Sophia.

  The first days were a blur. Because of our little girl. I slept little. Which of course was a normal part of it all. But I was also still quite tired quickly. Lucas was great. He did the dirty diapers. The washing. The changing. I only had to feed Lucy. Which I loved. She was so sweet when she ate. I breastfed her. That was according to my mother-in-law the best. The antibodies she then received through my milk would help her stay healthy until she got teeth. “Because breastfeeding when they get teeth hurts anyway, then they bite your nipples.”

  Lucas had looked very grim at that description. I saw my mother-in-law almost every day now. She always found some excuse to drop by. If I then playfully told her that I knew she came for Lucy, she always picked up the girl for a moment and said that she was also there to help me and Lucas. Always followed by “right, Likkle sweety?”

  This evening we were truly alone. No friends or family who wanted to meet Lucy. I sat on the couch. I still got tired very quickly. But I just wanted to do things again. Lucas had Lucy in his arms and very quietly read her Sleeping Beauty. I enjoyed the sight. “And the young prince came after 100 years to an old castle full of thorny bushes,” he told. “He took his sword and slashed all the thorns away.”

  He gently stroked her hair, as if he was afraid to damage her. “And there she lay. A beautiful princess in a canopy bed.” He looked at me for a moment and back at Lucy. “The princess must look just like mommy,” he said.

  “The prince sat next to her on the bed. And with a kiss of true love. The princess awoke.” He kissed her cheek. “Now everyone in the kingdom woke up too. Also the king and queen. They were so grateful to the prince, that the king let the prince marry the princess ,” he read. “And the prince and princess lived happily ever after.”

  After the story I fed her again. Then Lucas put her to bed. This time I stood in the doorway of the nursery. He rocked her gently back and forth and sang ‘Somewhere Out There’ for her. Which of course was our song.

  He laid her carefully in her crib, as if she were made of fragile glass. I wrapped my arms around his hips and laid my head on his shoulder. “How sweet that you share our song,” I said. He turned in my arms. “That song is for the girls I love the most. And that’s you and that little one there.” I kissed him. “Almost the same for me, only it’s the two people. One is you, two is that little one.”

  “Go lie down for a bit. She’s sleeping now,” he said. According to the doctor that was the best. if I took my hours of rest when my little girl slept, I wouldn’t have sleep deprivation. We had worked out a whole schedule. Lucas would do the night and sleep in then. I would do the day and sleep normally at night. But in between I had to rest during the first few days to weeks. I would pump after dinner for the night. I knew it was probably nonsense. But I found after dinner the most logical, because my body then had the most nutrients itself. So they would also penetrate into my breast milk.

  After a week Lucas came to me enthusiastically. “Next week the premiere for invitees,” he said. I looked at him a bit confused. “Of the movie honey,” he said. I smiled. He had told me that his editor had told him that ‘Aruba. A story of survival’ was ready two weeks before I gave birth.

  But now the premiere of it would take place in a week. “I completely understand if you say not yet, I’m too weak. But I would like it. If you can manage.” I took his hand. “I’ll be there. Maybe we can make her known to the world there too?” I said, stroking Lucy’s little head.

  Lucas lit up at that idea. We started planning. My mother-in-law would come along to take over Lucy as soon as the movie started. Something she immediately liked. Her granddaughter an hour or two all to herself.

  Lucas bought a black dress for me and an identical dress for Lucy. “She’ll be presented in style, huh,” he said. “What do we want to say about her?” I asked, while playing with her little feet. “I think that she is our child, how old and what she is,” said Lucas. “Her name? That will be on the credits of Hannah’s Chaos anyway.” He sighed for a moment. “Yes, you’re right about that. Okay then also her name. They may take a few photos from a distance briefly, but one step too close and I’ll get you both inside immediately.” I laughed. “Hear that Lucy?” I asked. “Daddy is being overprotective again,” I added.

  I took his hand. “But go ahead my love. Then you’ll feel better if we’re completely safe,” I said. He didn’t react to it. But his eyes said he was grateful that I understood.

  The week passed in an endless stream of visitors. Lucas had already had various magazines call for interviews. Lucas then gave a short statement and said he had more important things to do.

  The evening before the premiere there was a knock at the door. We actually had no more desire for visitors. But Lucas didn’t want to be rude. He walked out of the living room. To return a minute later with Nicole. “Sorry I’m late,” she said. “Meeting after meeting, but I wanted to come today.” She put a huge box on the table.

  “A few small presents,” she said. She opened the box. The first thing she took out was a clapperboard. You know, that film clapper. On it in golden letters: ‘Lucy Sophie De Witte. Episode 1 season 1.’ With her birth date underneath. “We thought it was funny at the office,” she said.

  Then a stuffed animal with a Videoland T-shirt on. A blanket with her name on it. “Now we’re going to spoil mom and dad,” she said. She took out a vacuum bag with bathrobes in it. “Premium quality,” she said. “One says daddy, the other mommy.” A pack of chocolate. Soaps, lotions and other care products. And for Lucas a whole pile of ‘World’s Best Daddy’ stuff. She even had a director’s chair made for him with it on.

