Calista sat in her limo with her son Liam on her lap. They were on their way to the airport, and from there to London. She was going to star in the play “The Philadelphia Story” in London. She held on to Liam and smiled while she looked out the window. For the first time in her life she was completely happy. She was going to spend the entire summer with her new son Liam, doing what she loved most, acting onstage. But that wasn’t even the best part. Calista and Liam weren’t going to be alone that summer. Calista’s smile widened even more when she thought of the two people who would be meeting them at the airport to join them on their trip to London, Robert and Indio. Just thinking about Robert made her smile. Calista and Robert had grown very close since he joined the cast of Ally McBeal, but it had never gone beyond friendship. They were very good friends. Sure there was an attraction there, a friendly kiss or hug, intimate talks, and hand holding. Sure they were tempted, but their friendship was so important to each of them that they hadn’t wanted to risk losing that. But as she looked out the windowas they arrived at the airport, she knew she wanted him. Robert and Indio were finishing their last minute tasksbefore they left for the airport. “Indio, finish saying goodbye to your mother. We have to go. We’re going to miss our plane if we don’t hurry up.” “Ok, Dad, I’m done. Do we really have to go with Calista and her son. Can’t we go to Disney World or something. Just the two of us?” “Indio, we’ve been through this before. All I’m asking isfor you to give Calista a chance. Right now she’s the best friend I’ve got. She’s wonderful and if you would just give her a chance you’d see that.” “Alright, I’ll give her a chance if I have to.” “Promise?” “Promise.” “Thanks buddy. Now let’s get going.” Back at the airport Calista sat waiting and worrying. Where was he? She knew he would go to London because he had to be in the play with her. But where was he? He was supposed to be with her on the plane. Her first thought was that something had happened with Indio. She could tell that Indio resented her because she spent a lot of time with his father and she wasn’t his mother. She was hoping to be able to get Indio to like her more this summer, because she really liked him, he was an incredible kid. Or that Deborah, Indio’s mother and Robert’s ex, had suddenly changed her mind and wouldn’t allow Indio to go. She shuddered at the thought and then she saw them. Running through the airport hand in hand, father and son. Her heart actually leapt in her chest. “Sorry that we’re kind of late. You know how I like to be fashionably late.” “Late yes. Fashionable….I don’t know about that.” “Ah come on Calista, you know you love my interesting wardrobe,” Robert said with his famous smirk on his face. “They are very interesting,” Calista said while trying to hide her smile. She would never admit it, but she did love his clothes. A man with enough self confidence to wear a pink sports coat and a blue suit is a rarity. Turning to Indio she said, “Hey Indio, are you ready to go?” “Yep, let’s go catch our plane” Calista and Robert looked at each other and smiled. All four boarded the plane together. They had three seats together in first class all right next to each other. Calista would hold Liam for the flight. Indio ran to their seats and claimed that he couldn’t sit by the aisle because he might fall asleep and fall into the aisle and that he couldn’t sit by the window because he would get sick, so he had to sit in the middle seat. But Calista and Robert both knew that it was because he didn’t want the two of them sitting to close. Robert said that he would sit by the window and Calista and Liam would sit by the aisle. For the first half of the flight Indio did a lot of talking and Liam did a lot of crying. Finally, Liam and Indio both got tired and fell asleep. “I think we finally shut them up,” Robert said smiling. “Thank God! I thought it was never going to end,” Calista said back. “Could you do me a huge favor and hold Liam while I use the bathroom?” “God that’s romantic. Here let me take him.” When Calista returned she saw Liam sleeping in Robert’sarms and Indio resting his head on his father’s shoulder. It was a beautiful picture, and she stopped for just a second to just take it all in. “Ok I’m back. I’ll take him out of your way now.” “No that’s okay, he’s sleeping peacefully. Plus I miss holding a baby. I used to love to just hold Indio in my arms like this.” “It is a wonderful feeling isn’t it?” “It sure is. Hey, when we get to London we probably should make it an early night since we have rehearsals for the play tomorrow,but do you want to all go out to dinner?” “I