"To fear love is to fear life, and those who fear life are already three parts dead"

Betrand Russel, Marriage and Morals ch 19

Lena was sleeping peacefully before the sun had risen. She had been home two days. It was good to be home. There was a tap on the window that woke her up. Kostos was standing below her window.. Just what Lena needed to complicate her life.

"What the hell are you doing here?"

"I need to talk to you." he yelled back, "Can you please come down?"

"Why should I?" she asked.

"I want to talk to you face to face. Please! This is so impersonal."

Lena couldn't help but be drawn to talk to him. She closed her windows, changed out of her pajamas and ran downstairs, "What's up?" she asked, "Why come here after all this time?"

"I've missed you," he said tenderly.

"I missed you when you had to go back to Greece for the woman you impregnated and didn't even tell me why! Why are you here? What about your wife?" Lena said blowing Kostos off.

He looked down, "Mariana died in childbirth. I'm raising my daughter with my Grandmother."

"Where is your daughter now?"

"Lena Hypatia is still in Greece with her Great-Grandma. This is the first time I knew you would be home and I didn't feel like I was abandoning my kid."

"What did you call her?"

"I named her after you."

"I feel so honored."

"We mostly call her Patty though."

"Why are you here?"

"For you Lena. I want to make-out —er make-up with you. I'm sorry about—" he was cut off by Lena.

"Excuse the semi-morning breath," Lena said pulling Kostos into a passionate make-out session.. Passion and lust had overcome Lena. She hadn't had a kiss like that, since Kostos before.

"I wish I had come sooner," Kostos smirked.

"Why didn't you?"

"I was worried you would have a boyfriend, or that you'd hate me."

"Um… I kinda do," she looked away, "I haven't known him that long. I only wanted him because you weren't available. How about I call him at dawn and break his heart?" Lena laughed, then kissed Kostos again, "As for you, I'm past the angry stage. I am so happy to see you," she sighed "Lets go inside. The sun will be up soon, and my parents won't have a problem with you being around."

"Sure," he replied as they walked into the house, "I want to spend as much time with you as possible. I only have a week. Then I need to get back to my baby."

"Only a week?" Lena whined.

"I have responsibilities at home," Kostos defended himself.

"That is just why our first two tries at a relationship failed. We have our roots planted in different countries. You and I both have family, friends, and responsibilities. How can this work?"

"If we really love each other, we will be able to come together. I am not opposed to living in the United States. I need to get out on my own."

"You would do that for me?"

"I love you. It does not seem that bad to me."

"This is intense. I never thought I would be talking about my future with a man and kids this early in my life. It just seems right though. You know what I'm saying Kostos?"

"It does seem like the right thing to do. I can understand if you feel intimidated by the talk of commitment. In Greece, we get married earlier in life than in America."

Lena put her head on his shoulder and her arm around his stomach. He placed his hand on her hand. "I feel so safe in your arms Kostos," she said

Effie wandered down the stairs at about eight o'clock .Lena hadn't bothered to break up with her boyfriend yet because she was having a good time watching television with Kostos.

"Lena!" Effie gasped.

Lena looked up at her and smiled.

"Oh, its just you," Effie said in seeing Kostos, "Carry on."

Lena chuckled, then said to Kostos, "Should I go break up with that guy now?"

"Why don't you?" was his reply, "Then you can get dressed and I'll take you out."

"Okay," smiled Lena. Then she picked up the phone. It rang twice before Lena said, "Hey, is Brandon around?" there was a pause, "Hey Brandon. I was just calling to tell you that I can't go out with you any more. I'm sorry. Bye," then she hung up.

"Go make yourself more beautiful than you already are Lena," Kostos told her.

Lena went upstairs and used the phone in her room to call Tibby. The other sisters each were on a family day trip already.

"You will never guess who is in my living room," Lena said without saying hello.

"Let me have one guess," she said dully, "Kostos."

"How did you know?" Lena said disappointedly.

"You are totally predictable!" said Tibby, "You wouldn't be that excited for anyone else. I know you never stopped wanting him."