  “This is too much,” I said. “No way, are you crazy.” She smiled. “You can say no. But.” She looked at me hopefully. “Can I see her?” Lucas sighed softly. “Fine. Because she has to eat anyway,” he said.

  He left the room. “I heard the birth was heavy?” she asked, while sitting on the couch. I nodded. “Yes. Not so much in time. That went pretty fast. But a postpartum hemorrhage,” I explained. “I almost didn’t make it.” Nicole looked at me shocked.

  “That’s more than heavy,” she said. “I thought dying in childbirth didn’t happen anymore. At least not here,” she added. “It’s rare. But it still happens,” I explained. “According to my doctor it was touch and go.” She looked shocked again. “How are you now?” she asked.

  “Better. Still a bit weak. I have to take it easy.” She nodded. “I get that.” At that moment Lucas came in with Lucy in his arms. “Look Lucy, this is Nicole. She makes sure you can be on TV later,” he said rocking her. “Nicole, this is Lucy. Your future superstar.” He looked at Lucy. “Well, our superstar right Luce?” Nicole stood up and walked to Lucas and Lucy. “What a beautiful girl,” she said. “I’ll get to know her better later. I won’t disturb the little baby while she has to eat.” She smiled and left.

  The next day was the premiere. I felt a bit insecure in my black gala dress. I had a very small remaining belly in it I thought. Lucas didn’t think so, but thought I was pale. “Baby I think you Should stay home and rest. Don’t you think so to?” he asked, kissing my cheek.

  This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

  “No. I’ll manage. It’s walking the red carpet and sitting in a chair,” I said. “But the party after. Phi, I don’t want you to force yourself.” I smiled at him. “Don’t worry about me darling. I’ll manage. And if it gets too much I’ll ask your mother to take us home. She gets there with her own car.” I hugged him. “Let’s just enjoy tonight.”

  I put Lucy in a baby carrier that matched my dress. I felt a bit wistful for a moment. Making her known to the world felt a bit like she would then belong to everyone. “The car is ready phi,” said Lucas who took us outside. There was a beautiful limo ready. “My sponsor thought we should be picked up and brought in style.” A young man opened the door. My mother-in-law was already sitting there. “Give her to me,” she said. I took Lucy out of her baby carrier and handed her over before I got in.

  My mother-in-law put her in a baby seat. “Look, even a bottle warmer.” She called out.

  “I may have told my sponsor a bit too proudly that my newborn daughter was coming along,” said Lucas blushing. I laughed and leaned my head against his shoulder. “You’re so proud of her. It surprises me that tabloids don’t know about her yet,” I said teasingly.

  On the way we picked up Jonas, Joyce, Alexander and Sam, who of course brought his girlfriend. Joyce told us she was pregnant. Which elicited a round of hugs. “We’ll see how we work that in,” said Lucas. “Another klein kid will make Videoland bounce I think,” he said laughing. “Later Lucas,” said his mother lightly reprimanding. “Tonight is about your movie and your party,” said my mother-in-law.

  After half an hour of driving we arrived at the cinema where the premiere was held. The young man opened the door again. I heard murmuring outside the door. Lucas got out and offered me his hand. Gratefully I took it. He helped me out of the limo. And as soon as I stood outside I heard cameras clicking. And people calling my name.

  I took Lucy over from my mother-in-law and put her in the baby carrier. This sparked louder shouting of my name. And more and more flashes. Lucas came close to me. “If you want to go straight through now we’ll do that,” he said. I smiled softly. “And miss you blushing while telling everyone about her? No way.”

  He laughed and took my hand. The rest got out. Here and there a few were interested in Joyce. But most cameras were aimed at me. Something I found quite sad. They were just as important, if not more important than me.

  A young woman from RTL News stepped closer. “Can I ask you some questions?” she said, shoving her microphone in my face. I looked at Lucas who nodded. “Go ahead.” She smiled friendly. “I don’t need to ask if that’s your baby,” she said laughing. “That red hair gives it away.” She laughed again. “How old is it, what is it and what’s the baby’s name?” she fired. “That’s three questions in one huh,” said Lucas teasingly.

  “This is Lucy Sophie De Witte. She is two weeks old,” I answered. “Is she the reason why the mysterious pregnancy test was visible in that trailer?” I laughed. “Absolutely.” The woman nodded. “Is Hannah the one who’s pregnant then?” she asked.

  They had delayed the second season of Hannah’s Chaos, so that now that we were already filming the third season we could have a nice long vacation after. So it wasn’t clear yet who in the series was expecting.

  “You’ll have to watch season two starting next month for that,” said Lucas. “How did you find the time Mr. De Witte?” she asked. “What do you mean?” he asked. “Well, directing a series. Directing a movie in Aruba and starting a little family.” Lucas turned fire red. “I don’t think she means how we started that family darling,” I said grinning. From this he turned even redder. “I asked my assistant to help out,” he said slightly stammering.

