Hunter Greece Vacation

A Story by Michael Gentry

Kyrian take his family back to where it all started over 2000 years ago.

(Hunter House)

(Friday Night)

Checking over the bags for the final time tonight, I was beginning to work up a sweat from going up and down those stairs. Everything that was going with us was packed, if it wasn’t, we could always buy it later, but with both Amanda and I double checking the bags I knew they were ready to go.

Heading back upstairs I check to make sure the kids are in bed and asleep, with all the excitement of the past few days I’m amazed that they’re sound asleep. After shutting off the lights in the hall I head into the bedroom to find Amanda lying in bed reading a book. I tell her I’m taking a quick shower, then disappear into the bathroom.

My quick shower turns into thirty minutes. With all the running around making sure everything was taken care of I never thought about what it would be like going home after all this time. I never had a reason to come back, after making my deal with Artemis, I turned away from what was my living home, and started my new life somewhere else without ever looking back.

My reason for going back was laying in the next room. She has given me everything, a love I never thought could exist, three beautiful children, she turned my house into something more, a home. So anything that she desired, I would find a way to make it happen.

Stepping out of the shower I feel a hundred times better, wrapping the towel around my waist I head back into the bedroom and get ready for bed. I remind Amanda that the car will be here at 8am to take us to the airport, cringing when the words left my lips I said we should set the alarm for 5.

(Saturday)

When the alarm goes off I groan from the earliness, it seems like I just closed my eyes a minute ago. Rolling over I kiss Amanda good morning, then getting out of bed we start getting ready to go.

Getting dressed in a pair of black slacks, a sky blue Oxford shirt and a pair of black alligator loafers, then I head down the hall and start the day in Alex’s room.

Scooping my little man into my arms I take him over to the changing table, smiling down on him, rubbing his tummy so I can hear the sound of his laughter. Pulling off Alex’s pj’s I stripping off the old diaper and fasten on a new one. Cradling him in my left arm I rummage through his cloths looking for an outfit. Dressing him in a pair of khaki pants and a blue polo shirt, we head out to find Amanda.

When Amanda emerges from NJ’s room, I walk over to her, placing Alex in her arms, and tell her I’m going to check on Marissa.

Giving her a small kiss before I head to the end of the hall and knock on Marissa’s door. “I coming in sweetheart” I say before stepping into her room. She is sitting on the edge of her bed, legs crossed at the ankles, looking up at me. “Daddy, are we leaving yet?” she asked me. I have to smile at her eagerness, I’m not sure what I feel yet, but my little girl is ready to go. Checking the time I see its 5:45am I tell her we need to eat first, then the car will come to take us to the airport.

With everyone sitting around the table, picking from the abundant amount of choices laid out by Rosa, I sat and drank my coffee while watching Amanda feed Alex. She had such a way with him, whenever I would feed him, I wound up just as messy as he was. Filling a plate for Amanda, then one for myself, and when she was done feeding the boy, we enjoyed our breakfast together.

When the car arrived, Amanda and Rosa got the kids situated in their proper seats, while the driver and I loaded the rear of the car with all of our luggage. Once everything was loaded, we headed out for the airport and the start of our journey.

When we got to the airport and pulled alongside of the plane, I stepped out of the car as soon it stopped. The driver hurried back to help Amanda with the kids and Rosa, then went to grab a luggage dolly and unloaded the car.

While the plane was being loaded the ladies took the children on board and I talked with Dave the Co-pilot. He told me the Captain was doing the preflight checks and would be out to talk with us in a few minutes, but until then he said the flight time would be almost fifteen hours with one stop in London for fuel.

Just before takeoff the Tom, the Captain, came back to talk with us, he told us that with flight time and time zones when we touch down in Athens, local time would be 7am. Thanking the Captain, he went back up to the c**k pit and began strapping himself in.

As Amanda and I fastened our own seat belts, I reached across the aisle, taking her hand in mine, a small smile spreads across my face when I hear the engines rev up. The Captain comes on over the PA informing us that we have been cleared for takeoff. Two thousand years and in a matter of hours I would be back to where both of my lives started.

