The sun was shining and reflected into the eternity pool giving the ceiling of their huge living space a sky of golden moving wave shapes. Maeva was relaxing on the couch looking at the sunrays’ creations. She had gone for a swim and was just content laying down, cool and refreshed. She caressed her 34-week baby bump and started to sing a lullaby knowing the baby would hear her voice. Although she thought it to be to much trouble for the Sherwood mansion to be opened only for a few weeks, she had to agree Sky was right; the comfort, the pool, the lounging about eating magnificent seafood and fine cuisine. The beautiful view that the lake and huge glass windows offered to them in the morning and the comfort of the special waterbed that Sky had ordered for her, the sailing on the sea with a new bought yacht, all of this, combined with the different outings to sight view or visit with new friends. It was like a dream vacation. Like the honeymoon they never had.
 
When they arrived, she was surprised to find her closet full of new clothes; dresses, pants, skirts and tops all made by Brigitte who had used her last measurements and make the clothes adaptable to a growing belly and breasts. She found her best perfumes and creams in her dressing room and even shoes in every style and colors in imaginable. Sky also offered her beautiful vintage pieces of jewelry. He knew how to chose for her, knowing she could make any jewelry she wanted, but vintage pieces were unreproducible in her opinion.
 
She meant some of Sky actor friends and they made some new friends as many actors lived around Sherwood Lake. She found the get-togethers nice enough, but Sky always had them leave early. Most people drunk quite a lot and some of the games played and jokes said, Sky found unsavory. She agreed, and, needed to sleep early. This fatigue that came over her with this pregnancy surprised her. Sky attributed it to her age. Even if she was a little flustered but this, she had to agree. The fifties were probably a bit much for pregnancies. It happened that he brought her home and would go back for a couple of drinks. It did not please her, but what could she do. He was at an age for that type of thing, and she felt she should not stop him. She trusted him to be loyal, faithful and trustworthy. Last night had been such a night and he got back quite late. He was still sleeping when she woke up. He didn’t have any work events today so he could take it easy. These days, she found his face, mostly his eyes, took on a swollen aspect when he drank too much. She hoped these occasions would go away once they got home in the UK.
 
As Yvonne and Victor had stayed home, she had a caterer, that brought them pre-made food for the week with in-house special meals when requested. They both liked to cook so they took this occasion to cook whenever they had time and felt like it. Sky was a great cook, but mostly did BBQ dishes and traditional British meals he loved. She was the adventurous cook, searching for recipes or exchanging them with neighbours and friends she met. She had a made herself an Excel file with recipes organized by countries, type of meats, desserts and appetizers. Sky had the cocktail recipes memorized from his barman days. Both he and Joe were quite good at mixology.
 
Sky took a liking to LA life. He reveled in the popularity he had and the people he could hang with. He always loved to have pint or two with the lads so, being invited to other famous people’s houses felt somewhat the same. He also knew he would be going back to the UK soon and knew he would leave this superficial life behind in not too long. He did know he left Maeva alone, but as he thought it was just for a short time, he gave himself this time away as a gift for himself. All other times, he spent with her if he was not doing promotional work. The adoration of his fans and the new interest showed to him from his peers boosted his confidence. He felt good.
 
One evening, after Sky made a wonderful meal of BBQ veal tomahawks with roasted potatoes and veggies. He had a pint with his meal, and she drank some lemon sparkling water with her meal. He set out the outside table for two with candlelight. The sunset was superb as you saw the sun slowly descend into the mountains on the other side of the lake. She learned not long ago that the lake was manmade by a developer whose vision was to cater only to the rich and famous. Maeva always found the Sherwood home to big and snobby and, with this newfound information about the lake, she disliked it even more. But she had to admit, it was very comfortable and nice to live in. As they were eating, Maeva hinted at their departure.
 
“You know that this baby of ours is at 34 weeks today?”, she took a bite of the veal. It melted in her mouth and had the velvety tenderness of smoked meat. She made a “to die for” face.
 
“Isn’t it good? I love this smoker. At 34 weeks, hah? Wow, time is going so fast. In 6 weeks I will be a dad!”, he said all smiles.
 
“Airlines do not accept flying from 36 weeks on.”, she said, matter of fact.
 
“Private charter is different, I think. I will have to inquire. I never experienced this before.”, he laughed.
 
“Well, whatever the policies are, I would feel better being in the UK before I get to 36 weeks. I feel like cocooning and, apart from shopping, I can’t do much more here.”, she knew she would have to insist as he started to believe he should stay longer. Had he forgotten his promises? He already broke a few. Staying with her except for work stuff, not drinking, not staying long in LA. What was it, 2 weeks he had said? Sky was looking at her, she kept on eating slowly.
 
