Welcome back, loves! I know it has been a while since I last updated. I have been crazy busy but I finally managed to squeeze this into my hectic schedule. It's not super crazy but things will definitely be picking up in the next chapter! I'm really excited for it :D

I hope you all enjoy!

I apologize for any errors!


"We just need you to distract her for thirty minutes at most." Claire instructed as ACU strapped another harness around my body to drop me into Gruff's enclosure. People were buzzing around us, the new replacement for the window was in the corner, the team that would be inserting it preparing themselves, and Gruff was nowhere to be seen. Owen was monitoring her from the security room and had stated that she was where they dropped me off last time.

She was just patiently waiting now.

Gray was excitedly speaking to my Uncle who seemed very impressed with the young kid. Zach was casting worried looks in my direction every now and then trying to be discreet. "This should go a lot more smoothly if you hadn't been here." Claire explained as I eyed the window that Gruff had practically crushed with just one hit. If she had hit it again, she would've surely busted the window wide open. This window seemed thicker and heavier. I doubt this window could hold Gruff either way.

"Are you ready? Do you have any concerns?" Claire questioned looking a bit perturbed by my silence.

I shook my head, "No, I know what I need to do. This isn't anything new." I answered with a smile.

Claire glanced at Zach and excused herself, "I'll go pry Gray off of Mr. Masrani." Claire swiftly brushed by telling Gray to lay off my Uncle. I turned to Zach and gave him a firm look. He had this frown on his face as he gazed between the almost busted window and me. It was obvious to tell what he was worried about.

"You look like you have something on your mind." I mused gently slipping my hand into his. His fingers curled around my hand firmly as he looked at me. His brooding eyes full of displeasure.

"I know she wouldn't hurt you but a small part of me can't help but to worry." Zach explained with a small sigh.

It was natural for him to worry. Gruff wasn't some domesticated animal. She was a Tyrannosaurus Rex; a supposed monster incapable of human emotions. But I knew Gruff well enough to know she would never hurt me but the rational part always warned me to be careful with Gruff. At any second, she could snap and kill me easily. It was a scary thought to think that Gruff would do such a thing after all she did the night she saved me and how she acted whenever I didn't visit her often.

I was aware of Zach staring at me, waiting for me to answer. I gave him a small smile, "It's only natural to worry and I'm grateful that you care that much to worry, but nothing is going to happen, okay?" I leaned in and kissed his cheek gently.

He hums lowly in content and murmurs, "Was it on the cheek because your Uncle is watching?" He gives me a shy grin.

From the corner of my eye, I could see my Uncle fawning over us and no doubt my mom would get wind of this new relationship soon. "If I kiss you on your mouth he'll start planning our wedding." I laughed as Zach pulls me towards him to give me a tight hug.

"Just be careful, okay?" He breathes quietly…so quietly I almost didn't catch it.

"Okay." I murmured kissing his cheek once more before I began to walk up the stairs towards the balcony platform. ACU was waiting and the others were up in the higher platforms talking among themselves. I was strapped securely, got the green light to go, and climbed over the railing. Gruff was below and already staring up. Her beady eyes were watching with intense sharpness.

"If anything goes wrong…" The woman began to say but I held up my hand halting her words.

"Nothing is going to go wrong." I asserted firmly and gave her a small smile, "She would never hurt me."

She looked taken back but smiled back and nodded, "Alright, thirty minutes, is all we need but if you want to stay longer that's fine too." She informed.

I nodded, "Okay." I held onto the thick rope and pushed myself away from the railing. I swayed for a moment before I stilled and then they proceeded to lower me down. Gruff was chuffing and pacing below me. My heart was oddly calm but my stomach was swirling with butterflies. I was excited to be with her again. It was always a strange thought when I looked at Gruff. I was alive because of her. I was breathing because of her.

She stopped pacing when I was about eye level with her. She stared at me and chuffed and I smiled and reached out to brush my hand against her snout. My fingers brushing against her sharp, massive teeth, and a shudder ran down my spine. Once I set on the ground, I unhooked myself from the line. Gruff chuffed and made an almost whining noise as she lied down. I grinned at her and hugged her—or tried. "Hey, Gruff. Did you miss me?" I asked her with a knowing look.

She chuffed and rubbed her rough scales against my body. I giggled and patted her snout before taking a step back, "I saw what you did with the window. That wasn't very nice, you know." I commented with my hands on my hips.

She stared at me indifferently as if she didn't care about the window. I pursued my lips and giggled, "I supposed you did it to get my attention, well, it worked." I told her giddily.