"He's taking me out this morning. I have to get ready. He's waiting."

"Bye."

"Later."

After getting ready, Lena ran down the stairs, "Okay! I'm ready!" she yelled, "Where are we going?"

"I'm gonna go back to my hotel to get dressed. Then, we will play it by ear."

"How far is your hotel?"

"I walked here from there, but I wouldn't recommend it," Kostos chuckled.

"Should I drive us?" she asked.

"Yes that would be nice."

"Okay," then she shouted to Effie, "Hey Eff! I'm taking the car to go out with Kostos. Can you tell mom and dad?"

"Yeah," she replied, "Bye!"

After Kostos changed in the bathroom of his hotel room, they were off again.

Following a scrumptious breakfast, they took a walk around some of the monuments. Their walk led them to taking a seat near the Einstein memorial and kissing. They couldn't keep their hands off each other. Tourists began staring at them. Lena, who was usually a very modest person, didn't care, but Kostos did. It was because of this that they somehow made their way back to Kostos's hotel room. They passionately kissed.

"I can't do this," she said, "The last time I got to this point, I got my heart broken. I will not let that happen again,"

"Thats understandable."

"Thank you for understanding."

"So then what do you want to do?"

Lena looked at the clock, "Shit! I told Bee I'd hang out with her today., and go shopping before her trip. Can I use your phone? Its a local call."

Kostos nodded.

Lena started dialing, "Hey Bee!" she said cheerfully, "I can't see you today. Something has come up."

"I know what has come up Lenny."

"Tibby blabbed?" Lena asked, "She didn't even seem interested."

"I guess Tibby is perfecting her acting now that she is accomplished at directing, filming and producing her own short film. You're going shopping whether you like it or not. Bring him along if you want. I can't wait to meet the famous Kostos."

"What if he doesn't want to?" asked Lena, "It took me all that I had in me to convince him to come to the party on Saturday."

"Does he play?" Bridget asked referring to soccer.

"Yeah."

"We could do that instead. I could see what he's got."

"What if I don't want to?"

"You don't have to play. That would be silly. It would be him versus me."

"What would I do?"

"Sit on the sidelines and look pretty?" suggested Bee.

"Fine, I'll ask him, but that means you forfeit the pants on Saturday."

"You can judge a lot about a guy by his soccer ability."

"Hang on," Lena ordered putting the phone to her chest, "Kostos, do you want to play soccer with my friend Bee? She is really good."

"Sounds fun, much more fun than shopping."

"So its settled," Lena said and put the phone back to her ear, "Yeah, sounds cool. See you."

Kostos dug through his suitcase and grabbed a pair of shorts and a T-shirt, "Hopefully this friend of yours is as good as you say she is. I need a challenge."

"So this is the famous Kostos," was what Bee said when he first saw him. Both Lena and Kostos blushed, "Its nice to finally meet you," she continued.

"Bridget is it?" Kostos asked, "Its a pleasure," they shook hands.

"Ready to get your butt kicked?" Bridget asked.

"I'm not sure it will be that easy," said Lena, "Kostos was a champion."

"Yes, but I am a little rusty," Kostos said modestly.

Thus the game commenced. The two players were evenly matched scoring only one goal a piece in the first half hour. Bridget took a sip of water at that point, while Kostos was pouring his over his head.

"He sure is handsome," Bee whispered to Lena, "and he is an awesome soccer player. I don't know how much longer I can keep up with him."

The game began again, "Go Kostos, Go Bee!" Lena shouted.

In the end, Bee tired out before Kostos and the final score was 2-1 on favor of Kostos.

"You're really good man," a panting Bridget said shaking Kostos's sweaty hand

"Thank you Bridget, you certainly were not a bad match."

"So I'll see you Saturday? The party is at my house."

"Yes."

"Cool," replied Bridget turning to Lena, "Can you come over that morning and give me a hand Lenny? I can give you the pants then."

"Sure," Lena replied, "Now go take a shower," she ordered, "Both of you stink!"

" You're later than you were yesterday.," Kostos opened the door fully dressed.

"I can't believe how tired I am!" Lena exclaimed with a yawn.

