CHAPTER 2
After they finished talking, Ivan informed her that the Chinese Ambassador would be willing to see her at noon tomorrow for lunch. He tried to get her to eat something for her lunch now; she finally relented and ordered a chicken club, French Fries, and a large Coke. She smiled sweetly at her old friend as she left in the limousine to meet up with the kids and spend some time with them.
Gabriella was able to meet her family at Space Mountain. The Chinese Ambassador's wife soon after broke away with the nanny, her children, and the four bodyguards. The group spent a lot of time being silly; they had already eaten at one of the restaurants. She and the children were having the time of their lives; they went to all the major rides.
Afterwards they ate at Cinderella's Castle. The kids wanted it to go on all night long.
But the adults could tell that children were getting tired. And yet they continued going to the shops and attractions. They bought souvenirs for the rest of the family. Irena was the first one to crash the animals carried them when their steps started to lag. At nine they decided to call a halt to the festivities.
Gabriella and her cousins had a blast catching up on the family gossip and happenings. Her cousins were so happy about Yodie finally talking after 5 years. Clara was tutoring him to catch him up with the other kids. They said their goodbyes, when they were dropped off at their own home. As the limousine was pulling up to the hotel, Yodie screamed from a nightmare and Zef started growling, scaring everyone around them.
"Quiet Zef, you're not helping, and you woke up Irena." She pulled Yodie off Zef's back, Yodie tried to kick her in his sleep. She held him in her arms, crooning to him, rocking him back and forth.
The animals were agitated; no one could get near them without being growled at. After they got into the limousine, the driver put down the partition and asked, "Is everything all right ma'am does the little guy need help?"
Gabriella explained to the driver, "Yodie had a nightmare but he didn't wake all the way up."
When they got to the hotel they had already been checked in by Ivan, and their luggage had been delivered to the hotel by the Chinese ambassador's wife. She had also seen to their clothes being put away. Gabriella was the only one who was still carrying their clothes, in her big cream colored tote. After she got both the kids washed, brushed and ready for bed, they were out again. No kisses, no hugs, and barely a good night.
With the kids tucked into bed, and Zef and Warg settled in the room with them, she headed for the bathroom to shower and fall into her own bed. It had been a hard day and tomorrow was going to be worse for her.
Taz was outside her bedroom roaming, the gentle giant was patrolling the suites; he was making sure that the kids and other animals were safely in their rooms. He was the Alpha of all the animals and took the responsibility seriously. He came into the bedroom with her to sleep. The family had learned a long time ago the animals seemed to have learned to be light sleepers so they could be there for the children.
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The next morning, before sunrise, she woke from a dream. It was a memory dream in which she remembered one of the mornings that she had watched her mother and father embracing in the four paned window of the family home. On mornings like this she hoped that her parents were happy for Clara and her and the rest of family. As the sun slowly came up rising higher above the horizon brighter and lighter, and that was when she had awakened.
Looking to the horizon in the east the sky was waking up too, it started out black-to-purple-to deep rose-to-golden rose, sunrise red the sky was blue, the sun was perfect. It was a glorious way to start her day.
Gabriella went into the kids' room to make sure they were up. Yes, they were up but not in their room. The rambunctious pair were out on the balcony trying to climb onto the railing. Warg and Zef were carefully but firmly putting a stop to their shenanigans by the expedient method of grabbing the pairs pajama tops with their teeth.
The kids turned around all smiles and said, "Hi, Mommy." Knowing that she loved them no matter what they did.
Their mother smiled back at them. "Come on; let's get dressed so we can go to downstairs to breakfast." Gabriella reached out to the children and they took hold of her outstretched hands with their own little hands and led her back to their room.
The animals ate while the children got dressed. The Russian government supplied the animals with their meals, raw meat, shots. Vitamins, grooming, voice automated collar, bedding, and basic training to handle the automatic doors. The voice automated collar, was a voice box for the animals to communicate with humans, they speak through the boxes.
As the family got dressed to go down to eat, Gabriella stopped at the door, waiting for the animals to come along. They still had to pack up the souvenirs and their clothes. She would definitely have to go by some of the more fashionable shops to see what was in style this year. Gabriella had realized while dealing with the concierge yesterday that she looked like an old milk maid compared to the younger woman.
