You all can thank LIZZIE84 for this update, I don't update as often because I haven't got as much written as I do for the others, but there is a substantial amount written already and the rest is planned out. Enjoy the monster of a chapter, I should have split it into two, but i didn't, so enjoy. x

Chapter 7

When I woke up I was curled into Owen, his head resting on mine and his chocolate muscular arms wrapped protectively around me. The armrest, I could feel, had been pulled up but was digging into my back. And all around me I was enclosed in pure Owen.

"Hey baby girl." Owen murmured once he had kissed me on the head. I smiled into his chest as I took another breath of his scent in taking him into my nostrils. He smelt of his aftershave and there was just enough of Owen to make me feel stirrings in places that haven't stirred in a while. I reluctantly pulled back to look at him, his face was covered in scrapes and bruises. I touched a particularly bad cut above his right eye, I pulled myself up higher and gently kissed it. I kissed every cut and bruise on his face and neck, I heard a mixture or happy and sore groans come from him.

"I thought you were going to be bitten." I spoke quietly in his ear hoping no one else would hear.

"You saved me, my knight in shining armour." He gushed whilst he brought the back of his hand to his forehead, faking a feinting spell. I gave him a small slap on the arm making me giggle.

"Don't scare me like that." I scolded him about the fight. We just sat in each other's boundaries enjoying being close, we still hadn't spoken about the kiss, I knew we wouldn't, we didn't need to. I knew what it meant to him because it meant the same to me.

I looked around the plane, almost everyone was asleep or resting. Except, I noticed, Yeva who was talking to the old man. Vika had moved and was asleep, lying across a couple seats in the row behind us. I looked over Owen and out the window to see the sun setting.

"We're about 20 minutes away. You should rest for a day or so."

"Do I look that bad?" I asked running my hands through my hair.

"No, you look more beautiful in this moment than I've ever seen." Owen leaned down and pressed his lips to mine. It was slow and beautiful, our lips figuring out the others rhythm. I melted into him, wanting to take it deeper. I felt like I needed him to breathe, to function even. He was intoxicating. I didn't know how I could carry on the rest of my life without him. It was like he was my other part of me. We pulled away needing air but I was still close enough to breath in his air.

"Come on love birds, put each other down." I looked over to my dad who was grinning at us. I shook my head and leaned back against Owen. He had completely rocked my world.

Later that day Vika and I were in the most spectacular room I'd ever been in. It was all dark wood and deep red's, it was the ultimate show of luxury.

The first thing I did was run a bath in the most beautiful bathroom I'd seen. I filled it with bubbles and stripped off. I must have scared all the passers-by in the Lobby because I was covered in cuts and grazes, my clothes torn and my face pale even though Abe had passed me his coat to cover the worst of it. And now a bath was so close I didn't even care that Vika was there as I stripped and I headed straight for the tub. I groaned as I sunk into the hot water, letting my muscles relax in the water.

I don't know how long I was there but I noticed my fingers turning pruney. I heard Vika walk in and plonk herself down the stool that was next to the tub. She was quiet for a while, when she still didn't say anything I opened one of my eyes and looked at her.

"How are you?" She asked her face was full of concern.

"Tired." I replied, closing my eye again. "But better now I'm in this bath."

"You were amazing. Do you know how incredible you were?" I sighed.

"I did what I needed to do to keep you all safe. This is my fault. It's the least I could do."

"Your fault? How do you think that?"

"I saved Dimitri, which made this happen. I'm not saying I regret it, or that I shouldn't have done it. It's just that inadvertently it is my fault."

"Rose I swear to god…. Don't speak like that again. What you did? It was unimaginable; you brought him back to us. And if this didn't happen, we wouldn't have gotten to see him for goodness know how long. No, what you did was a miracle. Don't feel guilty."

She was right after all, I knew it. I was letting my exhaustion get to me. I knew it. I nodded.

"Thanks, I needed that."