Greece Part II

I took a nap during the flight from England to Athens, I was trying to minimize the jet lag. Thankfully Amanda wakes me up just before we’re about to touch down, giving me a few minutes to stretch out.

Once the door is opened all the sounds and aromas begin filling the cabin, closing my eyes I inhale deeply, remembering just what a marvelous city this is.

Sliding into the seat with Amanda I capture her mouth with mine, kissing her deeply, I tell her “thank you, you made all this possible.” Pulling back I trail the back of my fingers along her jawline, “I’ll get Alex” I say, heading to the back of the plane and my little boy.

We get off the plane and through customs pretty quick, not coming in on a commercial flight helped with that. Gathering all our luggage on a dolly, we head out to meet the driver holding up a sign. Loading all the luggage into the trunk, I climbed in beside Amanda, lacing her fingers with mine we head for the marina and the waiting yacht.

After getting settled on the boat, we ate brunch while we decided what we were going to do today. I told them about a museum that was close, which it had pieces from 7000bc up to 500ad, and if we didn’t finish it today we could always come back before we went home. With everyone in agreement we got back in the car and headed out.

Driving over to the museum all I can do is stare out the window, everything is gone, nothing of what I remember is here. Only a few buildings remaining standing, the rest is just columns and rubble.

Would this have been the result if I wasn’t betrayed? What would be different if I had marched straight to Rome with Julian? It’s almost too much for me to handle, all the what if’s running through my head.

It’s then I feel Amanda’s hand slide on top of mine and squeeze, calming my rambling mind and I can feel my focus coming back from just her simple touch. Lacing my fingers with hers, I pull her hand to my lips and kiss the top. “Thank you Baby” I say looking down at our entwined hands, “I love you.”

Arriving in front of The National Archaeological Museum, I can feel my heart start to race again. Just looking at the building I remember what life was like before that night, before I was handed over to my enemy.

Walking through the sculpture wing of the museum I see a lot of the statues from my first life and a smile touches my eyes. It would be a shame to loose such brilliant works of art.

Half way through the exhibit I see a piece that draws me in, the uniform of a Greek Commander done in marble. As my hand traces the outline of the breast plate, I close my eyes and I’m back in the armory. I can still feel the weight of it, smell the leather, even the tightness when it’s strapped in place.

Everything is so clear, the shouts of the men as they train, the ringing of steel on steel when they cross weapons. I can even recall the smell of blood and sweat from the countless hours of drills.

I’m not sure how long I stood there, lost in the memory. It’s when I hear Amanda say “Baby, where did you go just now?” that I snap out of the memory. It felt like I was back there, with my men, preparing for an upcoming battle.

When we leave the museum my head is fried, it felt like every corner I turned a forgotten memory would present itself, allowing me to relive it all over again. More than once I needed to sit down after a vivid memory would assail my senses.

Running my fingers through my hair as we make our way to the car, my thoughts are on Amanda. She made this possible, being able to come home in the daylight. Without her I’m still employed by Artemis, still bound by night, and alone.

Greece Part III

Waking up early the next morning, my body covered with sweat, after tossing and turning most of the night, I sit and rub the back of my neck. When I did sleep I was assaulted by visions of my former life, all the battles, the strategy meetings with Julian, and all the time I spent being tortured. My only true regret was not being able to apologize to my father, to tell him he was right.

Jumping in the shower, I just stand under the water, letting it wash away the aftermath of last night. The heat from the water works its way into to my tight muscles, as I start to feel like myself again I grab the body wash and scrub the grimy feeling from my skin.

Stepping out of the shower and drying off I grab a pair of khaki shorts and a Polo shirt, we would be doing a lot of walking around today and I wanted to be comfortable. Kissing Amanda good morning I went to get Alex ready. Dressing my little guy in a matching outfit to mine, we head over to his brothers cabin so I can get him ready also.

With the boys dressed and ready for the day I go and look in on Marissa. My little princess is coming out of her cabin dressed in a cute pink with white hearts sun dress and a pair of sandals. Sending the kids up to join Rosa for breakfast, I head back to our cabin so I can escort my wife to breakfast.

