Lucas

  We were not even five drove for more than five minutes when Sophia already fell asleep against me. I stared at her for a moment. She radiated so much peace. And was so incredibly beautiful. Jonas sat in the row next to me.

  "You're still crazy about her, huh?"

  I nodded. "Head over heels." I stroked a fallen strand behind her ear. "You too, right?"

  Jonas shook his head. "Not that much in love anymore. I love Joyce. But that much fire you two still have… no. You can hardly look at anything else but Sophia. I've never had that," he explained.

  "You got lucky, boy," said Jonas. "Stay that in love. Even after your baby."

  I looked at him. "Did it fade after Alex?" I asked.

  "No way. its a bit different maybe. But we were never as passionate as you two. Maybe that's because you had to fight so hard to be together."

  Whether he was right, I didn't know and didn't care much either. We chatted quietly for another hour. About what to expect this month. And whether our mother was already driving me crazy. she was succeeding in driving Him crazy at least already, he said.

  It was almost midnight by the time we arrived at the hotel. Reluctantly I woke Sophia, who then sleepily climbed out of the bus.

  "Come on, we're putting you to bed."

  We walked into the hotel with the whole group. At the desk stood the night staff.

  "Good evening," he began.

  Jonas and Joyce checked in first to get the dead-tired Alexander to bed. I wanted Sophia in bed as soon as possible too. But I also had to take good care of my cast and crew, so I let everyone go first.

  "Yes, and you?" said the man when everyone was done.

  "De Witte. Double room with 1 bed," I said.

  The man tapped and tapped on his computer. He looked more troubled by the minute.

  "I only have De Witte with child here once," he said.

  "What?" I asked almost furiously.

  "Yes, I have your reservation here," he said and turned his screen. "Schijf. De Witte. De Bakker."

  He listed the names of my crew and then those of the two children whose parents had brought them along.

  "So you have De Witte 2 rooms," I snapped. "Next to 3 rooms for my crew and 3 rooms for my guests."

  I tried to stay calm for Sophia, who was hanging dead tired against me.

  "I'm sorry, sir, but I only have 7 rooms. De Witte with child. 3 rooms with single beds for your crew. And 1 for Mrs. Schijf, one for Mr. Depp and one for Mr. Tennant."

  I breathed deeply for a moment. "I'll pay for it out of my own pocket if needed. We need a room. She's heavily pregnant," I shouted.

  The man tapped on his computer again. "We have an emergency room left. This one has an old single bed."

  "Pardon," I heard behind us.

  A second later David Tennant stood next to me. The famous 10th, or was it now 11th or 14th Doctor?

  "I heard some commotion," he said.

  "Yes, my apologies, sir," said the desk clerk obsequiously. "This gentleman is being a bit difficult."

  I tried to stay calm.

  "What's going on then?" he asked.

  "A mistake was made in booking. There's one room short," I explained.

  He nodded. "There's an emergency room left. And my wife is heavily pregnant. I can't put her in an emergency room, can I?"

  David shook his head thoughtfully. "No. My room is huge. Beautiful view over the Thames. Kingsize bed," he told. "I'll sleep in that emergency room," he said. "Here, my key," he said, pulling his card from his pocket that worked as a key.

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  "Put her to bed, mate, she's clearly dead tired."

  I thanked him.

  "Put her to bed, that's thanks enough. As long as needed I'll sleep in an emergency room."

  I looked at the room number and quickly took Sophia there. The room we got from David was gigantic.

  It had a large living room with large windows where you could wonderfully see the Thames and the Tower Bridge. A gas fireplace that was remote-controlled, with a large TV above the mantel. With free major streaming services and the BBC iPlayer.

  The bathroom was a beautiful marble space with a large bathtub on golden feet. A large walk-in shower and a golden toilet. The bedroom was half of the living room. A beautiful kingsize 4-poster bed. With large luxury pillows. The bed was still beautifully made up. David must not have slept yet.

  Sophia walked to the bedroom and gratefully sank into the bed. And practically fell asleep right away. I heard a soft knock after a few minutes. I opened the door. David stood on the other side.

  "Sorry, man. But my suitcases."

  I laughed. "Come in."

  He glanced into the bedroom. "Was she that dead tired?" he asked.

  I nodded. "Seven months pregnant. 6 hours on a boat, 2 hours in a bus. That takes it out of you."

  He smiled. "Pretty thing. Take good care of her," he said. "I can pick up my stuff tomorrow too, mate," he said and turned around.

  "No, are you crazy. Go get your stuff."

  He looked at me. "What if she wakes up?" he asked.

  "Then she'll wake up for a moment. At least she's resting now."

  He quietly packed his suitcases again. Then he quietly closed the bedroom door.

  "Drink, David?" I asked.

  He nodded. "Beer?"

  I smiled and grabbed two beers from the minibar. "Videoland pays," I said.

