Moonlight In Marbella

By Cindy

As I stared out the airplane window, I thought of all the things that I had accomplished in the last year. At forty years old, I went back to school and got another Master's degree, this time in Education. I had just embarked upon my new career as a teacher. Although some of my friends and family thought I was silly to change careers at this stage in my life, most were supportive. It was difficult working full time and going to school but I needed to work to get the tuition waiver for my schooling. I had just finished school and my first year of teaching when I found myself on the trip of a lifetime. I had been saving up my frequent flier miles so that one day I would be able to go to Europe. Eventually I found a tour that was very affordable, and so here I was. I was going to the three countries that I wanted to visit most, France, Italy, and Spain. As I settled back into my seat enjoying memories of the past week in Spain, the pilot made an announcement.

"I am sorry ladies and gentlemen but do to unforeseen weather conditions ahead we will need to make an unscheduled stop in Malaga. We cannot tell you if there will be a flight out for you tonight. Please check with the information desk upon disembarking. Those of you who are with a tour please meet your tour director after departure from the plane." I exited the plane and walked over to my tour group. The group all seemed to be upset by this delay, I on the other hand decided to look at it as one of life's adventures.

As soon as our whole group was together the tour director started with "I am sorry to have to tell you this but because of the size of our group the earliest we will be able to leave here is tomorrow on the 7:00 p.m. flight. You could start to hear groans and even some people cursing under their breath with the news. "We will be putting you up at a beautiful resort, and of course if there is an earlier flight out we will contact you right away,' he concluded. I did not mind. After all, if Malaga is good enough for Antonio Banderas then it is certainly good enough for me. Besides, I would like to see how the other half lives, and now I can - with all expenses paid. We were told that if we had everything we needed for the evening the airport would hold our luggage. I had a small train case with me so I did not feel the need to go through the hassle of the luggage carousel

I stopped in the washroom on the way to our waiting limousine and saw a little girl crying. "Are you lost? Can I help you find your Mommy or Daddy?" I asked. I knelt down in front of her and took her hand, she was trembling. Even with my bleary eyes, she seemed to look very familiar. She sat in the corner of the bathroom with a cute little pout on her expressive face. "That's it!" My mind suddenly snapped to a place where it has been ever since I arrived in Spain. "Antonio, she looks like Antonio!" That has to be Stella; same age, same eyes, same lips, and she lives in Marbella." Ever since I have been in Spain, everything has been an "Antonio Moment" for me. I should just help the little girl no matter who she is, and not jump to conclusions. "Lets go out and find someone who can help, O.K.?" Although the little girl was obviously frightened she took my hand and held it tight as we went out into the corridor

I finally found someone who could help us, and she tried to take the child away from me. The child would not go near the stranger. A manager was called and asked if the child and I would follow her to one of the airline lounges. As we walked down the hall to the lounge, I saw the tears dry up in my little companion's face. I smiled at her as if to say, "everything will be all right." We walked into a room with plush furniture, a bar, a ticket counter, and a play area for children. "Who says money doesn't buy happiness," I thought. This had to be Stella. There is only one way to find out. "My name is Cindy, what is yours?" I asked shyly.

"My name is Stella Del Carmen Banderas Griffith. You can just call me Stella," she said confidently.

"All right Stella, and you call me Cindy. How did you get lost? Were you with your nanny?" I asked.

"There were so many people when my papa and I got off the plane that I got lost. I tried to find my Papa but all those people were bigger then I was so I just ran away from them and hid," she explained. " You know my Papa is a very famous actor, people want to talk to him and take his picture all the time," she added.

"I know, and your Papa is a very good actor. So are you Stella. I saw you with your Mommy in Crazy in Alabama; would you like to be an actress when you grow up?" I asked.

"My big sister wants to be an actress, but I do not know what I want to be when I grow up," Stella said sounding more then her five years.

I heard a familiar voice shout, "Nina, nina, where have you been? Are you alright?" I turned and saw Antonio running towards his little girl and scooping her up into his loving arms.

"I could not find you with all of those men Papa, do not be mad at me," Stella said while looking at Antonio with her innocent eyes. "I could never be mad at you, I am sorry for all those people scaring you," Antonio replied while squeezing his daughter tight.

When I saw Father and daughter kissing each other, I knew it was time for me to go.

"Well, Stella it was very nice meeting you, and Mr. Banderas, you have a wonderful little girl," I said as I started to leave.

"Wait, Miss," Antonio started. Stella interrupted Antonio and said," Papa her name is Cindy!"

"May I call you Cindy? he asked. My voice was quivering, and I felt like saying," you can call me anything you want." Nevertheless, I just looked into his eyes and said "of course."

"I hope all this commotion did not cause you to miss your plane. I know many of the planes have been cancelled due to the weather up north. I hear it is awful," Antonio said.

"Well, my flight was re-routed to Malaga due to the weather. I am with a tour group and because of the size of our group, we cannot get a flight out of here until tomorrow evening. The Tour Company is putting us up at a hotel so at least I will not have to spend the evening in the airport. In fact my limousine has most likely left already," I said looking at my watch.

"What will you do at the hotel until your flight tomorrow evening leaves?" asked Antonio.

"Well, I do not have my swimsuit so I cannot go down to the pool. I could go to the beach and come back to my room and order room service, especially since it is paid for," I laughed.

"You can do that back in the States. If you have no special plans, come back with Stella and I to La Gavotte for the evening," Antonio suggested. The look of shock on my face must have shown because Antonio immediately said, "You are a stranger in a strange country, I should not be so presumptuous as to ask you back to my house. It is just that you did so much for Stella, I thought in some way I could thank you," Antonio explained.

"Mr. Banderas, you do not have to thank me for anything. I am sure almost anyone else would have done the same thing," I replied.

"It would be nice to believe that, there are some very dangerous people in our world. I am a public figure so I worry about those people who do not have honorable intentions. Again, I know I am a stranger and you are a young lady traveling alone in a foreign country so I do not want to you to feel pressured in anyway," Antonio repeated.

"Mr. Banderas, I feel more safe with you then in my own country. I would like to see some of Marbella with someone who knows the town,' I added.

"Cindy, I forgot to tell you, there is one condition of you coming with Stella and I," Antonio said sternly. I must have looked very worried for a moment because he quickly broke in and said, "you have to call me "Antonio"! We both started to laugh as I smiled and agreed.

"Mr. Banderas, I mean Antonio, give me one minute to call my tour director so he will know I will not be at the hotel tonight," I said as I walked over to the hospitality phone.

"Tell him you found a Latin lover," laughed Antonio. As I strolled over to the telephone I knew that Antonio was kidding, he was starting to get his jovial old self back. I knew he was kidding, yet I could only hope. No! that was a terrible thing to think about, especially with the situation he had just gone through with Melanie.

"My brother Javier could not pick us up today so we have a limousine waiting, let us go home. This has been a long and exhausting trip. I thank you Cindy for making everything turn out as it has." Antonio picked up Stella in one arm and put his sunglasses on with the other. He was holding on tight to Stella, the paparazzi were not going to hurt his little girl this time. "Cindy, if anyone asks you anything, just say you are here for Stella," instructed Antonio. I just nodded and smiled at him.

