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“We’ll have to be quiet so as not to disturb their sleep,” Rose said.
The children nodded and walked ahead to join Mr. P, leaving Rose and Leo a small bubble of privacy.
“So long as nothing happens between now and eight o’clock, would you like to join me for our date?” Leo asked, brushing her hand with his as they walked down the cobblestone path.
“Yes. I’d like that very much.”
“Rose,” Nefeli said. “Come see.”
The couple hurried down the slope to where Nefeli stood.
“The bridge looks like fairies made it,” Nefeli said with awe in her voice.
“It does,” Rose agreed.
Before them was a bridge constructed of wood. Spanning the small creek was a long log covered in wooden planks. The railing was hewed from natural branches.
“Do you think the fairies use the waterfall as a slide?” Nefeli asked.
“I certainly would if I were a fairy.” Rose gave the girl’s braid a loving tug.
“Can we go down the waterfall?” Adonis made to climb over the rail and into the creek below.
Leo grabbed him. “I think we should stay on the path and be respectful of the fairies’ and butterflies’ homes. We wouldn’t want to accidentally step on one.”
“Yeah, the fairies would curse us,” Nefeli said.
“I didn’t know fairies could do curses,” Rose said.
“Depends on the fairy. Some are nice and some are naughty.” Nefeli leaned against the rail and stared at the waterfall. “I wish I could see a fairy. But they don’t like to be seen by humans.” She sighed.
As they continued their adventure, Adonis asked, “What’s that weird noise?”
“Cicadas,” Leo said. “That’s the sound they make. They’re quite odd-looking bugs.” He pulled out his phone and showed the children a picture.
“Eww. He’s ugly,” Nefeli declared.
“They certainly aren’t my favorite,” Rose said. “We have about fifteen species that live in the south of France, and I loathe the years they hatch.”
“Why?” Adonis took her hand and tugged her along.
Leo followed, wishing he could take Rose’s hand as easily as his son did. He took the moment to imagine that Rose would always be in his life, loving the children as Nia had, and perhaps adding one or two of their own to the family. He believed Rose would be open to more children. She seemed to long to be a mother.
When he caught up to them, Rose said, “This place is idyllic. The trees, the cobblestone paths, the small waterfalls, and the ponds work together to create an atmosphere of serenity and peace.”
“It certainly does,” Leo agreed, admiring the curve of her cheeks as she smiled. “Look up.”
Rose, Stavros, and the children looked at the trees.
“What are all those brown leaves?” Nefeli asked.
“They’re not leaves. Those are butterflies,” Leo answered.
“Wow,” the children chorused as they craned their necks, their mouths open in awe.
“A wonder to behold,” Rose said. “Thank you for bringing us here. As much as I love the sand and sea, this is a refreshing change.”
He risked placing his hand on the small of her back. “Does that mean I should change our hotel reservations? I booked us a bungalow on the beach.”