“OK, baby. I have a last interview next week, and we will leave after. I will ask everyone to get ready and send Jess a message to not add anything else on my agenda for a good 5 months. I do have a shoot starting in 6 months. That was planned before we got pregnant, but the dates can still be put back.”, he looked at her smiling.
 
“Thank you, my Love.”, she said quite happy it didn’t take more coaxing.
 
“Your wish is my command, babe. Anything for you and the baby. I will ask for the plane and packing to be ready. You can choose the date.”, he put down his utensils and finished his beer.
 
“What date is you interview on?”, she was still chewing away.
 
“Next Wednesday.”, he said trying to think of the date. As usual, he remained at the table with her until she finished. That was how he was raised. Maeva liked it. Once she was done, he took away all the plates and accessories. He used his restaurant and barman skills regularly.
 
“You should play a restaurant waiter in a movie. You are so good at it.”, she laughed. He made a weird face but also laughed.
 
 
 
 
On their last week there, Sky came home from the interview he had with The View, announcing that he met Caleb Ormsteen.
 
“He is fantastic. So friendly and approachable. We had a huge discussion on some famous video games, and he also thinks that they should be brought to the screen. He said he had been thinking about one that caught his interest and he said he saw me playing the main character.”, he bent down to kiss her. Maeva could see the excitement in him but also thought that was how you got hurt in this business. Having your high hopes crunched. Some directors say things because you are there in front of them and then, they completely forget about it while the actor feels it was a promise. Sky was not a newbie in the business. He kept believing the web of lies and building hope on the fabulated promises. He would be high for awhile but once he understood it was not happening, he would be down and lose confidence in his talent. She kept wondering where this naiveté came from. During their time in LA, many such false promises were made, and he hung on to all of them. She didn’t know how to approach this with him, but she needed to warn him.
 
“I think I should be here more often. The deals are made here. You know, maybe Jess isn’t doing her job at all. She never talks to me about deals or speaking with directors and producers. She needs to infiltrate those circles to have all the information and to be able to promote me.”, he said, still quite manic.
 
“I am glad you had a good day.”, she said.
 
“Are you OK? How was your day?”, she was glad he realized that he was going on without any concern for her. “I am so enthralled with my career. I am sorry. Are you doing well?”, he stopped talking allowing her to express herself. She was so quiet and calm, it was easy to forget about her needs. He had to watch himself with that.
 
“It was fine, my Love. I am good and the baby is kicking away. He crouched down in front of her and put his hand on her belly. He waited a few seconds and then he felt the baby. He was tapping or kicking under his hand.
 
“Where are his buttocks?”, he started feeling around. She had taught him how to find the baby’s position. He finally felt the little hard roundness and deduced that the baby had been kicking him. “That’ a good wee lad”, he said making Maeva surprised. It was the first time he assumed this was a boy.
 
“How would you know? I hope you didn’t ask anyone at the clinic for a favor, did you?”, she said teasing him. “Never do that please. But if you ever find out by mistake, please do not tell me. I really what this to be a surprise.”, she pulled at him, he lost his balance and fell on the floor.
 
“Maeva, don’t kill me please. Remember, you need a provider.”, she looked at him, half amused, half flustered. He laughed. “And a lover. What would you do without all the sex?”, again, he was teasing her. They both loved to laugh and tease each other, which they did often. Although Sly was always very serious in front of an audience, whether it was during an interview, in front of friends or family. He knew some things he said might be taken the wrong way and he didn’t want others to think he didn’t respect her. He got back up, kneeled and got close to her. She went forward and kissed him. That is when he grabbed her head with both hands and passionately kissed her, darting his tongue into her. At close to 36 six weeks of pregnancy, her oestrogen levels were quite high, and she was full of desire and lust for him. She dug right into the kiss, sliding her hand down his front and on his crotch. He was already erected to the fullest. She could feel how hard he was. He moaned as she closed her hand around the fullness she could feel. Without pulling away from her kiss, he slid one arm under her back and the other under her legs and lifted himself with her in his arms. She hung on to him putting her arms around his neck. He climbed up the stairs with her in his arms and placed her softly on their bed. Sky found her much more passionate since she was pregnant. She had always been passionate but now, there was an urgency he had noy been used to with her. He was almost always the one initiating love making but now, often she made the advances or even asked him for it. This time their lovemaking was straightforward, and they both were completely drained quickly. They both needed to be bonded with each other physically and spiritually.
 
The sun was shining the day they finally had to leave the Sherwood home. Maeva had been right about the restriction to fly after 36 weeks but could still have done so with a doctor’s permission. Once Sky found out the reasons why, he preferred to abide by the rules for his wife and unborn baby’s health. Maeva was grateful an felt good knowing he put his family before his career.
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