"So how it going with Cassia?" Sabella inquired once they both had mugs of hot chocolate in their hands and had sat down near the warm fire in their own little cabin.

"It's going fine," Aaron answered. "She fell asleep on my shoulder just before lunch arrived today."

"Well, that sounds like good progress," Sabella said. "It means she's relaxed around you."

"She was never as weary and suspicious as you were, when Dave and I first met you, but I believe we've gotten to know each other quite well over the last week. The problem now is telling her about immortality and you know the likely odds of her believing it."

"Yeah, they're not good," Sabella admitted. "This isn't like the time I was born in. This time is all about technology, not in the unseen or the unknown. Very few people believe in magic or in Gods and who at one point in time they were very prominent in our lives."

"Yeah, they could reward you or punish you depending on their mood," Aaron agreed.

"The point is that while we believe those god still exists, even if they are in an enchanted sleep somewhere well hidden and far away, most people do not," Sabella said.

"Yeah, to most people they are nothing but myths and legends that never really existed," Aaron said. "Who knows maybe some explorer will discover their hidden sleeping place someday but that's not important at the moment.

"So what do you plan on doing?" Sabella asked.

"I don't know yet, though I was considering taking her sledding, as she said she hadn't been since she was a kid," Aaron admitted.

"What about if you have an accident while you're on the slopes? Perhaps break an arm or leg?" Sabella suggested. "We both know that whatever bone you break will heal right away."

"That's rather risky. Cassia could panic instead of straightening whatever limb I broke so that it heals properly. She could call 911 and we both know that wouldn't be good. I would hate to have you or Dave rebreak the limb just so it heals properly as the first time will be painful enough."

"What about if Dave was with you? He could stop her from panicking? Cassia knows him at least slightly, so will be more likely to listen to him."

"Well, I suppose, if we can't think of any other way to get her to believe..." Aaron said understandably hesitant.

"I know what you're thinking and I can't blame you," Sabella said, "but it might be the only way. It's not exactly my favorite idea, as I don't like to see either you or Dave hurt, but since it will heal quickly..."

"In other words, I'm not going to have to wear a sling for a week. If that was the case I would immediately nix the idea," Aaron said.

"If it took so long to heal like it does everybody who isn't immortal then there would be no point of you breaking anything supposedly due to some sort of accident."

"It would be simpler just for him to break his nose and could be passed off more easily as an accident," Dave said coming into the room to join the others. "So long as Cassia was in the room and saw the damage before it healed that should be proof enough."

"That's an idea," Aaron said immediately brightening at the suggestion. "It would involve a lot less pain and it should heal within 10 minutes. So long as we make sure my nose is straight before it starts to heal the pain will be very short lived."

"While your idea is good Bella, it's too public. There are bound to be other people on the slopes and we don't want to many people to see the accident. For one thing it is well-known that Aaron is a professional level skier at least to those in skiing circles and while accidents are possible if you're unfamiliar with the slopes that is not the case this time. It would possibly bring to much attention, as Aaron's hardly known to be accident prone," Dave explained.

"That's very true, as I've skied those slopes hundreds of times in the last few decades," Aaron agreed.

"Probably thousands, but I get the point. Hadn't thought of that, but Dave is absolutely right. That's not to say, it's not possible for you to still have an accident, but questions would likely be asked, ones we don't want to answer," Sabella said.

"By those that come here frequently definitely," Dave said.

"I can always claim I was having a bad day," Aaron said. "Everybody has those once in awhile, but still, I agree that Dave's idea is better."

"So what are your plans for tomorrow?" Dave asked Aaron.

"I was going to take her sledding," Aaron answered. "I'm sure she'll enjoy it, and she told me recently that she's kind of tired of skiing at the moment."

"Well, you two have been out on the slopes every morning until lunch, so that's not surprising," Sabella said. "Someone might love to ski, but that doesn't mean that they don't need to take a break sometimes."

"I definitely agree," Aaron said. "We all know that all of us love to ski, but we do do other things, because otherwise..."

"It gets boring," Dave finished. "The competition and the competitiveness just goes right out of it."

"Especially considering that we are basically immortal," Sabella added.

The other two agreed that they needed a change.

"Perhaps one or more of our kids will be interested in taking this place over, keep it going," Sabella said after a few moments of silence.

"That's a good idea but we can discuss it later," Dave said. "So do you have a date tonight with Miss Cassia?"

"I'm taking her to see one of the newest vids, that just came out," Aaron said. "Cassia said that she's been wanting to see it, but has just been too busy."

"Or perhaps she just didn't want to go alone, as some people are like that," Sabella said. "If I'm going, I like to go with either you or one of my friends."

