Okay, so it's been a ridiculously long time since I've updated any of my stories. So sorry! I just graduated from nursing school (which was hellish) and now I'm a nurse at Child Serve. I'm hoping to be able to write a lot more now that I have time to breathe. Please review and let me know where you think this story should go! I love the input =)

Chapter III

Holly had never seen fireworks in person before. The television had done them little justice. Each firework was a unique shape and full of sparkle. The loud boom and crackle noises were intimidating, but Holly's desire to enjoy every aspect of the new experience finally caused her to lower her hands from her ears. The children were especially excited at the finale when Tinker Bell flew across the sky and landed on the Disney Castle's tier. It was all too easy to forget the real purpose of their visit to this magical place.

"What did you think?" Artemis asked. He had to speak loudly because the crowd around them was speaking excitedly to each other about the display.

"Amazing. I've never seen anything so beautiful." Holly placed a hand on each of the children's shoulders in order to keep them together as the crowd began to disperse. Butler was scanning each person intently. He did not seem to relish being in such a vulnerable position.

"Aunt Holly, can we have ice cream? I'm starving." Gilbert wanted to know.

Holly rolled her eyes at him. "You're always hungry. Didn't you get enough to eat at dinner?"

"One hamburger? Please. That barely does my stomach justice."

"Please, Aunt Holly?" Susie threw in for good measure. Her puppy dog eyes made it difficult for anyone to ever tell her no.

Artemis pointed towards a diner across the street from them. "There's an ice cream place."

The diner was small and quickly becoming crowded. Butler took the kids to a booth while Artemis and Holly stood in line. Holly had already been briefed about the flavors her niece and nephew wanted to try. "You look tired." Artemis observed, examining her closely.

Holly gave him a small smile. "That's your nice way of saying I look awful, huh?"

"No. You always look beautiful to me."

Both seemed to notice what he'd just said at the same time. "And I didn't mean to say that out loud." Artemis was blushing. Unable to resist, Holly uncapped her camera lens and snapped a photo of his face. His eyes widened in surprise. "Hey, what was that for?"

"Blackmail." She replied smugly.

"You little (insert word of choice here)."

Not to be outdone, Holly shouted, "You're a Muggle!" This outburst caused a few stares in their direction. Holly gave each person a fierce glare that clearly stated they had better mind their own business. Which is why she was surprised when a teenage boy had the courage to come up to her.

"So this is so random but I just overheard your love for Harry Potter and had to come over. Here's my number. Call me!"

Sensing that the boy was in immediate danger, Artemis grabbed both of Holly's hands and turned her around. "Don't say a word."

"But-"

"Not another word."

Holly glared at Artemis. Turning her head slightly, she muttered, "Muggle."

Artemis chuckled at this. Stepping up to the counter he gave the cashier everyone's order. Holly had asked for a large chocolate on chocolate blizzard that could only be described as a diabetic coma waiting to happen. Gilbert got a banana split sundae and Susie was anticipating enjoying a mint blizzard. Butler, being a simple man, had ordered a vanilla cone. Artemis still was not much of an ice cream person so went without.

Holly helped carry the ice cream over to the booth. She slid in next to Susie and was joined a minute later by Artemis. Gilbert and Butler sat across from them. "If I died tonight, it would be as a very happy woman." She moaned.

Something about the sensual way she was sucking on her spoon caused Artemis to adjust his pants. He cleared his throat and tried to look anywhere but at her.

"Don't you like ice cream, Arty?" Susie asked in between bites.

"Not really, no."

"You don't like any flavor?" Gilbert probed incredulously.

"We always knew there was something wrong with him, didn't we kids?" Holly piped up, waving her spoon around. Artemis scowled at her. "Now tell me this isn't the most delicious thing you've ever tasted." She thrust a spoon full of chocolate ice cream in front of his mouth.

Artemis tentatively opened his mouth and Holly shoved the spoon in. "It isn't bad." He admitted, swallowing.

Holly beamed victoriously. "It makes you want more now, doesn't it?"

Susie giggled. "My, my Aunt Holly. You sure are flirty tonight."

Holly's ears turned beet red as her wrathful gaze turned on her niece. "It's a shame you'll be sleeping on the floor tonight."

"But-" Susie quickly shut her mouth at a look from Butler. Sometimes it just wasn't smart to mess with the elf.

The walk back to the room was uneventful. The stars were bright and the temperature was warm with a slight breeze. Holly was reluctant to go back inside. It wasn't very often she got to enjoy the outdoors. Exhaustion won out, however. She changed into a silky night gown that Juliet had so thoughtfully packed for her and curled up under the covers of her bed. From her point of view, she was able to watch Artemis on his laptop. He was deep in thought. "Arty." She called. He looked up from what he was doing. "If you find anything on Spiro, wake me up."

He nodded and went back to work. Something told Holly he would be at it all night.