"Aww," Kostos said giving Lena another hug.

Lena plopped onto a bed, "Lets stay in today," she suggested, "We can order room service, watch tv and just sit here."

"That is fine with me," voiced Kostos, laying down next to her.

They did exactly what Lena said they would until the phone rang at 5 pm. It was Kostos's Grandmother. She was checking in because he hadn't called her since his arrival. Lena decided that she would leave, and come back tomorrow. She gave him a quick peck on the cheek as he was asking about his daugher, and then she parted.

There was one day until the party. Lena was very excited to show off Kostos to the members of the sisterhood. Carmen called Lena at 9 in the morning as Lena was getting ready to go to Kostos's hotel room.

"Hello?"

"Hey Lena!" Carmen said energetically, "What's up?"

"Carma! Its great to hear your voice. I was just going to visit Kostos. He is staying at the King's Castle hotel."

"What!"

"You haven't talked to Bee or Tibby yet?" asked Lena apologetically.

"No. I just got home around one am. I was going to call them after I called you."

"I forgot. You went away for the week."

"So what happened?"

Lena told Carmen what had happened.

"Whoa," replied Carmen.

"I feel bad that I can feel this good about someone dying though," Lena explained, "Kostos's kid doesn't have a mother, and I step in and take over her father."

"Well its been a while hasn't it?"

"Yeah," Lena said cautiously.

"So what's the problem?"

"I guess I'm just over analyzing it. Everything feels right when I'm with him."

"I mean its not like he's asked you to marry him or anything. You are just dating. You shouldn't have to worry about being a mother yet."

"But, he did break my heart. He didn't tell me about the baby until I came back for Bapi's funeral."

"That was horrid. So what are you going to do about that?"

"I don't know. I love him, but I don't know that I can trust him again."

"Just feel the situation out. If it is really meant to be, it will happen."

"Call Bee and stop trying to psychoanalyze me!" ordered Lena, "I'm going to go hang with Kostos. Goodbye." she hung up the phone.

Lena and Kostos went out to lunch and then to the movies. It was an early night. Lena had to be at Bee's bright and early to help clean and cook. Carmen was there too. Tibby went out with her boyfriend instead.

"You've met him?" Carmen asked Bridget. Bridget nodded, "No fair!" she whined, "You always get to do things first!"

"You shouldn't have gone to your Dad's house if you didn't want to be left out," said Bridget firmly.

"Bee!" Carmen yelled, "Shut up!"

"You shut up," she countered.

"You both shut up!" Lena yelled louder than either of them yelled. Then she lowered her voice, "Carma, you will meet him in 10 hours, so quit your whining."

"Here we go!" said Lena as she and Kostos got into the car before the party.

"So which is which again?" asked Kostos

"You met Bee. Beautiful blonde hair. Carmen is Hispanic, and that just leaves Tibby. Don't worry, you wont be expected to know all of them before you come in the door."

"I'm not worried," said Kostos. "Do I seem worried?"

"Yes," giggled Lena, "Just be yourself. These people are all my friends, and if they don't like you, I'll kick their asses."

"I don't think you can beat up Bridget."

"Yeah? Well she already likes you, so that doesn't matter."

"Good. I don't want to see your beautiful face bruised," laughed Kostos.

"I'm glad you are more confident."

"I am," replied Kostos as his kissed Lena on the cheek.

As they pulled up, Bridget came up behind Carmen and whispered, "They're here!"

Carmen smiled, "Where is Tibby?" she asked, "I don't think she'll want to miss this."

"She'll meet him sometime tonight."

Bridget let Carmen go to the door.

"Hey Lena!" Carmen yelled from the doorway.

"Carma!" Lena yelled back, "This is Kostos."

"Hey!" Carmen continued to yell even though Kostos and Lena were getting closer to the door.

"Lena hugged Carmen, and then went inside to find Bridget.

Kostos shook Carmen's hand, "Its nice to meet you," he said cordially.

"Yeah, you too," Carmen smiled, "The other guys are inside watching baseball if you want to join them," She pointed, "I have to help Bee and Lenny in the kitchen."

