you don't mind?" Sylvie had asked Cindy for the hundredth time that morning when she appeared on her doorstep with two babies and about five bags.

"I don't mind at all" Cindy replied, the same reply she'd given every other time Sylvie had asked.

"It's just that I've had this trip planned for Antonio's birthday for a long time. Gabby and Matt were going to take the boys, but what with Gabby's rehab and everything they're going through I don't want to impose."

Cindy put a hand on Sylvie's shoulder. "I promise, it's fine. Once you have five kids in the house, two more doesn't make any difference at all."

At that moment, Christopher appeared behind his wife in the doorway and beamed at Sylvie. "Hey"

"Hey. Thank you again."

"No problem at all. Here, let me take that." Herrmann reached for the bag Sylvie was holding and dumped it inside in the hallway. "Where are the little guys? We're gonna have so much fun."

Sylvie smiled. "In the car. I hope they won't be too much trouble."

"Are you kidding? It's gonna be great."

Cindy watched Chris jog down the pathway to Sylvie's car. "I don't know who're more exciting, the kids or Christopher." She sighed, shaking her head good naturedly. "Seven against two. Me and Annabel are definitely going to have to stick together this weekend."

Sylvie laughed. "I'm sorry about that."

Cindy shook her head. "I'm used to being outnumbered. But you'll owe me a girls' night afterwards."

"Deal."

Lee-Henry came running down the stairs and said Hi to Sylvie as he ran past his mother and out the front door. Both women turned to watch as Herrmann unbuckled the twins from their car seats and plonked them on the grass in the front yard. Sylvie smiled, watching them wobble unsteadily on their little legs, adorable looks of intense concentration on their faces as they practiced this new-found skill they'd gained called 'walking'.

"Wow" Cindy said, "When did that happen?"

Sylvie watched her sons. "I know, they've gotten so big. They're proper little people now. It's seems only yesterday they were tiny helpless bundles. Pretty soon they'll be off to kindergarten."

"It will happen before you know it."

Sylvie turned back to Cindy and smiled again. "I've got to go. Antonio gets off work soon, he took a half day. You'll call if there's any problems? We won't be that far away, we can be back in a flash."

Cindy leant in for a hug which Sylvie gratefully accepted. "You don't have to worry."

They turned back to the party coming up the front path. Lee Henry held hands with Matty and Gabe, one either side, and Herrmann came up behind them laden with bags. "Geez" he said, "what have you got in here?"

Sylvie blushed. "I didn't know what you might need so I kinda brought everything. Are you sure you don't need the cribs, I can go and fetch them…"

Herrmann overtook Lee-Henry and climbed the wooden steps. He dropped the bags on the porch and took hold of both Sylvie's shoulders. "Stop worrying! Go and enjoy your weekend."

Sylvie nodded and crouched down in front of her sons who had stalled at the bottom of the stairs. She kissed them both on the cheeks and hugged them. "Be good boys for Mommy, okay?" she said, and ruffled their hair. They largely ignored her, intent on puzzling out how to get up the stairs. Gabe had already dropped down to all fours and had reverted to crawling to solve the problem. Matteo soon copied.

Sylvie was hit with a swell of pride at how confident and independent they were both becoming. At fifteen months old she already saw what strong, resourceful, and kind little boys they were growing up to be. She guessed she was doing something right.

She stood up slowly, wondering again whether she should be leaving them, but at the same time she was excited. She didn't know about Antonio, but this weekend was everything that she needed. She waved to Cindy and Christopher as she climbed into her car and drove away, a little giddy with excitement.

Their suitcases were in the trunk and she'd stocked up on more than enough groceries to last them the long weekend. Sylvie sat on the hood of the car across the street from Antonio's place of work, watching the passers-by enjoying the sunshine. When she saw Antonio exit the building looking frazzled, she stood up, moving her sunglasses to the top of her head. He looked like he needed this break. She knew she did.

"Hey baby" he said, kissing her on the lips.

"Hey." Sylvie looped her arms around his neck. "You get your vacation sorted?"

"Yeah, I did. And I need it, I can tell you." Antonio peered past her into the back of the car. "What's this?" he asked, eyeing the bags through the back windshield.

Sylvie was only a little apprehensive about what he would say. "Happy birthday" she said, kissing him back. "We're going on a trip, just you and me."

Antonio looked back at her and smiled a smile that was half excited and half confused. It made Sylvie laugh and she got butterflies in her stomach. "What are you talking about?"

"I hired a lake house, it's about 90 minutes away. It's so beautiful Antonio, it's surrounded by forest, you can take a boat out, go fishing, swim." As Sylvie tried to sell him on the weekend, she was busy planting feather light kisses across his neck. She stopped then, and gave him a wicked smile. "swimming costume optional."

