I yet again find myself apologising for the massive wait on getting this chapter to you guys. For someone who doesn't actually have a job yet, I've been extremely busy. I've been teaching science to kids in my old primary school! I know right me teaching, the world has gone mad but mainly I've been on the beach or out on the boat tagging Basky's and before a certain someone comments on that (you know who you are) tagging but not with a spray can :-p

Festival season has started as well now and with everything else I really am busy, busy, busy, so my updates will probably take a wee while now until the end of the summer but any spare time I have, I'll get typing I promise. It may not take so long between updates but I'm just warning you it might do.

Ok a quick thank you for the lovely reviews, messages, alerts, hits and adding my story to your favourites it really does mean a lot that so many of you seem to like it, I don't really understand why but thank you guys :0)

So here we go chapter 9! I hope you like it, enjoy…

Chapter 9: Naomi

I sat out in the garden all day yesterday and the day before in the hope I'd catch a glimpse of Emily and maybe even get the chance to apologise for my going AWOL on the beach last week. It became apparent that she was avoiding coming this way and taking the long way to the beach.

I have all these conflicting emotions moving back and forth in my head, the fact I'm leaving at the end of the summer so why let myself fall for this girl when I know it will end come September. What's the point, all that unnecessary upset why couldn't I just be happy with being friends? Then there's the part of me that wants to just go for it and deal with September when it comes it might not be as bad as I think it will and of course the part that is terrified of needing someone. I've never needed anyone before and I don't want to start now. I had planned on just avoiding her until I had sorted through the overwhelming mess in my head and I had successfully achieved this for all of a week, it felt like forever, a lifetime since we had talked. I was still no closer to understanding what was going on with me, I decided to go down to the beach for a walk, fresh air clear all the cobwebs etc. also I was pretty sure if I hung around long enough I'd see her. I knew I wanted to I just didn't know what to say or how to explain how I'd acted. I'd eluded her at the beginning of the week so I understand why she was waiting for me to come to her.

I met Cook at the pier on my way down to the beach; we sat and watched Emily and her little cousin surfing from the sand banks.

"So what's going on with you two then?" he asked eyeing me suspiciously.

Cook can come across as this hard emotionless asshole but once you take the time to get past that act you find he's actually quite sweet and caring. He's fun to hang with, a bit wild at times, funny and completely wired. He's the kind of guy you want, as a friend though he's loyal and he'll defend you to the death. He saw right through my nothing is wrong, we're just friends etc. act so I told him about Em and I and how I'd probably fucked things up for good this time.

He grinned cheekily the way only he can and announced "It's funny you know, that you and Emily think nobody knows, that nobody can see how you two are together. Like your little glances and touches go unnoticed by us. That all that sexy grinding and touching at the party was just the buzz ye were on and nothing to do with how hot you two are for each other."

"Oh fuck off!" I smirked punching him playfully. "What am I going to do Cookie, I've messed up bad this time."

"You need to stop worrying about what might happen and just live in the moment Naomikins. So there's a chance that come September things might change but there's also a chance that nothing will. Is that really all that's worrying you? If so stop being such a wimp and just embrace it man. Don't be the person that lives in the darkness so they never have to choose."

"I know you're right just sometimes its easier said than done ya know. Christ look at me taking relationship advice from you. Fuck sakes I really am in trouble." I laughed "You know you're actually pretty nice Cookie"

"Fuck off."

"Aníos!" I said getting up and brushing the sand from myself "Time to face the music or the little musico in Emily's case." I grinned

"Good luck," laughed Cook as I made my way down towards Emily.

We talked for a bit and I explained as much as I could the reasons why I'd run off and why I'd been avoiding her since. She seemed to understand and took Cook's take on things by announcing that we'd deal with my worries when of if we needed to closer to the time but for now to I guess just sit back and enjoy the ride to just live in the here and now.

Later that afternoon my nap and consequently Emily dream was interrupted by my phone ringing.

"Hello you" I smiled into my phone.

"Hey yourself, how's your day been?" asked Emily cheerfully

"It was grand, shopping with mum was tiresome but then it always is. How was yours? You still with your wee man?"

"Nope that wee dude is back with my aunt thank fuck, I love him to bits but I'm always happy to hand him back. Here I'm just about to go into work I just rang to tell ya to go check the wall outside your house."

"Huh…the wall?"

"Aye the wall… just go look." I could hear her stifling a giggle

"Em, what's going on?"

"I've got to go, I'm at work, I'll see you later, bye babe."

"Em…wait" but she'd already hung up. I went downstairs and into the garden. There on the wall right where we'd first kissed I found a small box with a note attached.

Please find enclosed the first part of your prize.

Kind Regards

Your girlfriend :) xx

P.S Hope you don't mind me calling you that because that's what I'd like you to be if you want to that is.

I couldn't help the dopey smile that came across my face when I read that, Emily wants to be my girlfriend, my fecking girlfriend.