"Thank you," Kostos said. Carmen was long gone.

"How are the pizzas coming?" asked Carmen.

"Fine," Bee said quickly, "Got the first one in."

"Woo!" yelled Carmen.

Lena raised an eyebrow.

"They sure do have hot guys in Greece," Carmen said unabashedly.

"Carmen!" Bee yelled in shock.

They heard a door slam, and Tibby rushed in, "Sorry I'm late! What's up?"

"Carmen was just swooning over Lena's man," Bridget replied dryly.

"He's in watching baseball if you want to meet him," added Carmen, taking the attention off of herself.

"Kostos!" Lena yelled, "Come here for a second please!"

"That'll work," laughed Tibby.

"Kostos, this is my other friend Tibby. Tibs, meet Kostos."

"Hey," Tibby took his hand and shook it, "Good to meet you."

"Yes, you too," Kostos replied, then he left.

When he was out of earshot, Tibby commented on him, "He isn't my type, but I can see how someone might find him attractive."

"Oh really?" asked Carmen.

"I have a boyfriend remember."

"Doesn't mean you can't look at other guys," commented Bridget.

"Just not MY guy," Lena said looking at Carmen.

The timer went off, and Carmen grabbed the potholders and took the pizza out of the oven and threw it on a cutting board.

"So what's the deal?" asked Carmen, "With you and him."

"We're taking it day by day," said Lena firmly.

"I don't think that is all," Bridget voiced.

"I am so overwhelmed, but it seems right. I really love him."

"'Love'" said Bridget in disbelief, "I thought I was in love. Then he broke my heart."

"Then he came back into your life, and you've been dating for almost a year," finished Tibby.

"It happened to me too you know," Lena said meanly.

"Why trust him again?" asked Carmen.

"Kostos made a mistake. He paid for it. I didn't quit having these feelings for him. He was always in the back of my mind when there wasn't anything better to think about. First loves never die, and I have a second chance at what I had."

"What about the kid?" asked Tibby, "Isn't it going to be weird raising someone else's baby?"

"Yeah, but how do you think she would be without a mother? She needs me too."

"Now you're Saint Lena?" Tibby scoffed.

"Tib, give it a rest," Bridget ordered, "She's doing what is in her heart. Lets go serve the pizza. Its getting cold."

"Pray that your lonliness may spur you into finding something to live for, great enough to die for."

Dag Hammarskjold

"Everybody is leaving in the next two days!" whined Lena to Bridget the next evening, "Tibby is going on some adventure with her film friends, Carmen is going back to her dad's house, and you have to go back to that soccer camp."

"I do not have to!" Bridget replied, "I'm getting paid. All that money my dad paid to that camp is paying off. Now they are paying me."

"The point is that you all are abandoning me. Kostos is leaving tomorrow afternoon, and then you're all going the next day."

"Yes, but we get to do the pants ceremony tomorrow night. After your little boy-toy leaves," Bee knew that Lena looked forward to that part of the summer.

"Fine," pouted Lena even though Bridget didn't know because they were speaking over the phone.

"I'll talk to you later. Okay? I need to at least start packing tonight."

Lena fell asleep soon after her conversation with Bee. Then it was the day she would have to say goodbye to him. Lena drove to Kostos's hotel room at 8 am and watched him as he packed. They drove to the airport at 3 pm after sitting in the room until the noon check-out time and then going out to eat. Lena gave Kostos a huge, passionate kiss that she hoped would not have to last the entire summer.

Lena wasn't herself at all during the pants ceremony, and the rest of the sisterhood noticed.

"Len, I know you miss him, and I can't blame you," began Carmen, "He'll be back. It's gonna be okay."

"Now I know how Tibby felt when we all left," Lena said sullenly.

Tibby mockingly made a pity noise.

"Tibs, just shut up!" Lena ordered.

Tibby blushed. She didn't notice, and even if she did, she wouldn't have known why she did blushed.

They decided the order of the pants. Since this was the fourth year, the rotation of who got them first was almost complete. First, the pants would go to Bridget.