-8-

The motel room at the Villa de Dolphine was darkened with the only light coming from outside, but because all of the McCallisters were staying in what was essentially one single room, the sound of snoring was everywhere. As she snuggled into the warmth of her husband, trying vainly to drown out the noise, Kate McCallister went in and out of sleep; every time she woke up, Kate found herself having to cope with Frank's snoring and it was beginning to drive her insane.

The only other sound she could currently hear right now was the seemingly endless rain from outside. Kate hoped it stopped because they would be going out to break the monotony, and actually try and do something to take their minds off of the fact Kevin and Megan were not here.

Peter had done the same thing with the kids last time; while they hadn't really succeeded in taking their minds off of the disaster of leaving Kevin at home alone, they had gotten out and about. Kate was only slightly relieved she wasn't having to go through the hell of last time, of spending her December on the days leading up to Christmas living in an airport, haggling for a flight to go home, to Kevin.

But at least last year she had known where Kevin was.

Right now she was desperate for news; for a good few hours, Kate had sat staring at the phone, as if willing for it to ring with news. It had only been Peter and Linnie tugging her to the bathroom and telling her to get ready for bed, had she left the phone. When she got back it still hadn't and wouldn't ring.

When she was asleep it wasn't any better; she was full of dreams and nervousness about what could be happening to Kevin and Megan. She couldn't believe this was happening again, they were supposed to be on vacation in a luscious, luxurious hotel room, spending time on the beach, and having fun, but because of a stupid twist of fate, two of her children were missing.

"Hey, can't sleep?"

Kate slowly and tiredly lifted her head, and looked into her husband's face; she could only just see it thanks to the low light levels, but she could see him. He also looked unhappy. "Not really," she flinched when a particularly loud snore was heard.

Peter saw the flinch and frowned. He was starting to see holidaying with Frank and Leslie as more trouble than it was worth, and he yearned for the holidays during the summer months when he and his family would go off on their own. At least they were together, and it was quiet and there was none of that stupid, unnecessary pressure they got over Christmas.

This latest debacle with the Villa was the last straw, as far as he was concerned.

Peter had largely paid for the whole trip, and since Frank and Leslie knew Florida well enough, and the whole holiday was Frank's wonderful suggestion, Kate and he felt it was only fair Frank make the booking. But he had foolishly hoped Frank would choose a place that was big enough for all of them, so they wouldn't be sleeping on top of everyone.

"I'm sorry, it's my fault; I should have checked what Frank was doing," Peter apologised.

Kate shook her head against his chest. "That's not it. Are we bad parents' Peter?" She whispered.

Peter felt his heart break at the question, knowing where this was coming from. "No, I don't think we are," he whispered back, "I just think we've got so many kids, we're bound to sometimes side with one of them whenever something happens. Are you gonna talk to Buzz about what happened?"

"I think so, yes," Kate closed her eyes, already exhausted by the very thought. She swore if Buzz tried one of his games, she would make sure he stayed here in Miami. "I just wish Megan had thought to call us."

"Me too, but don't forget, she is a teenager; she probably thought it would be cool to be away from us, but I agree it was stupid and foolish she never thought to get in touch with us, or try to at any rate, and let us know she was okay," Peter replied.

That was something he didn't like, and it would be one of the first things he would do when they reunited with Kevin and Megan, make it clear how unimpressed he was they didn't bother to send word to Miami where they were. In his head, that was the first thing they should have done. His only best theory was they'd had found themselves somewhere, and they had decided to have a vacation all to themselves; once it was over, they would get in touch.

In his head, that was both cruel and carelessly reckless.

But the very first thing Peter would do when he was reunited with his children was to hug them to death. Right now, he and his wife and kids are currently awaiting news from the police that their credit cards have been found.

"Try to get some sleep, sweetie," Peter yawned as quietly as he could, cursing the situation they were in, cursing Frank and his cheapness, "don't forget, we're going out in the morning."

Kate nodded. She had her own credit cards, thank god, and she hoped her son and daughter did use Peter's and it sent up the right flags for the Police to track.

"Yeah, hopefully by then the rain will have eased off," Kate answered.

It didn't.

To the disgust of everyone, it didn't stop raining. Their day was further worsened by the fact when they went out, despite their best efforts, they were soaked to the skin within a few minutes. The food was good, but the conversation was mooted by the surroundings and the weather, which seemed to have sapped them of any enthusiasm. All their plans to tan on the beach, and go shopping had been ruined. Some of the more cynical members of the group would have eagerly blamed Kevin and Megan, for throwing a spanner in the works, but the fact was it had been raining for some time and would have been raining, even if Kevin and Megan were around.

As Kate struggled with the others to try to find some kind of enjoyment in Florida, which was a contradiction in terms when it was raining like mad, she scowled whenever she saw one of the decorated palm trees. She found out Kevin was not the only one who favoured the traditional trees.