"And look, it even matches this pair of Jeans too. Urgh, I love this bag!" Alexis said happily as she twirled in front of the hotel room mirror, her new bag clutched under her arm. It was a black leather one, with a leopard print patch on the front and gold studs around the edges.

"Well you'd think you would, since it took you four hours to choose it" Ella muttered quietly from where she sat on her bed.

It was late afternoon now, and mostly everyone had drifted back to their room's for some down time.

Alexis sniffed at the comment "Just make sure you don't throw up on this one too"

Ella shot her a look but didn't respond.

"I want to go out!" Alexis suddenly declared, shoving the piles of her clothes she'd been trying on, off of her bed so she could jump down on it"I'm so bored"

"But our parents didn't organise anything for the evening" Katie pointed out.

"So? Why can't we organise something? There has to be something to do here. It's an entertainment resort for god sake. I have this brand new bag and it needs to be shown off"

Katie reached down to her nightstand and pulled out a bunch of bundled up pamphlets, rifling though them "Oh, they have a water park show on in a couple of hours. They have Dolphins and seals and stuff"

Ella brightened over the idea of a water show "That sounds cool"

"Two hours? I can't wait that long! I'll be dead from boredom by then" Alexis shot the idea down.

"Um, they have an arts centre on the sixth floor. Tonnes of free classes, crafts and paints you can use any time. That could be fun" Katie made another suggestion.

Again, Alexis wrinkled up her nose " I can't even draw stick figures. Next"

"I know they have a petting zoo open until six, we could go check that out?"

Alexis let out a groan "Oh my god, all of these ideas are so...so kiddy. A petting zoo? What are we five?"

Ella shrugged "If we went I could bring Molly along and Katie could see if Elliot wanted to go"

Katie laughed "Yeah, I would get major brownie points for that"

"That's fine for you guys but you're forgetting I don't have a little brother or sister, so there wouldn't be anything in it for me" Alexis pointed out "Besides, baby animals aren't my thing. I don't do cute. Maybe if it was like, snakes or tarantulas and stuff it would be cool"

Ella was starting to get impatient "Well if our suggestions are too 'kiddy' and cute for you, we'll leave it up to you to think of something then" she said, roughly throwing her some of the pamphlets from Katie.

Alexis barely caught them and she scowled "Fine. But whatever I choose you have to do"

"Fine" Ella said roughly "Just pick something already. Try and make a decision in less than four hours if you can"

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"Extreme indoor skiing?" Katie looked up at the intimidatingly huge slope of ice and snow, her eyes wide.

The resort had its own huge ski atrium that managed to fit a huge snowy landscape, complete with ramps and mounds and ski tracks, as well as one huge slope. It was all enchanted of course, so it was real snow but it wasn't nearly as cold, with the rest of the resort outside being lovely and tropical. The girls only had to wear light jackets.

"Yup" Alexis smiled, holding her rented ski's and snapping on a pair of snow goggles "Badass huh?"

"Pretty badass" Flyn nodded in agreement. He'd overheard the girls from his room as they were leaving and insisted on tagging along. After spending the day with his mother, her friends, his older brother and a bunch of little kids, he was ready to do anything that sounded remotely fun.

"It's not the worst thing you could have picked" Ella half complimented "I've never skied in my life though"

"So? It'll be more fun that way" Alexis grinned, a little maniacally.

"You're crazy" Flyn smirked.

"The craziest!" Alexis laughed.

Katie looked doubtful as she clutched onto her pair of ski's in fear. Katie had never used the word 'badass' seriously in her life. She was the least badass person she knew. Even when Alexis had first suggested it back up in the hotel room she'd been doubtful to even agree to it. When each of the girls had gone to ask their mothers if it was alright that they go, even Tecna had looked at her daughter in surprise.

She felt herself weaken even more when a high speed skier sped past them in the snow, giving her a fright "I don't know about this, I might just sit out..."

"Hey, if she's making me do this, you have to too" Ella smiled at her before whispering "And without you around I'll go crazy left with her!"

Katie managed a laugh "Well...ok. But we have to start small ,ok!"

Alexis waved a hand at her "No way! Go big or go home. We're going on the big slope first!"

"And you're making all our minds up for us then?" Ella said.

"Yes. Now come on, we have to get on the chairlift" Alexis called back as she already started across the snow field towards the electronic chair lift that would take them to the top of the huge slope.

Ella and Flyn went to follow before they both realised Katie was standing still as a statue.

"Katie?" Flyn called back.

"I really, really don't think I can, you guys" she said quietly.

Ella stepped back over to her"It's ok Katie, none of us know how to Ski. Were all just going to try it"

"Yeah, what's the worst that can happen?...Well, fall and break a leg I suppose...but I'm sure that won't happen" Flyn tried to smile reassuringly.