As we sit around the table eating and discussing today’s activity, my thoughts drift. Just thinking about visiting the Acropolis, my body involuntarily shutters, causing me to roll my neck. The popping of the vertebrae sends instant relief to the pressure that was building behind my eyes.

The last time I was in that building we had just received our orders, we were to begin our march towards Rome. The buildings we would see were just the shadows of a once great culture, an empire I thought would last a millennia.

When the car pulls up alongside the yacht, Amanda and Rosa get the kids loaded in the car while I helped the driver get the stroller and the rest of the supplies we would need for the day loaded in the trunk.

Arriving at the entrance to the Acropolis I open up the stroller and place Alexander inside and clip the safety harness on. The little guy will be the only one without sore feet at the end of the day.

Heading for the top of the hill, my pulse rate quickening the closer we get. Most people will only see the skeleton of the majestic building, where I still see the bas relief that lined the front of the Parthenon. Stepping through the columns of entry way, my heart breaking when I take in all that is left of the grand citadel. Reconstruction on the building has been done a few time, but even if they restored it completely, it still would not be the same.

Next we head over to the building called The Erechtheion, I explain that it was dedicated to both Athena and Poseidon. And knowing a few of the Greek Gods personally, I knew this would not have sat well with those two. I also tell them the myth, that the salt well was cause by a strike from Poseidon’s Trident. As well as the one about the sacred olive tree that sprouted when Athena struck the rock with her spear in her successful rivalry with Poseidon for the city.

Walking over to the south side of the building, I show everyone the famous "Porch of the Maidens", six draped female figures as supporting columns. I tell them the porch was built to conceal a giant beam needed for support of the corner after the building was drastically reduced in size and budget following the onset of the Peloponnesian war.

Next we went and looked at The Theatre of Dionysus Eleuthereus. Although not much to look at any longer, I told them that when Julian and I came here, it was always sold out. When we came to Athens our rank and status allowed us access to events at the Theatre, even if it was sold out, they always kept a few of the best seat reserved for high ranking officials who just drop in.

When we’re done walking around the Theatre, we head over to the “newer theatre” The Odeon of Herodes Atticus. “I don’t know anything about this one.” I say “it was built long after I left.” Even with the modern upgrades, you can still see the spine of the theatre it once was. Looking down into the theatre I can tell it’s smaller than the other one, I guess when the Romans came they wanted a more exclusive theatre.

The last stop on our way out was The Temple of Athena Nike. Sliding my hand across an empty wall that once held a relief sculpture, each of the four walls held a relief sculpture. Two of them where of battles, one against the Persians, the other was of the Greek Calvary. The last was of the Gods Athena, Zeus and Poseidon. All of them moved to the Acropolis museum.

Today was easier than yesterday, I knew what the buildings looked like now thanks to the internet, so that was not going to affect me. I did feel a bit nostalgic when we were in Dionysus’s Theatre, I had some good times there, and felt they should have fixed it up instead of building the smaller one.

Heading back to the car I was deciding whether to discuss our plans for tomorrow, or just wait until after dinner. Sliding into the car I look at the smiling faces of my children, those looks alone make my decision very easy. Lacing my fingers with Amanda’s, I lean back into the seat, slouching down a little, I extend my legs, crossing them at the ankles, and enjoy the laughter of my family as we make our way back to the boat.

Greece Part IV

While getting ready to go out to visit the Temple at Delphi, I glanced over at Amanda as she walked to the bathroom to finish getting ready. When she out of the room I pulled out my cell and called Pierluigi’s in Rome, I made reservation for dinner tonight for the two of us. After getting the conformation I shut my phone off and went to watch Amanda getting ready.

Reaching the remains of the Temple I looked around amazed that an entire city was born because of one person. I had to admit that although I had never been to see the Oracle, I had heard stories from a few who had. They did not get to speak with the actual Oracle, just one of her Priests, She would only see visitors on the 7th day of each month.

Walking around the ruins of the Temple of the Oracle, I was taken in by the beauty of the area. Once called the navel of the world, the view was amazing, from the Theatre of Apollo you could see out into the Aegean Sea. I was mentally kicking myself for never coming here before now.

