Chapter eight

Josie was in a pretty bad mood for the past few days the only highlight was that they made it into the second round…the All Stars and White Tigers on the other hand didn't. So really it was the Demolition Boys, the Bandits, Bladebreakers and Anonymous. But the reason why Josie was in a foul mood was one: she had her period, two: they wouldn't let it go that she only loved Kai as a friend (as it had appeared in most teenager magazines and other tabloids) and three: she would have to be travelling back to Italy on an empty stomach.

Josie had already bid farewell to Lan, Yuri and Rafaela at the airport, they each had different flights because they decided to go back to their home country for Christmas. Cy, who lived in Italy was travelling with Josie and was trying his best to keep away from her. Kai and the Demolition Boys had been invited by the blonde haired captain to go back to her mansion for the winter; she didn't believe that a group of boys should spend the holiday alone or in a cold and empty place like the Abbey.

The Demolition Boys weren't too happy with the arrangements but they each couldn't really resist the kind gesture and Josie's hospitality. They agreed with her, they didn't want to spend the short break by themselves, so here they were waiting in the terminal for their flight to arrive, all of them utterly bored, Cy especially. The fifteen year old was the only one able to get away from the crowd of fans and was currently sitting in the corner hiding his face behind some corny glasses and a week old newspaper.

Josie who was slightly claustrophobic was leaning back against one of the boys she knew. Bryan turned around and looked down at the cowering girl, he didn't understand she faced crowds often but she didn't often like surprises either and this was a surprise. Shock he assumed it to be. "Are you alright Josie?" Tala leaned down and looked her squarely in the eyes, his eyes were hard not liking the crowd one bit. Shaking her head no and noticing that the room was getting smaller she leaned back more whimpering, "I've never seen you so vulnerable."

"Je-sus Tala get her out of here!" Bryan snapped suddenly breaking his calm and stony attitude.

Tala glared at the silver haired boy and then down at Josie who was biting her lip, grabbing her hand and sighing he pulled her out of the crowd. "Great…security comes now…" he mumbled as he pushed the blonde down roughly in a spare seat.

Cy looking up from an interesting article in the newspaper saw Josie and moved towards her, "you got out finally…oh yea…you're claustrophobic, fear of Santa," Cy scratched the back of his neck sheepishly and shrugged, "well on the bright side our flight has just arrived." Josie blew out a breath that she didn't know she held in and smiled slightly at the two boys, "thanks Tala," she whispered.

Tala nodded his head to acknowledge he heard and then watched as Kai and the others made their way out of the slowly disappearing crowd. They then noticed Ian coming back from the toilets. "Where were you?" Josie asked curiously.

"I was in the toilet."

"Damn small people and their ability to get out of crowds." She mumbled dejectedly as she lifted her carry on bag and her ticket.

"You know you're pretty small to Jose," Cy said, "I happen to actually be taller then you-"

"Yea but I'm afraid of confined spaces," Josie snapped irritated.

"Time of the month?"

"Yes," Josie hissed, to add to the list of why she was in a bad mood you could probably add getting stuck in a crowd. The boys exchanged knowing looks or more then others as the Demolition Boys didn't get the chance to be with many girls, most of them preferring having nothing to do with the group.

Josie had been teaching Cy to play poker once they got on the plane as the others either talked in low voices or tried to ignore other passengers. "Any coffee, tea, or drinks and snacks for anyone?" the air hostess asked stopping next to their isle.

Josie looked up and smiled, "a coke please, Cy, Kai?" she turned her attention to Kai and Cy who were also looking at the air hostess.

"I'll have a coke also." Cy replied. Kai shook his head and returned to closing his eyes and sleeping or thinking no one could tell.

Josie and Cy packed up the cards and pulled down their trays so they could place their drinks on. "So you're holding the ball again or is it just going to be a dinner?" Cy asked, Josie's family either held a ball or a family dinner but either way both had a lot of people attending.

"I'm not sure…" Josie said slowly, "I mean I don't think we're having a ball because I would have had sooner notice, Enrique would have called. I think it's just going to be just our family this year I mean we don't have family dinners often. I can't wait though, I love Christmas with the family, mum and I cook dinner giving the maids and such a break, Enrique and dad would have decorated the tree and so would Jade seeing as she would want to help and if Enrique's lucky the guys might come over for a coffee and cake." Josie sighed.