They all went downstairs for breakfast and to look in the shops, to give Gabriella some ideas, for a new style dress. Then they would do some sightseeing before noon. That was their plan, until they saw Ivan talking to the officers from animal control. They all went out to the small group with the kids on the back of the animals. The officers drew their weapons Gabriella stepped in front of the animals, "Those are my children you are endangering by pointing your guns at them."
Ivan and eight other men took up positions in front of Gabriella. "Gentlemen, Com….These animals are endangered species from Russia that would come out of your pocket not your governments. If you were in Russia…well that is another matter to be sure. Would you be so kind as to lower the weapons? Now!" He paused for effect.
"It is my understanding that to harm the animals would be considered a federal offense. Yes." Ivan looked back at Gabriella to confirm his statement. She wasn't going to tell them that endangered might be an overstatement, "Yes, that would be correct, Ambassador. I am also sure that it would be considered a grave tragedy if it came to violence."
Ivan than answered her, "They are Russian property after all, entrusted into your care, to help others, correct. Also considering they are acting as medical assistance animals in a research trial conducted between our two countries. It would be a shame if the information to be gained and shared between our two said countries was lost or ended due to an error in judgment or an impulsive act."
Gabriella had whispered to Yodie and Irena to go back inside until she came and got them. The only animal left was Taz and she would stand in front of him to save his life. She had learned this as they had started to gain an understanding of the animals and their importance. The officers' purpose was to make sure that the animals are not a danger to the people, her own kids and that the animals were also well cared for. They wanted to take pictures. She told them only one, and thanked them for their willingness to listen to reason.
The family, Ivan and his entourage all went back inside to have breakfast. He tried to get the kids and Gabriella to eat something with him, as the kids were bouncing on their seats. Another man sat down next to the kids. Gabriella lifted an eyebrow, "Are you sure you want to sit there?"
The man was dark, handsome and Middle Eastern looking, you've heard of the forbidden fruit. He was the snake wrapped around it. "Oh, but I thought I would introduce you to someone. I have told him about you and your special needs. This is Benjamin Levi. He is Mossad, yes Jewish and a soon to be former employee of mine. I thought he could be your driver and bodyguard if you think he would be a good fit for the family."
Gabriella looked at Ivan and then looked at Benjamin. "Question number one. Do you get along with children?"
Ivan chuckled, "I told you that would be the first thing out of her mouth."
Benjamin smiled, and nodded his head at Ivan's comment before responding in a heavy accent, "Yes, there are 12 in my family, I am fourth from the oldest, and there are always younger siblings around, so yes I think I am comfortable around children. If I am to be employed by you I have a few rules even you will have to follow."
Gabriella looked at him, "I can try to live with that, but you've only seen two of mine, there are eight more. Oh, do not teach Anthony how to drive recklessly; he's the oldest of the kids in the house, not Kayla, or Jason." Benjamin laughed at the kids who were adorable to watch, "I will not. I would teach them to drive safely in any and all situations."
"So how much experience do you have being a bodyguard?" Gabriella asked.
Benjamin responded, "I was in the Israeli Air Force for two years, Mossad for 4 years and I have been with Ivan for 8 years now."
"Do you require a special diet? If so tell Clara or I will get what you need if we have it in our little town. If we don't have it in town, we can probably get it from local farmers."
Benjamin replied, "I will prepare my own meals with food I purchase."
She nodded and asked the two men. "Give me some time to think about this."
Ivan agreed and then said that, "I have asked someone else here to interview for your liaison but he is running late." Unfortunately by this time, the kids were so hyped about the animal control officers and their little adventure that there was no way they were going to be eating breakfast at this point.
It was getting very close to time for her meeting with the Chinese Ambassador. Gabriella had no idea how she was going to calm the children down, it was hopeless.
Ivan than suggested he take the kids sightseeing for her, she could join them when she got through. The young mother agreed without batting an eye, this was Ivan after all not just the Russian Ambassador, he was used to dealing with their brood. She thanked him and said she would call as soon as she and Taz got out of the meeting. As they entered the hallway she knew this was going to be easier then she could have hoped for, she prayed it would be anyway. She took a deep breath to steady her nerves.