As we walked around the Theatre, taking lots of pictures to show off when we got home. Something did not feel right, it started with a low ache at the base of my skull, and then I felt the pressure start to build behind my eyes. It was like something or someone was not happy that I was standing here. By the time I reached the stage, I was squinting from the bright sun shining down on me, even behind custom Ray Bans, designed specifically to block out the sun’s glare, my head pounded relentlessly.

Testing the theory of what I felt, I walked away from Theatre, and the further away I got the less I felt the pain in my head. This was not good, we still had the Temple of Apollo to see, and if I was feeling this at the Theatre. I’m wasn’t sure if I wanted to brave the Temple or wait back in the car, but seeing Amanda pointing things out to the children, steeled my resolve as we made our way to the Temple.

Walking up to the Temple of Apollo the ache starts to pulsate was again. I stop and run my hands through my hair, pausing to rub the back of my neck. When Amanda steps in front of me and raises my sunglasses, I pull back slightly, shutting my eyes from the glare, and when her fingers lace with mine I can feel the pressure releasing.

Smiling down at our hands I lift her chin and place a small kiss on her lips. As we walk through the ruins of the Temple, my thoughts are not on the ruins, but on what just happened. Why was I feeling these effects, I’m not an active Dark Hunter any longer? And why did Amanda’s touch clear it away? The questions were mounting and only Ash could answer them.

Catching up to Rosa and the kids, we all sit down on the rings around the Temple and I tell the kids some stories I knew about the Greek God of the Sun. None of my stories spoke well of him. I told them of his jealous nature, how just to show up his father he created a race of humans that were better, then cursed them all to die at age 27 out of vengeance because a few acted out against him.

When we started to leave I check the time, it’s was just going on 4pm. Doing some quick calculations in my head, I knew I had enough time to get back to the boat, shower, change cloths and make it to the airport. It may be my birthday, but Amanda was going to get the surprise.

A Night in Rome

When I stepped into the bathroom, I start the shower to drown out the sound of my voice. I pulled out my phone and called the pilot, I told him we were going to Rome for the evening and would arrive at seven then depart around midnight. When I’m done with Tom, I call the car service and arrange for the driver to pick us up in an hour, then to bring us back when we came in. After one more phone call to the car service in Rome, I step in the shower and smile, I’m looking forward to seeing her expression when we land in Rome.

Coming out of the bathroom I was dressed in my black Armani suit, looking over at Amanda tell her “you and I are going out to dinner.” When she jumps in the shower I pull out the little black dress I hid in my garment bag, along with a pair of Jimmy Choo shoes, they were red with a 3” heel. I made sure this stayed a surprise, leaving the dress and shoes with Julian till the night before we left.

After laying the dress and shoes on the bed, I went to find Rosa and tell her what I had planned. Then I went to my little girl’s room. I found her entertaining her brothers with a cute little song and dance number. As soon as she was finished I told them that mommy and I were going out tonight and to be extra good for Rosa. Placing her tiny hand on my arm she looks up at me and says “it’s okay daddy, I’ll keep them in line.”

Smiling back at Marissa I place a small kiss on her head, then I head back to my cabin and Amanda.

Walking in the cabin and my jaw hits the floor, she looks amazing, and the dress hangs on her body like it was custom made for her. Watching as she does a little spin to show me every angle, I’m speechless, if we didn’t have to be on a plane to Rome in a few minutes, we’d never make it out of the cabin.

Stepping out of the Limo in front of Pierluigi’s and the restaurant is over flowing with customers. Setting up to the Maître D’, I give him my name and reservation time. Looking down on his call list for the night, I imagine he found what he was looking for said “very good sir, follow me please.”

When the waiter came over for our drink order, I ordered a battle of Dom Perignon, it was my birthday after all, and we were in Rome. When the waiter came back and popped the cork, a small smile crept across my lips, and reached up to my eyes.

Ordering for the both of us I order the Bombolotti lobster, noodles with zucchini flowers, baked turbot with potatoes, beef Danish rocket, roasted mushrooms and Caesar salad. I looked over the menu before I made the reservations.

As we waited on dinner, we sipped our champagne while we looked around the restaurant. We locked gazes when our eyes met, and I was instantly lost in the pools of her blue eyes. Those eyes that were the first thing I saw when I was returned to a mortal life, and my heart skipped a beat. After twelve years together I’m still crazy stupid in love with her.