"Hey world, you know Emily Fitch right…Yep the hot, funny, incredibly talented and gorgeous red head… Aye well she's my girlfriend." I giggled. "My fecking girlfriend!"

"What's that there now Naomi?" came the voice of Kieran behind me.

Fuck it, I didn't hear him come out. "Just talking to myself, take no notice of me." I said quickly, grabbing the box and turning back towards the house.

"What's that you got there?"

"Oh just something Emily dropped off." I said casually making my way inside. I half ran, half tripped up the stairs; I was like a giddy kid who couldn't wait to open her Christmas presents. Inside the box was another note and wrapped up inside of it was a little mermaid teddy and a packet of Garibaldi's along with an application to NUI Galway.

Ta-da :)

The mermaid included is called Emily and she's here to provide cuddles for whenever I'm not around.

Garibaldi's because they're your favourite and to prove I do listen even when you think I'm falling asleep. You know I had to go to five different shops before I found these!

The application is the solution to what you've been worrying about, see this doesn't have to end :) Bring it with you tomorrow and we can fill it in.

And if you haven't already realised tomorrow you will receive part two of your prize. Meet me at the pier 10am and bring your swimmers, all shall be revealed.

I hope you don't find it all too lame.

Until tomorrow then Naomi Campbell.

Your girlfriend (I'm sorry I just really like the sound of that)

Emily :) xx

I picked up my phone and typed

You are quite possibly the cutest, sweetest girl in the world. I loved it Em, Emily the mermaid although very cute and cuddle worthy still not as good as having my real Emily :) can't wait until tomorrow to find out what part two involves and more importantly to see you.

Your girlfriend (quite like the sound of that too)

N :) xxxx

I lay back on my bed and held the little mermaid above my head smiling in awe of this girl who had the ability to turn me into a soppy pile of mush with just the smallest gesture. I thought back to the events of the past week and how she forgave me for acting like a complete tool yet again. I was angry with myself at how I'd treated her this week and I was now beginning to understand why I reacted the way I did. As soon as Em suggested that what we might have could be love I completely freaked out. Why? Because I knew there was a huge amount of truth in what she said but it was so far away from what I actually wanted. At least that was what I was telling myself, I was so scared of getting hurt. If you don't let yourself fall in love then you can't get hurt, right. I got scared and as per usual when I do I just run away. If I ignore it then it is not really happening. I could control my feelings for Emily I could stop myself from falling in love with her, right. Wrong I was in trouble everything about her caught me and pulled me deeper. Every now and then I see a part of her I've never seen. I catch myself caught up in and loving the smallest little things I hadn't noticed before, like the way she arches her back flexing it after she's been lying on the board for a while, when she holds her guitar how she tilts her head ever so slightly to the side, the lopsided grin that appears whenever she is acting cheeky and trying not to smile, how she bursts into song randomly for no real reason, the little cluster of freckles on her shoulder, the way she can't pronounce "th" the word both becomes boat and it's so unbelievably endearing it makes me want to wrap her up in my arms and protect her from all that is wrong and bad in the world, how she always smells like sunshine and tastes slightly of salt, how her lip quivers when she sings 'Caledonia' because it reminds her of when her granny used to sing it to her as a kid. How could I not fall for her? I'd decided I was going to just embrace the here and now, push all those other worries and anxieties to the back of my head I can deal with them at a later date when or if I ever need to. Right now I have a girlfriend who I'm no longer completely terrified of saying I might actually be falling in love with.

The next morning on my way to the pier to meet Emily, I saw Effy walking towards me on the path.

"Hey Effy, what's the craic?"

"I thought I told you to end things nicely and disappear if you couldn't handle it with Emily?"

"Christ Eff just get straight to the point eh." I half smiled not knowing quite how to answer a clearly angry and annoyed Effy.

"I'm serious Naomi, you hurt Emily and I fucking seriously hurt you."

"Aye ok, I understand that but it's ok, I sorted it with Em we're fine again I just had a crazy moment. I won't hurt Emily, I never would, not intentionally anyway you know that. If I did you know I'd be gone before you and Katie got your hands on me." I grinned

"Good just making sure you're clear on that." She smirked "I'm a little protective of her."

"Yeah I can see that. I'm actually just off to meet her now, if you want to come say hi."

"Nah you're grand, I'll catch up with her later." She rolled her eyes "I'm already late, supposed to be at the shack looking after it while your dad helps Freddie with his skipper exam stuff."

"Ok well you enjoy that then and I'll catch ya later." I giggled to myself as I walked off. It was pretty obvious she wasn't looking forward to a day in the shack listening to Kieran and Freds talk about boat related stuff.

As I approached the boat I could see Emily stretching over the side fighting with some ropes, a light sheen glistening over her body, wearing only denim shorts and a bright green bikini top. The girl was a vision to behold; I needed a moment to catch my breath.

"Hey sexy lady" I shouted out "need some help with that?"

"Hey you" she answered a huge smile spreading across her face those brown eyes sparkling in the sunlight "Come aboard matey"

"Eejit" I laughed jumping down into the boat "How's captain clumsy today?"