Ella rolled her eyes at him "That won't happen Katie, you'll be fine"

"But what if I wont be? What if I do fall? Which I probably will..."

Ella put her hand in Katie's "Remember the other day in the pool, when you were too scared to get in and me and Flyn went and got you that silly inflatable dolphin thing to ride, and we pulled you along?"

"Yeah" Katie nodded.

"Well, this is just like that isn't it? Even though you're worried, you still have us here with you. We can even hold your hand's when were skiing down if you'd like?"

"Yeah, me on one side, Ella on the other. We'll hold so tight there's no way you'll fall...and if you do, we'll fall with you and make sure to cushion your landing" Flyn joked

Katie still looked unsure but she smiled, laughing at Flyn "I...ok. Ok I'll do it"

"What's taking you guys so long?!" They heard Alexis call from all the way over at the ski lift base, where a couple of the chairs were being held for them.

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Ella shared one of the lifts seats with Katie, and she could feel the girls hand clutch onto hers so tight she thought her circulation was going to be cut off, but she didn't say anything or freak out too much. In front of them were Alexis and Flyn who both seemed to enjoy rocking the chair back and forth dangerously. Thankfully, they all made it the top.

"Ok! Last one down has to stand up at dinner tonight and do the chicken dance in front of the whole restaurant!" Alexis said as she charged forward on her ski's the second she hit in the ground.

"We're not doing any bets!" Ella called after her, gently getting off the chair with Katie.

"Ugh, you guys are no fun" She huffed.

Just in front of them was a starting line, monitored by one of the resort staff. People were regulated as they went down, so there wouldn't be too many people crowding the slope at once. It seemed to be a pretty quiet day though, as the girls and Flyn were the only four up here.

Alexis went straight up to the line with no hesitation "See you guys down the bottom! Try not to take too long" but before she could push off on her ski's , a whistle blew.

They all turned as the snow resort employee, a girl with long white hair ,wearing black leggings and a light blue and yellow resort staff t-shirt, walked over to them.

"Hey, guys! I can't just let you go down straight away. You need to show me your competency certificates" she said.

Alexis looked at her blankly "Our what certificates?"

"Your competency certificates. You know, the ones you get after you pass your basic ski lesson? To make sure your competent enough to go down the slope? Everyone has to get one before we can let them go down. For safety reasons and everything"

"Oh, um, we don't have those" Flyn stepped forward "How long does it take to get them?"

"It's a three hour class and then you're good to go" she smiled but Alexis's and Flyn's faces fell.

"But we don't have three hours! Our parents want us back in two, we don't have time for a stupid class" Alexis whined. Ella was sure she would have stomped her feet like a child if it weren't for the ski's already attached to them.

"I know, it sucks, but I don't make the rules. You can't go down if you don't have one. Sorry" The girl seemed genuinely apologetic. She only looked around their age too.

Flyn sighed and jabbed his Ski'ing sticks into the snow "Well, so much for this then. Are we just going to head back down?"

"I guess" Ella shrugged. She looked over at Katie and smiled "And you need to stop grinning so big"

"I can't help it, I feel like this is some kind of intervention of fate, to save me from this slope!" Katie laughed with relief "Now maybe we could go to that petting zoo?"

"You guys were going to go to a petting zoo?" Flyn asked, interested.

"And when you guys get down and need to hand in your gear, just explain what happened, I'm sure they'll give you a refund on the hiring price and-"

but before the employee could say one more word, there was a movement in the corner of her eye and Alexis had ski'ed past her, grabbing onto Ella and Katie's hands, heading down the slope pulling them both with her.

"Certificate my ass!" She called back as she zoomed down the side of the slope with a laugh, the screaming of Ella and Katie almost drowning her out.

The girl looked down at them, as all three sped down the snow at an alarming speed, quickly becoming specks in the distance. She looked back at Flyn and they stared at each other in shock for a second, speechless.

"Well, I...um...yeah. Bye" Flyn said curtly, as he too pushed off down the slope, hurrying after the three girls.

Alexis let go of both Ella and Katie, who had still not stopped shrieking by the way, at the same time as she tried to keep her feet forward.

"HOW DO I STOP!?" Katie yelled in absolute terror.

"I DON'T KNOW" Ella cried back in almost the same amount of terror.

"WHY WOULD YOU WANT TO STOP!" Alexis yelled out to the both of them as the wind whipped against all three of them "THIS IS BRILLIANT!" she laughed.

Ella gasped as she noticed another ski'er down in front of her, directly in her path "MOVE! OUT OF THE WAY!" she screamed, only just missing them as the dived out of her path. "SORRY!" she called back.