Antonio nodded slowly, and his face broke out into a grin. He could definitely see the appeal.

"Since Eva and Diego are away I thought we should make the most of it" Sylvie continued.

"Where are the twins?"

"With Cindy and Herrmann." Sylvie nibbled his ear. She wasn't above using underhand tactics to get him to agree. She heard him exhale and knew it was working. "What do you say?"

"The whole weekend?"

"Uh huh."

"No kids?"

Sylvie pulled away and saw the huge grin plastered to Antonio's face. "Yes" she said, mirroring his grin. "I packed this morning, we're all ready to go. That's if you want to."

Sylvie stared at her husband with her big blue eyes in that way that she knew Antonio was helpless to resist. He looked away, thinking for a moment, teasing her. "I don't know, I was kinda looking forward to spending the whole weekend on the couch watching Sports Center."

Sylvie hit him on the arm. "Hey."

"Come here" he said, leaning down for a kiss. "You're amazing, do you know that? It sounds perfect."

Now they were speeding down the highway, Sylvie behind the wheel, on their way to the lake house. Antonio had offered to drive, but Sylvie insisted. "This is your weekend, babe" was all the argument she put forward, and climbed into the driver's seat before Antonio could stop her. "Hop in" she said with a smirk and a raised eyebrow. Antonio obliged.

"We should bring the bags in from the car." Sylvie said, between hungry kisses, but she didn't really have any intention of relinquishing her grip on Antonio's neck.

Antonio worked his hands under her shirt. "Later."

"No arguments from me."

Sylvie tossed the keys onto the side table in the hallway and missed. They fell on the floor with a crash but she didn't care, not even a little bit. Antonio's hands on her bare skin sent shivers through her whole body. Upstairs, they fell onto the bed with abandon, hungry for each other. They embraced with an unrestrained passion they never allowed themselves to feel when the kids were home. Most of their clothing marked a trail from the front door to the bedroom and it wasn't long before they were relieved of the rest of it.

Afterwards, they lay in a tangle of sheets staring out of the huge French doors that opened onto a patio overlooking the lake.

"If any fishermen walked past just now they sure got a show" Antonio said.

Sylvie chuckled, openly and honestly, feeling the best she'd felt in months. They were quiet then, dozing serenely in the afternoon sunshine that streamed through the windows. The fan overhead whirred quietly, lulling them both into a trance. Their chests rose and fell rhythmically as they breathed in unison. Tangled in each other's arms, contentment and peacefulness reigned.

Sylvie stroked Antonio's bare chest and watched his face thoughtfully, he was awake although his eyes were closed, but they fluttered open after a minute as if he could sense she was watching him. "Hey" he said, playing with a lock of her hair that fell across her face. "What's on your mind?"

"You." She smiled, but it was a smile tinged with another emotion that Antonio couldn't put his finger on.

"Are you sure?"

Sylvie took a deep breath, wondering whether or not to share, but it didn't take her long to remember their pact to always be honest with each other. Despite the heat, she snuggled into him tighter, the warmth of his body was comforting. "It's just" she began, but paused, searching for the words. "I worry sometimes, that we don't know how to be a couple, just us."

Antonio looked down at his gorgeous wife with a furrowed brow. Sylvie saw the expression on his face and touched his cheek lovingly. "We were in a relationship for such a short time at first" she continued. "Then by the time we got back together I was already pregnant." She spoke fast, trying to make sense of her feelings as they were spilling out of her mouth, anxious that Antonio didn't get the wrong idea.

"Baby, you know I love you for you, not because of the kids."

Sylvie caressed Antonio's cheek. "I know you do" she said, and it came out more abruptly than she intended. "But I never want to become one of those couples who only communicate about their children and mundane domestic crap." She sat up a little, propped up on a large pillow. "Promise me we'll always make time for each other?"

Antonio looked up at Sylvie's face and couldn't imagine ever not having time for her. He counted himself lucky every day that he woke up next to her and couldn't believe his good fortune. He was eternally thankful that fate had given him a second chance with this amazing woman. After he was stupid enough to mess it up the first time, there was no way he would make that mistake again. He caressed Sylvie's head and pulled her down on top of him so their lips met.

"I promise."

They were anchored in the middle of the calm, clear lake, and Antonio sat back in a deckchair with a fishing line cast over the side of the boat. He wasn't watching the fly on the water as intently as he should have been, however. Sylvie was lying on a large beach towel on deck in a sun hat and a lemon yellow bikini, soaking up the early evening rays. The mix of sweat and lotion made her whole body shimmer. Antonio was very distracted.

Sylvie caught Antonio looking at her and smirked, a naughty glint in her eye. However, when she spoke, she tried to sound perfectly innocent. "How's the fishing going?" she said, cupping one hand to shield her eyes so she could see him better.

