Ria:
I'm sitting at the breakfast table working on my smoothie, taking drinks of tea between sips. It seems to help it settle better when I alternate them. I have already finished my coffee, as they only let me have one cup a day now, because caffeine is bad for pregnancy, I fucking hate it.
Everyone is rather quite this morning. The guys seem subdued, and Natalia keeps watching them trying to figure out what's up. I know it stems from last night, but I, unlike her, don't want to know.
Suddenly Drago looks at me and tilts his head, and a smile breaks out on his face.
"I want us to do something special before the babies come. I have decided we are going to take a trip. I will inform headquarters we need additional time with you, and we will be making special arrangements for any needed operations." He just spits out.
I just look at him completely confused, because I don't honestly know what he's going on about.
"Do you think they will make a fuss about any changes?" Cole looks at Drago as he asks.
The other two have also stopped eating and seem very interested in the conversation.
"No, I don't think it will make a difference Cole. We will still be available for any missions, and the locations shouldn't matter in the slightest."
"So, what's you idea?" Ash is staring intensely between Drago and me, and I'm not sure what this has to do with me.
Natalia is looking as lost as me, so I'm glad I'm not the only one, who doesn't have a clue what's going on.
Drago looks at me, "we are going to make one of your dreams come true."
I am so confused, "I'm sorry, what?"
"You told Natalia, that one of your biggest dreams, that you were pretty sure you'd never make come true, was touring around Europe. Well we're going to make that dream come true."
I glanced at Natalia, who was looking quite sheepish over in her seat. Of course the traitorous bitch would relay to her brothers every word I said.
I remember that we were in our dorm taking a break from school work, and eating pizza. We had started talking randomly about dreams we had. One thing I mentioned was that I had this huge dream to tour Europe, but figured it was the kind of dream I'd never be able to make come true.
The problem was I had told her generalities of that dream, just tour Europe. I didn't share the true heart and details of what that dream entailed. There's no way the guys could ever really make my dream come true.
Yes, touring Europe was the context, but I had wanted to backpack all over Europe. I had really wanted to immerse myself in the culture, meet locals, spend a long time doing it.
That wasn't what Drago was talking about, he didn't know the truth. He was offering a pittance of that dream. I thought his version would be more hurtful than good.
"I don't think that's such a good idea" was all I said
He looked surprised, "yes, it's a perfect idea. We need to do this before the girls come and we get too busy."
"I'll call headquarters and make arrangements for us to be contacted remotely." Cinder jumped up to go do exactly what he'd said.
"How soon do you want to be ready?" Ash was looking at Drago, so I figured he was asking him.
"It shouldn't take long to pack. I'm sure we'll be picking a lot of things up as we go from place to place."
"I'm coming to right?" Natalia was practically vibrating with excitement.
Drago smiled, "of course you're coming."
She jumped up and took off, probably to go pack. This was a mess. I just sat there trying to absorb everything.
Drago looked at me, "go pack a bag baby. There's luggage in the closet."
I didn't want to get into a long discussion about the reality and details of my dream. So, with that thought there wasn't much else to do but pack, and hope this would still be a pleasant trip.
I got up, headed upstairs, and went to find whatever luggage Drago had been talking about.
The rest of the morning was a whirlwind of activity. Victor was everywhere, Gragori was making preparations with the guys, and there were bags piled at the base of the stairs.
This whole thing was so far outside my wheelhouse, it was baffling. To try to wrap my head around the idea that you would just decide at breakfast one day to take the family on vacation, and then have everything ready to leave that afternoon.
I guess, when you had private jets, tons of money, and no "boss" to answer to, you could do what the fuck you wanted.
My reality had been more not knowing if you would have food and a safe place to sleep, or pinching pennies because the boys needed new clothes. It was being afraid, and not able to do some of the most basic things without asking permission, and hoping the cost wasn't too high if he said yes. That was my experience, so this just freaked me out.
Before I know it we're in the car.I can only assume we're headed towards a plane somewhere, but I honestly don't know.
It actually isn't long before we are in fact at a small airstrip and there's a sleek private plane waiting for us.
I guess this is probably how they brought me here, but I don't remember any of that.
Cole actually takes my hand and leads me to the steps that lead up into the plane. He hangs onto my hip to help me navigate the stairs.
When we get onto the plane I'm not surprised that it's extreamly luxurious. There's dark interior with black leather seats, and even a couch. There's what looks like a mini bar, and a closed door at the very back. The wood is dark with some gold trim.
We all take our seats and get buckled in. The seats are extreamly plush and comfortable. Not at all what I imagine normal airplane seats are like.
The guys are watching me intently and it makes me nervous. I kinda feel like a bug under the microscope.
"Why do you guys keep looking at me like that?"
They all seem slightly embarrassed to be called out, but at least it made them stop staring.
The flight is actually rather short. I had a little trouble with take off and landing making me nauseous, but once we were in the air or on the ground I was fine again.
When we leave the plane we are again on a small airstrip with no airport in site, however there's a limousine waiting for us.
Once we are seated and moving I ask, "okay, so where are we?"
Drago looks at me and smiles, "we are in Birmingham, England."
Ah okay I remembered where that was, so I guess we are starting in the UK.