They were almost down the bottom of the slope now and were coming up the flat ground, but that didn't necessarily mean that was safe.

"HOW DO WE SLOW DOWN?!" Ella looked over to Alexis.

Alexis didn't reply.

"ALEXIS?! DO YOU KNOW HOW TO SLOW US DOWN?"

"UM,NOT EXACTLY"

"WHAT!" Ella's face fell.

"I TOLD YOU I'D NEVER SKI'ED BEFORE!" Alexis screamed back defensively.

" YOU DIDN'T SAY THAT!"

"OH...WELL I PROBABLY SHOULD HAVE"

"OH, YA THINK?!"

Ella looked murderously at Alexis while Katie had been stricken silent in pure terror as they reached closer and closer to the bottom.

"I HAVE AN IDEA" Alexis called out "I'M GOING TO TRY AND TURN MY SKI'S TO THE SIDE"

Ella looked doubtful "ARE YOU SURE THAT'S GOING TO HELP-" but her question was already answered as Alexis moved her feet,and somehow spun to face backwards, still in motion.

And not surprisingly, it was a terrible idea. Alexis screamed as she tumbled over onto her side on the snow, tumbling to a halt until Ella came crashing into her a seconds later, and Katie shrieked as she flew into them.

Ella groaned as all three girls were tangled up in each other and their skies, lying flat in the snow.

Alexis spat out some of the snow that had gotten in her mouth.

"Are you guys ok?" Katie asked worriedly.

"I think so" Ella checked her knees and kicked them "Nothing's broken"

"That was...awesome!" Alexis cheered, even as she was slumped at the bottom of the pile .

Ella and Katie looked bemused as Alexis laughed with glee as she pushed them off her and pumped her fists in the air.

"New. Favourite. Hobby!"

"You're insane..."

Alexis stuck her hands on her hips "I take that as a compliment"

Just then Flyn rode down next to them, coming to a gentle stop.

"So...that looked fun" he smirked, helping Ella and Katie up.

"I just feel bad that I promised you you'd be fine" Ella said apologetically to Katie "I didn't factor in this lunatic" she jerked a thumb over at Alexis who was fixing her hair.

Katie still looked a little shaken as she dusted the powdery snow off her "It's ok...I'm alive. And in a weird way...it was kind of fun! My heart was beating so fast it was crazy!"

"Adrenaline I guess" Flyn smiled.

Just then all three of them heard a sharp whistle.

"Oh no" Katie mumbled, as the ski employee girl with the white hair came charging expertly down behind them on her ski's.

She swerved to a halt, spraying up a layer of snow.

"Busted" Flyn said under his breath and Ella felt herself tense.

"Ok, before you get mad at us, you should know who I am first-" Alexis started speaking confidently but snow girl cut her off.

"That was the craziest thing I have seen all week!" she laughed, a smile on her face.

Alexis blinked in surprise. Ella frowned.

"What? Are we in trouble?" Katie asked timidly.

Snow girl shrugged "Eh, technically, but whatever. My supervisor isn't here so it's not like I'm going to get into trouble for not reporting you guys. Besides, that was mad funny! I wished I' filmed it or something" she laughed more.

Alexis started to laugh too "I know right, did you see me go backwards?"

"Yes! Oh my god, no offence, but girl, you are insane!"

"Don't worry, she takes that as a compliment..." Ella muttered under her breath and Flyn smirked.

"I'm Crystal by the way" Snow girl finally introduced herself "My Mom works here and runs the ski slope, she got me this summer job. It kind of blows but at least I get paid to ski everyday"

"Alexis, I'm just here on vacation with my Mom and brother because they wouldn't let me stay home"

Crystal peered around at Ella, Flyn and Katie who stood of to the side as the two girls seemed to get along like a house on fire "And you guys?"

"Oh, they're just some family friends" Alexis waved off, answering for them.

"Awesome. Well, if you guys want to hang out more here some other day, I'm working almost everyday around noon. Come hang out. There's hardly any cool people around here" she smiled.

"Really? I'd thought everybody would have to be 'cool' to work here" Flyn laughed at his own joke.

All four girls just looked at him.

"You know...cool...like as in cold. Because of the snow?"

Ella gave him a small shake of her head and Crystal raised an eyebrow.

"Ok, never mind..." he muttered.

"So, anyway, yeah. I'll totally come back here. I am severely lacking in cool people to hang out with as well" Alexis laughed.

Ella and Katie chose not to say anything to that.

"Do you want my number? I can text you" Crystal pulled out her phone.

"Sure" Alexis said eagerly.

Ella folded her arms "Oh, so she's suddenly so nice to the girl she's only known for two seconds? I don't get her" she said lowly, so only Flyn and Katie could hear as the three walked back to the front of the atrium to hand in their ski's.