We small talked through dinner, about all we’ve seen so far, the sites we still have left to visit. We were about half finished with dinner when Amanda suggested that since we were in Rome we should drive around the Colosseum. I reached over and slipped her fingers in my hand as she reached for her champagne glass and said “baby that’s a great idea.”

I inform the driver that we would like to drive around the Colosseum before heading back to the airport. Driving around the massive arena I marveled at the craftsmanship it took to build, the fact that most of it is still standing after all these centuries, was a tribute the men who built it.

On our way back to the airport and our short flight back to Athens, I could not take my eyes off Amanda. A need was growing inside me, a need that wanted to rip her out of the dress and ravish her body where she sat. But I am a gentleman first, there were too many eyes between the car and our cabin. I would wait till we were somewhere private, knowing that by the time we got back to the boat my need would be busting out of my pants.

On The Yacht

I was almost chasing Amanda when we got back to the boat, I needed to quench this desire that had been building since Rome. Getting back in the cabin I stalked her across the room, the craving for her burning just below the surface. Every fiber of my body was screaming for this woman.

Pinning her against the mirrored doors of the closet, my lips closing on hers as my tongue slides in her open mouth to dance with her tongue. Moving my hand up the inside of her thighs until my fingers brush against the lace of her panties. Pushing them off to the side so my fingers could rub circles around her c**t.

Sliding my fingers inside her wet center, rocking them back and forth with the movement of Amanda’s hips. My c**k was throbbing behind the fabric of my pants. Popping the button and pulling down the zipper, my c**k sprang out of my pants to stand fully erect.

I didn’t even wait to take off her dress, my body felt like a volcano just before it explodes. Pulling her panties down, I spun Amanda so she was facing the mirror. Pushing the dress up over her a*s, I start rubbing the tip of my c**k between her lips, her desire coating me as I slide inside her.

The animal nature of myself took over as I thrust inside of her, the urgent need to climax pushing me faster and faster. Not wanting to climax alone, I reached around and began messaging her swollen nub.

Biting down on my tongue to keep from crying out, the effects of my orgasm coursing through me as Amanda’s claims her.

When I’m able to walk again, I pick up Amanda and carry her over to the bed. Setting her down just in front of the bed, I slip my hand up her back and pull down the zipper. Moving my hands across the top of her shoulders, I slide the dress off her to pool around her ankles on the floor.

After I remove my cloths, I take Amanda in my arms and kiss her deeply, putting my entire being into the kiss. Picking her up, I walk on my knees across the bed, and lay her down in the pillows at the head of the bed.

Kissing my way down her body, rolling my tongue across her n*****s. Continuing across her stomach, lingering around her belly button, before I head south and explore her core with my tongue. I began by swirling my tongue around her c**t, while I slid my fingers inside her.

I felt my erection start to build once more, as Amanda’s legs started to shake from the building orgasm. When she cried out from her release, I plunged myself deep inside and continued to thrust as her body crumbled into her climax.

Rolling her over onto her stomach, I straddle her legs and slide back into her wet core. Pushing her legs closed with my knees, I start thrusting back and forth, bouncing my hips off her a*s. As I felt myself reaching the edge again, I slide my hand between her breasts and began caressing her throat until my release claimed me again.

Collapsing down bedside her, the darkness of sleep almost claiming me. I reached up, brushed my thumb across her cheek, and said “I will always remember this birthday, thank you baby. I love you with everything that I am.”

Greece Part V

Waking up late after getting back from Rome at 3am, I found myself wrapped around Amanda’s body. My leg thrown over the top of hers and my arms pulling her tight against my chest. It felt like my subconscious mind was trying to protect her from some unseen force.

Today was a travel day, we would spend the day sailing to Crete. I planned on getting some sun on the top deck, then going out on the jet skis with the kids after lunch. Brushing back her hair from her neck, I start trailing kisses behind her ear, then up and down her neck until she wakes up.

As she stretches languidly against my body, her exquisite a*s rubbing against my groin. I reach over and slide my hand between her legs and start running my finger between the folds of her sex. While I bring my other hand up and begin to rub her n****e between my fingers.