  "What do you play in this interesting series?" David asked.

  "Oh, nothing. I'm the director, writer and creator," I said. "My wife there normally plays Hannah, but she needs rest now for the last 2 months."

  He nodded. "Why is she with then?" he asked.

  "Two reasons actually. She wants to meet you and Johnny. She's a big fan. And I didn't want to leave her behind. I want her as long as I can, as often as I can, as close to me as possible."

  I told him the short version of our story.

  "Then I understand you want all the time with her you can get," he said.

  I smiled. "She's everything to me. No. More than everything."

  David laughed softly. "Pretty smitten then. Beautiful. Hold onto that."

  We chatted for another small hour, but then I felt my own eyes drooping.

  "I'm going to have to ask you to leave the room, David. I'm tired."

  He laughed. "It's your room now. Take care of your girl. And yourself. She's going to need you."

  I crawled close against Sophia, who was still in a deep sleep. I gently stroked her hair. "I love you, princess." Satisfied, I fell asleep.

  The next morning we were woken up early. I had the feeling I'd only slept an hour. I was dead tired. But we had a tight schedule. I heard Sophia groan softly.

  "Hey." I stroked her hair. "How are you feeling today?"

  She shrugged. "I don't know. My belly feels a bit heavy."

  This worried me a bit. "Maybe you should stay here today and take it easy. It was a heavy day yesterday."

  She shook her head. "No. I'm coming along," she said determinedly.

  "Sweetie, I know you want to meet Johnny and get to know David better, but think of yourself and the little one. They'll still be here tomorrow."

  She looked at me with big puppy eyes. "I think my belly is heavy because the baby misses the bedtime fairy tale."

  I laughed a little. "Then it gets an extra long fairy tale tonight."

  She laughed. "Well, forward then. I'm still coming along."

  I knew that if she was that determined, she wouldn't change her mind.

  "Okay. But take it easy then." She kissed me.

  "Okay. Because you look so sweet when you're worried," she teased. "I'm going to shower," she said and got up.

  I watched her for a moment. She was again the woman I fell in love with when she was still a girl. Full of fire. Passion, playfulness, zest for life and love. Now with the famous pregnancy glow added, she was almost dazzling.

  After a quarter of an hour she came out of the bathroom, dressed in her oversized sweater and sweatpants.

  "If only I could freeze this image for the rest of my life," I said.

  Sophia laughed. "Come on, sap. Breakfast." She took my hand. I willingly let myself be pulled up.

  We heard laughter as we walked to the breakfast room. Hand in hand we walked into the room. Johnny Depp stood on top of a table with a bottle of Evian water in his hands. Alexander looked at him with big eyes. Just like the other kids.

  Jonas looked as if it was Christmas, St. Nicholas' Eve and his birthday all at once.

  "What is this boy?" Johnny asked in his famous Jack Sparrow voice.

  "He's asking what's in that bottle, Alex," said Joyce.

  "Water," he said. At 4 years old he was still golden honest.

  "Water!" Johnny shouted. "Where's the rum?"

  He jumped off the table and wobbled toward Sophia. My instincts kicked in and I wanted to step in front of her. But she held me back.

  "He won't hurt me," she whispered.

  "Are you hiding the rum?" he asked and pulled Sophia's sweater up a bit and poked underneath. Almost immediately he let her sweater fall back and stepped back.

  "Sorry," he said slightly startled. "Did I hurt you?" he asked.

  Sophia laughed. "No," she said and pulled her sweater up. "And this isn't hiding rum either," she said, placing her hand on her belly.

  Johnny laughed relieved. "I'm sorry. I didn't know."

  Sophia put a hand on his shoulder. "My baby can take a little poke. Wait till I tell it that the great Jack Sparrow poked him or her when still in mommy."

  He laughed softly.

  After that we all ate breakfast calmly. Well, calmly. With tall tales from Johnny and David. Emma and Victor hung on their lips. Alexander was worried about his nephew. Because he didn't feel him kicking anymore.

  "You have to pay attention, Alex. Put your little hand on my belly," she said. "Then I'll tickle him or her a bit."

  She made soft circular motions over her belly. Suddenly Alex's eyes got big.

  "Yes. I felt him," he said enthusiastically. "See, nothing wrong," said Sophia.

  He hugged his aunt and then laid his head on her belly. "Can he hear me too?" Alex asked.

  Sophia stroked his hair. "I think so. Uncle Lucas reads to the baby every day. I want to believe it hears that. Just like my voice. And yours. That of your mom and dad."

  I enjoyed the moment for a bit. "I love it here and I hate to do this. But we have to go," I said.

  Alexander sighed loudly. "Lame, uncle Lucas," he said as he climbed off Sophia's lap.

  "Will you come listen to the fairy tale tonight?" she said.

  Alexander nodded enthusiastically. "Good. Then let's get to work," I said.