"It might have something to do with Crystal not up-chucking on her bag"

Ella and Katie gave Flyn a look.

He held up his hands in defence "Just suggesting it"

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Violet sat cross legged on the floor of her hotel room, a small compartment box open next to her, filled with different coloured beads and thread. She held a small plait of purple threads in her hand as she pulled out a small hot pink bead to add to the bracelet she was making. Then she opened another little draw in the compartment box and pulled out a small lump of ugly black rock.

Lucy, who had been lying on her bed pretending to watch TV, while really watching violet, frowned at the rock.

"What's that?" she asked before thinking.

Violet didn't raise her head.

"Coal"

"Coal?"

Violet gave her a look, like, 'yes, that is what I said'.

"Why would you put that on your pretty necklace? You'll ruin it" Lucy said.

Violet didn't look phased.

"Just watch" she said simply, before taking the coal into the palm of her hand and squeezing it shut tightly. Lucy watched as a low white light could be seen escaping from Violets balled up fist, her knuckles tense, her expression calm. When the light faded, Violet opened up her palm and Lucy's eyes widened.

"It's a diamond!"

Where the ugly black coal had been, now sat a perfectly cut diamond that shone in Violet's hand.

"It's beautiful! Can I see it?" Lucy said in awe as she jumped off the bed and came over to inspect the diamond, which violet held out for her to hold.

Lucy held it up to the light and it sparkled brilliantly.

"So this is your power?"

Violet nodded "Fairy of Diamonds"

"Wow...so you make all your jewellery with these? That really is D.I.Y...I wish I had a power that could do stuff like that, all I can do is set stuff on fire" Lucy laughed.

"You inherited the dragon fire?" Violet asked, surprisingly talking back.

"No, that still belongs to Mom. It only belongs to one person at a time. I have the power of blue flame" Right there and then Lucy clicked her thumb and forefinger together and a bright blue spark emerged.

Violet smiled "I suppose you'd be a pretty good lighter if you ever took up smoking"

"Oh, yeah, I'm so sure" Lucy laughed, never planning on smoking in her life.

Just as Lucy seemed assured that maybe, possibly, there was a slight chance that Violet was opening up a little to her, there was a small knock on the door.

Molly pushed her head around the door shyly, her ginger pigtails swinging behind her.

"Lucy? Can you come play? Ella's gone out with her friends and the boys don't want to play dolls properly with me because they're super lame and kept strapping malibu barbie onto Jaydn's RC car"

"Sure, Moll" Lucy smiled at her little sister "but hey, look at this real quick" she held out the diamond in her hand and Molly stared at it.

"Where'd you get that?" she said, taking it on her own smaller hand.

"Violet made it. Isn't it pretty?"

Molly seemed to just stare at it like it was the best thing she'd ever seen.

"Can I keep it?" she asked bluntly towards Violet and Lucy laughed nervously.

"Molly, don't be rude!"

Violet smiled softly though "No, it's ok. She can have it"

Molly smiled as she held the diamond delicately.

"Really? You don't mind?" Lucy asked and Violet shook her head.

"Don't worry, I can make more" She winked at Molly "Just don't lose it. It's magic"

Molly's eyes widened, and she nodded in solemn understanding. Lucy smiled to herself as the two left hand in hand to go and play in Molly and Bloom and Sky's room.

Violet was slightly irked as they left the door open a crack, but she was too lazy to stand up and shut it, so she just went back to grab another piece of coal.

She couldn't make too many of these diamond beads, since they did use a lot of magic despite it not being much of a flashy transformation. People always wondered why she seemed so lazy and had naps throughout the day, but she didn't feel like telling them it was because she used up a lot of energy making her jewellery. Her dad had found out and thought it was a frivolous way to waste her powers. Her dad was always so rational.

After she'd made around five more beads there was a light tap on the door.

But this time it was Nate who stepped in.

Violet raised an eyebrow at him "Hello?" she questioned.

"Hey" he smiled without any explanation, as he shut the door behind him and welcomed himself in.

Violet watched him as he made his way over to Lucy's bed and lay down on it, looking very at home.

Nate always did as he pleased, so sure of himself. Such a prince.

Violet didn't want to give the impression that she was interested at all, so she refused to ask what he was doing here, like she knew he wanted her too. She just sat there, smiling as she threaded another diamond onto her bracelet.

Nate watched her for awhile before he spoke.

"I remember the first time you made one of those for me. It took you fifteen minutes and you almost fainted afterwards" Nate smiled as he nodded to the beads she had made.

"Well, the first time I made of of these for you was a very long time ago" Violet answered back.

Nate nodded silently.

There was a stiff silence in the air.

"So...I wanted to come talk to you quickly about something"

"Is that something Lucy?"