A beautiful black limousine was waiting for us out front. Before we could get into the car there were hoards of photographers and journalists shoving microphones in Antonio's face and taking pictures of him and Stella. "Just one minute, Nina," he said to Stella as he put her into the Limousine. Antonio took a few questions about the sequel to Zorro he had just finished filming and was speaking about his new film with Pedro and Penelope Cruz that was finally going to start shooting in Andalusia in September. I must go now my little girl is waiting," Antonio concluded politely. Before climbing into the limousine he signed some autographs and then we were off. "Sorry, about that. It happens every time I come home," he sighed.

"Antonio, you are an international celebrity. Don't be modest, it must happen everywhere in the world. I guess that is the life of a movie star," I smiled. Antonio looked at me and shook his head as if to correct me.

"Cindy, I like to think of myself as an actor first and foremost. Acting is my craft, I love it. In order to act I must put up with the paparazzi. I have chosen this life for myself. I only feel bad for my family and friends who are besieged by paparazzi. They have not chosen this lifestyle. It is not easy to be a true friend or family member of a celebrity," sighed Antonio.

Antonio was sitting across from me with his arm around Stella's shoulder holding her tight. Stella fell asleep in the crook of Antonio's arm looking like an angel. Antonio leaned over and kissed the top of her head. Out of all the movies, interviews, and pictures I have seen with Antonio nothing could match seeing him with his little girl. The look in those eyes was like nothing I have ever seen before; not in any man or woman.

Antonio turned toward me and said, "I am glad she has fallen asleep. It was a long plane ride and she did not get much rest on it. Getting lost at the airport upset her, I am so glad she found a friend in you. Last summer I held a short press conference outside our home. It was not well controlled and things got out of hand and she has had some fears of strangers in the press corps ever since," he explained.

"She looks like an angel sleeping there. You are both very lucky to have each other. It is obvious how much you both love each other," I said staring at Stella.

"Cindy I hope you understand my immediate concern for Stella. Ever since Melanie's accident, she is all I have left. I truly loved Melanie and I feel somewhat responsible. If she were not out in that car shopping for a Christmas present for me, she would be here with me today. Did you know that when Melanie had her accident she was three months pregnant? If she were with me today, Stella would never have gotten lost. Stella has never even gotten lost when she has traveled with her nanny. What kind of a father does that make me?" Antonio looked at Stella and just shook his head.

"Antonio, you are one of the best fathers I have ever met. You put your daughter above everything else in your life. She knows that you will always be there for her. As far as being responsible for Melanie's accident, it is no more your fault then anyone else's. The press must not have known about the pregnancy, I am so sorry I know how much you wanted another baby. It is on of those terrible unfortunate things that happened. What Melanie would want is for you to take care of Stella. Help her through the tough times and go on with your life. Melanie loved you so; she would want you to be happy. The happier and more at peace you are with yourself the better off Stella will be," I responded.

"Stella and I will be staying here in Spain for awhile. We will rest up this summer and then I will start that new picture with Pedro. I do not want to be dumping all my problems on you when we have only met a few hours ago, but I feel very comfortable speaking with you. We are almost there, I thought we could go the more scenic way and I could point out some highlights but we have a limousine with tinted glass," sighed Antonio.

We started to slow down and I noticed a big gated driveway and many people. "Are you going to get out and talk with them?' I questioned. Antonio was looking at Stella asleep in his arm. I could see his mind weighing the pros and cons of the situation.

"Stella is still asleep so I will sneak out and answer a few more questions, let them take a few pictures and then we will drive in to the driveway and neither Stella or you will need to see them. Just stay here with Stella and I will be right back," Antonio then walked into the wild feeding frenzy. Antonio wore his grin and his typical laid back attitude for his fellow countrymen. He answered many of the same questions that were asked of him at the airport. It was obvious he was used to talking about the same thing repeatedly. If possible he tried to add something new to every answer. He smiled, and blew kisses to everyone and got back into the limousine. On command the gates opened. I was now in the Banderas mansion.

We had just opened the car door and the beauty of his courtyard struck me. "I see Dolores started the afternoon paper for me," Antonio said as he leaned over to pick up his newspaper. "Dolores, we have a guest tonight." Antonio turned to me and said, "she must be upstairs and can not hear me. Dolores has been with me a long time. She opens the house up for me when I have been away for awhile. She goes to the grocery store, makes sure the house is clean, she is not just my housekeeper-she keeps my life organized. I do not know what Stella and I would have done without her the last seven months."

"Is Dolores Stella's nanny, Antonio?" I asked. I know that you travel with a nanny for her but when you did not have one with you today on the plane, I assumed she was already here."

"No, Stella's nanny is back in the States. She has a very sick mother who is in the hospital, so instead of delaying our trip to Spain, I told her to tend to her mother, and I would take Stella. I had no work planned this summer and I knew that Dolores would be here. Therefore, I saw no reason in not traveling with my Nina alone. Then look what happened." Antonio looked sullen as he thought back to what could have happened.

"Nothing happened, and everyone is here at home safe and sound. I quickly switched the subject from that afternoon at the airport. Your house is beautiful, even better looking then in the pictures," I said admiringly. "I can see why you always want to come back here. I knew the country was beautiful from my trip, but the Costa del Sol region is some place special it is almost magical," I aid awestruck.

"Yes, I have always thought it is the most beautiful place on earth. Melanie and I were talking about moving here permanently. I agree it has some problems like all places; right now, there are a few divisive issues politically - but it is my home," Antonio said as he looked out the window. It was obvious that this was the world where Antonio felt safe. Here he would be able to raise his daughter and spend time with the family and friends that he loved.

"Antonio, please do not take this the wrong way but if you and Stella will be living here full time are you still going to raise her bilingual?" I asked.

"Of course I will continue to raise her bilingual. She has a sister and brother back in the States as well as an aunt and grandmother. I will make sure she gets to the States often. We have many bilingual schools here in Marbella We have an international population; my biggest problem is to decide where she should go. While she is young, I want to take her with me if I am doing a long shoot. I do not want her raised by nannys - no matter how good they are. Nothing can take the place of a mama or papa," Antonio said as he smiled at his daughter.

"I love your house; it is beautifully decorated yet at the same time it looks so warm and homey. It looks just like it did in the magazine article, neat and clean with nothing out of place," I said trying to be discreet but at the same time glancing around at the room.

"Thank you, but as I told you Dolores takes care of all of that. Anyway, Stella and I have been gone. Wait until you see the house after Stella and I have been here a few days," laughed Antonio. Some people say that my smoking is my worse habit, I think being messy is," he added. Melanie always said if I did not have the money for a housekeeper, she does not know how anyone could live with me.

I laughed thinking that I know of some people that could put up with a little mess in order to live with Antonio. "Well as gorgeous as the layout was in In-Style magazine of your house, it looks even better in person. I never thought it was possible but you look better in person too," I quickly added without thinking. Antonio chuckled and gave me his famous grin. I was mortified. I felt my face turn red and I started to look down at my feet. I had managed to keep his looks out of our conversation ever since we met. Now because of a stupid blunder he will just be pleasant like he would to any of the adoring fans that were waiting for him at the airport and outside his home.