"Hey!" she said in feign outrage "what happened to sexy lady?"

I made my way over to her, wrapping my arms around her waist, I pulled her into me and smiled "Hello sexy lady" before leaning in to kiss her. The softness of her skin was like smooth cream. Always so inviting making me feel like I'm at home when I am in her arms.

"Wow" she mumbled breathlessly "now that's an hello"

"I've been wanting to do that since yesterday on the beach" I smiled "Was worth the wait. So Em where are you taking me, I assume we are going out on the boat?"

"You assume right, but where we are going is a surprise so just sit back and enjoy it."

"But… but I want to know, I need to." I pouted

She brushed a lock of my hair behind my ear and grinned, "No you don't, now stop being a brat" before kissing me softly her tongue finding mine, my pout disappearing into a huge smile as she used her tongue to tickle the roof of my mouth.

"Distracting me with kissing eh"

"Well it worked didn't it," she laughed with a wink "I've plenty of time scheduled for distracting you some more later"

We sailed slowly out of the harbour and into the deep blue of the bay Emily was busy concentrating on manoeuvring the catamaran through a zigzag of little boats. I lay motionless on the bow letting the sun's warm rays penetrate my skin. Watching the small puffs of clouds move across the blue peaceful sky. Light colored sailboats disappeared in the distance as we steadily passed by. I closed my eyes tightly, the intense bright whiteness of the sun blinding me.

Once we had sailed clear of the harbour and out into the wide blue expanse of the bay I joined Emily at the wheel, both chatting along incessantly as we Looked out at the Island's beaches cast in watercolor: the washed-out blue of an early summer sky, the muted earthen tones of the silky sand, the translucent whisper of the horizon, at that indiscernible point where the sea meets the sky.

We had been motoring along for almost and hour and a half, land had long been left behind and she still wouldn't tell me where we were going, enjoying my obvious impatience and frustration at being kept in the dark saying only.

"You'll find out soon enough babe."

A short while later a cluster of small islands came into view and Emily finally disclosed it as our destination for today. They were quite a magnificent sight as they appeared on the horizon surrounded by golden sand and cerulean blue waters so clear I swear I could see right down to the bottom. Emily positioned the boat beside a buoy in the bay of one of the islands and began to slowly drop the anchor. Fish small as rice grains flickered to and fro from the sandy beaches of the island to the boat and below. The sandy cove had a cliff edge on either side, which provided it shelter from the worst of the sea and prevailing winds. Although on a day like today it needed no protection the sea was as calm as a lake and only a warm gentle breeze wafted around us.

After she had secured the boat she joined me on the bow

"Well what would you like to do now?" she beamed

"What are my options?" I grinned back

"If you're hungry we can have some brunch, go for a snorkel or have a walk around the island, what would you prefer?"

"I could eat, then maybe a walk around the island."

"I was hoping you'd say that, I'm starving." She disappeared down the back of the boat returning moments later with a large esky. I watched her set out plastic plates, containers and cutlery on a picnic blanket before announcing proudly what was on offer.

"Right so, we have bagels, bacon and cream cheese, I've also got some yogurt and fruit if you would rather that. Coffee in that flask or if you're feeling adventurous I made us some mango pineapple smoothies earlier. So just get stuck in" she smiled

"Christ Em, you don't come half prepared eh. This looks awesome babes, thank you."

"You're kind of worth the effort" she responded coyly.

I smiled lost in those beautiful brown eyes momentarily and said

"You're kind of perfect ya know" before I leant across and kissed her briefly on the lips.

I didn't realize how hungry I was until I started eating, wolfing down everything that was on offer. Her mango pineapple creation was divine, the perfect summer time drink to enjoy as we lay on the blanket chatting, baking in the midday sun. We took the little rib over to the cove and came ashore for a walk around the island. It was absolutely stunning; we walked up onto the cliffs edge and looked out onto the wide never-ending sea of blue. It felt like it was our own private island and a huge part of me would have been content to stay there with Emily forever. The blazing sun beat down on the smooth, weathered rocks of the cliff side. The crisp seaweed pushed onto the rocks by the waves, lay baking at the sea's edge, occasionally moving with the tide. The clear blue sea's waves rattling the tiny pebbles, embedded in the golden sand.

"It's so beautiful Em, I'd didn't even know it existed. I've not seen it in any pictures or postcards."

"Not many people do, none of the tourist charters come this far out. It's really a place that's just for the locals. Even so not many of them bother coming this far out; they prefer to stay at the islands closer to the mainland. Which suits me fine, I prefer not to share it with anyone well apart from you that is." She smiled " The shelf has risen up here therefore the water isn't very deep and it's sheltered by the cliffs on either side so it's great for snorkeling. Lots of different types of fish are attracted to the calm sometimes especially in summer almost tropical waters of the bay where plankton is plentiful. We keep this to ourselves a tourist free zone.

"I'm glad you've let me see it Em."