"So, tell me about Owen." She gushed. We spoke for hours, not stopping even as she had a bath after me or when we ordered room service. After we ate we got into bed, we tried to talk but soon I fell asleep.

I was awoken from my nightmare to feel arms around me. It went into attack mode and shot up my hand reaching for my stake under my pillow. But was stopped by a hand. Then I smelt him. Owen.

"Baby girl, it's ok. It was a nightmare. You're safe." I fell to the floor in tears, I was exhausted and just wanted to sleep; Owen's big arms encased me holding me tightly. I heard voices as he lifted me up and placed me back into bed, I felt him mould himself to me, taking up the big spoon behind me. I fell asleep once more feeling safe, warm and protected.

When I woke again I felt hot, I was being swamped by a breathing lump right behind me. I smiled to myself, our position bringing a smile to my face. I wiggled away from Owens slackened grip the need to pee strong. I moved out of bed and relieved myself in the bathroom and when I came back into my room I really took a look.

"Where's Vika?" I asked a stirring Owen.

"In my room," he yawned and stretched, "I figured it would be more comfy than play three in the bed." I got back into the bed.

"Thank you, I didn't realise I was having a nightmare."

"You got violent, Vika tried waking you up and you punched her, that's when she came to get me." Oh man I punched her?

There was a knock at the door. Owen moved to open it, it was baba.

"Morning kiz, Reid. I heard you all had fun last night." He smiled at us, though his eyes betrayed him, they were on me and taking me in. "I just wanted to say your mother just arrived. Breakfast in 30?" He said before he left still giving me glances.

"I feel like im going nuts."

"Why?"

"These nightmares, why now? I mean I had them before, but not like this."

"We were in the same place where it happened, it's to be expected."

"I wish they would stop."

"They will my beautiful pudding." He kissed me on the nose and disappeared out the door leaving Vika to reappear. She looked sheepish and had a small bruise under her left eye.

"OMG! I am so sorry." I rushed forward but she stopped me with a hand.

"He hurt you didn't he?" Her face was serious, her brown eyes didn't leave mine.

"What? Owen? Of course not! He'd never…"

"No, Dimitri. When he was Strigoi. He hurt you."

It stopped me in my tracks. I didn't know what to say, yes he had but I didn't want to tell his family the details. How did she even know? Of course, it dawned on me instantly, my nightmare. I must have been back at the mansion. I couldn't lie, but I couldn't tell her everything.

"Yes." I said finally, "Yes he did." She was silent for a while.

Finally she spoke her voice firm,"I'm sorry."

"Why are you sorry?" I frowned.

"I don't know, it all sounded like this huge romantic adventure but it wasn't was it?."

I let a humourless chuckle leave my mouth and sat heavily back on my bed, "No, it really wasn't." I sighed heavily and fell back on the bed.

"And he didn't come back to you after." She stated sitting next to me before laying back next to me.

"No, he didn't," I turned my head towards her, "but he came back to you guys. His family." She looked at me with such pity.

"Hey," I lifted her chin up. "I'm happy. Don't feel sorry for me. Look where we are, we are going to spend the best New Year's ever in Edinburgh!" She smiled at me. "We are going to have the best time, and guess what the drinking age is here?"

She gave me the wicked smile. We laughed while choosing our outfits and getting changed quickly, I donned a blue and black chequered shirt with black skinnies and my combats. I put one of my stakes into my boot and then I threw my hair up into a braid just as Vika had finished getting dressed.

We made it to the breakfast room with minutes to spare. Baba had booked us a private room, so the Guardians and we were all sat at a large table. There was chatter and noise coming from down the table, baba though sat back, his face the perfect sign of how comfortable he was. It wasn't often he worked on a human schedule so he was enjoying the light as it cascaded into the room the winter sun not causing problems for the Moroi, Owen was sat next to me talking to Pavel as Mom was in a conversation with Vika, they were watching something on a phone while talking. I looked to dad who was still sat there with a large smile on his face. He was leaning back in his chair taking in the atmosphere.