"Don't be embarrassed, he said quickly trying to put me at ease. "I thank you for the compliment. You would be surprised at how many times I have heard just the opposite. "You are shorter then I thought, your eyes don't look the same as in the movies, and something I have been hearing a lot of recently is I thought you knew English better than that." Nobody is perfect but sometimes the public wants you to be. You just do the best you can with what you have." Antonio changed the subject so easily that I forgot my embarrassment.

'I can say - without embarrassment- is that anyone who actually believes those things is either blind or very jealous of you! I do not think that all those people at the airport or outside your house felt that way," I replied.

'What kind of host am I? I have not even offered you a drink. Would you like a Coke? It is very hot out today. I do not like to keep the air conditioning on, so the house is on the warm side. If I know I am having guests I try to adjust it. Would you like me to make it cooler for you," Antonio graciously offered.

"No, thanks Antonio this is just fine for me. I would love a Coke though." Just as I said that Stella walked into the living room and told her papa that she was hungry.

"I was just going to talk to Dolores to see what we have for you to eat, do you mind if I take Cindy out to a restaurant to thank her for all she did for you and I?" asked Antonio. "I will stay with you until bedtime." Turning to me Antonio added, that is if Cindy would like to go out to dinner."

"Promise me that you will read me a story," Stella added.

"When I am home don't I always read you your story? Even when we have people over, I always excuse myself to read to you. That is our time Nina," Antonio kissed Stella on the cheek and went off to find Dolores to arrange for his daughter's dinner.

"Wash your hands Stella, Dolores said she already started your dinner and it will be ready soon." Antonio turned to me and said, "I am so sorry for the interruptions, now you must be exhausted from your journey. Let me take your bag and show you to Dakota's room at the top of the steps, that is where you will sleep tonight. There is a connecting bathroom to it. If you want to shower or freshen up please take your time. We will not be having our dinner until later tonight-around 8:00 or 8:30-is that all right with you?" I nodded and smiled.

Antonio was holding my lone train case; as we reached the top of the steps he turned right and there was a lovely girl's room all done in pink. It had beautiful windows with eyelet curtains, her bedspread was pink, and even her computer was pink. As if reading my mind, Antonio laughed as he told me pink was Dakota's favorite color.

"Cindy, Dolores put some fresh towels in the bathroom for you. There are also clean sheets on the bed. Is there anything I can get for you?" I shook my head no. "Well, if you think of something just let Dolores or I know." Antonio left closing the door behind me and leaving me some privacy. I sat down on the bed and started to think of everything that had happened to me, and was still happening to me.

I was tired but I got up and went into the bathroom. If I was going to be going out to dinner with Antonio Banderas in Marbella (well I guess anywhere), I had better see what I could do with myself. I am glad I had lost some weight (20 lbs.) the prior fall. I could now fit into a size 8;This for 5'7 and 40 years old was not too bad. My figure was o.k. I had just gotten my hair foiled before I left on the trip and the day before I had it done in a salon in Madrid. I knew if I washed it before dinner, it would look awful, so I took a shower and was careful not to let my hair get wet. As I got out of the shower and dried myself off, I noticed that the only thing I had to wear that evening was the sundress, which I had been wearing all day. With a shrug of my shoulders, I put it back on. Not bad I thought. I am no movie star but easy enough on the eyes for Antonio to talk to.

I heard a knock at the bedroom door; it was Antonio calling to see if he could do anything for me. "No thank you, I am fine. Thanks for asking," I replied.

"I am going to take a shower and put some fresh clothes on. I will be downstairs in about 15 minutes," with that, I heard Antonio walk down the hall.

I walked down the stairs to the living room and saw Stella eating her dinner in front of her favorite video "The Lion King." I sat down next to her and joined her. "I used to watch that movie all the time with my nephews, they are about your age. Then one day they broke their copy of the tape so I gave them mine. Therefore, I have not seen the movie for quite awhile."

Stella looked up at me very perplexed and said, "why didn't you just buy a new one so that you both would have one?" I smiled and looked down at her, wondering if she would ever need to worry about money. If she only knew the money I spent on her papa's videos!

I heard Antonio walking down the stairs and Stella ran into her papa's outstretched arms. "How are you coming with dinner? Are you almost done? You are looking tired Nina. We both had a long trip. As soon as you finish your dessert and your video we will go up to take a bath and read a bedtime story," Antonio said as he kissed Stella's cheek.

Antonio soon was walking all over the house muttering to himself. Stella could see that I looked puzzled. "My Papa is looking for his cigarettes. Whenever he wants a cigarette and he does not know where they are, he gets like that. Sometimes he doesn't even look around the house, he just goes straight to the store and buys them."

"Stella, I am going to run your bath," Antonio cried on his way up the steps. "Hurry up and finish your dessert." Stella's movie had just finished and she had only a few mouthfuls of flan on her plate, which she said she did not want. She took my hand and we walked upstairs.

Antonio had put bubble bath in for Stella, so she enjoyed her bath. In fact, when Antonio went to get her pajamas she did not want to get out. Antonio had to bribe her with a special bedtime story he was going to tell her.

After Stella was put to sleep, Antonio turned to me as we were walking down the stairs and said, "See how wonderful she is, I do not know what I would do without her. She was my life when Melanie was alive, now she is my entire world. That is probably not good, she will grow up some day and find someone to love and have to leave me," Antonio said as he shook his head.

"That is why you must enjoy today because you never know what tomorrow will bring," I said smiling. That was a saying by a very famous person. I think he is absolutely right, don't you?" I asked.

"He is probably right, who said it?" asked Antonio.

"You did, before you married Melanie. Don't you remember? You are always saying philosophical things like that in interviews. Remember saying 'happiness is but a breeze and if you are lucky you are touched by it," I asked.

"You really are well read," laughed Antonio.

"About you, yes," I answered.

"I am getting hungry, how about you?" asked Antonio. Just wait one moment while I check on Stella again. I also want to let Dolores know we are leaving and give her the number of where we will be." Antonio went upstairs to see Stella sleeping like an angel. He fixed her covers and gave her another good night kiss. He then went into the kitchen to see Dolores.

Hollywood talks of all these great fathers, and how much they are a part of their child's life. I sometimes wonder if that is exaggerated. It is good press for them to have put out by the publicity people. I look at Antonio who is so committed to his daughter. He baths her, puts her pajamas on, and reads her stories. He does all of this even when there is someone in the house that he trusts to do it. He is a very special man; his daughter is lucky to have him.

"I am ready, how about you?" asked Antonio. He offered his hand to me as Alejandro did to Elena. As we walked out to the car he looked up at the moon and said, "let's take the convertible tonight, it is so lovely out." He walked over to the passenger car door and opened it for me. He was careful not to get the skirt of my dress in the door as he carefully shut the door.

As Antonio and I pulled out of the driveway, he pointed out some of the different sights along the way to the restaurant. He answered questions about the vegetation, the weather, and the culture. Antonio was an expert on everything. As we neared the restaurant Antonio started to tell me a little about it.

"I have known the owner of the restaurant for many years. It is very quaint and the food is excellent. It is usually booked up months ahead of time - but as I said, "I know the owner, so we don't have to worry. The paparazzi do not bother you there either. They have wonderful, fresh fish. I love fish, it is my favorite. Do not tell me you knew that fish was my favorite food," laughed Antonio.