"You've not seen anything yet." She winked "Come on let's get back to the boat, if we're lucky we may have some visitors dropping by in a bit."

By the time we got back to the boat we were both dying to go for a swim it had gotten really hot and there wasn't much shade. That first plunge into the turquoise water was like diving into a snow bank, refreshingly cool. Emily of course dived perfectly of the bow of the boat into the deep water below surfacing what felt like an hour later telling of turtles below. She took my hand and we duck dived back under the ocean's surface, to where the turtles were resting. That afternoon we snorkeled for hours seeing all manner of sea life, from rays, turtles and numerous large schools of fish. She even had me swim alongside a couple of basking sharks, all fear for these magnificent creatures now gone by their gentle shy nature. Swimming so close propelled by their stream is an unbelievable outer world experience and something I feel truly humbled to have experienced. The way the rays of sunlight looked from below the surface was mesmerizing how it bounced of the sea grass and plant life below changing the colours making everything more vivid. I could have stayed there forever, floating on my back in the refreshingly cool water. Emily swam up beside me wrapping her arms around my waist; I placed mine around her neck and kissed her softly. There's something so indescribably sexy about wet skin on skin, an embrace with Emily in the sea and a passionate kiss underwater reaching the surface gasping for air but not wanting to break away from those soft supple lips. She cupped my face in her hands. She kissed me lightly on my wet lashes, on the tip of my nose and finally she kissed my waiting lips. It was a long, tender and expressive kiss.

"There's a really cool underwater cave at the bottom of the cliff, if you want to go down and see it?" she asked when we had both broken free.

"Aye sure, I'm up for that. How far down is down? Remember not everyone can dive like you little mermaid."

"It's not that far, I'll help out if you need it but you should be grand."

I swam the short distance after Emily to the base of the cliff, she took my hand and taking a deep breadth I jackknifed under the surface after her. She had thought me that move our first day snorkeling and I'd finally mastered it. About three quarters of the way down I began to struggle for air, Emily was still holding my hand so I pulled her back a little and signaled that I needed to go back to the surface, she shook her head and placed her lips on mine, I slowly opened mine with hers and she gave me some air. Scary as it was, I didn't panic, I trusted Em, she knew what she was doing, and she'd keep me safe I was sure of that. I signaled that I was ok now and we continued our descent into the hole at the base of the cliff surfacing moments later in a large cave.

"Are you ok? You were so calm and relaxed, you didn't panic at all."

"I was scared, I didn't think I'd even be able to make it back up in time when I signaled to you. Then you shock your head and I guess I just knew you'd look after me. I didn't think that you could do that underwater I always thought it was just something invented by Baywatch," I laughed

"Oh sweet so does that mean you see me as some hot lifeguard from the show then?" she asked with a cheeky grin

"I was thinking more like the Hoff." I sniggered. Which resulted in me getting a face full of water.

"You cheeky wee bitch, I practically save your life and you compare me to the Hoff! Next time your on your own Blondie." She giggled, climbing out of the water up onto a ledge. Taking my hand she helped me up and I could finally take in where we actually where. It was quite the spectacle, it was lit with sunlight coming from a large hole high up on the roof of the cave. We were surrounded by a wondrously varied world of stalactites and stalagmites some of which had to be thousands of years old. Drops of water splashed nosily onto the floor; glistening beautifully giving the sense of this world that is growing right before our very eyes. Emily showed me around the cave pointing out structures that looked like animals and objects, there was a very cool group of stalagmites that had clumped together and now resembled an elephant complete with ears and trunk. We swam about the floor of the cave Emily pointing out everything from brightly coloured starfish, sea hares, sea squirts to funky little clingfish and the exotic looking red blenny.

The journey back to the surface was a lot easier than the dive down and I made it back without any assistance from Emily. Once we emerged we swam back to the boat for some lunch. Em really had come fully prepared with another array of foods for us, fruit, pasta salad, baguettes, wraps, tuna and chicken all washed down with some ice cold cider. We lay on the bow nets sunning ourselves, drying off in the intense heat of the sun enjoying an icy cold Bulmers.

"This place is pretty amazing eh. I bet you bring all the girls here." I teased. I knew Emily was no angel, there had been other girls before me I wasn't any different in that respect.

"It is very special to me therefore I could only ever share it with someone I found as equally special."

"Sure" I smirked.

"I mean it Naoms, I've never taken anyone other than Effy and the others out here before. This place means the world to me and I wouldn't trust just anyone with it. Sure there have been other girls in my life but I've never wanted to share this, never trusted them enough to bring them out here. It's different with you Naomi and I hope I'm not wrong about it."

Christ I knew it was special to Emily, you could clearly see that by how passionately she talked about it but I never realized just how much, I was delighted that she'd let me experience it with her, that she trusted me enough to show it to me, trusted me enough to bring me here.

"I understand Em and I'm so unbelievably happy you that you choose to share it with me." I moved closer and smiled nuzzling my head into her shoulder. "I didn't mean to upset you with my teasing"

She giggled "I guess you're forgiven ya eejit, could hardly stay upset with you for too long."