Gruff rumbled with a low growl before nudging me towards her back. I knew what she wanted and did as told. "I hope you aren't taking me to the front of your enclosure. They're doing repairs, ya know." I informed her smartly as I climbed onto her back.

She rumbled and it sounded as if she already knew this. "You're being a cheeky little thing, aren't you?" I asked with a snort as I rubbed her bumpy skin.

I felt her muscles quiver and ripple and I grinned. Gruff was wondering in the opposite direction from where I could hear the workers replacing the window. I was assuming she was leading me towards the back of her enclosure where she slept, but I was proven wrong when we came across a river with a small waterfall. It wasn't wide but it wasn't small either. It must've run through her territory. It was cooler here because of the water, too. I gasped with a grin and immediately got up as she lowered her head to drink from the river.

Without thinking, I stumbled up her and threw myself into the water with a shout. Honestly, I didn't care about the phone in my back pocket or clothes on my back. It was just natural reaction to jump into the water. It was a moment I would be too stupid to pass up. The water engulfed me in a cold embrace instantly ceasing the heat on my skin. The water was surprisingly light. I surfaced and pulled my hair back and grinned at Gruff who was staring at me with her head tilted to the side.

I laughed and tried to splash some part of her massive body with water. The ground rumbled with a quiet, questioning growl as if she wasn't sure why I was in the water. "Come in, Gruff." I beckoned her as I swam around in small circles. Gruff was silent as she moved swiftly into the water. With each heavy step, the water bounced and trembled by the vibrations of her weight. The water wasn't deep for her, so, she lied down beneath the waterfall and allowed the cool water to run all over her back while her head was facing towards me and her eyes were closed.

She was clearly enjoying the water, too.

They wanted Gruff distracted…well, I had her distracted! I grinned going over to her massive body, climbed easily up onto her back, and stood under the waterfall and laughed. Gruff chuffed with what sounded like amusement. Standing there…I knew that this moment would be one that would stand out the most until I was old. I mean, who else could say that they have gone swimming with a T-Rex? Who could say that they've been on top of T-Rex underneath a waterfall? I am pretty sure that no one but me could ever say that.

This was a moment…so amazing I couldn't help but to smile.

This was truly a one in a million moment.

And I couldn't be happier.

_break_

It had been an hour since I've been down chilling with Gruff. We were out sunning in one of the sunnier spots in her territory. My clothes had long dried and I was sprawled out on the top of Gruff's head talking to her about the most random things. I had told her about Zach and I swear, I heard her growl in a protective manner. It was weird knowing that Gruff was capable of human emotions such as jealousy. Honestly, I didn't even know she could feel that green emotion.

I was lazily tracing patterns with my finger in the clouds above us. Gruff tucked beneath me. I sat up rubbing my eyes, "Alright, Gruff," I yawned softly knowing it was time to get going. I'd stayed all day in here if I could but I knew Gray was super excited about seeing the park, and I didn't want him to be kept waiting, "I think it's time for me to get going, girl." I smoothed my hand over her warm, bumpy skin.

She responded lazily—defiantly.

"Come one, Gruff," I mused standing up and stretching out like a cat, "Gray's waiting for me to show him around the park. I'll promise to be back tonight, how about that?" I cooed at her as I ran fingers through my hair before pulling it up into a ponytail.

Gruff growled but complied with my wishes. She slowly got up—making sure to be careful since I was standing on her head. I carefully climbed down the back of her neck and sat in my usual spot. Once Gruff was content with my new spot, she began moving into the humid forest. I was telling Gruff about a moment in my childhood—a few days after I left the island so many years ago. Gruff, like always, listened. I knew she was listening. She would always make these strange sounds as if she was signaling that she was indeed listening to my endless rambles.

It didn't very long to come to our usual spot. The thick hook hanging where it had been left an hour ago, and ACU was already out on the higher platform ready for pickup. Gruff rumbled lowly gaining my attention. I sighed and patted her skin, "Tonight, okay? I promise!" I assured her as she lied down on the ground so I could easily climb down. I hurried over and hugged her across her snout. She breathed making me giggle.

I took a step back and looked up at her. Looking into her brown eyes…I felt this weird feeling come in the bottom of my stomach. It was the same feeling I had felt earlier before. I frowned unsure what to make of it but brushed it off. Gruff chuffed and rubbed the front of her snout against my side saying her goodbye. "Be good, okay? And don't go ramming into anymore windows. I'll always come back, okay?" I assured her firmly as I hooked myself back up on the line.

Gruff had this expression like if she could she'd roll her eyes at me. I laughed as I was pulled off the ground. I held tightly on the thick rope and Gruff watched very closely making sure I didn't fall and if I did, she'd be right underneath me to catch me—although I wasn't sure how'd that go. If I fall right on her I'd break something either way.

