Author's Note: Here's the next chapter! This would have been out sooner, but I was away all last weekend and have had a few other responsibilities to take care of. The next chapter is already finished, so I hope to have that one out soon.


Now that Emma was back and things were becoming normal again, the time flew by. Emma, Cleo and Rikki made frequent trips to Mako island and had restored it as best they could to its former glory. Now that that task was completed, all that was left for the remaining few days was to concentrate on getting ready for university.

As fate would have it, Cleo, Emma and Rikki all got accepted into the University of Melbourne and would naturally attend together. And with Lewis present as well, it was more than Cleo could ever ask for. Now that the application process was over, and the girls' requests to be dorm-mates sent, all that was left was to pack.

"Are you sure you need all of this, Cleo? You know you're meant to be coming home after the first weekend or so." Lewis had just zipped up another one of the growing mound of suitcases and carried it to where the others sat near the door.

"Of course. One suitcase is holding all of my clothes, one for shoes and decorations, and the other holding my new fish tank."

Lewis gave her a look. "Fish tank?"

Cleo mirrored it. "Yes." She said slowly. "Hector can't stay here by himself. Not with the danger of being near Kim."

Lewis smiled and kissed her cheek, loving how adorable she was.

"Have you packed yet?" She asked him while sitting on the edge of her bed.

"Not yet. I figure I'll only take a few things up and then bring the rest after a week or so."

"Well, I'll help you pack whenever you're ready." He nodded in thanks and sat down, happy that the task of helping her pack her things was now finished.

"What do you want to do now?" She asked as she propped her feet onto the suitcase closest to her.

"I don't know." Lewis leaned in the chair he was currently sitting in. "Would you like to take a boat ride?"

"No." She smiled apologetically. "I'm not in much of a mood to be near water right now." Just as she'd spoken, her eyes lit up.

"Hey, why don't we attend the annual end of summer festival? It's just started last night."

"I figured that would be something you'd want to do." Lewis smiled. "I was actually going to take you there on a date tonight."

Cleo blushed and her eyes met his. She still couldn't believe that he could make her feel butterflies even after all of the times they'd gone out.

"I would like that a lot." She replied.

"I know you would." He whispered. His eyes were gentle, yet penetrating, and Cleo couldn't turn away even if she'd wanted to. Lewis always had a way of mesmerizing her, and she knew if she asked him, he would say the same about her.

Something in their relationship was changing, and it was a change that they were both anxious for, as well as terrified of. Through whatever reservations they had, it was something that both knew without a doubt was not an unwelcome feeling. The feeling made the air around them seem thick, and their skin felt electrified from the urge to be near one another. And just as that feeling began, it was interrupted by Cleo's door opening suddenly.

"Cleo." It was Sam. "There's someone downstairs to see you."

Cleo and Lewis jumped at the interruption, the sensation both felt all but forgotten. Cleo recovered quickly however when she saw the look on Sam's face.

"Is something wrong, Sam?" She asked while standing and walking over to the other woman. "You're looking pale."

Lewis stood as well, coming up behind Cleo to examine Sam's facial expression.

"It's nothing, sweetheart. Just come downstairs." Sam turned to walk away, leaving Cleo and Lewis to give each other a confused look before promptly following her. When they got downstairs, Cleo couldn't believe her eyes.

"Mum?"

"Hello, darling." The former Mrs. Sertori rose from her seat on the couch and took her oldest child in her arms.

"Mum, it's so good to see you. What are you doing here?" Cleo asked while looking towards her father and Sam. Kim was downstairs also and looked extremely happy. The divorce of her parents was hard on all of them, but Kim was especially hurt, which was the main reason why she contested Don and Sam's wedding so much.

Another reason why Kim was hesitant of allowing Sam into their world was because their mother still kept in touch, though could not visit as often due to living a longer distance away and working a full time job. Seeing her mother here now, and seeing how Kim responded to her, it was no wonder that Sam was looking pale.

Cleo's mother released her daughter. "What? Do I need a reason to see my girls?" She paused to give Lewis a hug. "Besides Cleo, you're heading to university in a few days and I want to help you get settled into your room. Have you packed all of your things?"

"Yeah, they're all upstairs." Cleo turned toward the staircase as she spoke.

"Lovely. I took off a few days from work, so you let me know whenever you're meant to leave." Cleo smiled and nodded before moving to sit next to Kim on the couch.

"And Lewis, how are you?" She smiled at him.

"Great. I'm doing just great."

"That's wonderful to hear." She patted him on the back before turning her attention back to everyone in the living room.

"Well, I'm off. Still need to get a few of my things unpacked." She went to get her purse.

"Where are you staying, mum?" Cleo asked as she and Kim both stood.

"I'll be staying with your grandparents. Actually, would you both like to come with me? Your grandparents haven't seen you in ages."

"Yes!" Kim replied with enthusiasm. "Just let me go upstairs and grab my jacket."

Cleo's mother smiled before giving Don a serious look.

"It's alright with you if I bring them along, right?"

"Oh, fine by me. I don't think Sam had anything planned, right sweetheart?" He asked while picking up one of his fishing magazines.

Sam looked hesitant. "Well, actually—"

Kim bounded down the stairs, nearly bowling Lewis over, purse and jacket in hand.

"I'm ready. Are you coming, Cleo?" Kim asked genuinely and Cleo nodded. She, more than anyone, knew how important this was for Kim. Being separated from their mother was not easy on either of them, and having this mother-daughter trip with her and being around familiar people was just what Kim needed. If Cleo wanted to be truthful, it was something she needed as well.

"I'll go get my jacket. Oh, and mum?" Cleo turned back to her mother just before ascending the stairs. "Is it alright if I leave a little early? Lewis and I have made plans."

"Of course, Cleo. No worries. You're welcome to join us as well, Lewis." She offered, but Lewis merely shook his head.

"No, I think I should head home and start packing. Thank you for the offer, though." He smiled one last time at Cleo's mum before heading back up to Cleo's bedroom.

He'd entered just in time to see her zipping her jacket.

"My grandparents don't live far. Do you want me to call you before I leave?"

"I remember where your grandparents live. They're right down the street from where the festival will be taking place this year. If you call me, I'll meet you at their place and we can walk there together."

"Are you sure?" She picked up her bag and moved to stand in front of him. "It will be a longer walk for you."

Lewis smiled. "Yeah, but it won't be a proper date if I don't get to pick you up, will it?"

"No, I suppose it won't." Cleo smiled and kissed him lightly on the lips before walking passed him out of her room and down the stairs. When she descended the stairs, Kim and her mother were on their way out the door. Lewis passed her on the stairs and exited after saying a quick goodbye to everyone.

"Come on, slow poke!" Kim called to Cleo playfully, earning a very surprised look from both Don and Sam. If Cleo was fazed, she didn't show it.

"Coming, Kim. Bye Dad, bye Sam! I'll be late coming home tonight!"

"Have a good time, girls!" Don yelled as the door closed, leaving him and Sam alone for the afternoon.


I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Other characters will be gradually brought in as the chapters move along, so I'm really excited about that. Please leave a review if you have a chance.