Amber and Nathalies world

The road now meandered right along the shore, and Lake Garda lay beside us in all its splendor. The water glistened in the midday sun, endless waves rippled by gentle gusts of wind. I glanced to the side. Nathalie was still strapped into the passenger seat, her gaze fixed on the sparkling blue. Behind me, I could see Amber in the rear-view mirror. She was leaning forward slightly, her eyes wide open as if she couldn’t take in the beauty in front of her.

Nobody said a word. The world outside spoke for itself.

I gave them time. I didn’t want to disturb this moment with words. You should be allowed to take in the first impressions of something so beautiful in peace. I saw the happiness in their faces and it filled my own heart with deep contentment. We drove past small bays where boats rocked gently on the waves and picturesque villages with narrow streets where life pulsated quietly.

The sun was now high in the sky as I headed for a small bus stop right on the shore of the lake. The parking lot was quiet, with only a few cars parked some distance away. I reduced my speed and turned in gently.

“We’ll drive a little further”, I finally said, breaking the long silence. “But I thought we’d take a short break here.”

I switched off the engine, undid my seatbelt, got out and opened the side door of the motorhome. A gentle breeze brought the cool, fresh sea air inside. I went to the front of the vehicle and opened the passenger door. Nathalie looked at me in surprise as I leaned over, undid her seatbelt and lifted her up. She just let it happen, her eyes still fixed on the glistening water. I carried her carefully to the side door and placed her on the edge of the entrance.

Then I went back into the motorhome and did the same with Amber. I sat her down right next to Nathalie. They both sat there with their legs dangling, the panorama of the lake in front of them. I took some grapes out of a small bag, sat down behind them and handed them the fruit without saying another word.

Silence.

Not the kind of silence that demands words, but the kind that you want to hold on to forever.

Amber and Nathalie were overwhelmed. They were sitting here, on the shore of a sparkling lake, with the sun above them and the light wind brushing through their hair. It was a moment that needed no explanation. They looked at each other, then at me, and I knew they felt like they were in a fairy tale.

I let my gaze wander over the water. The little break was for them, but also for me. I felt the warmth of the sun on my skin, the gentle lapping of the waves right in front of us. Sitting here with them, with all the experiences that lay behind us and those that still lay ahead, felt like a small, peaceful dream.

After a while, I stood up and gently patted her shoulders. “It’s time to move on.”

I lifted Amber, then Nathalie, and put them back in the back of the motorhome. As I started the engine, I spoke calmly: “You’ve seen it for yourselves now. People are watching us. Not all of them understand. And I hope you understand now - more than ever - that it’s better to be a little more hidden from now on.”

They both nodded. They didn’t even have to answer. Their looks said it all. They understood. Now more than ever.

We continued our journey together. The road continued along the shore until I finally reached a narrow turn-off that led us to a small campsite. Here, away from the main roads, we had reached our destination.

I parked the motorhome and turned to them briefly. “I just need to check in. I’ll be right back.”

They both nodded, a quiet smile on their lips. They were so full of new impressions that they probably enjoyed having a moment to themselves.

I left the motorhome, sorted everything out at reception and then returned. I slowly maneuvered our home on wheels into its final position.

“So”, I said with satisfaction and turned to them. “We’re here.”

I looked at Amber and Nathalie. Their eyes were still shining, but I knew they understood what was coming. “I would love to have you with me through everything…” I began.

But before I could finish, they both nodded. Quietly. Understanding.

“We know, Mario”, Nathalie said gently. “You don’t have to explain yourself.”

Amber added: “Have a nice day. And don’t worry about us. We have so many impressions to process that a little rest will do us good.”

I smiled. These two were simply incredible.

“Thank you”, I said quietly before leaving the motorhome.

When I returned, it was already evening. I opened the side door and lifted them both outside. I sat them down on the steps of the motorhome, just like I had done that afternoon on the shore of the lake.

We sat together and looked up at the dark sky. I had spent a beautiful day on the shores of Lake Garda. And yet I had felt lonely. My thoughts were constantly with Amber and Nathalie. I felt how I missed their closeness. I hated people for the uncomprehending and contemptuous looks they would have given me if Amber and Nathalie had been with me. “I have you in my heart”, I kept saying to myself throughout the day. But now we were here - finally together again. Stars twinkled above us, the night sky stretched out in all its infinity. The gentle murmur of the lake was the only sound that broke the silence.

I took a deep breath. Then I spoke quietly: “Tomorrow evening, we’ll be sitting outside. Then the world is all yours.”

None of us had to say any more. They knew it was a promise. One step at a time.

After a while, we got tired. I lifted her back into the camper van and we lay down together in the big bed. There was a small skylight above us. I switched off all the lights and lit a few candles. Then I started the familiar classical music playlist and opened the skylight.

The cool night air streamed in and made the candlelight dance wildly flickering. The light of the moon and stars fell softly into the room and enveloped us in a calming darkness - accompanied by the gentle romantic piano sounds of Chopin.

I felt Amber and Nathalie in my arms, their calm breaths, their warmth. My heart was full of love for them.

Quietly, almost just a whisper, I spoke into the silence: “I love you.”

No answer was necessary. I felt her arms tighten around me.

And so we fell asleep - under the stars, with the world around us, and with a love that nothing and no one could take away from us.