This was very true so the two men said nothing drinking their hot chocolate in comfortable silence. It was so comfortable and warm in the den of the little cabin that they shared that all three of them finished their hot chocolates and started to drift off to sleep their heads leaning back on the cushions of the sofa as they were suddenly very drowsy due to the warm room and the crackling fire.

~~~Dave, Sabella, Aaron, Cassia~~~

"This is fun!" Cassia exclaimed, as she and went down the steep hill on a two person sled. She was in the front with Aaron behind her and therefore, she was controlling the sled with the guide rope. "I haven't been sledding in years. Not since I was a kid."

"I thought this might be something you would enjoy doing. You did say earlier that you haven't been in years," Aaron shouted over the wind, as the two of them raced down the hill. The sled finally reached the bottom and Cassia and Aaron just sat there for a minute before getting to their feet.

"I didn't realize that this place had a sled run," Cassia said.

"It's just something we've been trying for the last few years. It's become pretty popular."

"And because it's so popular is more or less become permanent," Cassia guessed.

"Well, yes," Aaron admitted with a wink.

"It does bring in more money to the resort. I mean you have to pay to use the sled, and you have to get a ticket to use the runs set aside for sledding," Cassia said.

"Well, yes, it does bring in extra money, but on the other hand, we let kids under 10 ride for free on the weekends so long as they are already a guest at the resort and we didn't have to do that."

"Well, I admit that was rather nice of you and Dave," Cassia admitted with a little smile.

"We also give back to the community," Aaron said. "Donate to various charities. We aren't so greedy that we keep it all to ourselves."

"That's really nice to know," Cassia said appreciatively. "So many rich people keep it all and never give back to the community, particularly men. Not unless they get something in return."

"Yeah, I have even known men that don't even like to spend money on their families, their wives or their children and just leave them struggling. They're so greedy and selfish that they just like to keep it all for themselves, even if they will never spend all of it while they're alive," Aaron said. "Dave and I have never been like that."

"So ever been married?" Cassia asked trying to sound casual. "I know you said that you and Dave have had a lot of women over the years, but that doesn't mean that you couldn't have been married at one point, even if it didn't last."

"No neither one of us has ever been married," Aaron answered knowing it was a serious question, despite the fact that Cassia was trying to pass it off as just curiosity. "We are involved with a beautiful lady named Sabella however and no, we never officially married, even though we could."

"So why have you been flirting with me if you and Dave are involved with this Sabella?" Cassia asked.

"You are aware that you can marry more than one person now, right?" Aaron asked Cassia seriously with an amused expression.

"Well, yes," Cassia admitted, "But it's so unusual for everybody in a family to agree to add someone else to their relationship, since most humans are very territorial if they are really in love that is. Your lady does know about me right?"

"Of course, we've all discussed you and Sabella is the one that decided to stay out-of-the-way. Of course, she wants to meet you, but knows getting to know someone is a delicate process," Aaron explained, as the two of them trudged back up the hill so they could sled down it again.

Most of the other sledders had gone back in for lunch so they were relatively alone, though that didn't mean that their voices couldn't carry so they talked softly.

"So you're saying that you all agreed to allow you and Dave to, I believe the term is, court me," Cassia said slowly. "Why would you even want to if you're happy with this Sabella?"

"You did happen to notice that the attraction between us was fairly strong when we first met at the front desk, correct?" Aaron asked his companion his voice dry. "That attraction, even now, is very strong as hanging out together has only enhanced it. In fact, it's even stronger now than it was when we first met because we've gotten to know each other now and like what we learned."

"Well, yes," Cassia admitted blushing at Aaron's dry tone, as it was clear he was simply pointing out the obvious.

"What would you have done if you felt that strong attraction to someone you just met briefly?" Aaron asked, obviously expecting an answer.

"Well, I would try to get to know them, find out if they were married or at least if they were willing to take on another spouse. Of course, that strong attraction might not lead anywhere, as you could find that you were just too dissimilar and that all you have between you was lust and physical attraction," Cassia answered.

"That is not the case with us, right? We have many things in common. Certainly enough, that we would love each other for the rest of our lives if we decided at some point to tie the knot? You have to admit, we've been quite close from the first. I mean look at it this way we've only known each other for a week and I already know I love you. Dave would tell you the same if you bothered to ask him."

"I know it's only been a short time, but I love you too," Cassia admitted. "I thought you would think that I was crazy if I told you, since we really haven't known each other for very long. I wasn't looking forward to going home in a few days and leaving you and Dave behind."

"Most people would have called you crazy or at the least disbelieved you because people supposedly don't fall in love so fast," Aaron acknowledged. "If there's one thing I know however, is that falling in love can happen in one blinding instant. There are just some people who know instantly that a particular person is the one for them. If you're very lucky you meet that person or persons as the case might be."

"I have to agree that love isn't really logical, it just happens," Cassia said softly. "I know I've always been a bit of a romantic and that my friends would call me crazy and tell me that it was only lust I was feeling not love or that I didn't need to rearrange my life for just a fling."

"But they would be wrong," Aaron said.