"You're enjoying this aren't you?"

He made a contented noise. "Yes it's not often that I get this. Surrounded by the people I care about." I smiled in response, baba was quite sappy when he wanted to, I thought. "It's a pleasure." Mom leaned over baba.

"Rosemarie, you were amazing in Baia." I was puzzled.

"What do you mean?" She turned her phone around to show me. On the small screen I could see Owen and I outside the Belikov's house fighting for our lives. We looked almost flawless as we took down our opponents side by side. I watched even as Owen grabbed my arm, swinging me around where I kicked a Strigoi sending him flying, then as I landed on the strigoi I bent down and staked him.

It was strange watching us fight. Owen looked over at us watching the screen. He placed a hand on my shoulder.

"You dropped your left." I elbowed him.

"I just saved your life, dumb ass."

"Well this ass is happy it gets to be with you baby girl. But you still dropped your left." I laughed as mom moved the screen away.

"I can't believe you filmed it!" I said looking at baba, his smile hadn't left his face in the slightest, "Who does that?! Most would be scared for their lives, but no you grab your camera!" I turn to my dad who had a face of pure innocence.

"I wasn't worried." He spoke his voice the picture of calm, "you had it under control." I shook my head as I turned to Owen.

I wasn't in the mood to go and take the sights in so we went for a swim in the pool. Baba decided to join us so as he was there so was the guardians. It was so fun as all us dhampir's were jumping in and out of the pool, dunking each other and generally having the best time. I was on Owens shoulders and Vika was on David's shoulders. We were wrestling trying to push each other off.

In the background I heard dad's phone ring, but I didn't pay it much attention. His phone goes off a lot. He walked back towards the pool catching my eye.

"I'll be right back." I said leaning back making Owen go under the water with me.

"The Belikov's have settled in, they have asked if we could visit when Vika goes home, Olena would like to thank us and I have business to attend to. Is that ok?" I nod as I towel dried myself and wrapped it around me. No problems here.

That is how we passed the next few days, choosing to spend the time as one big happy family, Vika moved into Owens room so that Owen could sleep in with me, he helped with my nightmares, we only slept but it was so comforting to wake up with him, it just seemed right that we'd wake up in each other's arms.

It was a couple days after Christmas now and when I woke remembering the day I got sad. Mason. I called Eddie who knew exactly why I was calling.

"Sorry Ed, I just wanted to remember him." Together we spoke about Mason, it had been a year and I still missed him. I wonder what he would be doing had he survived. Who would be his charge? That evening I lit a candle in my room and with Owen by my side I told him everything about Mason.

Mom became very excited as the days passed, she spoke of New Years as a girl, here it was big news, New Years was a three day event, one that had us excited.

On the morning of the 30th December we went down for breakfast. Baba, who had taken to calling us the three musketeers, was sat at the end of the table, mom on his right and Pavel to his left.

"You in the gym this morning?" He asked me, I nodded to him in reply at the same as I sipped my tea.

"Yep, we've been helping Vika train, I'm trying make her as badass as me." I laughed at her facial expression then winked in her direction.

"We're having an early dinner tonight so we can go to the torch procession." Baba told us, I hadn't really ever celebrated new year's so this would be a nice change. After being told what it was I had become really excited about the Viking torch walk.

"I'll join you later on." Janine spoke up, her Scottish accent more pronounced now we had been on her home turf for near a week, "I want to teach you guys the Ceilidh, you'll find it helpful tomorrow." She looked from me to Abe, her eyes wide and a smile on her face, I'd never seen her look so relaxed, "Our girl's first hogmany." She gushed slightly to Abe and then the moment was over when she went back to her conversation with my father.

Vika, Owen and I made our way to the gym, it wasn't very big and didn't have a sparring ring or anything like that but Abe had hired a room for the entirety of our stay, it was empty, close to the gym and as we had moved some mats in the room, had become our sparring room. We completed our usual warm ups and weights, making sure to stretch as much as possible before we moved to the matted room for the real workout. Vika was great to teach, she took criticisms in her stride, she learnt from her mistakes and she liked to experiment. Owen and I helped her with a few more of the advanced moves which she took too like a duck to water, one day she would be a great opponent.

