A/N: Happy ever after? Not quite! We still have the concert! But don't worry, this chapter's good too! Heir over and out.
"Good work, Robert."
"Anytime, Mr. de Piro." Robert smiled as the police led him to the ambulance crew, pushing past crowds of spectators. The dead body of Maximilian Bonaparte had been taken before them. He looked back as he clutched his wounded arm and watched his sister run towards him, eyes scared but at the same time, laughing. As she neared he heard her laughter and he stopped to lean next to her and speak.
"Why are you laughing?"
"Because this is just like the good ole days…you protecting me and me thanking you for it. So…thanks." She hugged him and released him quickly as he was hauled into the ambulance. She went into the ambulance as well and sat beside him tentatively. She had never seen the inside of an ambulance before. Lilly and Miley were sitting opposite her, huddled up in a blanket and drinking a sort of warm drink. The paramedics moved to her and took off her damp jacket, giving her a warm blanket and the drink. As she sipped, she watched the two American girls over the rim.
Lilly felt the feeling of being watched as she raised her eyes. She looked at the girl opposite them, who smiled and got up, moving closer to them.
"Whatever you guys do, don't show it in public. Most people like you guys who are courageous enough to show their love for each other are shunned from our society."
Lilly was about to evade answering when Miley spoke. "And you're OK with it?"
"You kidding? I wish I was as brave as you guys!" she grinned, wiping the salty water from her brow.
"What? There's someone you want?" Lilly asked, interested. Vicky put a hand on her mouth and shushed her.
"Not in front of my brother. He doesn't know. No-one does 'cept my closest friends."
Miley sensed a change in topic was needed. Leaning into Lilly, she sighed, content. "It's finally over."
"Yeah…" Lilly agreed.
"Amen to that," Robert stated happily, holding his cup up. "And Eviva to a brighter future!"
"Na Zdarovye." The two smiled at each other and drank down their drinks. Miley laughed as they toasted in two completely different languages and sipped her own drink.
Robby Ray hugged his children, crying as he realized how close he had come to losing both of them. Jackson had been bandaged up properly and Miley had a cut on her cheek but the two looked more beautiful then ever.
"So why the sam hill didn't you tell me about any of this?!" he asked them.
"We were afraid you'd call the police," Miley said simply, hanging her head. "We thought Lilly would be hurt if the kidnappers saw the police coming."
"So you decided to try and rescue her yourselves… and put yourself in even more danger," Robbie Ray sighed. "Miles, I thought I taught you better than that…"
"I'm sorry, daddy," Miley whispered, near tears. "I just couldn't… I just couldn't stand the thought of losing Lilly." She looked over at the blonde-haired best friend, who was standing nearby. Robbie Ray noticed the expression on his daughter's face when she did so, and realized there was more in that simple gaze that what she'd told him. It seemed they were going to have to have another conversation very soon…
"Right now, I'm just glad ya'll are safe… but next time, remember you can trust your daddy with anything, okay?" Miley nodded solemnly.
"I will, daddy… and I love you." She reached out to hug her father again.
"I love you too, baby girl."
He looked up at the two Maltese who had helped out his children. After having been told the whole story, he thought it was time for proper thanks. He moved to the two people who had risked both their lives to save his children and smiled.
"Thank you for protecting my children."
"We understand that you lost your wife. We almost lost our own mother. We can sympathize with you. Besides, we're glad we could help." Robert patted Robby Ray on the back and smiled. "Did you notice we hold the same name?" He laughed along with the older man.
"Yeah. Fate, ain't it?"
Nicholas de Piro held the silver earrings in his hands. Who knew that these simple ornaments could cause so much pain?
He pocketed them gently and turned to his sons. "Thank you both. I'll take it from here."
"OK, Da."
He turned to the five Americans and smiled. "Would you like to come tomorrow and join me for a day at my residence?"
"Thank you, Mr de Piro."
"No, thank you, for restoring back my prize earrings, and for making sure Maximilian Bonaparte will never bother the Treasures of this Earth again!" Nicholas de Piro smiled at the four children before him. Jackson's arm was still in its cast and Oliver still had a bandage over his hand. The slash on Miley's cheek was covered in a simple plaster. Nonetheless, the four looked happy, victorious.
Vicky and Robert stood behind their family friend, smiling. Robert had an arm around his sister, pulling her insanely close to him; closer then he had ever done before. The thought of losing her was just too unimaginable. She, on the other hand, had her hand rested on his wounded arm which the sword had penetrated.
Nicholas looked at the blonde girl in particular. She had a certain familiarity to her…what was it now…?
"Nannu! Where are you!" Nicholas' face lit up as he heard the voice of his heir call up from downstairs.
"In my study ċiċċa!" Footsteps came up the stairs and soon, a blonde haired girl of about sixteen or seventeen came through the door. Her eyes were a bright blue, her hair cascading over her shoulders and her smile radiating across the room. But the most striking thing about her were the earrings on her, the silver blessed earrings.
Lilly's mouth gaped open. She moved – nay, limped – closer to the girl and the girl blinked. The two smiled at each other and pointed. "But you look just like me!"
"Ms Truscott, this is my current heir, Lillian de Piro. She is my pride and joy." Nicholas proudly announced, beckoning to his granddaughter to come nearer.
"Nannu! You're just saying that!" Lillian smiled, hugging him and facing the brunette behind him. They exchanged a glance and high-fived. "Good job on getting the earrings back."
"Thanks. But it was mostly them you know." Vicky gestured to her Californian companions, who stood straighter, especially Oliver and Jackson.
"Thank you so much for keeping the faith of the de Piros in line."
"No need to thank us…"
"But a kiss would be nice!" Oliver jumped up, stupidity taking a hold of him.
The girl laughed and came forward, kissing him on both cheeks – as is the custom in Malta – and did the same to Jackson. "You two are adorable!"
She turned to Miley and hugged her. "Thank you for keeping the earrings safe."
"No problem." Miley hugged her back, slightly surprised at the girl's openness, but after getting used to the Maltese's way of hospitality, she had accustomed to random hugs and hand shakes.
Next, the two Lillians hugged, and a word was exchanged between them. Miley could make out "Thank you for being there in my place" and "Don't worry about us, we'll be fine!"
Miley thought a little. The de Piros had given them hospitality in their guest rooms after their gesture to them for the rest of the holiday. Maybe…
"Urm, Lillian. I have some extra tickets to the Hannah Montana concert this weekend. Would you like to come?"
Lillian's face lit up and she smiled widely. "Only if Vicky comes too. We're old friends."
"But of course!" Oliver and Jackson said in unison, smiling.
"Then I'd love to come!"