  “You also chose unknown names. Floris Hinterloop as main character Cas. Allan de Vries as army officer. All fresh names. Why?” the woman asked. “Because the unknown names of today are tomorrow’s big names if they just get a chance,” he said. I thought that was a brilliant answer.

  I looked at Lucy in my baby carrier. She was awake and looking around curiously. The journalist thanked us and stepped aside. For a small quarter of an hour we answered the same questions over and over. Then we walked on.

  Jonas and Sam stood a bit further, they pulled Lucas to them and the three boys posed as Charlie’s Angels. Alexander clung a bit anxiously to his mother. He didn’t like all those flashes and questions. “Shall we go inside?” asked Lucas. Alex nodded anxiously. Lucas picked up his nephew. “Come big guy, let’s go inside.”

  After a few minutes we walked into the quiet hall. “I was already thinking, what’s taking so long,” I heard a woman call. I turned around and looked into the grinning face of a brunette. She was a bit taller than me. She had kind brown eyes and a mischievous smile. She wore a beautiful red dress. “Lotte!” called Lucas. “So glad you’re here,” he said. “Sophia, this is Lotte. My army singing buddy.” I smiled at her. “Lotte, this is my Sophia. And my little Lucy.”

  Lotte laughed. “He says that with so much pride.” She extended her hand to me. “Nice to put a real face to the woman he fought for,” she said. We had only seen each other very briefly during the filming of the beginning and end scene. I think we had seen each other for three minutes then. “And is that your child? What a beauty.” I took Lucy out of her baby carrier. She tried to take everything in but her eyes kept closing.

  “God, how tiny still,” she said, taking her over. “Two weeks old,” Lucas answered. He seemed to blindly trust this woman. Normally he was a bit wary if anyone other than him, Jonas, Joyce, his mother or me held Lucy. But with this young woman that wariness was gone. “Jeez. Aren’t you dead tired then?” she asked. I nodded. “A bit yeah,” I admitted. “But as the director’s wife I have to be there,” I said.

  “Lucas! You forced her?” She looked surprised. “I didn’t expect that from you.” I laughed. “He didn’t. I insisted.” She gave me the sleeping Lucy back. My mother-in-law had meanwhile come in. “Give her to me,” she said. “Alex, are you coming with grandma too?” He nodded. He found watching a movie for almost two hours boring.

  “You need to sit down phi. You look unsteady on your feet,” Lucas said sounding sternly. “I’ll manage,” I said. I didn’t want to give in to my fatigue. I bluffed through the evening. Even though I was exhausted. The movie was great. It beautifully showed what had all happened in Aruba. And also Lucas’ struggle to get back to me after his memory loss. The last scene began.

  Lucas sat behind a piano. The same as in the first scene. Now we really saw the destruction of the camp. He smiled. “Now it’s nothing more than a story,” said the Lucas on the screen. “A story with a good ending.” He nodded. “Yes, but now everything from that time is a story Roortje. There is nothing left but words. And this old piano.” He laughed again and struck a few keys.

  “This old weathered thing is a tribute. A source of memories. Like it used to be a source of joy,” said the Lucas on the screen. “Come Cas. Let’s go home,” said his wife who was played by me. “Yes,” he said. “You’re right. Time to let go of the past and look forward.” Cas and Aurora left. The last image of the movie was that weathered piano. Where a few notes played by themselves. As if an invisible someone pressed the keys. Then the screen went black.

  The assembled audience stood up and clapped loudly. Lucas was called forward. As soon as he stood there it went quiet. “I hope you enjoyed it. I want to thank a few people,” he began. “My directing assistant and partial director Amethist for all the help she gave me. It wasn’t always easy.”

  He looked a bit uncomfortable. On stage and in front of a camera he had courage in spades. But speaking he found difficult. “Abel. The young man who brought Cas wonderfully to life. Allan who plays army officers as a hobby. The officer he played before was a German one in the war. Obsessed with the army much my friend?” Lucas joked He waited a moment until the laughter that had broken out died down.

  “Lotte. Without her I might not be standing here,” he said. “My little brother. And Sam. Actually the same. But also just for always being there.” Lucas swallowed. “My sponsors. Otherwise this wouldn’t have been possible.”

  He coughed softly. “My parents. Who are always there for me when I need them. Also at this moment.” He looked my way. “Yet most of all I want to thank my dear Sophia. My source of inspiration, joy. And especially love. Her rock-solid faith in me. And her patience and love are of inestimable value.” He smiled when his eyes found mine. “And of course my little Lucy. Simply because together with my dear Sophia she completes my life.” He looked around the room. “Enough chatter. Time for a party.”

  The audience laughed and left the room, into the foyer. Lucas and I stayed for a small hour. Then he insisted we go home. The limo took us home. He put Lucy in her bed after a bubble bath. Then we crawled into bed together. “I meant what I said Sophia,” he said and kissed my shoulder. “You and that little girl complete my life.” I crawled closer into his arms. Satisfied we fell asleep. Everything seemed alright now.