Antonio didn't try to pretend to he hadn't been staring at her. "How can you expect a guy to concentrate on fish when you're lying there looking like that?"

"Then don't concentrate on fish" she replied.

Antonio abandoned his fishing rod and lay down on the deck beside her, pulling off his shirt as he did so. They kissed, a lot, like two flirty teenagers, but didn't take it further this time. They were both very conscious of the fact that, as much as they wished it, they were not the only ones out on the lake that day. Another boat only had to come within ten feet to be able to see them and neither of them wanted to be caught in the compromising position by a stranger. 'Innocent' was the wrong word to use considering what had gone on only an hour or so ago, but it was nice, and made Sylvie feel silly for her worries she had voiced to Antonio before. Being together, just the two of them, was working out just fine.

A little later, Antonio sat up and pulled two ice cold beers from the cooler. "Cheers" he said, clinking the neck of his bottle against hers, and took a long, welcome swig. Sylvie sipped hers, and cast a glance across the lake. "It's beautiful here" she said, snaking her arm around Antonio's waist. "We should bring the kids out here, they'd love it."

They sat side by side leaning against the cooler, facing the stern of the boat. Inside the cabin was the picnic they'd brought along for dinner, but although it was technically evening, the sun was still shining. It was too hot to eat, beer was sufficient.

Drowsiness from the sun, an empty stomach, not nearly enough water, and now beer, Sylvie thought vaguely. Perhaps not the most sensible situation, but she reminded herself that this weekend she didn't have children to care for or a job to go to. She was going to enjoy this complete lack of responsibility. She leaned her head on Antonio's shoulder and looked up. He had a slightly troubled look on his face, and Sylvie reached with her free hand to stroke his cheek.

He laid his own hand on top of hers and kissed her fingers. "I'm okay. Work stuff."

"You're not supposed to worry about that this weekend, tomorrow's your birthday."

"I know, I know." Antonio took a deep breath, and took another drink of beer to compose himself. He had tried to push all thoughts of work to one side, determined to enjoy the weekend, but it wasn't as easy as that.

"We lost our case yesterday and it got me thinking. I took this job years ago to allow me to spend more time with Diego and Eva, and that worked out great. And then you and me happened. Matteo and Gabriel came along and everything felt right." Here Antonio took both Sylvie's hands in his. He shifted positions so they were facing each other and looked deep into Sylvie's eyes. He hoped that she saw in him all the love and commitment that he felt inside. "Listen, I don't want you to think that it isn't enough for me. You and the kids, you're everything. But this job isn't for me, not forever, and I guess today was the day I finally realised that."

Sylvie was the one holding Antonio's hands now and squeezed them reassuringly. She stayed quiet, knowing what a big deal it was for Antonio to be laying his thoughts and feelings out on the table like this. He was so open and honest about so many things, but he still had a difficult time admitting what he saw as his own failings, even to her. Antonio swallowed once, then continued.

"Look, I spent most of my career out on the streets, in the thick of things, chasing down criminals. I felt like I was making a difference, even if it was just small things. It felt good. But now, I don't feel that. This case today, we did everything right. We got all the evidence, we found out what happened and caught the killer, and the jury…" He shook his head and brushed his hair away from his face. "We did everything right and they guy still went free."

"That was one case" Sylvie said. "You do make a difference. You do, I've seen it. What are you saying, do you want to go back to PD?"

"I don't know. Maybe." Antonio looked at Sylvie frankly, letting her process all he had said but at the same time watching for her reaction.

Her reaction was a kiss, soft and sweet, on his lips. "I want you to be happy, Antonio."

"You make me happy."

Sylvie smiled, but shook her head. "I know how important your work is to you, whatever you decide to do I'll support you. Completely." Sylvie paused thoughtfully. "Do you ever think what it would be like if we had normal jobs, in a regular office or something?" She loved what she did, and she knew Antonio did too, but there was no doubting their jobs were dangerous.

"Pretty dull, I'd bet. I had an office job once, stuffing envelopes at some insurance firm when I was 17. I think I lasted half a day."

Sylvie smiled. "The closest I got to a normal job was helping my aunt serve tea and cake in her farm shop during summer vacations."

Antonio felt some of the pent-up anxiety drain away. He smiled at her, in a casual playful way. "Let's face it, you and me, we're not cut out for normal."

"Normal is overrated."

"I love you" Antonio said, out of the blue. "I can't say it enough."

"I like hearing it" Sylvie said into his ear. Being caught off guard by someone telling you they loved you was never a bad thing. "I love you too."

She pulled away and a big genuine smile on her face and in that moment Antonio felt like she could ask him to dive off a cliff for her and he'd willingly do it. But she only said "please don't worry. This weekend is not for worrying. Are you hungry?" She stood up, not waiting for his reply. "I'll get the hamper."