could just imagine the headlines now. ‘Downey Jr and Flockhart Romancing Each Other While their sons watch.’” “Well maybe I could wear a disguise or something. I’m very good at being conspicuous.” Calista laughed at that. “What did you have in mind your pink suit or maybe that bright blue one? I think you’d be very conspicuous inthat. No one would recognize you.” “Making fun of my wardrobe again. Fine, I’ll just wear drab old boring black suits from now on. And I’ll part my hair to the side and wear boring glasses too. No more white shoes.” “Now that would be something. But I think that might work, because the press would never print a story about any romancing going on because they know I’d never seduce a man that looked like that.” “Ah come on now. What about my great personality?” “Parted hair? Nope, your great personality could never make up for that.” “Well maybe I’ll forget the parted hair thing, but I’m sure I could come up with something else.” They continued to talk and banter for the rest of the flight. Calista sat and watched Indio and Liam sleeping on Robert and knew just how special a man he was. Robert sat and watched Calista and couldn’t help but think how lucky he was to be sitting on this plane with the most amazing woman he had ever met. After they arrived to the hotel they would be staying at in London, they all went to their rooms. Calista and Liam were staying in the suite right beside Robert and Indio’s. They were going to relax and then meet at 6 o’clock to go out to dinner. The four of them arrived at the restaurant together and were seated. Right before they started to order their meal Liam started to cry. “Oh Liam,” Calista said and then turned to Robert and said, “I’m sorry. I’ll take him back to the hotel so you two could enjoy your meal.” “Don’t be silly. I’ve got a better idea.” He left the table for about five minutes and came back and said that a cab was going to pick them up outside. The cab came and drove them through the city of London. The sun was starting to go down. They came to a stop by one of the parks in London and Robert hopped out of the cab to open their doors and then lead them to their destination. He brought them to a remote spot in the park where a blanket was in the middle of the grass and a picnic basket was on the blanket. “We’re going to have a picnic and little Liam can make all of the noise he wants to because it doesn’t matter here, no one else will hear him except us.” “You’re the best, you know that?” Calista said smiling. “Of course I know that. Now let’s eat I’m starved.” They finished eating and Liam fell asleep and Indio went to go play with some other kids that he had just spotted. Calista and Robert sat on the blanket and watched as the sun started to set. “Robert thank you for all of this. It was amazing.” “It’s the least I could do. I was just sitting here thinking that I should thank you for letting my son and I come with you. This is what I needed more than anything. I’m here with you, Liam, my son, I’m going to be acting on a stage tomorrow. For the first time in a long time I feel complete.” He leaned over and gave her a soft quick kiss on the lips and reached out and held her hand. They stayed like that and watched the sun go down and they both knew that pretty soon holding hands just wouldn’t be enough. The next few weeks flew by. They would rehearse during the morning and then do their weekly performances on Thursday and Friday nights. While they were working they had a babysitter for both Liam and Indio. But a lot of the time they would just bring them with them to rehearsals. They finally had a Sunday off and decided that all four of them would spend the day together at the pool. Calista and Liam were down by the pool first and were sitting on lounge chairs waiting for Robert and Indio. Calista was putting sunscreen on Liam’s back when the two of them walked out. They came out wearing matching bright purple swim suits and Calista’s breath was taken away. Robert looked absolutely amazing. “When doesn’t he?” she thought. “Thought we’d make a fashion statement together this time,” Robert said putting his arm around his son proudly. “Well I must say, Indio, you look handsome as ever. Purple’s really your color. All the girls are going to be after you today.” “Hey there’s a couple now. I’ll see you guys later,” Indio said and ran off. “God I taught him well. So what do you think of purple on me. You think all of the girl’s will be after me too?” Not if I have anything to say about it she thought and then felt foolish. “Do you want all the girls to be after you?” “Nope, just one girl,” he said. Calista blushed and then he said, “that girl over there” while pointing to a 20 something