"I teach you to use the Kilij when we return to Istanbul. You will be deadly." David's told me while we watched Vika and Owen spar, his eyes were on the ring, but he was speaking to me.

"What is a Kilij?" I asked the man, who finally looked at me, his eyes bright with happiness.

"A blade, the art of Kilij has been passed down in our family for many generations, you would wield the blade well, strong body, strong mind, fast and flexible. I ask Mr Mazur if I give you lessons. Reid too."

I smiled at the young Turkish man; he really did have a heart of gold.

"I would appreciate that, thank you David's."

Over lunch David's and baba spoke rapidly in Turkish, I found that I could just about follow their conversation; Living in Turkey had done wonders for learning the language. It was decided that David's would return back to the estate with us and train us to use a sword. A god damned real sword. The smile on my face was beginning to hurt my face, but I was so excited.

After lunch we returned to our make shift gym with my mother and baba in tow. The mats were placed to the side and my Mother spent the next couple of hours teaching us the Ceilidh dance. It was more fun than I expected it to be, learning the dance from my mother was our first learning experiences together that I could remember, and it wasn't as bad as I would have expected. We danced in a group all in I circle basically bouncing the whole time, if I wasn't so fit id be out of breathe, but I managed to plod through it. Mom and baba danced together a lot, they didn't have eyes for anyone apart from each other, I never really thought of them as a couple, they were so different, and yet seeing them together left a pang in my heart that we could have been a happy family once upon a time, they were obviously smitten with each other. It was nice to see them relax together and then I couldn't help but wonder if anything could happen between them again.

Dinner that evening was made up of stews, casseroles and filling warm food. If I could eat like this all the time I would be a very happy woman. Once we had had our fill we all wrapped up warm and exited the hotel. We followed the stream of people making their way up to the mall, thousands upon thousands of people all walking together. We were all lined up with torches in every group, David's, Pavel, mom and the other Guardians stayed close to baba as we began to follow some Vikings with drums, the drumming was intoxicating, it was like being in another time. We followed the procession Owen, Vika and I staying together in a group, Owen holding the torch for us, we were walking up a hill until we made it to a huge bonfire pyre. It was massive the largest I had ever seen. The excited atmosphere was electrifying. We were nameless faces in a crowd of we were thousands. We were lost in the sea of humans and I'd never felt more free.

Afterwards we were told to enjoy the night, baba, mom and the Guardians all went off to do whatever it was they had planned, Vika, Owen and I though escaped to a pub on the way back to the hotel, which was only 10 minutes away. Scots had strange names for their pubs, the Shoogly Pig was teaming with people, every single one in high spirits, there were people everywhere, which was chaotic, but had me buzzing at the same time. Growing up with Moroi seeped the fun out of most situations, they were so prim and proper, or they were drinking to excess throwing their wealth and influence around. Here though it was different, surrounded by the vibrant people of Edinburgh I could tell I'd missed out on something. A life filled with ease, one that didn't mean life or death; automatically I took to them like I'd known them my whole life.

A Scottish band started playing lively music where many had started dancing in the middle of the pub, an old guy, probably about 60 asked me to dance and when I did he steered me around the whole room, he never once looked out of breath, it wasn't like some pervy Moroi who wanted to cop a feel, this man, I could tell, was from another era, one filled with merriment, dancing and young lasses.

I went to the bar to order once again, there were party goers everywhere, I was stood at the bar when I heard the group of guys to my left laughing and getting rowdy with each other, when they heard me give my order to the bar person their focus turned completely and solely on me.

"A yank!" A young man spoke loudly, his friends all cheered, "Came to check out the locals have you? See what a real man looks like?" He had red hair, lighter than moms, with an equally red beard, he was wearing a kilt with a sweater and in his hand was a half empty pint. He obviously worked out because I could see the outline of muscle outline even through his clothes. He laughed deeply, he obviously thought that he was hilarious.