"So when are these mysterious visitors arriving? Is it Effy and the others?" I asked

"Not long and nope." She grinned

"Not Effy and the others… then who, have I met them before?"

"Errm…aye kind of" she giggled obviously amused by my confusion.

"You're not going to tell me anymore are you?"

"Nope" she laughed getting up, "they'll be here soon." She grabbed her binoculars and climbed up to where the mast stood looking out across the vast expanse of blue.

After a while scanning the horizon she joined me back on the bow of the boat, grinning, "they're on their way"

I looked out scanning the distance "here let me have a go on those, I can't see anything."

She passed me the binoculars and I searched the horizon for any sign of a boat. "You're full of crap, there's nothing out there."

"Maybe you're not looking for the correct thing" she smirked

"Well I'm assuming it's a boat, what else could it be?" I asked as I heard Effy's voice on the radio.

This is the love shack calling the sea faring lesbians over…

"Keep looking, I'll go see with those eejits want"

Sea faring lesbians here, go ahead love shack over…

What's the craic? There is talk of a party in the woods, what's your ETA? over...

We don't have one, still at the island. Will probably give it a miss, over…

Hang on; you're at the island? Over…

Yes at the island and to answer your next question, yes I'm going to let her meet them, over…

You love her, over…

Fuck off, over…

As requested fucking off, enjoy, love shack out.

Laters, sea faring lesbians out.

I was giggling when she came down to the front of the boat

"What's so funny?"

"You two eejits."

"Oh you heard that then?" she asked coyly

"Some of it, sea faring lesbians, a love shack and a party was about all I got" I lied, I'd heard all of it, the surprise in Effy's voice when she discovered Emily had taken me out here and that I was to meet these mysterious people. I felt awful at my teasing now, this place was obviously a hell of a lot more special to Em than I had first thought and her sharing it with anyone was not at all a common occurrence.

"She was just wanting to know when we would be back" she said breaking into a huge smile "Look they're hear!" she said pointing out to the left of the boat "I knew my girls wouldn't let me down."

I looked to where she was pointing searching the surface of the water until my eyes found what she had seen. Sleek, silvery grey dorsal fins breaking the surface of the water within meters of the boat. I looked over to Em who was just taking in my reaction a massive smile on her face, her brown eyes sparkling. I had so many questions, how did she know they would come? And why here? Are they here year round or is this just a once a year thing that only she knows? But I couldn't speak; I just stood staring out at them a gormless grin on my face. It was all so surreal. They were so captivating, few creatures in the animal kingdom command the breathless awe and respect a dolphin can. With its grace, intelligence, and seeming eagerness to entertain, I can see how the dolphin captures the imagination and affection of almost everyone they encounter. They were quite acrobatic putting on a show for us with their spectacular leaps, jumps, side slaps and backflips.

"You girls are just showing off now," she shouted, laughing, as two of the dolphins leapt out of the water in what was a perfectly synchronized movement.

"Those two show offs are Kalina and Meara."

"They have names?"

"Aye they have names, the one with the grove in her dorsal fin is Meara's daughter Niamh. The dolphin closest to the cove is Bronagh and the absolutely beautiful wee one jumping around her is Keela, her baby, who isn't even a year old yet. The three resting by the rocks are Flute, Cara and Samu. Ailbe has the white dorsal fin and the one that just popped her head up beside Samu is Saoirse."

"How…why…I have so many questions I don't know where to start." I finally managed to say.

"How did I know they would come here?" She asked and I nodded

"They come everyday around this time to rest in the shallows. It's safe here; there are never any boats well apart from mine. So the adults can sleep while the younger ones play safe in the knowledge that no harm will come to them. I discovered it by chance one day, the engine got flooded so Effy and I had to stay a bit longer than we normally would to fix it. That's when we saw them come in for the first time. We knew there were dolphins occasionally spotted in the area we just didn't realize the same ones hung around all year or what their patterns were. We spent the next years observing them and learning as much as we could about them."

"That's so bloody awesome Em, is there any more?"

"Aye there is another little girl Fin about there somewhere I haven't spotted her yet though. All in all there are eleven females and five males. Oengus, Bartley, Faolan, Bradan and Murtagh that we know by name. There are other groups of males that come and go but those five form their own small group and seem to stay year round."

"Oi" I giggled as a small dolphin leapt up close to the back of the boat slapping its fin as it hit the water splashing us.

"Speak of the devil eh" she sniggered "that cheeky little fecker, is Fin and she does that all the time, it's her come in I want to play signal."

"Come in? You mean…" I stuttered with excitement

"I mean she wants a better look at the funny looking mammals on the boat." She grinned

"No fucking way, we can swim with them?"

"Aye fucking way" she laughed "It's fine as long you don't chase after them or try and feed them or anything. Let them come to you ok, we can't force an interaction, if they're interested they'll come check us out."