I laughed as I looked at him and said, "Well, you did say how much you liked fish on the Jay Leno show. Although I thought that Paella was your favorite," I said with a smile.

"Cindy, you are starting to scare me," Antonio said, with a wink that followed that was to die for. "Here we are," said Antonio as he made a sharp turn into a long driveway. The restaurant seemed to be hidden, no wonder it was hard for the paparazzi to get to it. We finally reached the front door when the car was taken from Antonio and he was greeted with a warm smile.

"Hola, Senor Banderas, Como esta? That was the extent of Antonio's conversation that I understood. I do know that I was introduced, so when I heard the word Cindy I smiled and said hola. I hoped I did not embarrass Antonio. Antonio took me by the arm and walked in.

I immediately noticed that this was a very high-class group of people. They were all dressed very well, some in evening wear and others in dresses such as mine. No matter what they wore, they all looked stunning. While many of the ladies had on diamonds, I had on a pair of imitation pearl earrings.

The maitre'd showed Antonio and I to a beautiful corner table overlooking the sea. The wine steward immediately came and Antonio ordered a bottle of wine. Antonio switching back to English started to apologize for not asking my preference in the type of drink I wanted. He said that he knows some American women do not care for it when the man orders without asking them.

"Antonio, I am not of those women. First of all, you know a lot more about wine than I do-you even have a wine named after you (That I would like to taste). Second of all, I am in Spain I want to take part in your traditions and your culture. When in Spain do what the Spanish do," I smiled thinking I am really looking forward to that wine.

"I have not been out to dinner like this in a long time. My friends were starting to say that I was turning into a recluse. I love Stella and my work is very important to me, but there is something to say for adult companionship every once in a while," Antonio said. As Antonio was talking the wine came and Antonio tasted it and nodded to the wine steward to pour me a glass. Antonio raised his glass in a toast and said "for better times ahead for us all."

"Open your menu, I do not know how your tastes run but usually everyone can find something they like here. They have Spanish, Mediterranean, and food from Andalusia. Its all very good. If you need help reading the menu let me know and I will translate it for you. I know how hard it is to describe food in a different language. I remember when I first went to New York and some of the menu items were new to me. I would ask who ever I was out with what something tasted liked and everyone said 'chicken' That was not any help. I promise if you asked for any help, I will not tell you it tastes like chicken. Unless it is," laughed Antonio.

"The foods are distinct in different areas here," I asked.

"Yes, each region has a distinct style and taste, the foods are usually what is common to the area. We have many fish dishes here because we are on the water. Marbella used to be a fishing village. They also use a lot of olive oil here. In addition, many of our dishes have many fresh vegetables in them. Again, anything that is in abundance is usually part of the regional food, although we have many more regions then you in the states you have somewhat of regional cooking. It too depends on where you live, Antonio explained.

"Yes I am from Chicago, and we have a lot of beef there. I do not know what I would do if I had to live without a good piece of meat," I said. Do not tell me that it is not good for me, it is from home, it is my comfort food," I smiled.

"Then you understand. The paella you mentioned earlier is from around this area also. All that talk of food has given me an appetite. I think I know what I will get. The Boquerones in Vinagre is excellent here. They are small fish and they put them in a marinade sauce for a few days. I have never found any thing like it in the states, do you see anything you might be interested in?" Antonio asked.

"Like I just said, I am a girl from the Midwest, Do you have any meat but done with a Spanish flair to it?" I asked.

Antonio pointed to a dish on the menu and said, "this is a popular meat dish in Spain. I have not had Rabo de Toro a la Rondona in a long time. I am still going to have my Boquerones in Vinagre though. I do not want to dissuade you from what is a wonderful dish here in Spain by telling you the translation,' Antonio smiled.

"Uh oh, come clean Antonio, what is it? I am now sure I will get something safe like shrimp, but I am very much interested in what the dish is in America, I asked.

"O.K., it is Bulls Tails, they are very good, and you said you wanted meat,' Antonio offered.

"You were interpreting my statement very loosely, all I can think of now is that movie Matador that you were in. I am going with the shrimp, I am too hungry to take a chance on something I may not like," I added.

Antonio and I had finished the bottle of wine just as our food arrived. Antonio ordered another bottle and soon we were chatting away like old friends. Antonio gave me a taste of his fish and he even had the waiter get me a little bit of the bull's tail to taste. He said that I might not be back in Spain for a long time so I should taste it while I was here. He was right about me not knowing what was around the corner for me, how eating bulls tails fit into that idea of his was beyond me. You know they were not too bad. I am still glad I decided to get the shrimp though.

As we finished the last of our wine and I turned down a luscious dessert offered by the waiter I noticed it was already past 10:30. It was time to go. Antonio paid the bill and suggested we take a walk in the back of the restaurant on the beach. He took my hand on the deserted beach as we strolled toward the water. Just holding Antonio's hand sent shivers down my spine, he must have felt it for he took off his jacket and put it over my shoulders. He then put his arm around me tight and squeezed me. I put my face on his chest smelling the Diavolo cologne he had put on for the evening. The breeze of happiness was now blowing, both literally and figuratively.

"Do I frighten you?" Antonio asked with his amber colored eyes penetrating deep into my soul.

I held him tight as I looked up at him and whispered "No, you could never frighten me. Hold me tight, you make me feel like we are in our own world just by holding me." As I said, that Antonio grasped me harder against his body. He put his hands underneath the jacket he had put over my shoulders for warmth. If he only knew that the warmth I was feeling right now just by his touch. As his hands moved under the jacket, they caressed my back, causing me to let out a sigh. Did he know what he was doing to me, how he was making me feel?

"Let us go and sit in the sand, there is a cave up there," Antonio suggested.

"Antonio, you do your infamous cave scene in real life?" I smiled

"What are you talking about? Oh! "Of Love And Shadows," laughed Antonio. "I liked that movie. The character was doing a love scene not just a sex scene. Sometimes your character has to do a pure sex scene like in Law of Desire. But it is nice to get a character like Francisco who is a little more like yourself," Antonio said. Antonio and I sat down in front of the opening of the cave oblivious to everything around us and only concentrating on each other.

"I promised I would not take advantage of you, and here I am sitting with you alone on a beach after we have each had one bottle of wine a piece. You are not used to that much wine are you? You seem a little tipsy." Antonio smiled at me and cocked his head to one side. He wanted to let me know that if I wanted to put the brakes on to let him know now.

"Antonio, you are right, I am a little tipsy and I am not used to that much wine. Please be aware I am a big girl and very rarely do I do not need to be taken care of, but tonight Antonio I need to be taken care of - by you." As soon as I said that I fell back into the sand facing Antonio.

Antonio took off his shirt displaying beautiful black curls on his chest. I needed him to hold me. As if reading my mind Antonio lay down on the sand next to me and I rolled over on my side so I could nuzzle my face on his naked chest. I started to lick my lips and Antonio took that as a sign to enter my mouth with his tongue. I opened my mouth to him and he lovingly slid his tongue in and out of my mouth, at times playfully biting my lower lip. Soon his kisses moved down to my neck then to my shoulders. Antonio took his teeth and slipped the straps of my dress off my shoulder. With the cut of the dress he could look down the bodice and see my breasts. He said something in Spanish and then pushed my dress down and attacked my breasts.