Once the railing was within reach and sight, I reached out towards the waiting hands. "You good?" Hamada asked as he did a once over to make sure I had no visible injuries. I guess it was natural to be worried.

I nodded as the other guy took off the harness from my body, 'Yeah, I'm fine, a bit famished and thirsty." I informed him honestly with a smile.

Hamada chuckled quietly, "I'm sure they can fix that. Your Uncle is very excited about your relationship with Gruff."

I laughed, "I bet. I could've sworn I heard him swooning."

Hamada laughed before gesturing me to walk towards the control room. With a skip in my walk, I headed towards the little platform and then entered the small hallway leading up the control room. I could hear voices speaking from the bottom of the stairs. I hurriedly walked down and saw that my Uncle, Owen, and Claire were gone. Zach, Zara, and Gray were the only ones inside now. I frowned confused as Zach's relieved face saw me from the corner of his eye.

"Hey, where'd my Uncle go?" I asked confused as Gray tackled me into an excited hug.

"I can't believe you went swimming with a T-Rex! You are my new hero, Izzy! That was so cool! You are so cool!" Gray breathed out in one sentence. I almost didn't understand him but I laughed and wrapped my arms around his small body.

"You're so adorable." I sighed ruffling his wild curls.

Gray grinned up at me showing me his pearly whites but Zara was the one to speak up next, "Your Uncle, Claire, and Owen had a problem that needed looking into. Your Uncle mentioned dinner later on tonight to get caught up with everything." Her voice was dragged out with slight boredom. Typical Zara—such a cool cat.

"A problem? Is something wrong?" I asked her as Zach reached for my hand.

I eagerly held onto his clammy hand as Zara answered, "No, nothing is wrong. Just a small set back with a new attraction." I took note of the way she shifted and how her voice sounded very vague.

"We're going to have a new attraction?" I asked surprised, "Uncle didn't tell me anything about a new attraction." I frowned slightly at Zara who remained cool.

"He wanted it to be a surprise." She remarked breezily.

I wanted to question her but I brushed it off. At the moment, I just wanted to get going to see all of the rides and animals. I knew I wasted up some of our time hanging out with Gruff. "Okay, well, what should we go see or do next, Gray?" I questioned my favorite kid in the world.

Gray's blue eyes lit up, "The Mosasaurus Feeding Show starts in, like, fifteen minutes!" He blurted out with glee in his voice.

"No way?" I gasped with wide eyes, "We totally have to go!"

So, that's where we headed. Zara behind trailing behind us talking on her phone, Gray was bouncing around in front of us, and Zach and I were holding hands and enjoying the time we had together. "You okay?" I asked Zach taking note of his silence.

He glanced at me and gave a smile, "Yeah, I'm just thinking about some times." He answered truthfully.

I raised an eyebrow, "About what, if I may ask?"

"About what I'd want to do if I were to get hired to work here." Zach answered easily.

I laughed, "Thinking of our future so soon?" I teased but didn't ignore the butterflies in my stomach.

Zach looked at me, "Say that again." He says a bit nervously.

I looked up at him confused but grinned playfully, "Our future together is going to be amazing." I told him softly—only for his ears to hear.

His face softens, his hand squeezing mine, before he placed a gentle kiss on my lips, "I know it is. I never gave the future much thought but now that I have you…it's easier to picture." His words brought a blush to my face and my heart to pick up speed. He could really woe a girl—no wonder why the other girl didn't want to let him go.

"You're seriously doing an amazing job at wooing me." I laughed.

Zach smirked slowly, "Good."

I laughed again enjoying the sun on my skin. We arrived to the Mosasaurus attraction. The line was already huge but luckily, we had the V.I.P bands granting us easy access and awesome seats. Zara sat this one out. She said something about not getting dirty water all over her new clothes and nails.

I was in between Zach and Gray. Gray excitedly bouncing up and down that I had Zach record his joyful brother to send to their mother. I was laughing at Gray, amused by his hyper and excited energy when I heard Zach saying, "You see this girl, mom and dad? She's my girlfriend. You'd love her. Gray loves her. She's super down to earth and puts up with my bullshit."

I turned around confused and saw that he was recording me, "Zach!" I cried out covering my face with a laugh, "You better delete that video!"

Gray was quick to lean over you lap to grin up at the phone, "Mom, dad! This is Izzy and she's the coolest person ever! Zach and I love her! You would love her too! Can she live with us? Did you know she has this super cool—"

"The show's starting!" I blurted out with a red face.