The first thing I noticed when I put my head underwater was a funny noise. At first I thought it was air escaping from my mask, then I realized that the otherworldly clicks and whistles were coming from the dolphins. I gazed below amazed at the zooming, twirling, somersaulting creatures underneath me. Twice Emily and I got our position exactly right and joined three dolphins, swimming in formation with them, feeling almost as smooth and as graceful as they were. It was the most amazing experience; flashing grey torpedoes, the water filled with whistles, splashes and our laughter, surrounded us. I later found out from Emily the buzzing I felt when a dolphin came close and spun to the side to make eye contact with me was her actually using her echolocation on me to get a good feel of what I looked like.

After about an hour in the water Emily suggested we go back to the boat and let them rest.

"That was easily the most fantastic experience I've ever had, thank you so much." I gushed

"Couldn't think of anyone else in the world I'd rather share it with Naoms" she beamed back at me. This has to stay a secret though, you understand that yeah?"

"My lips are sealed, I won't tell a soul."

"Well you can talk about it to some people, the rest of the guys know and your mum and dad are ok too."

"It's ok I think I understand why you want to keep it secret babe"

"It's just that dolphins have been interacting with humans for as long as we have known of their existence. During that time, their most dangerous predator and the only one to have dramatically reduced their population is the human. This cove is a safe haven for them, I'd hate that to change."

"I can well imagine that too many people in the water could be disruptive, that visits day after day would be wearing, and that some people, there are always a few, might try to touch or feed them."

"Exactly! While our time swimming here was great and as much as I would love to swim with them everyday I know that's not fair. If the dolphins don't get adequate downtime, it could make it more difficult for them to fish, to avoid predators at night and to look after their young."

"I agree with you Emily I think that would change if people found out about this little piece of paradise."

"I'm convinced it would, as too is everyone that knows about them. It would become a huge tourist pull and I believe eventually drive them to less-safe areas for relaxation or from this coastline completely."

"Your secret is safe with me, I promise." I smiled, kissing her softly on the cheek. We lay on the bow nets, kissing in between watching the little dolphins playing while the adults rested, Emily telling me the many interesting facts about these magnificent creatures. For instance how truly incredible is an animal that can let one half of its brain sleep while the other half is awake.

"What are you thinking about?" she smiled

"Just how perfect a day this has been and how I don't want it to end"

"It doesn't have to. We could go back to the bay, drop anchor and spend the night on the boat if you like?" She grinned "Don't look so terrified, spend the night as in just sleep Naoms. I'm happy to wait until we are both ready."

"We can do that?" I asked loving how Emily knew exactly what I was thinking without me saying a word.

"Sure we can, we can do anything you want."

"Deadly, lets do that then" I smiled, its not like I haven't slept with a girl before but they had only ever been a one time thing, I wanted it to be perfect with Emily, I wanted to be sure I was really ready for all this first. I wanted to take our time and do things properly.

"Sweet, want to sail back?" she grinned, "I'll show you how to hoist the mainsail."

"Yeah ok, I've always wanted to have a go at that."

We went up to the mast after positioning the boat in the direction the light breeze was blowing in. She explained the different parts and the steps involved in hoisting the mainsail. Firstly we loosened the mainsheet Emily explaining this was so that wind against the rising sail does not cause resistance. The goal being to get the leading edge of the sail to face into the wind so that the sail is not strained by wind blowing against either side. Next was the halyard a wire line that rises from deck level to the masthead this is pulled down by hand until the luff is tight. Em explained problems that sometimes arise and how she would normally rectify them. Like if the halyard becomes tight before the sail is up this is usually due to the boltrope or sail slugs jamming or by the free section of the main halyard wrapping around something. If either problem arises it's easily fixed by lowering the sail a bit to clear it, then proceeded as before. When the luff was as tight as we could possibly get it, the halyard was cleated off. Now we were ready, Emily pushed the boom out into the wind turning the boat off the wind and we began to sail back to the bay.

"Well that was more fun than I thought it would be" I grinned "How did I do?"

"You picked it up fast, we might make a sea faring lesbian out off you yet." She giggled. Fuck the sound of that giggle makes me melt every time it sends my tummy tumbling and my heart to do funny things.

There wasn't much of a wind that evening as we slowly made our way back. Off in the distance the sun was beginning to set in a sleepy unhurried fashion. It's colors swirling together in a muddled mass across the sky. As the sunset shone onto the calm waters, the colors splashed onto the sail in vast arrays of yellows, reds and oranges. It was beautiful. I stood at the back of the boat looking out at the sun's reflection on the glassy smooth water, the ripples of the wake breaking the surface behind. Thinking about what a wonderful experience this day has been. Thinking about Emily and how much I like whom I become when I'm with her, no longer the girl hiding in the shadows afraid of how I feel. I was beginning to understand that Em was the line that tied me to things I didn't understand. That I have to give myself away to her and that I think I already am beginning to and how it all scares the hell out of me.