'Dios mio! I need more of you querida. Please, allow me to remove your dress. I turned around so Antonio could unzip my dress. I soon lay there in the sand in only my bra and panties. I trembled inside while Antonio looked at me with his loving but very lustful eyes. He bent over my breasts and as he was about to take my bra off he stopped. "I have not been with a woman since Melanie. I hope I can please you," Antonio admitted.

I looked at Antonio and said, "Antonio it has been along time for me to. I have never made love with some one as unique and tender as you. I probably never will again. I want your body to engulf my body and I want my soul to join your soul tonight. Let us make love, not have sex." Would I be saying this if I were not on a moonlit beach with Antonio Banderas and a bottle of wine in me? Yes, if I were back in Chicago in the middle of winter sober as a judge I would want this man next to me, with me, in me.

"Bonita, Bonita," Antonio cried as he suckled my breasts. He started to bite my nipples until they were both erect and hard. My hands were on his chest exploring his nipples. My hands slowly moved down towards his stomach. As I slowly started to unbuckle his belt he took one hand and put it on top of mine.

"I will not be able to wait, we will have to do it here if you…" I did not let him finish. I knew what he meant. He would be too far gone to make it back to the house. I smiled and said. " I want to make love under the moonlight in Marbella."

Antonio smiled and settled back down and relaxed as he played with my breasts. I continued to unbuckle his slacks. I could see his size bulging from his pants. He started panting, tore off my bra, and then went to work on my panties. He kicked off his slacks and underwear so he was naked under the moonlight.

Soon I was in the same state as he was. Antonio was so gorgeous, his beautiful olive skin the backdrop for his dark hair which had grown a little longer so that he had curls on the end. His eyes were the windows of his soul; Antonio's great big heart was reflected in his eyes. His beautiful eyelashes were like an umbrella that kept everything bad out and only the good within him. As I looked down Antonio's body, I saw his organ that helped him reveal his love to others. I then looked further and saw Antonio's muscular thighs covered with hair. His thighs as well as his arms were exciting me. They reeked of masculinity.

Antonio was looking at my body as I was looking at his. He started kissing me by starting with my breasts and working his way down. Antonio was on top of me so my hands had easy access to his hardness. As soon as I touched him, he let out a cry. "

"Perdon, it has been so long as I told you. You are making me feel so good. Let us go slow, we have all night," suggested Antonio. Antonio continued slowly kissing my body until he reached my thighs. It was then my turn to apologize. I had to steady myself by holding onto Antonio's back, digging my nails into that beautiful skin of his.

"I am sorry, it feels so good, I can't control it." I could feel my wetness joined with the wetness from Antonio's mouth. Antonio was causing me to climax repeatedly. I was greedy; I wanted, no I needed Antonio to go down on me as long as I had the strength to take it. He was groaning and panting. It excited him to see me so out-of-control. I took my hands off his back, held onto his head, and felt his curls in my hands. The vision of his face caused me to come repeatedly until I was utterly spent. I was lying on my back in the sand and Antonio came up, looked at me, and smiled.

"Have you come back to earth yet Cindy?" Antonio asked with a grin from ear to ear. I was somewhat embarrassed. I must have really been out of it. "It looked like you left me and took another trip, but you were enjoying it so I did not want to stop until you had to." "Do you need to rest for awhile? We can lay back in each other's arms and feel the sand", Antonio suggested.

"No, I want to pay some attention to you.' I looked down at Antonio and saw he was as hard as a rock.

Antonio, always the gentleman said, "I can wait." I would not take no for an answer. I took my hands, started to massage his chest, and then moved them around to his backside so I was massaging his ass. Antonio started to sigh as I moved between his legs onto his powerful thighs. "Dulce, please go down on me now, I need you, I have to have you. I just continued working my way towards his hard cock. Stopping at his balls, I kneaded them in my hands, Antonio's knees jerked up. I lovingly pushed them back onto the grainy sand. Soon I lowered myself onto Antonio and took him in my mouth. I started licking slowly trying to adjust the size of him to my mouth. Soon Antonio was out-of-control. He took my head and held onto my hair and said "more, more, faster." He started to move rhythmically with my actions. Then all of a sudden he pulled me away and turned me over on the sand. He mounted me and entered me continuing the strong thrusts. I wanted to remind Antonio that it was awhile for me and his size was not something I was used to but his concentration was something I could not break. I withstood the pain just by seeing the pure joy and elation on his face.

It was obvious that Antonio was about to reach his breaking point. I had just come a few minutes before Antonio. As soon as Antonio came, he fell into my arms. He was out of breath and could say nothing to me except with his eyes. I could see he was glad our evening turned out the way it did, as was I. Antonio kissed me deeply and passionately while whispering Spanish endearments into my ears. Those kisses and words were as exciting to me as any time I have had intercourse before tonight.

As Antonio and I lay curled up in each other's arms he looked at me and noticed some blood on my upper thigh. "Querida, what happened? You did not tell me you were."

I interrupted Antonio, "I was not a virgin, it has been awhile like I said, and you are much bigger then what I have had in the past. Please do not let this bother you, believe me the pleasure far outweighed the pain," I smiled.

"I can not believe I did that. I am not one to hurt my women dulce. It may be that because it has been so long I could not control myself. It is wrong of me not to think of you though," Antonio said regretfully.

"Antonio you did think of me. In fact, you thought of me first. I do not believe anyone was ever so passionate and loving towards me. You spent so much time on my needs and desires. That is so very rare for a man," I said correcting him.

"You have been with the wrong kind of man. True men want to fulfill their woman. That is what makes a man feel like a man.

Antonio and I were both in a blissful state but we were watching the clock also. "We must go get the car before all the valet attendants leave." We both looked at ourselves all naked and full of sand and sex. " Put your dress on," he said as he gave me my dress. I must have looked puzzled because he hurriedly said, "that is all right, dulce, we are going in the car - straight home, you need no underclothes." Antonio obviously did not feel he needed any either because he put his trousers over his naked bottom. Antonio picked up my bra and panties as well as his underwear and stuffed them in his jacket pockets. We brushed the sand off each other as best we could so we at least looked presentable to the valet attendant.

As we were walking back to the parking lot Antonio leaned over and kissed my cheek. "Thank you so much. You have made me feel so good and I feel I can start living my life again as a man."

"Antonio, you did it yourself. Quickly changing the subject I turned to Antonio and said "I still feel like I have a lot of sand all over me, I hope we do not get that all over your beautiful car." I looked at Antonio and I saw him laugh he went from a chuckle to an uproarious laugh. "What are you laughing at," I demanded.

"You, dulce. You worry about things that are so insignificant in the scheme of things. Of all there is to worry about in life that is the least of which we should concern us," he said as he put his arm around my shoulder.

"I looked up into Antonio's eyes and said, " Well, if you had to clean your car yourself or had to pay someone to do and you were hard pressed for money you would not think it so funny. Besides there must be an awful lot of people who feel as I do, that is one of the reasons they have showers on beaches,' I smugly added.