Gray gasped and quickly sat back in his seat. Zach lowered the phone with a smirk and began typing away on his face, "Zach! Don't you dare send that video—"

"Too late." Zach smirked at me.

I pouted, "I probably looked like a mess!"

"You looked beautiful." Zach reassured immediately.

"Zach, my hair is a lion's mane." I pointed out bluntly.

"Lions are beautiful creatures." He pointed back out.

But before I could retaliate the Announcer was speaking, "Welcome to theMosasaurus feeding show! Now, the Mosasaurus was thought to have hunted near the surface of the water where it could prey on anything it could sink it's teeth into," Behind the Announcer and into the lagoon, a great white shark was being lifted down by a mechanical hook, "Okay, folks, let's see if she's still hungry after already eating today! She's a little shy so be nice and give her a hand when she comes out!"

The three of us were on the edge of our seats. Most had their phones out but none of us did. Gray grabs my hand excitedly and I nudged Zach's shoulder with a grin. He smiles at me fondly before turning his attention onto the show. It was dead silent for a moment when suddenly, the fierce reptile of the sea pounces out of the water and into the air. It's massive jaw snapping onto the great white's body and snapping it loose from the hook.

The beautiful creature was massive. Naturally, the Mosasaurus was a lot smaller but they genetically modified it to be a bit bigger. The Mosasaurus fell back into the water gracefully sending a large wave of water right onto our section. I squealed when the cold water washed over me and laughed when the audience cheered in awe and total mirth.

"That was so awesome!" Gray laughed shoving his wet curls out of his face.

"I just dried these." I playfully pouted.

Zach was running a hand through his soaked hair. I was momentarily distracted by how handsome Zach looked in that moment. Okay, sue me, but the sun was just hitting at the right angle and with his wonderful body soaked with water—Jesus, he could've been the love child of Aphrodite. Zach saw me staring and smirked, "Take a picture, it'll last longer." He joked as he leaned over to kiss me.

"Okay, hold on tight! We're going to give an even closer look at our Mosasaurus!" The announcer laughed as the bleachers began to move downwards giving us an amazing view of the Mosasaurus feeding. She was so massive! I gasped in amazement as the audience began to clap and cheer at the sight of the amazing creature. "It has eighty-eight teeth!" Gray cried over the cheers of the crowd.

"That was awesome!" I said as we began to file out of the show. It was only a ten minute show but it was worth it.

"Where to next?" Zach laughed as we exited out of the feeding show.

"The Gyrosphere station!" Gray and I gasped in unison. We looked at each other before laughing at how cool we were. Zach was rolling his eyes but I could see the fondness in his expression as he watched his baby brother and laugh like idiots.

"Where's Zara?" I asked looking around the British woman.

Zach didn't seem bothered by it, "Who cares. We have you with us to take care of us. I mean, I know I'm the one who needs the most looking after, but we'll manage." He smirked at me and I stuck out my tongue towards him.

"Come on, let's go!" Gray said excitedly.

I did one last sweep trying to pin point Zara but didn't see her anywhere in the sea of the crowds. Zach tugged at my hand, "She'll be fine, Izzy, we'll catch up with her later." He reassured as Gray bounced up ahead of us heading towards the monorails.

I glanced at him and nodded, "She's going to give us an earful when she does."

Zach rolled his eyes pulling me towards him, "I'm sure if you blink those pretty, little eyes at her she'll forgive us." He said in a low voice pushing his lips against mine. Gray was too busy looking at some hologram of the monorail to pay attention to us. I hummed lowly as Zach smoothly encased his arms around my waist pulling me flushed against his damp body.

I could feel his body against mine. The contours and dips of his body pressed against me. I blinked up at him seeing the intent expression on his face and his dark eyes on my face. I blushed and kissed him once more before untangling myself from him. He held onto my hand right as Gray turned his attention onto us again and demanded that we hurry up.

So, we made our way towards the monorail. As we were walking, another weird feeling hit me. This time it was stronger and felt more ominous. I frowned unsure what to make of this feeling. I glanced around trying to seek out some type of danger but came up empty. I shrugged it off again as Gray grabbed onto my free hand and walked beside me telling me fun facts about dinosaurs.

Was something going to happen today? I questioned to myself.


Okay, so, next chapter shit will hit the fan :D I am quite eager and nervous to be writing out the next few chapters. I honestly...have a plot twist that I am not sure whether or not to do but we will see! But, how did you guys enjoy this chapter? Hopefully, it was too super boring! But if it was just bear with me until the next chapter!

So, just to advise. I will be updating another story after this. Probably my SAO FF. I'm trying to have some sort of balance between updating my stories. I want to update all of them but find that I can't, lmfao XD

So, until next time!

Vanessssa :D