Over the next several days we visited all over England, then head to Scotland. We spend several days traveling around and then it's off to Ireland for 3 days.
I'm not sure if they have a set itinerary or are just winging it, and I don't ask. Just being surprised wherever we end up made it more closely resemble what I'd wanted to do.
I make sure to converse with locals, and having a big pregnant belly it seems makes people gravitate to me.
I love the accents, and am surprisingly able to eat better. We shop, and I actually find some good maternity clothes. We visited museums, and they even take me to the Opera one night. It was incredible.
I do start noticing the excitement wearing off. Especially when it starts to feel rushed and I wished I could just spend days exploring places.
I know how I get when I'm learning new things. The history here is amazing, and I wished I could just spend the time to soak it all up, but I can't. This isn't that kind of vacation.
Instead we are going rather quickly from place to place, and I feel like I get a tiny nibble then it's yanked away.
I'm trying to be happy and cooperative. I am trying to keep a smile on my face. Natalia is beside herself with the shopping, and although I do enjoy some local shops, and find some amazing things, that just not my thing.
By the time we get to Paris the strain is setting in. I am back to having a hard time eating, and I'm not sleeping much. I am sad and trying to hide it, not sure how successful I'm being.
We are standing on the side of a street. There's a man here who offers horse drawn carriage rides. They are talking to him and probably planning a ride. I'm more interested in the beautiful horses.
I am standing with them and they are both being very affectionate. I am giving scratches, and pets, and kisses to both. The one on my left has started nuzzling her head into my stomach. One of the babies kicks hard, and it whinnys. I laugh and the horse does it again. Soon we have a game going. One of the horses noses my stomach, and one of the girls kicks, punches, or some kind of movements in responce. Then the horse whinnys and tosses it's head only to do it again.
Eventually I realize it's gotten quiet except for myself and the horses. I look up and the entire group is watching us intently.
The man who owns the carriage walks around closer to see what's going on. When he watches the whole interaction he laughs. That draws everyone else closer. Then the game becomes a spectacle.
Then the girls stop moving, probably back asleep, so the horses start seeking pets from me again.
"I've never, in all my days, seen them do that." I look to the side and it's the driver.
"They're beautiful, and very friendly. Animals have always loved me, and it's mutual." I smile as I tell him.
We do end up taking a carriage ride bundled up in furry blankets through the Paris streets.
It's late at night but I can't sleep. We have a multi room suite in a fancy hotel. I was actually sharing a room with Natalia. I think the guys are attempting to not crowd me or something.
I am sitting on a padded window seat watching the lights of Paris. I can see the river, and the lights twinkle against the water.
I hear a sound and turn my head to see Cinder standing there. He's watching me intently looking a bit rumpled in pajama pants.
He is incredibly handsome. He and Cole both have crystal blue eyes, both the other's are Hazel. He, like the others, has silky black hair and a natural tan. His is sleep mussed but normally he wears it in that finger combed, sexy, relaxed side part with a slight curl on the ends. He is sporting stubble on his usually clean shaven face.
All of them are incredibly built, Cinder is middle of the road. Drago is very muscled and as is Ash, Cinder is sporting some muscle but his is more toned not so bulky. He has a very fine sprinkling of hair on his stomach leading down and disappearing beneath his pajama pants.
I just stare at him as he watches me. He walks up and stands directly in front of me. He lifts his hand and uses his thumb to wipe away wetness from tears I didn't even realize I'd shed.
"Why are you so sad Ria? You were happy at first, now you're not, and in fact you get sadder every day."
I look down and back out at Paris for a moment trying to figure out what to say.
"This isn't the dream you had is it?"
I shake my head, "I actually wanted to spend at least a year backpacking around Europe."
"Wow, that would have been ambitious but also probably pretty dangerous."
I laugh just a little, "yeah that was one of the reasons I figured I'd never really get to do it. Cin and I" I stop abruptly for a moment to compose myself.
"Cin and I had talked about it several times, wondering if we could ever have the money to do it together."
He just nods but doesn't comment for a moment.
"We were worried that with what you told, or implied, to Drago, that your dragon was forcing your hand with us. I think he was trying to find a way for you to connect to us more. Hoping that it would help you, to either talk to us more, or maybe even get closer to us yourself."
He paused for a moment, "I hate the idea that you feel like that. We all have such strong feelings for you. We want you to be happy so bad. I wish I could fix what happened with your family, and I am more sorry than I can put into words. I love you little Ria, and I wished you could feel that."
I just watched him. He looked so sincere. What if I tried to let them closer? What if I tried to let it be me and not my dragon, how would it feel?
I have been so incredibly sad and lonely, and feel so lost. I get up and move to stand toe to toe with Cinder. I reach up and touch his jaw, running my hands over the stubble there. I stretch up on my tiptoes and hope he meets me because he's too tall for me to kiss without help.
He does and the kiss is soft and sweet. This is also the first time I have initiated a kiss. The twins seem somehow less intense than Drago and Ash, perhaps that's why this seems easier.
He places his hands on each side of my face and increases the strength and intensity of the kiss. I meet his enthusiasm and when I feel his tongue touch the seem of my lips I open for him. We explore each others mouths with our tongues, and I am surprised at the heat that starts building in my body. This is me, my dragon is sleeping. Perhaps I can try to make this work somehow.