4

Mitchie's P.O.V.

I'm not really sure how long I've been staring at the ceiling of the guest house, but all I can think about is her. I don't understand it. We just met and already her face has been etched in my mind. Even after I closed my eyes, I tossed and turned for over an hour. She won't stop dancing around in my head. 'Oh god.' I thought. The image of her dancing...I beat she's even hotter when she's dancing.

It's after midnight. We'd all decided to go to bed. We're all pretty tired from the excitement of the day. Still, I can't sleep. So instead I decided to go outside and call my other best friend, Caitlyn. I sat in a chair by the pool and pushed the 'Call' button. She answered on the third ring.

"Hey Mitch!" she said enthusiastically.

"Hey Katy. How's Italy?"

"It's beautiful. We're in Rome now enjoying breakfast. But I got to say," her voice became quieter on the other end. "I'm getting bored going to so many museums." I smiled to myself. "How was New York? Did you finally get to meet this Mary chick?"

Even from the other side of the world, she managed to make me blush. "Yeah. She's absolutely gorgeous. I can't get her off my mind and now I can't sleep."

"Oooh, so it's like that?"

I bit my lip considering it. "Yeah. I guess so. But one thing kind of bothers me." I stared up at the dark sky. Few stars but it was still nice.

"What's that?" She asked.

"She and Shane seem really…close." I wasn't sure how to describe it and thought maybe I was over thinking things. Or maybe even imagining it.

"Jesus Mitch, really? I thought you let that go. She's gay. Shane didn't cheat on you with her."

"I know, it's stupid. I just want to know that's all." He was the only person I'd ever dated and he meant a lot to me. Even though he made me realize I like girls and guys, he still cheated on me and that hurt.

"What if it was a guy?" Caitlyn said laughing.

"Then maybe I wouldn't feel so bad." I laughed too.

"Well in my opinion, any guy that would cheat on you is obviously gay."

I felt myself relax at her words. She always knew just what to say to make me think clearly. I decided to forget about it…I guess? Whatever. Besides, if things play out right I'll be with her.

"Hey, I got to go. The shuttle's leaving. More museums…FUN!"

"Okay. I'll talk to you later." I said a little bummed out.

"Bye Mitch." She hung up.

I dropped my phone in my lap and stared up at the sky. The breeze in the warm summer night was relaxing. I closed my eyes for a moment and listened for any sign of movement coming from the house. Nothing. Every light in the house was off. I decided to go for a quick swim.

The water was warm and soothing against my skin. I dipped my head under to wet my hair. Before I could open my eyes someone jumped in. When their head popped out of the water I realized it was her. She smiled and swam in my direction stopping just in front of me. In the pool like I realized she was naked. I looked away feeling my cheeks flush.

"Can't sleep?" She asked.

"Yeah. Pretty much." I said nervously. I felt her hand grab mine in the water looked at her. I was almost positive she could hear my heart pounding because she smiled.

"I saw you out here and wanted to tell you something." She got a little closer.

"Ok. What's up?" I couldn't really think of anything else. She makes me extremely nervous and she's right here in front of me naked, in a pool, after I've been tossing and turning with because I can't get her off my mind.

"I wanted to thank you."

She backed me against the side of the pool. In the light I could see the hunger in her eyes. No one's ever looked at me that way. Not even Shane. She closed the space between us as she connected her lips to mine and I could feel her press her naked body against me. I instantly kissed her back, which surprised even me. Her hands on my hips, mine cupping her face, wrapping my legs around her waist as she desperately pulled at the soaked tank I wore. She pulled it over my head and chunked it somewhere in the water. Her hands explored my skin as she licked my bottom lip and I granted her entrance. Her tongue fought against mine in a battle for dominance. I couldn't remember the last time I'd actually been this turned on.

Just as I felt her hand slide into the front of my boxer's, I woke up to a bright Sunrise blinding me. I glanced down at my body. 'I'm still dressed?' I thought. And completely dry too with my cell safely lay on my lap. The crisp morning air made me shiver.

"A dream?" I asked myself out loud. I decided to think about it later and go back inside to my bed. I dropped my feet from the chair in front of me and felt pain. I was stiff. Falling asleep in a pool chair with my legs propped up wasn't a smart idea. I thought about her lips against mine as I limped back to my bed. I couldn't stop the smile that grew on my face as I plugged in my phone. I couldn't believe how real the dream seemed. But as soon as my head hit the pillow, was out again. This time I dreamt of touring with one of my favorite Canadian artists. Lights.

….

Mary's P.O.V.

The morning sun beamed through my balcony doors pulling me out of my slumber. I rubbed the sleep from my eyes and looked around the bright nearly empty room. "I definitely need to get some curtains." I told myself as I climbed out of bed and headed for the bathroom before going down stairs to make coffee and call Christine.

"So you're enjoying being back?" Christine asked from New York.

"Yes. I missed this place. And Joey bought me a princess bed." I laughed as I sipped my coffee and listened to her joyful laugh.

"Well, he's always been a charmer. I know he'll take good care o you. But if there's ever anything you need, you let me know." Her warm motherly voice made me feel safe and comforted.