Nate clicked his tongue "Yeah, how'd you know?"

Violet smiled "Maybe because you seem to have waited until she was out of the room before coming to see me?"

"Fair enough"

Violet stayed silent until Nate continued. He shifted on the bed, making himself more comfortable as he looked up at the ceiling.

"You know I'm going to marry her some day"

Violet paused, her back stiffened. She hoped Nate hadn't noticed.

"Oh" she forced her voice to come out at its usual soft, calm tone.

"Yeah. It's been planned between our Mom's for years, I can feel it. Over heard them a bit" he said it matter of factly "And I see why it's a good idea. It would officially unite both our realms, make our mothers happy. Were both the oldest child, both good looking, charming...it would be a pretty popular marriage for the tabloids as well"

Violet didn't look up at him "And you're fine with that? A pretty on the outside, tabloid appealing, arranged marriage?"

"I've been fine with it for awhile. I've had awhile to get used to the idea"

Violet paused "...It would make you un-happy"

"How do you know that? She's sweet, kind. I can tell she likes me already...I can see myself being married to her" he shrugged "And you suddenly care if I'm un-happy or not?"

Violet lowered her voice "You know I do..."

Nate blinked, his eyes glancing towards Violet, her back to him. He wished he could see her face.

"Well, could have fooled me. The snarky comments, having me buy you things...Violet, I know you. You weren't like that before, not when I knew you"

"Oh please Nate. Iv'e been this way since you knew me" Violet said, her cool tone slipping into something a little more sharp.

Nates face fell "Look, I never expected you to completely forgive me about what...what happened between us"

"And yet you come here and see me after all these years and you just put on your big smile and throw your arm over my shoulders, call me Vi, and offer to buy me things. Like it just makes it all better"

Nate scowled as Violet snarked at him.

"You seemed happy enough to go along with it. The way you were speaking to me in front of Lucy, saying you 'knew my type', that whole 'We did hang out together for a little while, didn't we Nate' thing at breakfast this morning...if I hadn't bought you those things, what would you have said to her?" Nate said, accusatory.

Violet finally turned to lock eyes with Nate, her gaze cold.

"Yeah, I figured I could play you for a bribe. I guessed you wanted me to keep my mouth shut in front of the girl who adores you, just in case I let something not so pleasant slip"

Nates mouth thinned into a straight line.

"Because that's what you came to talk to me about, isn't it Nate? Making sure I keep your secrets between us?" Violet said calmly, but her tone was deadly.

Nate looked her dead in the eye.

"And are you? "

Violet turned away "By all means I probably should tell her...but I wont. I do remember our promise. God forbid that silly girl finds out you're not the perfect Prince she imagines you to be""

Nate let out a breath of relief he hadn't realised he'd been holding "Thank you"

"But that doesn't mean more clothes won't help...just encourage me to not let anything slip. If I'm going to go along with your little happy-go-lucky charade, I may as well be compensated"

Nate scoffed, almost amused.

"Think of it as making things up to me, from all that time ago" Violet smiled at him.

If you didn't know her, you'd think it was a sweet smile.

But Nate did know her.

He used to know her sweet smile.

That wasn't it.

Nate nodded and Violet stood up, making her way over to him and running a hand through his hair and down the side of his face, trailing a finger down his jaw, the way she used to do.

"Don't worry your pretty little head over it. I know I'm the only thing that could ruin your perfect happy-ever after story... that I could ruin you if I wanted too... but I'm not that bad. I promise"

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That night everyone had met up for a proper dinner out at a nearby restaurant. Five star of course, which was a treat Riven and Musa were glad their kids could enjoy, as their generous rich friends offered to cover the bill. Musa only wished Jaydn hadn't spilt so much of his food down the front of his top though...

"I told you Bloom, I didn't leave it anywhere or lose it, it was stolen!" Skye said to his wife.

Everyone was walking back in the cool night air under the streetlights, but there had been a problem back in the restaurant when it had come time to pay. Tim, Tecna, Stella, Sky and Bloom had pulled out their wallets to pay...only for Skye to find his back pocket empty. He'd searched in every other pocket he had, and around the table, but it couldn't be found.

"Are you sure you didn't leave it around the resort?" Bloom kept pressing, walking with her hand held in Molly's "Or back up in the room?"

"No, I had it on me, I checked before we even left the hotel" he sighed irritated.

"It's just that this whole resort realm has the best security you can even imagine, it's even advertised in the brochure" Tim added, walking alongside them.

"I don't care what the brochure says, my wallet was stolen. I'm going to have to cancel the cards in their real quick, theres a lot of money on there" Skye felt himself getting angry, but Bloom linked her free hand in his.

"Don't stress about it, maybe you dropped it on the way here. We'll keep an eye out for it. Or it might even get turned into the front desk" she smiled up at him and he felt himself relax a little.