"If you see a real man, let me know." I said winking at him. His friends laughed even harder than he had originally, they clapped him on the back shaking their head. Then, to my amazement, he laughed the loudest offering to buy me my drink.

"I'm buying a round."

"I got it lass." And then he bought my round.

"I'm Dennis."

"Rose." I offered.

"Why don't you and yer mates come join us?"

We spent hours with Dennis and his friends who all went to university together. Dennis said he was nearly a qualified mechanic and his friends all had just the same kind of jobs, a carpenter, a plumber and at the back a dark haired fellow was in his final year of his teaching degree. They all had an innocence to them which made them endearing to me. Dennis, Joe, Aiden and Gary, were a very likable group. They took on our strange small group on like we had known each other for years, not minutes

"It's like some bad joke," Dennis spoke next to me, "a Yank, an Englishman, a Scot and a Russian all walk into a bar." I laughed whether it was the alcohol, the atmosphere or the sheer happiness from it all, I thought it was the funniest thing ever.

That is how you found us on the early hours of New Year's Eve, in a pub named Shoogly Pig and enjoying our first lock in. We all rolled into bed about 5am, Vika somehow ended up in bed with Owen and me, all of us still giggling until finally we fell asleep.

We woke later than usual, forgoing our usual training today but still in time for a late breakfast of a full Scottish breakfast. We showed baba our pictures from the night before. Mom's eyes lit up when she told us how she spent her first lock in. My mom had to have been a little hooligan when she was younger, it made her more relatable.

Once we'd eaten we were ready for round two. We all disappeared into the city taking in the sight and sounds of a city in celebration. All around were street parties, carnival rides and stalls full of masses of food. Everyone was smiling and laughing.

I found a shop that I just had to go into "Hi," I spoke to the man behind the counter, "I was wondering if I could get that?" I pointed to what I wanted.

"Sure, where do you wan it?"

I pointed to my hip, on the right but to the back. An hour and a half later and a phone call to Olena later had the three of us leaving with a thistle tattoo with a knot in the stem. Our very own Hogmanay tattoo.

There was no way this amount of people all knew each other, but that's exactly how it felt walking through the streets of Edinburgh. Like it was one huge party and the whole city was invited. We ate at some food stalls, choosing a pork and apple sauce roll by this time my baba had found us, he loved our tattoos, Mom not so much. I had just bought my roll when my mother came out of nowhere she took a bite which was near half of the roll. I looked on is disbelief. That was my roll!

"Apple sauce, my favourite!" She spoke after she managed to swallow the bit that had been my roll. "Nowhere does apple sauce like the Scots." I gave her my roll before I ordered myself another one, staying away from Janine the roll thief. Vika and I had a ride on the carousel, spotting Dennis as we rode on those uncomfortable plastic horses. He laughed, I could hear him from where we were and to our amusement he jumped on to the moving ride. The attendant disapproved but said nothing, Dennis stood in front of our horses and chatted, I noticed that he was giving Vika a lot of attention.

I introduced mom and baba to Dennis just as his friends joined us, we all strolled around just generally having a great time, we went on numerous rides, ate too much food and we topped up our alcohol levels from only this morning before we made arrangements to see Dennis later.

"I noticed you and Dennis getting closer today." I said after I had showered and had started donning my clothes, choosing jeans, a thermal Henley, a plaid shirt and scarf. My usual combat boots with my stake and my hair twisted in an intricate braid.

She giggled slightly. "Isn't he great?" She swooned, her eyes looking bright, I laughed as I put some gloss on and grabbed my coat and hat.

We met in the dining room again, the food being lavish and filling, the table filled with stews, casseroles and pies each more delicious than anything I've ever had even those of the night before. Those that weren't on duty drunk deeply from tankards as the whole group gave up to the feeling of energy overflowing from the city; we were all in high spirits.

