"Lena! Lena, oh my beautiful Lena," cried out Valia as Lena's taxi pulled up outside the house.

"I'm so happy to have you here," she added.

"I'm happy to be here, the caldera looks as beautiful as ever," commented Lena as she dragged her suitcases inside.

"Oh it is, we have having the most wonderful sunsets at the moment," replied Valia in her thick Greek accent. "How are you? Did your flight go okay?"

"Yeah it was fine, hit a bit of turbulance mid atlantic but other than that," said Lena, she was looking out of the kitchen window that showed the path leading to where Kostas and his grandparents live.

"You have the same room as before, it's all set up for you," explained Valia.

"Thank you, do you mind if I go have a quick nap? It was a long flight and my body clock is all out of whack," said Lena.

"No problem, I will wake you in a couple of hours. There is going to be a small party later to welcome you, just a few close friends of mine." With that, Valia left Lena and shut the door before Lena could ask if Kostas would be coming. Rena, Kostos' grandmother, and Valia were best friends and so would definately be invited. Would Kostos come too? With all these thoughts whirling round her head she doubted she would be able to get to sleep but her body was tired and before long she was being woken up and told she had a hour before people would be arriving. Normally a party would scare Lena. She was shy and wasn't good in new situations and with lots of people. But she didn't feel how she normally would. She was nervous for a different reason.

"Is there anything I can help you with?" Lena asked as she walked into the had put on her best dress, left her hair down so it fell around her shoulders, and even put on a slight bit of makeup.

"No offense, but you were never much of a cook. Effie is much better in that department," replied Valia. Lena knew this was true but couldn't help feel a little put out. Effie was so much like Valia whilst Lena took after her Bapi.

"I do hope you've brought your art supplies," smiled Valia. This made Lena brighten up.

"Of course. I could draw you at some point if you want, with the caldera in the background," offered Lena.

"I would like that very much," smiled Valia. She knew that it was partly because of Lena's drawing that she was back here, home, rather than in America. Lena had drawn her two years ago to try and gain a scholarship to RISD. It was this drawing that had made her son, Lena's father, think about what he was doing to his mother. Being in America was slowly killing her and he knew she had to go home.

Lena moved into the living area sat on the sofa. She looked at the chair and instantly felt tears in her eyes. Bapi's chair. Her relationship with him had been special. Partly because he spoke very little English and she spoke very little Greek. Every morning they had eaten in silence together in the kitchen. Although tense at first, Lena had grown to love these mornings. She and Bapi hadn't needed words to tell each other how much they meant to each other. They were very similar and Lena loved finally being able to truely connect with a family member. Lost in thought, it came as a surprise when the doorbell went and Valia called throught that people were arriving.

Lena moved about the various people, seeing lots of familar faces from when she had been here before, but not seeing the face that meant the most. She spotted Valia and Rena in the kitchen and slowly made her way over.

"Lena, how good it is to have you back here," greeted Rena, hugging Lena who instantly felt awkward. She didn't like hugging people she didn't know.

"It's nice to see you too," replied Lena politely.

"I must go and check on my husband, he needs to relax and not talk about work but it's all he ever talks about," said Rena, excusing herself. Lena felt herself following Rena to see where she went but was disappointed to see her approch her husband who was talking to some other people about the same age as himself.

"I'm sorry lamb, he's not here," said Valia quietly.

"Who?" asked Lena, pretending she didn't know.

"Kostos. He's in London. He got an internship for the summer and decided to stay there," explained Valia. "I know you care deeply about him."

"Thanks grandma, I guess I was just hoping..." trailed off Lena, cautiously.

"If it's meant to be, as I believe the two of you are, then it will happen at some point."

"Why does it have to be this hard?"

"I don't know sweetheart, but he always asks about you when he visits, I can see he cares about you."

"Thanks."

"How about you go and get the plate of cookies on the side, you look like you could do with something sweet," smiled Valia. She watched as her granddaughter walked away, wishing she could do something to help ease the pain of loving someone who wasn't there. But she knew better than anyone that it doesn't get easier, you just have to learn to deal with it.

Dear Bee,

Well Kostos isn't here, in Greece I mean. He's in London taking an internship. Ever since finding out I'd be back here I've been wondering whether I wanted to see him or not. Whether it would be too hard. But now, I just want to look into his deep eyes and speak to him.

Anyway, how is Greta? And Perry? Hope everything is going good.

See you at the end of summer,

Lena xoxo