"O.K., I apologize, let us go and get the car." While we were waiting for the car Antonio spoke with the attendants giving them autographs graciously. As I got into the car, I suddenly felt naughty knowing I was out with nothing on but a thin cotton dress. I did not feel naughty on the beach at all. My sense of morality confuses me sometime. Alternatively, is it that when you are with Antonio you can feel nothing but morality -no matter what you do? Antonio is nothing but a gentleman.

As we pulled out onto the road Antonio put his arm around me and pulled me in closer to him. I laid my head against his chest and could once more feel the curly hair on his chest; he had thrown his jacket in the back seat and the top buttons on his shirt were undone. I soon started kissing his neck and then moved towards his nipples. Antonio responded by taking his hand that was around my shoulders and moving them underneath the skirt of my dress so that his hand was caressing my bare ass.

I slowly unbuttoned Antonio's shirt to his waist and looked longingly at his crotch, which was growing. I slowly lowered my head down to it and unbuckled Antonio's belt, knowing that if he felt uncomfortable with the idea he would tell me. When Antonio lovingly stroked my head and smiled at me I knew I should continue. I soon unzipped his trousers and he lifted himself up so I could slip them down just far enough to see him, hard and just waiting for me to taste him. I lay down on Antonio's strong lap and just started to stroke him at first. I soon moved my hands to his balls squeezing them hard as he liked it. He started to groan.

His hand that was massaging my backside started to get rougher. He soon took the skirt of my dress and flipped it over my head so he had full view of me. His one free hand started to play with my pubic hair, he then moved to my outer lips slowly tracing them with his fingers. I could feel Antonio harden even more in my mouth. Just the knowledge that I was with him half-naked turned him on.

"Spread your legs, so I can reach more of you." he demanded. I spread my legs best as I could in a sports car, and Antonio entered me with his fingers. He was driving me crazy; I could not keep in my emotion. Every time I came, which was many, I screamed Antonio's name. I was not worried about being on the open road in a convertible. Besides Antonio had purposely taken the back roads and it was very late at night on a weekday.

Soon I felt Antonio pull into a vacant lot filled with trees. He reluctantly removed himself from me and I from him as he said, "I have to have you in me, I have to have you now amore." He quickly picked me up and laid me down on the dirt and vegetation. "I need to see your face as we come together once again. He quickly removed my dress and entered me. I was used to his size now. He took me to the end of the world and I kept screaming I wanted more, more. "I do not know how long I can hold out my love, you took me so far in the car that I feel ready to explode," Antonio whispered.

"I need you, please, please stay inside me," I begged. With that urgent plea, I felt Antonio's release. He did not move from me but remained inside of me for quite awhile allowing me to hug him and kiss him.

"I wish I could speak your language so that I could translate some of the beautiful feelings I have had for you all evening." Antonio smiled at me and kissed me as he said, "You speak the international language, the language of love. That, my dear, is the most beautiful language of them all." As Antonio said that the words just dripped off his tongue in that beautiful accent of his. He was not just saying this in a movie to someone on the screen but he was saying it to me! Antonio finally rolled over and we both lay on our backs looking up at the full moon.

I turned over and looked at Antonio and said, "We seem to have a penchant for outdoor lovemaking, here we are again - maybe not on the sand but we are on the dirt - who knows where? You know I normally would feel apprehensive about being naked with someone I just met, and being outside well forget it-with you it is completely natural."

"We better get back into the car Antonio said," picking up my dress. And shaking the dirt off it. Antonio slipped the dress over my head and quickly zipped up the back. We were disheveled but at least presentable. I felt dirty. In body - not in mind. I had sand and dirt mingled together on my body. That gritty look I am sure has an appealing, sometimes sexy look on a 21 year old, but when you are my age you need to do everything possible to keep yourself looking good, and that includes keeping yourself clean. Although Antonio had been tumbling in the sand and dirt with me, he seemed to wear it well. He did need a shave and his hair was mussed up but all that added to his sexuality.

We pulled into Antonio's driveway and he said, "before we go in, come with me." He led me to his back yard, which was on the Mediterranean Sea. Let us take a quick dip in the water and we can cleanse ourselves. I noticed that you were feeling a little uncomfortable. "Please remember, you look beautiful tonight. More beautiful now then we met at the airport this afternoon."

Antonio could read a woman better then any one I have ever met. He knew just what I was thinking and knew how to put my mind at ease. He then pulled my hand towards the water and took off my dress. He quickly removed his clothes and we dove into the water. The water was beautiful and with Antonio's reflection, it was even more so.

Antonio and I did our best not to be too loud because of being close to both Delores and Stella's rooms. Unfortunately, that was not always possible. Antonio took his hands and tried to take off all the sand and dirt that was left on my skin from our first two lovemaking encounters. He massaged me everywhere. It became so intense that I jumped into Antonio's arms with the buoyancy of the sea helping me. Antonio picked me up and started passionately kissing me. My feet were touching his growing penis. My mind was wondering how best to satisfy Antonio at this time.

Antonio started to read my mind, he stopped kissing me and said," You excite me again, we can finish what we have started here in the water-or if it would be more comfortable for you to go out onto the sand, like in "From Here to Eternity?'

"How about like in "Baton Rouge" if Carmen Maura can do it?" I said.

Antonio laughed." I am sure you can do what Carmen can do, but remember she was acting."

"I will not be acting my love. If you are ready," I said. I dove into the clear water. Seeing Antonio's hardness in the water, I started to wonder if I could satisfy him. I started to go down on him in this situation the best I knew how. I felt Antonio's hands reaching for my breasts and squeezing them the more excited he got. I could tell Antonio was on the edge - without realizing it he pushed my head away and his seed shot into the sea he so loved. I resurfaced and held him tight to steady his shakiness. The closer we got the more excited I felt.

"That was beautiful, the Goddess of the sea could not do better. Let me hold you and touch you." Antonio took me in his arms again and gently squeezed me. He them moved his hand to the special place of mine where he made me scream with pleasure earlier in the evening. I held on tight to Antonio and started kissing his lips and biting his ears. All the while telling him I need him, I want more. My feet could feel Antonio harden again. He picked me up, I wrapped my arms around his broad shoulders, and my feet were tightly placed around his waist. He took his hand and guided himself into me.

We started slowly at first and then we were rhythmically attuned not only to each other but also to the sea. I cried out "Antonio, more, more, it is so good-please, stay in me. I am almost there, my love." I came a minute or two after Antonio. After my trip to ecstasy, I was out of it. Antonio was still holding me as I was leaning on his shoulder and hyperventilation. Tears of joy were evident on my face. Antonio continued holding me as he walked out of the sea.

Antonio turned to me as we got to the shore and said, "no need for tears." He then took his finger and brushed them away. "Can you stand up, here is your dress let us slip it on in case someone is up in the house.' Antonio then quickly stepped into his trousers. He took my hand and we walked into the house. As we went upstairs, he guided me to his room. It was beautiful with a balcony that overlooked the sea where we had just made love. Antonio excused himself to go check on Stella down the hall. He soon came back with my bag. I had no nightgown so Antonio offered me one of his many t-shirts. I wore a Crazy in Alabama T-shirt, which he said I could keep.