We made our way towards Princess Street, hearing Scottish music getting louder the closer to the centre we came. We made our way over to the music noting a huge Ceilidh going on. The music was coming from a stage and in front of it, taking up the whole street, were party goers doing the dance. Hundreds of them.

Near the stage we spotted Dennis and his friends, we all joined up for dancing. I even spotted Abe dancing again with Janine. By the time it was midnight we were all stood arm in arm, in front of the castle counting down to midnight. When the clock struck midnight the fireworks started but to me they were just background noise. Instead my soul focus was Owen, who had claimed my mouth. The usual current of need flowed through us as we kissed. It wasn't until Ggary had told Owen to let me breath that we parted. I spotted Dennis and Vika kissing, I shoved Owen to show him. He wiped a fake tear from his eye.

"Our baby is all grown up." I laughed before I kissed dad's Guardians on the cheek wishing them a happy new year. When Dennis and Vika parted her face was full of smiles. I moved closer giving her a kiss on the cheek.

"Happy New Year guys." I smiled, we were in a group circle, all just happy to be alive in that moment.

I put an arm around Vika waist, Dennis claiming her other side as Owen claimed my free side. Together we just stood on awe looking to the fireworks all with arms around the others. My head resting on Vikas shoulder, her head on mine. It was a special moment.

As the firework stopped I helped partake in the biggest round of Auld Lang syne I'd ever heard. Thousands of people were singing their hearts out, raising their voice to the night sky.

Dennis took us back to his local, the Shoogly Pig, where the party raged until the very late or early hours. Dancing, karaoke and drinking were enjoyed by all, even baba and mom joined in. The former telling his Guardians that they were no longer on duty and to enjoy themselves. I did note they didn't drink much but did relax and join in the party.

Dennis got up to sing, he had been spending the past few minutes speaking to my mother, "Rosie," he started when he had the microphone so all the pub could hear, "my wee lass, it's obvious, that you are a Scottish lass at 'eart." Dennis spoke, clearly inebriated by his slurring, "it is obvious where you go' your brazen balls from. The blood of the Scots runs through your veins. Welcome to the family." Gary and Aiden pulled me up and to Dennis where we all sang we are family.

I know I sang multiple times, with Vika, Owen and Dennis. But I couldn't tell you what I sang, how I sounded and if I actually sang the words.

I don't think I've ever had so much fun, we left the pub in the cover of early morning darkness, we had arrived back at the hotel at 6.30am. We'd experienced our second lock in, and I wasn't disappointed in the slightest. We were all giggling like children as we entered the quiet foyer. I was just saying good night, ready to get a couple hours sleep before the next and final round. I had no idea what the Scots did on the third day, but if it was more drinking I needed some sleep first. But instead of letting me go baba handed me a bag. I opened it to find 3 coloured tutu's in pink, purple and green along with matching fairy wings and leg warmers. I looked at my baba like he'd one crazy. He gave me an evil smile.

"No beds yet I'm afraid. When you go up and change get into these, you'll need to pack. You can sleep on the plane."

"Baba, I'm not sure I'm able to pack in the state I'm in." I had to really focus on his nose. He smiled at me, his eyes twinkling.

"That's why I had someone pack for you, just make sure you have a change of clothes and put those on over your clothes that you change into." He kissed my nose before he spoke more loudly, making my ears ring, but I think that was because of the alcohol.

"My kizim, Reid and my dear Vika, you will be doing the Loony Dook this morning. So grab clothes you don't mind getting wet, grab a change of clothes and finish packing your bags, we'll pack up the car, do the Dook then head to the plane. Oh and make sure Reid the wears his too." He winked and moved away. What the hell?

The three of us disappeared upstairs to get ready, an hour or so later we emerged. I was wearing black shorts and a loose sweater over my sports bra, wearing the pink set costume over top. Vika was in similar clothes in the purple and Owen was in green boardies and t-shirt even in the green tutu and wings he was hot.