"Yes, they would be wrong," Cassia agreed quietly. "I've never felt like this for any man I dated. The sexual vibes between us from the moment we met were stronger than anything I've ever felt and when you introduced me to your friend and co-owner Dave those strong vibes about knocked me down."

"It doesn't really matter what the rest of the world thinks," Aaron said.

"No, it really doesn't," Cassia agreed her tone more calm than she actually felt on the inside.

The two of them moved forward at the same time and Aaron leaned down slightly to kiss Cassia on the mouth. Aaron gave Cassia plenty of time to object, but finally, what seemed an eternity later, their lips met in a kiss that was life-changing.

The kiss seemed to last for an eternity, and yet was over much too soon.

"Wow!" Cassia said blinking open her eyes, that she had closed as soon as her and Aaron's lips had met.

"Yeah, wow!" Aaron repeated looking just as dazed as Cassia felt.

The kiss had been the same as his first kiss with Sabella so many centuries ago. It was belonging, acceptance, love and it was like coming home. It was like being totally and completely wrapped in love, a love that would never fade as the years and then the decades passed.

"I've never felt like that, never been kissed like that before..." Cassia said, as she touched her lips. She could still feel the imprint of Aaron's lips on hers.

"I'll be happy to kiss you anytime, anywhere," Aaron told her, even as he took her in his arms.

"What about Dave?" Cassia asked

"Oh, he'll tell you the same," Aaron told her cheerfully. "He's just leaving us to ourselves, but will be happy to join us. Besides we can't abandon Sabella, so he's spending all his free time with her."

"So is it his turn to spend my last few days here with him?"

"Both of us were kind hoping that you would stay here with us, meet Sabella, join us on a permanent basis. I'm sure that you and Sabella will get along right away."

"Because you talked about it and so she is prepared to accept another woman into your lives," Cassia suggested.

"Something like that yeah, though they're are a rather unusual set of circumstances that got her to agree to it so quickly," Aaron answered sounding all mysterious.

"What circumstances?" Cassia asked curious and a little confused.

"This is not the place to discuss it," Aaron said motioning around him at the snowflakes that had started to fall. "This might just turn out to be a gentle snowfall, or it could get worse. I think it's time we head in and have some lunch. We can discuss the subject later."

Cassia nodded without further complaint though she was very curious, but the snowflakes were starting to thicken now so it was definitely time to head into the resort. If they waited much longer they might not be able to find their way back or at least she probably wouldn't. Aaron probably could though, because he lived here and probably knew every inch of the resort, including the grounds.

The two of them trudged back toward the resort and arrived only a few minutes later.

"That was rather exhilarating," Cassia noted. "We'll have to do it again at some point."

"Yes, we will," Aaron said, as he removed his heavy coat, his hat and his snow pants that were covering his regular jeans.

Cassia liked that about Aaron and Dave, as they didn't feel like they had to dress in business attire just because they owned the resort. They were very casual men. That didn't mean that their clothes weren't very high-quality just that it isn't what most businessman would consider wearing unless they were on their own time and possibility not even then. Some men just didn't do casual, didn't know how to relax, so were always dressed in suits or at least slacks and a shirt with a collar.

Cassia did the same and it was only a minute later that they were ready to go get themselves some lunch once their outer wet clothes were stored in the closet where everybody else's were.

"Lunch?" Aaron inquired.

"Yes, that sounds like a really good idea," Cassia said. "I did tell you earlier that I'm starving. Breakfast wore off a long time ago."

"Considering how much energy we've been using..." Aaron said.

"Plus, the cold can sap your strength, so eating whether you feel hungry or not is always a good idea," Cassia added knowingly. She had grown up in a state that snowed regularly in the winter so she knew what she was talking about.

"Wise advice," came a very familiar voice.

"Thank you, but it's only common sense," Cassia said, as she turned to Dave. "Especially if you grew up someplace like North Dakota like I did. You have to take precautions if you're outside in the cold a lot for hours at a time, especially if you've been using your energy whether for work or play."

"There are some nice skiing resorts up that way," Dave noted.

"Yes, there are but they can get boring. I wanted to try something different," Cassia replied. "I know the slopes back home like the back of my hand."

"Variety is the spice of life," Aaron said. "It keeps life interesting."

"I wanted a challenge," Cassia added thoughtfully.

"I agree with Cassia," Aaron said. "I know the slopes here, so they're not exactly a challenge. Remember what we talked about not too long ago."

"Alright, alright, you win," Dave chuckled goodnaturedly. "I agree with both of you. I, to know the slopes and yes, they are no challenge, not anymore. Of course, the fresh competition has helped both of us improve our forms, but still, all the challenge has gone out of it."

"It's time for lunch, so if you want to join us Dave you're welcome too," Cassia offered.

"I will be happy to," Dave said happily. The pull to Cassia was very strong, just like it had been for Sabella and that pull would not go away until they started having sex on a regular basis. Fortunately, he and Aaron could only feel that pull when they were within line of sight, or it would be even harder to keep themselves under control.

Dave glanced at Aaron, and his friend winked at him, but said nothing, not that he could in front of Cassia. Still, Dave took the wink as a sign that things were going well. That Aaron looked happy was another sign of how well things were going and also the fact that Aaron didn't look upset or worried.

In fact, if he was any judge Aaron was much more relaxed than he had been in the last few days

The three of them shared lunch in the dining room, instead of in private for once talking and laughing all through the meal.

~~~Dave, Sabella, Aaron, Cassia~~~