blonde beauty. Calista’s face dropped and all Robert could do was laugh. “Just joking. Jealous?” he asked. Calista responded by elbowing him in the stomach and said,“Oh shut up,” and couldn’t help but laugh. “I’ll shut up, on one condition. You put sun screen on my back.” He handed her a bottle of sun screen and then laid down on the lounge chair next to hers. As she put the sun screen in her hands she starred at his back. She was momentarily stunned at what a nice back he had. “At this rate we’ll be here all day, I’ll be burnt before you even put the stuff on.” She started to rub his back with the lotion and her hands were actually a bit shaky. She started with his shoulders and then worked her way to the middle of his back. “A bit lower please,” he said. Her hands fumbled with the bottle to get more lotion and then began to work their way even lower down his back. In the meantime he turned his head so she wouldn’t see his big smile. “Alright, now that you’re done with my back I’ll do yours.” He smiled and she blushed. “Sit down over here,” he told her and she sat next to him on the lounge chair. She lifted her hair off of her back and he rubbed the cream on to her shoulders and down her back and lifted her bikini straps just a little so that he could get the cream under them. And every time he did, they both held their breaths. “Hey, how about tonight we get the sitter to watch the kids and we go out, dinner and dancing? We really haven’t had any time alone together.” “That sounds great.” Indio came running back with 5 girl’s phone numbers in his hands. “Hey, dad can we go swimming now?” and started to drag his father towards the pool. Robert turned to Calista, “Well I guess I’ve been summoned. I’ll be back.” And Indio and Robert went off to the pool. Calista sat there with Liam and watched the two of them swim. They would race and Robert would let Indio win. He was a great father and the two were an amazing pair. While she was watching them swim a young, very good looking man came up to her and asked if he could by her a drink from the pool bar. She said no, but they continued to talk for a little while. She saw out of the corner of her eye that Robert was watching her from the pool. She couldn’t help but smile. Jealous are we Downey? Robert quickly hopped out of the pool and walked over to where Calista was talking. The man was sitting on his lounge chair and just happened to be sitting on Robert’s towel. “Excuse me buddy, but you’re sitting on my towel. Oh, I see you’ve met my wife.” Calista nearly choked on her next breath of air. The man sensing that this was a great time to leave got up and said it was nice meeting the both of them. “Your wife?” Calista said. “Yes, that was the first thing that came to my mind. Plus I did you a favor, I think that guy’s on the FBI’s ten most wanted list. I was just thinking about your safety.” “Downey, admit it you were jealous.” “No I wasn’t.” “Not even a little?” “Well, maybe just a little. But that guy did look like trouble. Did you see his bathing suit? Bright yellow, who would wear somethingl ike that?” And they both broke out laughing. When they finally stopped Robert said, “Tonight, 7 o’clock the hotel bar. We’ll have the kids with a sitter. Dinner and dancing right?” “Alright, as long as you don’t wear a yellow suit.” “Deal.” Robert was in his room getting ready. He wore black dress pants and a white dress shirt with the first three buttons opened on top. “So son, how do I look?” “Dad, do you love her?” Robert was stunned, just for a moment, at his son’s question. He kneeled down in front of him and asked, “if I did would you have aproblem with it? Because Indio you will always come first in my life. You know that right?” “Yah Dad, I know. But you do love her. I can see it. You’ve been so happy lately and if she has something to do with it then I’m happy for you dad.” “Thanks buddy, you’re the best. Now behave yourself for the sitter. I’ve got to be going. I don’t want to be late this time. I do look alright though right?” “You look great Dad. Have a good time tonight.” “I’ll see you in the morning. I love you Indio.” “I love you too Dad.” Calista arrived at the hotel bar at 7:05. She wanted Robert to be waiting for her for a change. She walked in expecting to see him at the bar, but he wasn’t there. A little disappointed that he was late again she turned to sit at a table and then she saw him. Sitting at the piano playing “Chances Are,” and he wasn’t wearing a yellow suit. He looked incredible. She stood looking at him for just a minute and then began to make her way over to the piano. Robert looked up from the piano keys and he saw her. He stopped playing because his hands actually shook for a