Once Emily had found a prime spot out in the bay she secured the anchor and we settled in for the night. The tide had made full flow in the late afternoon, and by the time the sun fell low its roar loosened to a gentle sigh. Most people had deserted the beach just an hour or so before, and shore birds fought over their leavings. Streaks of deep pink, blood orange and full on red ran through wispy cloud cover like watercolors.

We decided to just sleep out under the stars in the bow nets it was warm enough tonight. Em took the duvet and pillows from the cabin so we'd be as comfy as possible. We lay there under the night sky, chatting, sipping wine and listening to music. By now the sand had cooled, and the moon made its glimmer known against the dying of the light. The night sky, unimaginably deep, I find is a breathtaking sight. Some three thousand stars can be seen with the naked eye, twinkling points of light that have inspired the human spirit since the dawn of time. Breaking the comfortable silence I asked

"So back to the dolphins, did you name them?"

"Yep well myself and Effy did, there's a little story behind some of them."

"Really, pray tell…"

"Well Saoirse means freedom and we called her that because we found her struggling at the surface of horseshoe bay tangled in some old discarded fishing nets. That is where the scar on the underside of her belly came from."

"Let me guess Fin got her name for the splashing fin slap she's now well known for." I laughed

"Exactly Fin is probably the cheekiest along with Niamh they are the two that have no problem getting as close to us as they can when we are in the water. Niamh is actually preggers at the minute, that's why she's so big."

"There's going to be a baby dolphin soon?"

"Aye the new arrival will be with us before the end of the summer, when you see how tiny him or her is you'll fall instantly in love with it, it's a certain."

"I'm excited about that, I can't imagine a dolphin smaller than Keela is. So why the name Niamh?" I asked

"Niamh means daughter of the sea and Meara is her mother which means sea. Meara is one of the oldest dolphins she's around thirty. I remember seeing her when dad used to take us out on the boat when we were kids she used to bow ride home with us to the bay without fail each time we went out. Dad used to tell us she was as old as the sea itself so we called her Meara."

"Awwh that's so cute, what about the others?"

"Kalina means beautiful face, she's always spy-hopping to get a good look at everyone and she has such a beautiful smile we thought the name was apt. Ailbe, meaning white because of her dorsal fin. Samu means boy and he's the only male in the group he's Cara's son but he will leave when he's a little older and join a group of males."

"So is it usually just an all female group then?"

"Yeah, any male offspring eventually leave and join with a male group whereas the females stay together. Oengus, Bartley and Murtagh are all offspring of the females in the group and we suspect that Bradan and Faolan also are but had already left by the time we had discovered and started to observe the female group. That's probably why they stay here all year long they seem to still have a strong bond with the females."

"Christ Em you know so much about them, you've really studied them eh."

"Yeah I've spent a lot of time with them, but I love it, watching them, seeing how they interact and discovering the new things I didn't know before." She smiled

"That's so awesome Em, you're going to breeze through university, you know more about the ocean than anyone I've ever met before." It was true she knows everything and speaks so passionately about it. I find myself wanting to do marine science more and more each day. "Any other stories behind the other names?"

"Thanks Naoms, very sweet of you to say. Ok where was I…oh aye, Cara of course means friend and she got given that name because of what happened with Bronagh which when translated means sorrowful. We found her back in the cove with her deceased newborn calf; we watched her repeatedly lifting the corpse to the surface. Repeating it over and over again, sometimes frantically, during two days of observation. It was heartbreaking to watch. She never separated from her calf; she seemed unable to accept the death. During those few days Cara repeatedly appeared with fish for her, sometimes just swimming closely beside her touching her gently with her fin in what could only be described as a comforting gesture. Like I said before it was heart wrenching to watch, being unable to help her. It wasn't all sadness for Bronagh though, the little bundle of cuteness she has by her side now is Keela which loosely translated is a beauty that only poetry can capture"

"That's a very fitting name giving what Bronagh had to endure before the little beauty Keela came along. What about Flute and the boys?"

"Flute was an easy choice, we had been on the boat drinking and goofing around when one of the our flutes fell into the water. Later that week we saw Flute playing with it flipping it in the air with her tail over and over. The boys Oengus and Bartley have no real story behind their name we just think it suits them. Faolan means wolf and he got that because of how he gets the other boys to hunt almost pack like. Bradan means salmon and he got that because I noticed him a few days in a row hanging around at the mouth of the river. I was intrigued so I got a bit closer and I saw he was lying in wait catching the salmon going up the river to spawn, he's so intelligent. Finally Murtagh translates as sea skilled and if you ever get the chance to see him you'll know why, he's so acrobatic, really skillful. Some of the jumps he does are mind blowing."

"You know you never cease to amaze me, you're not doing anything in the way of convincing me you're actually not a mermaid. Now you actually hang out with a pod of dolphins." I beamed at her.

We chatted for hours that night learning more and more about each other, falling more and more for each other. I disclosed how on hearing her sing I openly swoon and how I'd loved to be able to sing or play guitar even half as good as she does. As soon as I'd said it she gave me that oh so sexy Emily lopsided grin and announced

"We can fix that" before disappearing down into the cabin and returning with a guitar. "What song do you want to learn?"