I went into his bathroom and brushed my teeth. I did not want to take off my all my make-up and scare the man half-to death if he woke up in the middle of the night. I tried to do what so many models do. I tried to wear my make up so it looks as if I do not have any on - at least to the male eye. Of course, I have a feeling Antonio's eyes are a lot more discerning than the typical man. I came out of the bathroom and got under the covers as he got into bed next to me with nothing on but his smile. He put his hands under my T-shirt and held my breasts as we went to sleep in each other's arms. Before he fell asleep he said" Cindy, I hope you are not a late sleeper, Stella usually bounces in here around 6:30 in the morning. I feel uncomfortable with someone else in bed with me so soon after Melanie," Antonio explained.

We both were tired and I admit I was a little sore after all that rough and tumble out-door sex. I slowly opened my eyes and reached out for Antonio around 4; 00 a.m. and he was not there. Was this all a dream? I then looked and saw a figure on Antonio's balcony. It was Antonio smoking a cigarette and looking out into the sea. I remembered a ring that Melanie had given him had that inscription "look into the sea", I remember how he was compared to the sea in his first American movie, 'The Mambo Kings.' He was naked with his back towards me. The moonlight was reflecting off his dark skin and his curls were springing all different ways on the back of his head. As I walked up to him I put my arms around his waist and said "penny for your thoughts."

"Que," Antonio said startled. It was obvious that Antonio was deep in thought in Spanish because he started speaking Spanish to me rapidly. He then quickly stopped. " Siento, siento, and Antonio turned around to hold me. "I hope I did not wake you. It is so relaxing to just stand here and look at the water. "Why did you get up?" Antonio asked.

"You were not there in bed and I thought the whole night was a dream. If it was a dream, it was the most beautiful one I have ever had,' I said looking lovingly into Antonio's cinnamon colored eyes. " I looked up and saw your beautiful behind and I knew last night was real. I had to come over and touch you to make sure you were real. I smiled while squeezing Antonio hard.

Antonio put out his cigarette and said, "if my querida would like a dose of reality come with me," Antonio smiled as he picked me up as if I was light as a feather. He then gently put me down on the bed and removed the tee shirt that I was wearing. " If you are sure you do not want more slumber I will take you to where dreams are made of, when you are wide awake." With that he climbed next to me in bed and gently started to make passionate love to me. He covered every square inch of my body with his sensuous kisses while stopping to spend a great deal of time between my legs Antonio caused me to spasm with ecstasy, all the while I was trying to muffle the sound because of the others in the house. Out of breath and able to take no more I reached my hands out beckoning my love to come to me. Antonio willingly came up and rested himself upon my body. "You were biting my pillow very hard. Gracious - I know you did that for the others in the house who are sleeping. And for my little Stella," Antonio thankfully added.

"Mr. Banderas, you were biting me very hard!' I said laughingly.

Antonio laughed and said;" I did not hear you complaining. As Antonio snuggled on top of me, I could feel him hard and needing release. I knew he did not want to force himself on me but wanted to wait for me to initiate it.

"Let me try and see if I can make your dreams a reality," I said wrapping my legs around him and adjusting myself so he could gain entrance easily. Antonio smiled and started kissing me face and then my breasts. He slowly started to enter me and soon he was thrusting hard and strong. Antonio was concentrating not only on his own pleasure, but also on mine. Stopping to ravage my neck and breasts between thrusts. "Stay in my love, please Antonio," I cried forgetting where I was. Antonio remembered because he quickly put his mouth over mine to stifle the cries.

Antonio gave a few more big thrusts and he came after which he fells into my arms. There was perspiration running down his forehead as he moved his head to rest on my shoulder. He was still inside of me; I never wanted him to pull out.

'I will never forget our night querida. You have brought back to me the beauty of physical love between a man and woman," he leaned over and kissed me. "Hold me like this, before the daylight takes away our magic," Antonio said cuddling closer to me.

Soon Antonio closed his eyes and fell asleep. I could not help but stare at him while he was sleeping. Everything about him, his eyelashes, his mouth, and his hair made him look so innocent. Antonio had a strange dichotomy about him. He had spent a night of giving me sexual pleasure beyond compare-in that he was anything but an innocent, yet here he was sleeping like an angel. That duality is probably why Antonio can fill any role and be brilliant. He started to smile in his sleep; it looked like he was having a beautiful dream. I am sure he was dreaming of Melanie and that is the way it should be.

I awoke at 6:00 a.m.; the night before Antonio had set the alarm. He had told me that I could sleep longer but he felt he should get up. I lay in bed watching Antonio get up and head toward the shower. I thought that this was my last chance to see and feel a naked Antonio. I opened the shower door and asked if I might join him and he looked pleasantly surprised. After our shower and a thorough rubdown of each other to dry us off I got into the same dress I had been wearing for 2 days. Antonio looked at me and said, "Today we will go to some beautiful shops that Melanie found in town and I will buy you a new dress. Do not get me wrong, I like your dress very much but we have had the zipper up and down on that dress so much, I am surprised it has not broken", laughed Antonio zipping my dress up once more.

"Antonio, that would be very kind and gracious of you to take me shopping. I know how you hate it. I would love a new dress but I am keeping this one, it is full of too many beautiful memories," I said looking at the dress which had been through the same inexplicable experience that I had.

"Keep it, but just don't use it against me like Monica Lewinsky did to the president," laughed Antonio.

"Antonio, how could I ever use anything against you? I must look awful; you really have taken a lot out of me. Give me some time and let me see if I can put myself together so I ma at least presentable. I am going to take my things and go back to Dakota's room. I will see you in an hour," with that I blew him a kiss.

As I looked into the mirror in the privacy of my own bathroom I thought, Yuck - how could he look at me like that let alone make love to me this morning in the daylight. "Well, Antonio used to always say that he likes to look at the beauty inside of the woman. I did my best to put myself together. As soon as I felt I was presentable I went downstairs and smelled something wonderful. I saw Antonio sitting reading his morning paper.

Antonio looked up as he said "Buenos dias, I hope you did not feel you needed to get up so early. I hope you had a good nights sleep." Antonio winked as he said this knowing that I had a good night but it was not sleep. So I turned the question around.

"I had a very good night. What about you?" I asked smiling.

"It has been along time since I have had an evening like last night. I could really relax. Now, I had Dolores fix you a true American breakfast. We have pancakes, eggs, bacon and toast. There is orange juice and coffee. I know our coffee is a little strong for some Americans so when I made it I tried to adjust the grounds," Antonio said pulling out a chair for me.

"The food looks wonderful, doesn't it Stella," I said as Stella jumped onto her chair. You really made the coffee." I asked Antonio as he came out of the kitchen with the coffeepot.

"Why are you looking so surprised? I also made the eggs. Dolores made the pancakes and bacon. I do enjoy cooking; I just rarely get the time. I hope this summer I can remedy that situation. "Right, my Nina?" he said leaning over and kissing Stella. "Before we begin would you like to say grace?" asked Antonio.

"May I say it in Spanish, Papa?" asked Stella.

"Of course you may, God is heard in all languages, verdad," Antonio said bowing his head. After grace was finished Antonio said "I am starving let us eat,' Antonio piled a big stack of pancakes and eggs and bacon on his plate. He has a good appetite. I wish I could stay as fit and trim as he. Seeing me look at his plate he said, "I do not usually eat this much but I am hungry and I love American breakfast food," he said digging into his pancakes.