They walked back up the path to the lake house hand in hand. Sylvie carried the hamper, swinging it back and forth merrily. The sun had gone down and the crickets had started chirping. Antonio carried the empty cooler but was more subdued, lost in thought. He just needed a little time, Sylvie thought. She wasn't going to push him, she trusted that he would come to the right decision in his own time.

"You didn't catch any fish" she said, to break the silence. The light had faded now and the crickets were chirping in the grass. It was quiet, in a way that Chicago never was, and Sylvie hadn't realised how much she had got used to the background noise of the city until it was no longer there.

"There's always tomorrow" Antonio replied.

Sylvie stepped in front of him on the path, forcing him to halt. "Yes, there is. And the next day and the next day and the next day."

Antonio smiled. "That's true."

"Do you think the twins are alright?"

"I think they're having a great time. They'll have everyone in that house wrapped around their little fingers."

"Should we call and check in?"

With his free hand, Antonio squeezed Sylvie's shoulder. "No, I don't. Cindy and Herrmann will call if there's a problem."

Sylvie nodded, she knew he was right. She sighed. "Okay." They continued walking up the moonlit path, the trees gently rustling in the breeze all around them. At the front door, Sylvie fished the keys out of her pocket and opened the lock. "I need to take a shower" she said, putting her bag on the floor in the hallway. She caught the look in Antonio's eye and quickly shut him down. "Alone."

Antonio feigned hurt, but his smile betrayed him. "Hurry. I'll open a bottle of wine."

"We can do better than that" Sylvie said, "there's champagne in the refrigerator. A pre-birthday toast."

A little later, Sylvie came back into the living room in her silk short pyjamas, her damp hair hung in a braid over her shoulder. Antonio was sprawled on the massive sofa, soft cushions surrounding him.

"You look like you've build yourself a nest there" she said.

Antonio looked up and smiled. "I have. Come and joint me?" He lifted the champagne. Condensation dripped from the bottle. He removed the cork with a satisfying pop and poured the cold, bubbly liquid into the two glass flutes with a fizz.

"Happy birthday" Sylvie toasted, clinking their glasses together. She took a tip, and the sensation of the alcohol fizzing in her throat was delicious.

"Thank you" Antonio said. "This place if beautiful. You're beautiful. I needed to get away and this is perfect."

Sylvie smiled, modestly. "Any time."

"Don't say that" Antonio said, "I'll never want to leave."

"Have you heard from Eva or Diego?" Sylvie asked, settling down into the pillows and making herself comfortable against Antonio's side. "How are they finding Colorado?"

"Yea, I've had a couple of texts. You know what teenagers are like, won't answer any question in more than 5 words. Except…" Antonio let out a short sigh that Sylvie wasn't able to read. He looked at her with his eyebrows raised. "I think Eva's met a boy."

"Uh oh" Sylvie said, but she was smiling.

"She's my baby girl" Antonio said, a conflicted expression on his face. "She's too young to like boys."

Sylvie took another sip of champagne. "I've got news for you. She's not a little girl anymore."

"She's my little girl" Antonio replied. "This boy is lucky he's in Colorado, that's all I'm saying."

Sylvie rolled her eyes. "Antonio…"

"I'm joking. Mostly."

"So what do you want to do tomorrow?" Sylvie changed the subject and didn't try to make it subtle. "There are some great hiking trails around here."

Antonio didn't answer, he simply pulled Sylvie onto his lap so suddenly it made her squeal. He silenced her with a kiss. "I want to do this" he said, kissing her again. "I don't care what we do, as long as it's together."

They sat and talked then, wrapped in blankets and drinking the champagne, until late into the night. They talked about everything, some things serious and others trivial. Everything from work and their family, to childhood memories and favourite bands. "Tell me something I don't know about you" Antonio asked Sylvie, and she told him about the time her and her cousin Alice had got lost in the woods on vacation when she was 9 and found a hiker who had fallen and broken his leg and how ever since then she'd wanted to be a paramedic.

Sylvie told him earlier that she was worried they'd stop knowing how to be together without the kids. Antonio felt deeply that that would never happen. Every day he discovered new things about Sylvie and shared a little more of himself with her. She was the most important thing to him. He loved his children more than words, of course, but he wouldn't be where he was in his life right now if it wasn't for Sylvie. He'd been on the wrong path, he wasn't the man he wanted to be, but Sylvie changed all that. She gave him two beautiful boys when he thought that chapter of his life was already behind him and gave him a new start. She made him the best version of himself that he could be. He never wanted to take that for granted.

"Happy birthday" Sylvie whispered when the clock on the wall above the fireplace ticked past midnight, and she kissed him lightly on the lips. "Good present?" she asked, nuzzling his neck.

Antonio closed his eyes and smiled to himself. "Best present" he replied, but he wasn't talking about the vacation.