Most of the kids were lagging behind their parents as they walked, with Alexis doing her best to engage Blaine in conversation.

"-And then we totally stacked it in the snow and it was the funniest thing! I wish somebody had filmed it, and I thought we would get into trouble but we didn't because theres this really cool chick working there and she let us off the hook because, I dunno, she must've just thought I was cool too, and anyway she texted me earlier and said we should hang out and that she could show me around some staff only Sections of the hotel were visitors usually don't get to go, cool right?" she blabbered on excitedly, as Blaine nodded along politely with a smile.

Katie leant over to whisper to Ella as they followed a few paces back "Do you think she's flirting with him?"

"If you want to call it that, all she's done is talk about herself for the past half hour. He's hardly said a whole sentence" Ella replied.

Noah and Flyn had been walking along behind them and they joined the conversation.

"No, that's just our brother. He's always that talkative" Noah said sarcastically.

"And he's used to girls flirting with him, you should see all the girls he managed to get. He hooked up with a famous model at one of the club's he DJ's at once" Flyn said, proudly.

"She wasn't that famous" Noah scoffed.

"She was in an under-wear catalogue!"

"Not a designer under-wear catalogue..."

"But he's twenty one! He's way too old for her" Katie spoke over the now bickering brothers.

Noah didn't look worried "Well, she can talk him up all she wants, Blaine would never go there"

"Does he have an age limit?"

The four of them jumped as they suddenly noticed Violet walking besides them. She was so quiet it was like she just appeared.

"Uh, well...I guess. He's not a creep" Noah spoke unsurely, still finding it hard to talk with confidence to Violet.

"Isn't the rule half your age plus seven?" Flyn said.

"What?" Noah asked, pulling a face. The girls looked curious too.

"Tch, come on Noah, you're the smart one here. It's math. To find out the lowest acceptable age you can date, half your age and then plus seven. For myself, half of fifteen is seven and a half, that plus seven is fourteen and a half. Since dating thirteen year olds is creepy, the rule totally stands"

Katie nodded "So if Blaine is twenty one, half that plus seven is...seventeen and a half" and Flyn nodded.

Violet smiled to herself "Good to know" she said, before walking ahead of them, once again by herself.

The four looked at each other, confused expressions on their faces.

Right up the back of the group were Nate and Lucy, walking together.

Nate had wanted to see if he could spend some civil time with Violet, and he thought it had been working, but obviously since talking to her in private, this was not the case.

So he'd sat next to Lucy at dinner, which he could tell she liked. That was one thing that was great about Lucy, she was so open and earnest. If she was happy, she showed it and she meant it. There were no mind games or false smiles. She was a genuine person.

He ignored violet for the night, hoping for some kind of reaction, but of course he hadn't gotten one. He knew she wouldn't give him the satisfaction.

As he walked, he stole a glance towards Lucy. She looked so different from her Mother and sisters, with her strawberry blonde hair.

As he stared, she seemed to notice, her eyes sliding over to look at him. As they made eye contact she blushed and looked down at her feet but she couldn't hide her smile.

He'd known Lucy for so long, and even at this age she still hadn't lost her youthful innocence.

Still, as he tried to enjoy the moment, her voice seemed to echo in his ears.

'God forbid that silly girl finds out you're not the perfect Prince she imagines you to be'

He frowned, trying to shake the words from his mind, and in that same instant he reached out and grabbed Lucy's hand in his. He gripped it tightly, his larger hand covering her small one easily.

He heard her gasp in surprise as she looked down at their hands, but without hesitating she squeezed back. Her hand was so warm, and it seemed to grow warmer. Her powers, he guessed. Her blue flame. It felt pleasant though. It didn't burn.

They looked at each other properly again.

Nate smiled at her, this girl he knew he was going to end up married too one day.

Lucy stared up at him, her look of surprise quickly forming into a huge, heartfelt, smile.

They didn't even say a word to each other.

Back up near the front of the group, out of earshot, both Stella and Bloom were staring back at their oldest children with barely contained delight.

"Oh, she took his hand, she took his hand!" Bloom thwapped her best friend on the shoulder as she whispered excitedly.

"No, no, he took her hand! Oh look, they're smiling! Oh, do you think they'll kiss? I hope they kiss! I should have brought my camera!" Stella beamed.

The two fully grown women squealed together like excited teenagers. After years of subtle matchmaking and wishful thinking, it looked like a true relationship was finally blossoming.

Skye smiled but rolled his eyes at molly, who giggled "God, keep your voices down you two, you'll embarrass them"

"We're their mothers! We have the right to embarrass them!" Bloom laughed.