"Thanks. There is one thing I need…that I wanted to ask you." I silently prayed she wouldn't disappoint me.

"Anything bailarina."

"Did mom ever talk about my father? Who he was or anything?" There was a silence on the other end. I was almost convinced she'd hung up on me 'til I looked at my screen. The call was still good. "Christine?"

I heard her sigh. "I'm here mi hija. I knew you'd ask me that someday."

"I'm sorry. But I just have to know. Did she or not?" I was becoming a little impatient. It was still too early for me but I needed answers. I heard her sigh

"Actually I met him once." Her words made instantly excited.

"Y-You met my dad?" I asked eagerly.

"Yes. He was a temporary guitarist for Dominique and they met on tour. She invited me to a show one night while I was in Chicago and she introduced me then."

My heart pounded. He played guitar, like me. Obviously the desire to perform was in my blood. My mother was a dancer and I now know that my father is a musician.

"What," I had to clear my throat to continue. "What's his name?" I was on the edge of my seat.

"They called him Bobbie G. I never found out what the G stood for."

I felt my hope dwindle a bit. No last name. Fabulous. "Was he good to her?"

"Oh honey, he was very good to her. But it just didn't work out."

"But why?" My heart was breaking. If he was good to her then what the hell happened? "Why didn't they stay together?" For a moment I thought it was because of me. I was now fully awake and couldn't stop with the questions.

"He was separated from his wife. They were about to get a divorce. He met your mother and they fell in love. He even decided to go to rehab to be a better father to his son and a better man for her."

'Oh my god…'

"His wife found out she was pregnant while he was in treatment with their second child. Your mother convinced him to go back to his wife and try to work it out. Be there for his family. Despite his love for her, he knew she was right. So they ended everything and decided it was best not to contact each other again."

My heart broke. They were in love. And she made him go back to his family. She gave him up.

"A few weeks later she found out she was pregnant with you." She finished.

"Why didn't she tell him?"

"She wanted him to live his life without her. Just like they had agreed."

My mind raced. My heart ached. I was confused. Excited. Scared. I couldn't decide what I felt. 'I have siblings.'

"Mary? You still there?" Christine's voice brought me back.

"Sorry. I got to go Christine. Thanks for your help."

"You going to be okay mi hija?"

"Yeah. I just got to do some research. I got to find him."

"Well, alright. But if you need me," she said and I could hear the concern in her voice.

"I know." I smiled as that safe, comforting feeling came back.

"Bye pequena bailarina." I closed my phone.

I sipped my coffee as I thought about everything she'd said. I couldn't believe it. Just as I drank the last bit of my coffee I looked up to see Shane stumbling sleepily into the kitchen. I laughed at his messy bed head and he looked up smiling.

"Morning. He said as he kissed the top of my head and poured himself a cup of coffee.

"Morning. Excited for the holidays are we?" I nodded at his Christmas tree boxers. He looked down and laughed.

"Well I could've came in here naked."

I frowned putting my mug in the sink. "Ew. No offense."

"None taken." He yawned and scratched his head. "So, who the hell would you call at," he looked at the clock on the coffee maker. "7 in the morning?"

I watched him take a drink from his mug as he sat next to me unfolding the morning paper. "Christine. I forgot to call her yesterday when we got here. We had an interesting talk."

"Oh?" He tried his best to sound interested. I could tell by his 'I'm too tired to care but I'll pretend anyway' tone. "About what?"

I smiled at his attempt to care. "My dad. She's actually met him." I said. That got his attention really quick. He was fully alert as he dropped the paper and pushed his messy hair away from his eyes and looked at me.

"Wait, Seriously? What's she say? Did she tell you his name?" He was as excited as me. It made me smile as I told him everything Christine had told me. When I was done he looked amazed and hopeful and a little sad.

"She let him go so he could save his family?" I nodded a 'Yes'. He looked away. Something, there in his eyes. I don't know what it is, but it seemed so familiar. "She must have really loved him to be able to give him up like that."

I hadn't thought of it that way really 'til he said it. I realized what it was I was seeing in his eyes. I was talking about my father and making him think of his. What I saw in his eyes was the pain of missing a deceased parent. I reached out and held his hand causing him to look back at me. I smiled and received one in return. He knew what I was trying to say without me having to say it. That's how it worked with him and me. He'd lost his father to cancer when he was 13. I lost my mother to some drunk driver just after my 13th birthday. So when it came to moment like these between us, words were unnecessary.

"You don't have to help me Shane. If it's too painful…"

His smile faded. "Are you kidding me? You're like a sister to me. I'd do anything for you."

A warm fuzzy feeling came over me as I teared up. It was the first time I'd ever heard him say anything like that to me. I couldn't stop the smile that took over my face. He stood and made me stand too. He hugged me and I rested my head on his chest. This was the brother I never had. I loved Jason and Nate, but I wasn't close to them like was with Shane. Is this the kind of connection I could have with my real siblings?

"Thanks Shane. I got to go shower. You should really put some clothes on."

He laughed and I went upstairs to my bathroom to shower. It was the first day of my quest to find my father.