Chapter 12

A/N: I haven't forgot about this story and its faithful readers. It's been a crazy 4 months with school. Man you take a year off and forget the amount of work there is. But it's Christmas break so Merry Christmas

The next morning it was bright and sunny when everyone woke up.

"Perfect day for a catamaran tour" Hawkes said as they all sat eating breakfast.

"Now, Vincent said that Playa Flamingo is about a 45 minute drive from here. So wee should be leaving 7:45am at the latest in case it takes longer. It's now 7:15 by the way," Mac said as he took a sip of his coffee. Stella took her coffee and went to change, as did Don and Jess. Everyone else had already changed and was ready. Danny and Lindsay decided to take a walk out on the rocks, because the tide was out.

"You wearing your brown bikini I like so much?" Don asked changing.

"Uh, sort of. I'm wearing the one that has brown bottoms, with a red band at the top, and the top is a halter with red straps, and it has a red, purple and yellow flower on it as well." Jess said walking out of the bathroom.

"I like it. Is it new?" Don asked smiling.

"I bought it at the end of the summer" Jess said throwing on a pair of shorts and a t-shirt over her suit. They grab a couple of items before heading out.

They all left at 7:45am and arrived at Playa Flamingo at 8:55am. They took a small motorboat over to the catamaran, where they discovered they were the only group on the boat. They proceeded out into the ocean. As they boat continued on towards the spot they would be dropping anchor, their guide said: "If you look over to the left, you will see some sea turtles" He said pointing.

"I think we might be interrupting something," Lindsay said, realizing what the turtles were actually doing. Everyone laughed as the boat continued on. They traveled for close to an hour before dropping anchor.

"Ok, here are your snorkels, masks, and flippers. Now, would you prefer noodles or life jackets to help keep you afloat?" their guide Jesus asked.

Everyone opted for pool noodles except for Adam who went with the life jacket. Jess also passed on the flippers in favour of protecting her ankle, as she didn't tape it or wear her brace. Don grabbed Jess's hand as they swam out. The ocean floor looked so beautiful and very cool. They saw fish, coral, and even a baby octopus. Even Adam enjoyed the experience; once he was put on his life jacket and was constantly reassured no sharks would eat him. After a while they made their way back to the boat for a snack.

After the snack, Jess and Stella decided to investigate the beach that was in front of the boat. Don, Danny, Hawkes and Mac snorkeled on the other side of the boat and Lindsay and Adam decided to try the sea kayaks that were on the boat. A short while later, they were all back on the catamaran and were enjoying a most excellent lunch.

"This is perfect" Danny said eating a sandwich.

"Danny's right. Everything about this outing is great. The sun, sand, surf, coral it's all awesome" Adam said with a smile.

They all enjoyed their lunch before a group photo. After lunch they headed back towards the shore because it was looking like it was going to rain. On their way back to the villa they stopped at a roadside souvenir market, just past the entrance to Playa Flamingo. Everyone bought a beach towel. Jess, Adam and Mac picked the towel with the sea turtles on it; Lindsay and Stella picked the towel with the butterflies and Don, Danny and Hawkes, picked the towel with the frogs.

"When we get back to the villa, we need to discuss the activity for tomorrow and what is happening tomorrow" Mac said as they got back in their cars.

They arrived back at the villa shortly after 3:30pm; everyone grabbed a snack before they sat down at the table.

"Ok, so we have the eco adventure tour planned for tomorrow." Mac said.

"Eco adventure tour. What does that entail exactly?" Danny asked.

"I'm glad you asked. We have the option of either a one-day or a two-day excursion. The only difference between them is that if we choose the two-day, we spend the night in the hotel there and do one activity on the second day. But the three main activities we will be doing regardless are: horseback riding, white water tubing down the river, and a zip lining canopy tour. Lunch is also on the agenda. If we stayed over, the activity on day two would be a waterfalls canyoning tour." Mac explained as he talked about each activity. They then voted and settled on the one-day excursion with horseback riding, tubing and zip lining.