Everyone was still aimlessly chatting as they arrived out the front of the hotel. It was dark and not busy at all, so as they headed up the lavish front steps, they all heard a loud voice call out from behind them.

"Hey, guys!" someone called out.

Everyone slowly paused and turned as they realised it was a mans voice. He was standing in front of a posh black car, finishing grabbing his suitcases out of the back.

It took a second for his old friends to register that it was Brandon.

He smiled up at them "So...do I get a hello?"

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"So, who is this guy?" Alexis asked the other kids as everyone was now walking through the lobby, Skye with his arm slung over Brandon's shoulder as they laughed over something, chatting to Helia and Flora, while Riven helped with one of his bags.

"He's our Dad's Captain of the Guard back at the palace, and his best friend" Ella explained.

"Yeah, he's like family to us, practically an uncle" Lucy added, her hand still in Nates.

Both Alexis and Ella noted this. They didn't say anything to their siblings, but in the same instant they seemed to catch eyes and think exactly the same thing. Almost forgetting their own animosity, they gave each other little stifled laughs, which no one else noticed.

"I think he might have visited us a few times when we were younger, but I'm not sure. We've definitely got pictures of him in the old albums though" Noah added.

"Well, he's never visited us, so whatever" Alexis said flippantly, grabbing out her phone "Ooh, Crystal's calling me!"

Alexis immediately left the others to take the call, wandering over the marbled floors of the foyer as she held the phone up to her ear.

"Crystal, hey! What's up...we just got back from dinner, it was so boring. What're you doing tomorrow?...Oh, bummer. If you weren't working we could hang out...I dunno if I can make it to the slope again, I might have to hang with family and stuff"

As she walked and talked, she happened to glance up.

She stopped when she saw her mother, a little apart from the crowd, standing over the foyers lavish fountain, staring down into the water.

Alexis quirked an eyebrow, keeping an eye on Stella "Anyway, yeah, we should hang out. Maybe in the evening, when do you get off your shift?...oh, ok. That can work...yeah. Cool. Seeya! I'll text you tomorrow, bye!"

As she hung up the phone, she was close to walking straight back over to the other kids, but as all the other adults stood around this new guy talking and laughing, Alexis thought it was weird of her mother to be so unnaturally quiet.

"Hey, Mom, You alright" she called out as she walked over.

Stella seemed to be taken by surprise, in her own little world.

"What? Yes, of course. Whats'up with you honey?" she said, a smile suddenly on her face as she whirled around to her daughter.

Alexis pulled a face "That's what I just asked you...and don't say whats'up, you're too old to say whats'up"

Stella smiled wryly "Hm, well I'm fine...just looking at the coins in the fountain. People's wishes..." she said spacily, looking down into the water that rippled from the jets of water.

Alexis blinked "You're so weird sometimes"

Stella gave a small laugh "Oh, shuttup. You're such a brat sometimes"

Alexis laughed too as she dodged a thwap on the shoulder "Whatever, and by the way, Nate and Lucy are totally holding hands, thought you'd like to know"

"Hm , I saw. I'm so thrilled"

"I bet, I've seen your 'secret' wedding scrap book you've been putting together the last few years" she teased.

Stella's smile seemed tight "Yeah...a nice marriage...that's all I've ever wanted for him. I hope he's happy... I hope they'll be happy together"

Alexis looked up as she heard her mothers tone go all wobbly. She saw tears in her mothers eyes.

"Oh my god, Mom!" She laughed out loud as she swooped in for a hug "look at you! You've gotten yourself so emotional over them just holding hands!"

Stella forced herself to laugh along with her daughter as she wiped at her damp eyes "Urgh, I know, I know...it's stupid. I'm just...getting emotional is all"

"Seriously, how much wine did you have tonight?"

Stella bopped a finger on her daughters nose , and Alexis pulled a face at her.

"How did I get such a rude child?"

"How did I get such an embarrassing mother?" she countered, cheekily.

Stella smiled and pushed her back to the others "Go, hang out with your friends. I'm fine"

Alexis did so without hesitating "You're mascara is running by the way" she called back with a laugh.

Stella only watched her leave with a genuine smile on her face.

Brat, she thought, lovingly.

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After Brandon had checked in, it had been decided among the old friends that they would all stop for a quick after dinner drink to catch up with one another. The older kids had been sent up to the rooms with the younger kids to babysit, except for Musa, who made the excuse that Jaydn and Ruby were two children she would feel guilty dumping innocent teenagers with, so she left with them.

Unsurprisingly to him, Stella was also absent. She only said the briefest of hello's, and he was then told second hand by Bloom that she had left with the kids because she felt tired and didn't feel like drinking.

As he was now alone in his room, well past midnight, he sat on the kingsize bed in the single room with a sigh.

Nice excuse, he thought.