"Em I'm not musical at all, I can't even play the triangle in tune."

"That's crap, anyone can play guitar and sing its easy babe, pick a song?

"Ok fine prepare to be proven wrong." I smirked "you pick one though."

"Hmm… how about 'Yellow' it's quite apt being here with you, under the stars." She smiled.

That night under the stars, floating in the bay she thought me to play 'Yellow' which was to be forever our song serenading me with it and a version of 'You're the one that I want' that was haunting, so beautiful and soulful it now has a permanent place in my heart. She sang a slowed down and stripped back and altogether more tender version of 'Young blood' the lyrics

We lie beneath the stars at night

Our hands gripping each other tight

You keep my secrets hope to die

Promises, swear them to the

Perfectly suited to where we were, our thoughts, all the secrets we had shared. Her voice, the sound that penetrates to the depths of my heart.

As we snuggled down for the night I asked, "We're not really just going to go straight to sleep are we? We can…" before I could finish I felt the now familiar feel of her lips on mine. The kiss was fierce and determined, and after a moment of surprise I responded hungrily. Her body was pressed tightly against mine, and I ran my hands down her back.

"I know you're not ready yet but I want you so much right now," she whispered as we broke apart at last for air.

"It's okay," I murmured, stroking her hair soothingly. We kissed again, this time more tenderly. It was intoxicating. We were breathless when we finally broke apart. My eyes lingered on the outline of her nipples, now visible through her bikini top. She followed my gaze. "You perv!" She giggled. She tried to tickle me, but I caught her wrists and it ended in another long kiss.

"I want to do so many things to you," I whispered into her ear, as we broke apart again. She traced a fingertip seductively around my lips and rolled on top of me, gazing down at me, her expression tender. "You're so bloody perfect Naoms" She brushed a stray hair away from my eyes. As if to highlight her point, she leant down and kissed me again. Her tongue traced lightly around the inside of my lips, teasing me for what seemed an age, before finally meeting mine.

"You're so beautiful," I said, my voice raw. She broke out into a massive smile. I ran a finger down her cheek until I reached her bottom lip; I trailed the back of my thumb across it.

I planted a series of delicate kisses along the length of her neck and in the hollows above her collarbone. Her skin was silky smooth and she smelt faintly of summer. I traced a fingertip around the dolphin pendant that lay hanging against the nape of her neck. I brushed my lips against it. I felt her tremble underneath me.

Unable to resist her breasts any longer I ran a finger lightly around one of her nipples. It hardened instantly. I moved my mouth to it and trailed my tongue around it in a lazy, circular motion. She moaned softly and ran a hand through my hair.

I moved a hand down to her waist and started to fumble with the buttons on her denim shorts. She didn't resist. I took her entire nipple into my mouth and I suckled on it hungrily. Emily's breathing became ragged. At the same time I began running my fingers along the outside of her bikini bottoms. I could feel she was wet. I positioned my knee between her legs and pushed it gently up against her crotch. She spread her legs further apart and began thrusting her hips against me. Her hips and my knee now moving in a gentle, erotic rhythm.

I returned my mouth to hers and we shared a long, passionate kiss. "Oh god, Naoms," she breathed when we broke apart at last. "You should stop. I can't hold…"

But it was too late. I felt her pelvic muscles contract beneath me and she screamed out.

"Did you just do what I think you did?" I asked, disbelieving.

She nodded bashfully, her eyes shining.

I rolled off of her onto my side. I couldn't stop myself from laughing. "You are so easy."

"Hey!" She swatted at me, indignant.

"So much for waiting...You have zero self control." I teased, still laughing.

"That so doesn't count," she huffed. "And it's not normally that quick."

"Obviously it's my awesome skills then," I quipped, playing with her hair.

"You cocky little shit!" She attempted to tickle me, but I was ready for her. I caught her hands and wrapped my arms tightly around her, so that we were side-by-side, spooning.

She stopped struggling and lay there locked in my arms. I planted butterfly kisses along her shoulder. She sighed contentedly. I pushed her hair to one side and began kissing the side of her neck. She had such a beautiful, long, elegant neck.

"You're incredible," I said, my lips against her ear.

"You're pretty damn incredible too." Her voice was low and husky. She moved my hand to her breast and held it over her heart.

We lay like that, our bodies entwined, worn out as we slowly drifted off to sleep. There is something truly mystical about being on the sea at night it almost beckons to me. Rocking gently on the water the sweet gentle breeze rustling my hair, the silence of the night only brings to ear the sounds of water gently lapping against the boat. I love how the infinite sea and sky meld into each other making me feel small yet so significant to be in its presence.

On the boat, sleep comes fast and hard, the soughing of the waves a gentle lullaby, the salt air a conductor for easy, peaceful dreams. With sleep closing in, I lay with a now sleeping Emily wrapped in my arms, the perfect end to the most perfect of days.

I'm going to move this story to an M rating when I update next so if you're looking for me that's where I'll be :-)