§ § § -- July 16, 2004

The music filled the room with a surprising lightness, a tinkling, skipping quality to it that almost made Leslie want to break loose from Christian and twirl around the dance floor in time to it. But Christian’s features were so alight with joy that she was content to stay in his arms, watching him listen animatedly to Asplundh’s latest waltz. Now and then he’d look down at her and grin, and she’d grin happily back.

It had amazed Leslie when Christian had told her all the things he and Asplundh had talked about a few afternoons before. “Now that I think back,” Christian had remarked, “I can recall seeing him once in town before we spoke…in fact, that same day. I had just dropped off Janine to get the groceries, and I was about to go about my own errands when I noticed him staring at me. It gave me déjà vu, but I wasn’t sure why.”

“Wow,” Leslie had murmured. “Maybe he’d been afraid to talk to you.”

“He was, then,” Christian had said. “But I still have the sense that it happened before. I just wish I could remember where…if in fact it did happen before.”

The music wound down and Christian slowed the pace of their dancing, bringing her back to the present moment. Those watching them broke into applause, though Christian and Leslie knew it was really meant for the music. The president of the recording company that put out Asplundh’s albums had flown out to Fantasy Island just to hear this piece, had been treated to a meeting with Christian, and was now exclaiming enthusiastically over the waltz. Roarke came to his daughter and son-in-law and smiled. “Though I am no expert judge of Mr. Asplundh’s music, I do believe this is my personal favorite of those pieces I have heard since you introduced us to his music, Christian.”

Christian chuckled. “I don’t know if I ever had a favorite piece. Perhaps it’s Melodin till violsdansen, I don’t know. Ah…hello, herr Asplundh…superb work, as always. I knew I couldn’t possibly be disappointed. And Leslie here looked as if she would have sprouted wings and flown to the music, had she been able to.”

Asplundh laughed with the others and patted Leslie’s shoulder. “I could see your enjoyment in your face. Your Highness, your praise is deeply welcomed—that and your faithful patronage of my work over all these years despite its limited distribution. How you ever found that little shop near Dalslund, I’ll never know…”

Christian started violently and gasped. “It was you, that day!” he burst out. “Now I remember! I spotted you in the town square the other day, and for some reason I had a sense that it had happened before, though for the life of me I couldn’t grasp the memory. It’s just come back to me. On my 35th birthday I went to that shop to see if you had released any new work, and I nearly collided with someone. Herregud, it was you, wasn’t it? To think I’ve met you before and never knew it!”

Asplundh laughed. “Yes, it was I, Your Highness,” he assured the prince. “I dared not tell you who I was then, any more than I did before I completed this composition three days ago. For me, recognition was anathema. I merely wished to watch in secret.”

“You can’t keep it such a secret any longer,” Christian remarked, chuckling. “But I hope it doesn’t mean you retire from composing. While I don’t necessarily need the music to express my darker emotions now that I’m so happy with Leslie and my children, I do always appreciate the great care and effort you put into it, and I’ll always be eager to hear new work. Please be well and happy, and rest assured I’ll inform my niece that she is to continue the annual stipend for as long as you live.”

Asplundh bowed deeply. “My profuse thanks, Your Highness.” He straightened and turned to Roarke. “Mr. Roarke, again, I apologize for my gruffness and reticence over the first several days I was here. I am afraid I was awaiting something of an enlightenment that I never dreamed I would experience. I thank you sincerely for tolerating me and for granting me that one simple wish. Perhaps now, not all my music will be as bleak.”

“You have a great gift, Mr. Asplundh,” Roarke said warmly. “However you use it, you know that it will be appreciated by those with the insight to see its genius.”

“And I suspect there are more of those than you know,” Christian agreed.

Late that evening they saw both Asplundh and the record-company president off on the charter, and Leslie let out a little sigh as she began securing babies into car seats for the trip home. Roarke and Christian both caught it and gave her a curious look. “Is there something wrong, Leslie?” Roarke inquired.

“I love being home with Christian and the triplets,” Leslie said, “but after today I just realized exactly how much I miss helping with the fantasies on the weekends. I can’t wait till I’m able to bring the babies here and let Mariki and the kitchen staff babysit, the way they keep bugging me to let them do, while I’m working.”

“I thought you meant to come back at the end of August,” Christian said. “Or have you changed your plans?”

“Well, I wanted to go on breast-feeding till they started on solid foods,” Leslie said, “and that’d present something of an obstacle to performing my job. I don’t know if there’s really any way to work around it. Maybe by September I’ll think of something. I need to ask Dr. Corbett when she thinks they’ll be ready for solids.” She made a face. “Speaking of solids, we’re almost out again. How can we eat so much so fast?”

“We’re feeding another adult, you know,” Christian pointed out, “and that will deplete a food supply quickly. And I think you’ve been eating everything you ever heard of that you like, in an attempt to keep the triplets from becoming fussy eaters later.” He and Roarke laughed at the new face she made.

“Well, I know one thing, Janine’s going to have a lot to handle.” She glanced at Christian, whose expression became suddenly pensive.

Roarke saw it too, and asked, “Has something happened?”

“Ah…well, her crush seems to have become stronger somehow, and I may have discovered one of the reasons for it.” Christian explained to Roarke the things Janine had said the previous Tuesday, especially the revelation of her saving to go back to Boston.

Roarke smiled. “I expect the process of saving money is very slow for her; with airfares being what they are, she’s not likely to have enough for the flights to Honolulu, Los Angeles and Boston all together. But if you’re deeply concerned, Christian, you might mention something to one of her relatives; or Leslie, you might even say something to Camille if Christian doesn’t feel comfortable doing so. I believe it’s better that Janine’s mother knows in any event, for she will have to come to terms with the changes in her life sooner or later. This way the family can deal with the problem.”

“But what of her crush?” Christian asked a little plaintively. “I honestly don’t think I can deal with it any longer, Mr. Roarke. It’s different from the usual teenage crush on a celebrity—” he curled his lip on the last word, making Leslie and Roarke laugh— “because I have personal contact with her, whereas I didn’t with any other possible crushes. I don’t want to fire her, because she does a fine job; but the situation is awkward.”

“Just be gentle with her, Christian,” Roarke said. “Tell her you appreciate what she is doing for you and Leslie, but that she must remember there’s a significant age difference, and that you are happily married and have children. You mentioned that she thinks you’re homesick in the same way she is. You might tell her you’re quite happy here. Just set the record straight, and then let it be. Janine must deal with it on her own.”

Christian and Leslie looked at each other, nodded at the same moment, and smiled. “It won’t be easy,” Christian admitted, “but I suppose it’ll be a lesson for me as well—dealing with teenagers. Good practice for my daughters in fifteen years or so.” Leslie reached across the infant seats to swat him playfully on the arm, and they all laughed.