Baba and mom laughed at our attire, baba taking a mountain of pictures. Owen picked me up bride style and swung me around like I weighed nothing; he kissed me on the way around.

"Put me down, if you do that again, I may be sick." I told him, Owen just laughed and put me down.

We packed the cars with our belongings and set off, we made our way just out of the city where there was a group of people, and I mean hundreds. All in fancy dress and all following some people playing drums. Baba told us to follow and that they'd meet us after. The three of us followed, wondering what the hell was going on.

We followed the group as they started downhill and made their way to the river Forth. That was when I noticed what was going on. Everyone in front of us was walking straight into the freezing water. What the hell had I gotten myself into? I heard Vika groan next to me while Owen bellowed a laugh and winked at me. We were already on the river bank, all around I could hear gasps and screams as people in crazy costumes jumped into the cold water.

I stood there unsure if I could do it when Owen slung me over his shoulder not giving me the choice, I began kicking and screaming but it didn't hold to much as I was laughing so much, my drunk state giving me more stamina than I thought possible. Owen waded into the water without so much as a gasp, the water was splashing all around us and the droplets were cold. He was waist deep in the water when he stopped, slapped my bum then threw me away from him and into the cold depths of the river.

I sank momentarily then emerged gasping for air, the water was cold enough that it took my breath away for a second.

"Owen!" I complained before standing up noting that the water coming up to my breasts. His eyes were full of laughter when he took in the sight of me. I swam back to him my wings getting in the way. I pulled him in for a kiss but instead of kissing him I dunked him under the cold depth, Owen emerged with a laugh before again dunked me under the waves.

"You happy to see me baby girl?" He was looking at my chest. My nipples had become hard. "Maybe I can warm you up." He licked his lips and I was about to smother him in a kiss when I looked around and saw the Lochness monster wade past us, all four women squealing as they moved. I giggled looking at them, I took more note of the others who were in the water. There were men in mankini's, in g strings, onesies and morph suits in various colours were all around us. I looked behind us to see where Vika was, she was still standing on the shore, her brown eyes wide and starring at us. Owen and I took one look at each other and moved back towards the shore. We were nearly upon her before she noticed what we were doing, she squealed and tried to run away, but there was a wall of people blocking her path.

"Come on Vika, time to get wet." Next to me I heard Owen mutter next to me, his whole face showed mischief.

"That's what she said." I laughed loudly as I took Vika by the hand and pulled her back towards the cold water.

She dug her heels in trying not to get in the water but I was having none of it. I yanked harder the water began splashing at our feet. But as I looked back towards Vika I saw a certain red head, dressed as a cowboy, bounding towards us. In an instant he picked Vika up from behind and proceeded to run into the water sending water splashing over everyone around silly enough to be close. He got to about waist height, like Owen had, and with Vika in tow dunked them both under the water. When he emerged Vika, still in his arms, slapped him across the chest.

"Dennis!" He laughed at her exasperation just as the rest of Dennis's friends, dressed as the rest of the ymca guys, bounded into the water behind their friend. We spent the next few minutes laughing and splashing each other. Finally we retired from the water, as a group we walked back towards the middle of town. Baba and everyone found us and handed us towels and a welcome hot chocolate.

We exchanged contacts with Dennis, who was sorry to see us leave. We'd all spent a lot of time laughing over the past few days, it was a shame to see it end. I took my tutu off and put it over Dennis's head. He laughed, picked me up, swinging me around, the water had definitely sobered me up a little, he left the tutu on like a hat. He bowed his head slightly and kissed Vika on the hand.

"Ladies, Gentlemen, it has been a real pleasure to be with you. I hope to see you again." I left Vika and Dennis to say their goodbyes. I was cold and wanted to change. I noticed the car had tinted windows so jumped in, after tell the others what I was doing, I changed in record time. Vika did the same before Owen followed. We said a last goodbye to Dennis, Aiden and Gary and headed to the airport.

The flight was long but was spent with most everyone sleeping. I had had the best time and now I needed to recuperate.