"I think mum and my cousins are cooking dinner, Daniel, Peter, Michael, Ross and I will be having snowball fights and Dad and nonno and nonna will be something or other probably trying to get Uncle Louie to play Babbo Natale." Cy laughed and Josie smiled on the verge of laughing.

"We tried that once with Johnny, we were gonna stuff a pillow up his shirt and make his wear a beard but he just threatened us all, it was hilarious," Josie yawned and then sighed. "I can't wait to get back home, I miss Jade so much."

Josie yawned and noticed that it was still light outside, they had taken the five o' clock morning flight and the sun had just risen. She yawned and leaned her head back against the seat, she was rather bored and there were a lot more hours left. As she was about to say something Cy beat her to it, "Jose I'm going to swap seats with Kai, talk to Ian for a bit, alright?"

Josie smiled and nodded her head, when Kai was seated next to her she placed her head on his shoulder and smiled up at him, "good morning sunshine!" she greeted a little more cheerfully.

"Hmm," was his reply, rolling her eyes she closed her eyes and decided that some sleep might do her fine.

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"Welcome to Tornatone Manor," Josie said as they arrived through the giant iron wrought gates. She smiled as the fairy lights set up for the holiday season lit up the giant garden making the whole atmosphere seem magical. As they arrived in front of the door her brother, daughter and some friends were waiting for them, Josie's smile brightened when she saw Jade, she hadn't changed much maybe her hair might have grown a bit longer during the two weeks she was gone.

As the car came to a stop Josie jumped out of the car over Tala's legs and pulled Jade out of Enrique's hands. "Did you miss me? Oh my, did you get taller or am I shrinking?" the sixteen year old started placing kisses every where on the fourteen month olds' face. The blonde haired child giggled and squirmed in her arms.

"Mama," the child was most certainly Italian, her accent but still the child understood English well. Jade moved around to face the other boys curiously; turning around Josie smiled and introduced her baby to the teens who looked dumbfounded. Cy would have explained everything but he was dropped off at his house where he was greeted by lots of hugs and kisses by his family.

"This is my baby girl Jade, the thing that was in my stomach the last time we saw each other before I left to come back home." Josie kissed her daughter's temple softly and turned around at hearing the forced cough behind her. "Oh Enrique!" Josie giggled and then hugged her older brother with difficulty seeing as she was carrying her bundle of joy. "What did you do to your hair?" she gasped running a hand through his silky locks.

"I got highlights," he smiled his brilliant smile and then waved at the guys behind Josie, "hows it going? Long time eh?" he walked forward and began unloading the limo, "the servants are on break so we have to do everything ourselves." He informed them as he shook their hands.

"I know," Josie answered going in to kiss Robert on the cheek, "well guys go on inside, Kai you show them into the lounge while we get the bags." She ushered them into the large house before they could protest and put Jade in Kai's arms who looked awkward for a minute before turning around and going into the lounge. "Now come on you strong muscular boys lets go this."

"Josie I have to tell you something," Enrique panted as he put an extremely heavy bag on the ground.

"What?" Josie stood up and looked at him sternly.

"Well for one Jade is learning to eat by herself, she's trying to walk up the stairs and has a knack for moving objects," she smiled proudly at that, "other then that the family's coming over." He sighed and instantly her smile vanished.

"The family, when you say that do you mean the whole family or just mum and dad and a few others?" Josie had moved forward a look as if she was saying 'if it's the whole family I'll scream' crossed with 'if it isn't the whole family then why are you telling me this,' kind of look on her face.

Enrique chuckled nervously and glanced at his friends who were trying not to laugh, "well…t-the whole family plus Johnny's, Oliver's and Robert's family, for Christmas dinner." He breathed out and looked apologetically at his sister.

Josie smiled bitterly and then looked up an angry glint in her eyes, suddenly she began speaking in rapid Italian with her brother who had paled considerably and was even backing away. "Madonna!" She cried and with a final glare she turned around swiftly and walked up to the giant oak doors, "Enrique you could have at least warned me before hand!" She said in English and with that she went into the house leaving them to get the bags.