second. His breath was taken away. She was wearing a long black dress and she looked ravishing. “I’m speechless,” he said. “Oh my god, Robert Downey Jr. is speechless.” “I only had a momentary relapse, but I’m better now. You look ….ravishing, beautiful, incredible, simply…amazing. I think I covered it all.” “Yes I believe you did. Thank you, you don’t look too bad yourself Robert.” “You like?” he asked while looking down at his clothes. “I like. But where is that man with the yellow bathing suit. I’m sure that he’s wearing something interesting tonight. I love a man who wears crazy things.” “You know I just can’t win with you can I?” he asked, and then reached out for her hand and said, “well let’s see how I do at dinner. Shall we?” They leftthe restaurant after having a lovely dinner. They talked about the play, their children, just about everything. They never seemed to run out of things to talk about. And even when they were silent for a little while, they were content just looking at each other. They walked hand in hand to the club where they were going to go dancing. They were seated at a little table in the corner. “How come they stuck us all the way in the corner?” Calista asked. “I think they assumed that we wanted our privacy.” “Ohhhh.” “We’ll let’s not dissapoint them. Let’s give them something to talk about. Would you like to dance?” “Yes, I believe that I would.” They both got on the dance floor as a song just ended. A new slower song started to play. They held each other and just moved to the music. “God I love the way you move Calista.” “Robert, is that a line?” “Hell yeah that’s a line. Did it work? I only have so many and I hate to waste them.” “It worked. I like the way you move too.” They continued to dance, never letting each other go. They danced and moved together and they both thought about how well they fit together. “Here we are,” Robert said when they arrived back attheir hotel rooms. “The kids are probably asleep in your room now. I’ll go in and get Indio and bring him back to our room.” “No, that’s alright, you should just let him sleep so you don’t have to wake him up. He’ll be fine.” “Yah that’s a good idea. He’ll ask a thousand questions if I wake him up now. Before we ask the sitter to leave, do you want to come to my room for a drink?” “I don’t know if that’s a good idea, we really shouldn’t make the sitter stay any longer.” “Just for a couple of minutes.” “Alright.” He opened the door to his room and they both walked in. He poured her a glass of champagne and made a toast. “To this wonderful summer.” “To summer,” Calista agreed. “Calista…” “Robert…you go first.” “I just wanted to tell you what a great time I had tonight and what a great time I’ve had all summer. It’s been truly amazing and so special, it’s hard to even put into words what this has meant to me, what you mean to me. I love you Calista. Indio asked me tonight if I was in love with you. I asked him if I was, would he have a problem with it and he said that he wouldn’t because he knew for the first time in my life I was actually happy. And he said I know you love her dad, I can see it. My own son saw it before I did. But he’s right, I love you and I think I have for a long time. I know we have an amazing friendship, but I know we can have more. I need you. And all I want to do is kiss you and then make love to you on this bed. I want to be able to wake up next to you and kiss you good morning. I want to be a father to Liam and continue being a good father to Indio. You make me want to be a better man. I want all of that, but mostly I just want you.” “Robert, I want all of that too. I loved you since the day I saw you holding Liam in your arms and then when I saw you sitting there at the piano tonight I knew that I wouldn’t be able to live without you. You, Indio, Liam are everything that I’ve ever wanted. You make me complete.” He reached over and cupped her face in his hands and kissed her with all the passion he had locked up in him since he met her. She brought her hands through his hair and kissed him back with that same amount of passion. “I’ve always wanted to do that,” she said. “What?” “Run my hands through your hair. Not as Ally, but as Calista.” “Baby, you can rub your hands anywhere you want.” Calista laughed and elbowed him in the stomach, “Don’t be gross.” They made love for the first time that night. And when they were finished Robert got off the bed and reached for the champagne and the glasses again. “Another toast.” “I thought we already made one tonight.” “We did, but I wanted to modify it a bit,” Robert said, “To forever.” Calista smiled, tapped her glass with his, kissed him lightly and said, “To forever.” The End * * * * * * * *

To Forever