Around the World With You

This place was beauty itself. Everything from the whitewashed houses with the windows painted a rich dark blue, to the pavements. Cobblestone. Mary-Margaret was eternally grateful that she hated high heeled shoes and had chosen to wear some simple black sandals (open toe) and a white cotton summer dress that exposed her newly shaven legs. The sun warmed her skin hitting the buildings as she walked along. There was so much she wanted to see, wanted to do and the people were so nice here, correcting her abysmal Greek with nothing more than a friendly smile and often a helpful translation in English. Ola, the small town in Santorini in which she'd chosen as her little escape reminded her of an earthly paradise bathed in the sun drenched waters of the Aegean.

She had rented a little apartment a ten minute walk away and as she continued Mary-Margaret could already hear the hustle and bustle of the marketplace. After having a relatively light breakfast of summer fruits and yoghurt, the dark haired teacher was absolutely ravenous and desperate to see what delights the market traders had to offer.

See the world sweetheart. It was her parent's dream for their little girl and, at twenty six and with them having left more than enough to make that happen, here she was. Two weeks in Ola and then, who knows… she had started to sound like Ruby who should have come too but, Granny needed her to help at the diner, the cheque Mary-Margaret had given them to tide them over had reluctantly been accepted.

"Who knows? Maybe you'll meet a handsome prince who'll sweep you off your over-worked feet." Ruby had teased as they had shared a teary goodbye at the airport.

"Ha, I doubt it. Two weeks isn't long enough to meet your True Love." Mary-Margaret had chuckled, wiping away her tears before giving her one last hug. "I love you Rubes."

"I love you Mare. Have a great time." As she made her way to the gate, she remembers how Ruby shouted.

"And it is. He's out there. I know it!"

The market was busier than the day he'd arrived, tired but, happy because of a call from his mother he'd found himself craving apples and so, that was how it happened. How their hands touched as they reached for the same one, a deep red, with flecks of yellow on top of over a dozen others. There was wonderful moment, where time seemed to stop and he felt lost to her.

To the exquisite woman whose hazel eyes seemed just as lost as his. He'd never seen anyone so perfect. Dark hair trimmed in a neat pixie cut, soft skin and the slightest hint of blood red lipstick on her lips. She was breath-taking and much to the amusement of Costas apologising while he was stood there like a love-struck schoolboy.

"Oh I'm sorry. I didn't realise." The beautiful stranger gasped, a blush filling her cheeks more as she chuckled. She's American he smiled and then nodded as she said: "Milas anglika?" Did he speak English? For the first time in his life he wasn't sure of his answer, he thought of his mother how she would of jabbed him gently in the arm if he were back home.

Great job Mary-Margaret. she internally muttered. You've stunned a handsome stranger into total silence after only two days of being here. That has to be some kind of record.

"No. Don't apologise. Anyway, I'm sure this isn't the first time this has happened." David chuckled.

His smile was enough to make her knees feel weak and yet, Mary-Margaret manages to pull herself together enough to laugh. "No. I suppose not." He was gorgeous, tall and mousy blonde with a great body hidden beneath a turquoise shirt and light brown shorts. The kind of guy cheerleaders would fawn over in high school. If he had any sense he would run screaming in the other direction.

"David." he greeted warmly, the undecided apple still awaiting an owner with the rest of the bunch.

"It's nice to meet you David." she says happily. "I'm Mary-Margaret."

"Mary-Margaret." The way he says her name it's like he's discovered a fallen star. "You have a beautiful name." And she wonders for a moment if he could be talking about more than just her name.

"Aren't you a real Prince Charming?" There is no question in her mischievous voice.

"I have a name you know." You mysterious, crazy- wonderful… but, before she can finish the thought and the double compliment, Mary-Margaret retorts casually. "Don't care. Charming suits you."

Oh he's in trouble! So much trouble.

"So how do we resolve this?" He's flirting. Keep it together Mary-Margaret!

"Apple Gate." she chews her lip thoughtfully before she declares. "You take it."

"No. I-"But, as he protests she's already handing Costas some Euros and grabbing the one next to it. Costas chuckles and says. "Thank you Miss." in bemused Greek and all he can do is smile as she hands him his apple and then takes a playful bite of hers before walking away almost triumphantly. "See, that wasn't so hard. Goodbye Prince Charming."

She couldn't be going already. However, he said. "Goodbye Snow White. Maybe we'll see each other tomorrow?" Sooner if he had anything to do with it.

"I'm sure you'll find me." she beamed.

"Always." Prince Charming replied and she believed that.

"Mary-Margaret Blanchard." she chastised herself. "What have you gotten yourself into?"

Hope you like it. The first few chapters will be set in Greece and then each chapter will be a different place. Thanks for reading and please feel free to review. x