Chapter 13

The rest of the year flew by, days merging into each other through the continuous moving around the world. After Germany, the Gilberts returned to the United Kingdom to see more things there before catching their flight out to Toronto, Canada. They then flew down to the United States. New York, Florida, Texas and California were some of the places they visited. Mexico, Peru, Brazil, Argentina and Chile. After Fiji they flew to New Zealand. They were there for a week before flying home to the Gold Coast.

Emma was unbelievably excited to return home. She would get to see her friends and Ash. Emma was surprised that she had successfully hidden her secret for a whole year from her family after living in such close quarters. Her parents looked like her as if she was crazy when she turned down swimming with them in Fiji. She had gone by herself later and revelled in the feeling of the tropical water against her scales.

Emma was not sure if she enjoyed New Zealand as much as she did because it was amazingly beautiful or because she was so close to reaching home. In Auckland, they walked through the bush, visited Rangitoto Island, a dormant volcano. They travelled north and visited the Northland beaches, such as Whale Bay. They then caught a plane to Tauranga and walked up Mt Maunganui taking in the view of the beach. Emma was surprised at how similar the Mount beach looked to the Gold Coast beaches. Nevertheless she enjoyed her time there and the ability to sneak off for a swim at night. They flew to Wellington, the capital of NZ and then to Queenstown, in the South Island. Queenstown scenery was vastly different to that of where they had visited in the North – stunning lakes prevalent rather than beaches, and large mountains and forests. Their final tourist destination was Milford Sound, the renowned place that is used to promote NZ scenery. The Gilberts were not disappointed. They drove to Christchurch where they would catch their plane out to Australia. Emma was buzzing.

A/N: Sorry, I couldn't resist letting her visit NZ – where I live. I know it so well :P Feel free to google these places. I'm from Tauranga (where Mt Maunganui is) and I was surprised when I visited the Gold Coast how my home beach looked almost exactly the same to the Gold Coast, a place that people rave about. Just some personal experiences being thrown in :P

OoOoO

It was December. Cleo, Rikki and Bella had finished their school year and were enjoying their summer. Cleo still had her job at the Marine Park, her hours going up for over the summer season, and she was thrilled to have Lewis back at home. Rikki had said that she was enjoying her freedom from Zane, but Cleo knew that she was hurting still. She was thoroughly enjoying no school work however. Bella had found herself a weekend retail job.

Cleo and Rikki were excited as they arrived at the airport. The Gilberts were returning home soon. Ash was distressed that he couldn't make it back into town until the next day. Emma had reassured him that it was fine – one day wouldn't make too much difference.

Emma took her carry-on bag from out of the overhead locker on the plane. She was actually feeling butterflies. Seriously? She was just so excited to see her friends. Not talking to them every day was hard. So very very hard. She loved her parents and her brother, but there is only so much time you can spend with them before you crave the rest of society, particularly your best friends. She couldn't wait to hug Rikki and Cleo. She couldn't wait to go swimming and sit in the moon pool just like old times. She couldn't wait to hear Rikki's snide remarks and Cleo's quiet chastising of it. She mused on all of these things, thinking over all the things they had been through together as she and her family went through customs and officially arrived in Australia. She and her friends were all officially adults. They had officially left high school. It was a weird thing to think about – considering that she hadn't had that final year experience. She was going to have to get all the details out of them later.

They saw Elliot first. Then they saw Emma. It was almost surreal to see her after so long. Yes, Skype had helped, but it wasn't the same. She was here. In person. Rikki and Cleo began calling her name and waving frantically. An enormous grin took over Emma's face when she saw them. She left her bags with her parents and ran over to meet them, throwing her arms over both of their shoulders. It was a tight three way group hug, a hug that felt amazing. When she finally released them, she pulled back beaming.

"Hi," she said simply.

"Hi," they replied, silly grins across their faces too. Rikki had given up trying to act nonchalant. She was excited to see her friend. She had missed her greatly, after all, before Emma left, the trio practically spent all of their time together.

"How are you guys?" Emma asked, tucking a stray piece of hair behind her ear.

"Great!" Cleo said enthusiastically. "How are you?"

"Tired," Emma said. "Even though it wasn't too long a flight, I'm knackered. I'm feeling much better now that I've seen you guys though."

"Wow. Cheese," Rikki said smirking.

"What? It's true," Emma said, pushing Rikki's shoulder playfully.

The rest of the Gilberts approached where the girls were standing, tugging along Emma's luggage. Emma brought it into her care once again at her feet.

"Hey Neil, Lisa, Elliot," Cleo greeted. "How are you?"

"We're doing well, thanks dear," Lisa replied. "It's great to be back home,"

OoOoO

After discussing their recent travel ventures, Mr Gilbert decided that it was time to head home. So that the family would not have to order a taxi, Cleo offered to drive them all back to the Gilbert's house in her Dad's people-mover van.

Emma found it surreal when she saw her family home again for the first time in a year. It felt unnatural to be back. They had been travelling for so long. Cleo parked the car and everyone unloaded. Rikki and Cleo wasted no time in following Emma up the stairs to her bedroom, to help her unpack – or for Rikki watch. As they did, they caught up, chatting just like old times. Bringing her dirty washing down the stairs again to the laundry, Emma asked her mum if she could go to the beach with her friends. Lisa nodded and before she could elaborate Emma was gone again. She shook her head with a smile. She guessed that she would not be seeing much of her daughter for a while.

A/N: Hey everyone! Sorry it's been so long! I hope you guys enjoyed the reunion scene - it was difficult for me to write. Hopefully the next chapter won't be too far. I hope you all have had a great Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Thanks so so much to those who have reviewed - honestly, it makes writing worth while and makes me want to continue when I struggle :)

Thanks so much to WannabeeAussie, Sammiloveschocolate, 1, Starlightdreamer12, ObsessedwReading, chinaluv, Acgisme, NotJustAShadow, and HybridsRose for reviewing the previous chapter.

I love all you guys for reading, reviewing, following and favouriting, I really do appreciate it!

See you later!