He knew it wasn't the best idea to come on this trip. He should've listened to his own reasons for not coming, instead of his longing to somehow re-capture the past...

His bags were dumped in the corner, deciding he would unpack tomorrow, as he grabbed his pyjamas out to change, suddenly so tired.

There was a knock on his door. A very faint one. For a second he thought he imagined it.

He paused before going over to open it.

It was Stella.

They stared at each other for a second.

"Hello" she said, simply.

"Hi"

They stood there in the silence, just looking at one another. Taking in each others faces after it had been so long.

"Can I come in?" Stella asked very formally, like she was speaking to a stranger.

"I, uh, yeah. Of course" Brandon shuffled awkwardly back from the door, allowing her in.

She stared around the room, making sure to create distance between her and Brandon.

"So, you made it here ok?"

"Yeah, smooth journey. No problems"

"That's good"

"Mm"

Stella walked over to the window and pulled back one of the curtains.

"You have a nice view from here, overlooking the pool"

"So, you don't seem that tired" Brandon ignored her stalling, an edge to his voice. He didn't know why she was here, but he knew it wasn't to look out his windows.

He couldn't see her face as she was turned away from him, but he heard her sigh.

"You know...you know this would be hard for me. Seeing you"

"And it wouldn't be hard for me?" he pressed.

"Then why did you have to come? If you knew it would hurt me and yourself? Why did you feel it necessary to do this!" she said, her voice cracking, her emotions seeping through.

Brandon stared at her, willing her to turn around "You know why I wanted to come...he's not here. I can talk to you...I can talk to her-"

Stella suddenly whipped around "You are not speaking to her!"

Brandon frowned "Give me one good reason why I shouldn't be allowed to! I've been kept from her this long-"

"For her own sake! You need to think of her!" Stella said, her voice rising.

"For gods sake Stella, what do you think I'm going to say!? I just want to see her, to see what she's like, hear about the life I haven't been a part of!"

"Why?! Wouldn't that just be even more painful? You know you can never be a proper part of her life, of our life. It's been fourteen years, you need to accept that!" Stella felt tears in the corner of her eyes as her voice strained, her eyes pleading towards Brandon.

"But I can't accept that! I won't! She's my daughter Stella!"

Stella felt herself let out a sob as her hands covered her face "I know!...I know.." she whimpered as she sat down on the bed. She couldn't stop her tears.

Brandon stared at the wall, breathing hard, as he ran a hand through his hair. His blood was pumping, but the sound of Stella crying subdued his anger.

He had his own pain, but he couldn't forget hers.

He wanted to sit with her on the bed, to hold her, to comfort her...but he knew that would be crossing a line. There was this wall between them now, a wall he so badly wanted to knock down, but knew he couldn't.

"Stella...I won't say anything that could damage you...or her. I just thought I could come here and...I don't know. Hear her laugh. See her smile...ask what her favourite subject in school is. I know I haven't raised Alexis and that I'll never have the chance to be a Dad to her...but just those little things...they would mean the world to me"

Stella listened, trying to collect herself, wiping at her eyes.

"I know.." she said again, so softly he barely heard it.

There was a long silence between them.

"You can see her. What you want...you're not asking too much. It's fine" Stella said, composing herself as she stood up "I...I shouldn't have kept her from you this long"

Stella turned to look him in the eye, and he could see her guilt and her pain. The pain they both shared.

She didn't need to say sorry, he felt it, and he understood it.

"Thank you" he said, simply.

He walked with her to the door as she made her way to leave.

He opened it for her and she stepped out into the empty hall, but she paused.

Brandon stood in the doorway.

It was like there was so much to say, but no way they could say it.

The silence stretched on but neither of them could find it in themselves to move.

"You still look beautiful" he said, after a pause.

"Don't say that... You can't say that" Stella said, feeling herself ache as she spoke.

Without looking back at him, she left, back to her own lonely room.

Brandon didn't close his own door until she'd disappeared from his sight.

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A/N: argh, I keep writing such sad scenes for Stella! I'm sorry...though, I do hope you still like them...in a sad way of course.

And yes! Dramatic reveal! Alexis is Brandon's child. More details on Stella and Brandon's past will be revealed over time.

I actually included a couple of dramatic things in this chapter, as an apology for not updating in so long! Give you lovely readers something to proper drama to enjoy.

So Lucy and Nate seem to be off to a start, but is this for better or for worse? Do you think Nate's feelings are proper love or just convenient like? And what the hell do you think is up with him and Violet! What kind of past have they had together? What's his secret? Will she ruin him and his relationship?

And speaking of violet, has she got plans for a certain twenty one year old...?

What about this new character, Crystal? Do you think she'll be showing up a lot more? And for what purpose?

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