Chapter 9: Love in the Islands

The flight from Australia to Hawaii have been very smooth and without any problems from Ripslinger. Rachel had gotten up close to him and told him that she knew he was smart, but what he did was his choice alone and left him to think on it.

The kids were ecstatic to learn that they have come in second and Rachel decided that they had earned some fun time.

"Okay, guys, what should we do first?" she asked.

"How about say 'hi,'?" asked a voice and the kids whirled around to see…,

"Skipper!" Rachel exclaimed, running up to him to hug his wing.

"El Chu!" Dylan exclaimed, hugging his best friend.

"Bulldog!" Amber squealed happily and hugged his wing. All three mentors returned the affection.

"This is great surprise," Rachel said to them.

"We glad you enjoyed it," said Skipper. "Now, how about a luau?"

The kids readily agreed and they enjoyed the good food and the celebration. Later on, Dylan walked along the quiet beach and saw Amber up ahead, enjoying the warm ocean water at her feet and the aromatic air around her.

"Hi, Amber," said Dylan. "May I join you?"

Amber smiled at him. "Sure," she said and patted the space beside her. Dylan smiled and sat down, looking out at the ocean. After a few minutes of silence, he spoke.

"Amber," he said. "Um, you know, uh…,"

"Yes?" she answered encouragingly when she saw how nervous he was.

"Um, I really like you," he said in a bit of a rush. "A lot."

Amber was surprised and then she blushed. "I like you a lot too," she said. "More than friends."

They both moved closer and kissed. The three mentors and Rachel watched from a distance.

"It's about time they 'fessed up," Rachel said. "Now nothing can tear them apart."

"Si, love is beautiful," said El Chu, thinking of his love back home waiting for him.

No more words were said as the four left to give the two lovebirds more privacy under the night's peaceful magic.

Woo-hoo! Didn't see that coming, did you? Yes, Dylan and Amber have liked each other for a long time and just never confessed it. But Hawaii has magic that many lovers cannot ignore and that's what makes it so beautiful.

Next chapter: They make it back home and who will win the race? Ripslinger, or will he be once again bested by teamwork from the Flight Hearts?