I squealed and dropped my bag as my aunt nearly crushed in a massive hug as soon as I stepped out the taxi in front of her large villa in Orlando, hearing Isaac chuckle from behind me. My aunt rocked me side to side slightly before kissing my head and pulling back to look at me.
"You look so much better than the last time I saw you with him. No bruises and a smile on your face." She pinched my cheeks lightly and kissed my nose before her attention was grabbed by the boy standing behind me, making me grin as she launched herself at him; talking so fast to Isaac I think even he had trouble keeping up with her despite his wolf hearing.
"Sally, tone it down a little or you'll scare him off." I smiled, seeing Isaac's grin flash towards me while my aunt smiled sheepishly before herding us into her villa which she shared with my uncle, but he was away on work right now and wouldn't be back for a couple more months.
"I told you before, I'm not going anywhere." Isaac whispered, leaning down and kissing the top of my head which made me smile as my cheeks warmed up a little.
"I know, but I still get paranoid. I can't help it." I said quietly before realising that my aunt had stopped and was looking back at us. I gave her a questioning look which made her smile as she looked at me with a soft expression.
"I haven't seen you this happy and relaxed in years, it's a relief to see and a little heart-warming." She said. "And I think I have Isaac to thank for that, you've saved my niece and I can never be grateful enough for that."
"She's saved me as well."
/
I snuck up to the side of the swimming pool and slowly crouched down before quickly making a scooping motion with my hands and cupping them around a small lizard, successfully catching him. I peered through my fingers and saw him bumping around in the enclosed space, making me stand up with a grin.
"What are you doing?" Isaac asked, walking over in a pair of swimming trunks; making me blush lightly as I tried not to stare at his chest before opening my hands up to reveal the tiny lizard resting on my palm.
"I caught one." I smiled, looking up at him to see him chuckle with a smile on his face.
"You're cute." He commented, ruffling my hair a little before catching the lizard as it jumped from my hands; making it land in his large one. I went to pick it back up, but squeaked when its tail came off; making me jump back as Isaac laughed at my reaction. "It's normal, they do that to avoid danger." He explained, putting the little lizard on a plant along with its now detached tail. I pulled a face before nearly falling backwards into the swimming pool, making my boyfriend chuckle. "You're still clumsy."
"I told you I have the unique talent of clumsiness." I pouted, adjusting the loose fitting white swimsuit cover-up I was wearing as it twisted slightly. "Don't make fun of me." I waddled slightly to keep my balance as his arms went around me, pulling me closer and making me feel the warmth coming from him. "What are you doing?" I asked, looking up at him suspiciously.
"Nothing." He shrugged lightly before I realised he was edging me closer to where the pool was, making me cling onto him.
"No, Isaac I can't swim!" He stopped and looked down at me as I was tightly latched onto him. "I was never taught how." I said softly, looking downwards to where my feet had locked around his calves.
"Hey, there's no need to be embarrassed; loads of people can't swim. I'll teach you if you want." I looked back up at him to see the gentle smile on his face and felt myself relax a little more as the panic left me.
"When?" I asked, making him chuckle.
"Well, seeing as we have a pool right behind you why don't we start now?"
/
Isaac's POV
"I'm getting wrinkly!" Steph whined, splashing a little as she waved her arms around. I swam over to her and grabbed her face between my hands, looking down at her.
"Hmm, yeah, I'm starting to see some coming. You might want to watch out for them." I chuckled when she huffed at me, squishing her cheeks together before kissing her and letting go so she could continue floating around.
"That's not what I meant, my fingers are getting pruney." I jerked my head back slightly as she shoved her hands in my face so I could look at her small fingers which were starting to wrinkle at the tips, making me smile.
"We've been in here for nearly three hours, what do you expect would happen?"
"But I don't want to shrivel up."
"You won't shrivel up." I pulled her closer by the waist and looked down at her. "But hey, you can swim now. It may only be basic, but it can be lifesaving." She nodded and hugged me, making me run my fingers through her wet hair as her head leant on my chest. She jumped up and I moved my head back a little so she wouldn't hit her head on my chin as her legs curled around my waist.
"Thank you for coming here with me." she said softly, resting her forehead on mine. I smiled just before she kissed me, she was getting bolder and I was proud of her for slowly creeping out of the protective shell she'd built from when her father was still alive. She had my protection now, as well as the packs and Derek's.
"I'd go anywhere with you."