"That is something we have in common, I love it too!' I said eating more then I normally would in front of company. Antonio no longer seemed like company but like an old friend.

"Speaking of my culinary skills, we will stop at the butcher shop and buy a few good steaks. I will grill them in the back by the pool for our evening meal," Antonio said. " I see in your face you are worried about catching your plane. Do not worry, we will have plenty of time. It is only 8:30 now," Antonio said as he smiled. Antonio soon got up from the table and started helping Dolores clear the dishes. I immediately got up to help him.

"No, no, no! you are our guest. Stella, take Cindy onto the patio with her coffee so she may enjoy the sea in the sunlight," Antonio said, smiling at me. Antonio took my hand and I sat down in a beautiful chair. There was a slight breeze making the world perfect. It seemed like in no time Antonio appeared at my side.

"I had not even finished clearing when Dolores kicked me out of the kitchen just as I kicked you out. She told me I had a guest and today it was definitely her kitchen. She said "When you are barbecuing in the back this afternoon I will not take the spatula from you," laughed Antonio.

Antonio changed the subject saying "it is gorgeous isn't I? Sometimes we take home for granted. Every time I come back here, I ask myself why I ever left. Antonio looked out at the sea with the same look he had last night on the balcony. "Let us take a stroll around the grounds." We walked around Antonio's house, which he proudly showed me. He pointed out areas where Stella would play and a tree where he was going to help Dakota build a treehouse. In the back, he had a basketball hoop where he and Alexander would play one on one. "When all of the kids our here the house is filled with joy. Soon it will be like that again."

I looked at him with a puzzled expression and he then explained it all to me. "I had always promised Melanie that I would make sure the children - all of the children would want for nothing. Not just material things but also love and a feeling of belonging. Melanie knew I could and would provide that for them. Although they are not living with me they will come and see me. Dakota has been with Don since the accident. She has asked to come here for a vacation before school begins in August. Therefore, she, Alexander, and Melanie's mom are coming in a few weeks. In fact, Don is doing a mini-series in Japan next summer so Stella has asked me if she could stay with me next summer. Of course I said yes, I am not sure were we would be though. It sounds as if Don is coming around, Dio Mios! I have been rambling on and on again. Look at the time." Just then Stella interrupted her papa.

"Papa, can my friends from next door come over to play in the pool?" asked Stella. Stella was obviously melting Antonio's heart. The little girl kept on begging. "I haven't seen them since we were here last, and that was a long time ago. Puh-leeze" I do not know how Antonio could say no to that face.

"Stella go ask Dolores to come out and speak with me, Antonio said. "Normally I let Stella do anything she wants to; I was always too lenient with her. Melanie was more of the disciplinarian. Now I have to be both. When it comes to her safety, I always think twice about any decisions I make. Stella is like a little fish; she is an excellent swimmer. I still do not like her in the water without being sure that there is a responsible adult at all times supervising her. I feel the same way about being so close to the sea. Dolores came out and in Spanish, he told her that she was to bring the cordless telephone outside and not leave the pool for any reason. Not to answer the doorbell, go into the kitchen - nothing. The girls had to get out to rest every 20 minutes-more if they look tired. He repeated the same rules to Stella telling her there was to be no roughhousing or playing on the trampoline while he was not there. When he was sure all is safe and sound at home, we went out on our shopping spree.

He took me to some beautiful shops and he bought two dresses for, me because we could not decide on one of them. I noticed they had Diavolo and Per Donna cologne. I asked him why he did not distribute it in the States. "you know me and distribution problems, look at some of my production companies films," laughed Antonio. "Seriously, we were going to use a direct marketing technique by selling it over the internet on Melanie's Internet site, now we just do not know."

"Well, I am going to take a few bottles. I know of a very worthwhile auction where the proceeds of t he cologne would go to charity -"Feed the Children. While we are out, do you know of any video store in the area that would sell some of your old videos? They are next to impossible to find. I cannot even get them on the Internet at places like Amazon.com," I asked.

"Down the street there is a video store. Every once in awhile I sneak into to see how my videos are selling down here. There is a big discrepancy of what sells here in Spain and what sells in the States." Antonio turned into a parking lot and we went in to ask for the manager. I found some excellent videos of his. As we were driving home, he said we had one more stop. We stopped at a very small butcher shop. It looked like it belonged in a little village 100 years ago, not an international place like Marbella. Antonio saw my surprised expression.

"They have the best meat in the country. I do not know how the man does it. The shop has been handed down from father to son. He provides meat to the finest restaurants in the areas," Antonio said as he held the door open to the rickety old shop.

"Do they have Bull's Tail?" I asked smiling.

"Yes, they do. People in Spain like that. They have many other cuts of meat that you probably would not care for. I will get us a good cut of beef. Do not worry. I will not try to trick you," Antonio said. He then engaged in a conversation with the proprietor in Spanish so rapidly I did not know how they could understand each other. "Gracias," was the only word I was truly sure of.

"I bought a few extra so that I can freeze them," Antonio said as I was staring at all the meat in his hand. "Let us go home," and with that, we were in the car and on our way off.

The rest of the day was wonderful. Antonio was having a good time with the barbecue, wearing a black tee shirt and some swim trunks. All topped off with a black baseball cap worn backwards. Stella and her friends were running around in their swimsuits. Dolores made some fresh vegetables that she had just gotten from the local market. I was so sad when it soon ended. It was time for me to say good-bye to my new friends. I was wondering if Antonio would do one more (actually two more) thing for me.

"Antonio, remember the cologne and videos I bought? I told you that they would be going to an auction for "Feed the Children". They would most likely bring a lot more money if you signed them?" I sheepishly asked.

"I thought of that myself, but I did not want to sound so egotistical as to ask. Let me sign them for you," Antonio said reaching for a pen. With that, he signed all the cologne and the videos. "Is there anything else?" Antonio asked.

"I have to ask, can have a picture with you? I should have asked yesterday, then I could have gone to an overnight film processing place and you could have signed it," I said regretfully.

"Do not worry," Antonio said. "I have a very good camera and it is a Polaroid, let me get it for you. Let me call Dolores to take our pictures."

I looked up at him when he said pictures. "Pictures?"

"Of course, you will also want a picture with Stella, won't you? It seems like you have become good friends," Antonio answered.

Dolores took some pictures with Antonio and I and with Antonio, Stella, and I. The quality of Antonio's camera was excellent and they all came out perfect. Antonio then signed the photographs thanking me for the lovely friendship I had shown his family.

It was time for me to leave. Antonio had called a limousine to take me to the airport. He did not want to face the press again. I gave Stella a kiss goodbye and told her to take care of her papa. I then thanked Dolores for all of her kindness to me. As Antonio walked me out the door he smiled at me and looked at me with those soulful eyes. He then put both hands on either side of my face and kissed me. He made me swoon, I wanted this to last forever, and I wanted this…

"Cindy, Cindy. What are you doing? I thought you were going to help your father and I plan our anniversary trip. We wanted to go to Western Europe. Why are you looking at all those Spanish travel brochures?

"Someday I would like to go there," I answered started to wake up from my dream.

"What is in Spain," my mom asked.

"The moonlight and a very special man," I said to myself.