"I should mention that we need to be there by 9 and it is all the way out back towards the airport, so we need to be out of here by 7" Mac added.

"Sounds good, so do we have anything planned for this afternoon?" Danny asked.

"Only thing we have is another question fro the chief."

"Which is…?"

"The question is 'what is something no one knows about you? This can include a middle name, a hidden talent, etc." Mac read. "Who wants to start?"

"I will," said Lindsay. "Let's see, my first horse was named Stinky, because when I was 3 I thought he smelled, so I called him Stinky. Danny?"

"Cute Linds. My middle name is Alfonse. How bout you Angell?"

"I am half Canadian, and have duel citizenship, with both Canada and the US. My mom born in a little town in Quebec, and retained her citizenship, so now I have duel citizenship. Hawkes?"

"My parents waited 6 weeks to name me. Stella?"

"My middle name is Elenie and I have a rather large fear of spiders. Adam?"

"Clowns and mimes terrify the crap out of me. Don?"

"I didn't learn to swim till I was about 9 at which point my ma made me take lessons, which I am grateful for now. Mac?"

"When I was in high school and university I was in a band. In high school we were called the 'The Weasels' and in university we were 'The Jazz Monkeys.'" He said.

"Interesting" said Stella.

"Well, high school was more of a rock and roll band which I didn't particularly care for, but the 'Jazz monkeys' were better, is was a Jazz band"

"That's cool. What was your favourite thing you played with the 'Jazz Monkeys'?" Lindsay asked.

"I would have to go with our rendition of 'Wonderful world' and 'It had to be you.' We did pretty good renditions of both. Did anyone else play an instrument in school?" Mac asked.

"I played piano" Stella said.

"I played the flute in Jr. High. Not something I was good at or enjoyed" Jess said.

"I played clarinet," Lindsay said.

"Trumpet" said Adam.

"Sax" Don said.

"Trombone" said Hawkes.

"I had the honour of playing the drums," Danny said smiling.

"Why does that not surprise me?" said Stella laughing.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Danny asked.

"Ok. Enough you two." Mac said refereeing. Meanwhile, Don and Jess had managed to sneak off to their room and were currently engaged in a rather heavy make out session.

"Best. Vacation. Ever." Don said between kisses.

"Uh-huh" was all Jess said as she flipped them over on the bed, so Don was on his back, and she was on top.

"That's good work detective" Don said smiling.

"Shut up" Jess said kissing him again, as she set to work getting his t-shirt off. Unfortunately it didn't go any further as there was a knock at the door.

"Ugh, buzz kill" Jess mumbled falling forward onto Don's chest.

"Jess. Don. Just letting you know that dinner is ready" Adam called from outside their door.

"Ok. Thanks Adam." Don said stroking Jess's hair.

"Guess we should go eat" Jess mumbled from her position on Don.

"Yeah" Don replied, neither of them moving. However, Don's stomach rumbled right after he said that.

"Alright" Jess said as she rolled off Don so he could get up and they could go eat. After dinner, they walked across the lawn to the hammocks, where they lay looking up at the stars.

"I love you Donald Flack." Jess said as they were lying there.

"I love you too Jessica Angell" he said kissing her.

"So honestly, are you looking forward to our wedding?" she asked.

"Absolutely. I can't wait to be married to you and too spend the rest of our lives together"

"Good. Just checking. I can't wait either" Jess said as they relaxed and looked at the stars in the night sky.

"I think the last time I saw stars like this was at your parent's place in Vermont" Don said.

"Probably. New York isn't exactly the best star gazing city," Jess said looking at her watch.

"What time is it?"

"About 10:30. We should think about heading to bed, seeing as we have to be up early tomorrow for our Eco adventure tour" Jess replied as she got out of the hammock.

"Sounds good" Don said getting up after her. They headed back across the lawn to their room, where they fell asleep shortly after.

A/N. Hope this makes up for the delay in updating Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!