My body gives a quick jerk when I feel her hand wrap around my shaft and start to stroke it up and down, as she brings her leg over mine to give me better access to her. Sliding my fingers inside her, a small moan escapes her lips, as I stroke her in time to what she’s doing to me.

I pulled Amanda on top of me, she was doing magical things with her hand, but now I wanted to do a few things to her. Lowering her down on my swollen shaft, my hips rising up to meet her. My eyes locking with hers as she starts rocking her hips to my thrusts.

Pulling myself upright I wrap my arms around her and swing my legs off the side of the bed. Standing up I pin Amanda against the wall and continue to thrust up into her. Burying my face against her neck I inhale deeply then begin to kiss and lick her neck and ear lobe.

I feel her body tighten around mine, as she buries her hands in my hair and bites down on my shoulder to keep from crying out. I slow down my strokes to prolong her orgasm, wringing every last bit from her body.

Taking her back to the bed, I lower us both back down on the sheets without pulling out, then continue to thrust while moving her legs onto my shoulders. Rubbing the tip of my thumb across her sex, I can feel my release building.

Staring down into the face of an angle I thrust in to the hilt and shatter. I can only hold my body still as my orgasm sends electric pulses down my spine to my toes. And every time Amanda moves her hips the sensation floods my body again.

Laying down beside Amanda I pull her into my embrace, and start kissing her shoulder. My hand stroking her hip, while my fingers trace figure eight patterns. I whisper in her ear “I hope Rosa likes jet skis, because there’s so much more I want to do.”

Greece Part VI

When we were about twenty miles off the coast, I felt my pulse quicken. It had been one of the places I always regretted not coming to when I was first here. Everything I did always pulled me in the opposite direction. The war with Rome was to the north, so when we did sail south it was only as far as Athens to get our orders. This time there would be no orders to follow, no war to fight, just my family and I enjoying the wondrous sites of the Mediterranean Sea.

As we pull into the port city of Heraklion, I saw an impressive site, The Venetian fortress of Rocca al Mare. After taking a picture I told the children that the fortress guards the inner harbor of Heraklion.

While the boat was being secured to the embarcadero, we decided to do a little shopping in town then go out and see the ruins of Knossos. Somewhere during the discussion I lost the kids, I think it was at the mention of shopping that the glazed look filled their eyes.

Kneeling down to make sure the kids knew I was talking to them, I told them that they could get whatever the little hearts desired. After the squealing died down enough so I could hear myself think again, we disembark the boat and headed into town. The bank account would be in serious trouble today, but I didn’t care, we were here to have a good time, not to worry about money.

The three hour binge shopping spree left me with more bags than I could handle and still be able to see. Instead of lugging the bags back to the boat I call the car service and had them send over a car with a lot of room for storage.

We ate lunch at an outdoor café while we waited on the car, everyone still aglow from shopping with no limit. I knew Rosa was a little apprehensive about spending what she calls “my money”, but she takes such good care of the whole family. This was a small way I could show her how much she means to this family.

When the car arrived I got up and helped the driver load the car with all the bags, as Amanda got the kids settled in with Rosa. On the drive over to ruins of Knossos, I told the driver that we would visit the ruins while he took the bags back to the boat.

The way these building were put together without the use of modern tools, is still a wonder to me. I found myself trailing my fingers along the stones that still made up some of the structure. I could feel a tingle starting at the base of my spine and move up and out till the tips of my fingers were tingling. There was something about being back here, where it all started for me which brought a lite pleasant feeling to me. But at the same time filled me with a sense of foreboding, something bad was coming, I just could not nail down who or what it was.

Shaking my head to clear the thoughts running amuck through my brain, I quickly catch up to Amanda. Every time I get one of these feelings it’s only her touch which calms the noise and allows me focus my attention back to where it should be.

Just being back in the land of my birth has brought back a flood of stories I remember from when I was a boy. Gathering the family all together I begin to tell them the tale of Zeus and his birth. I begin by telling them that Zeus, the father of the gods, was born in the Diktion cave, which was just a little ways away from here. Then after had to flee to Crete when Europe was abducted.

It felt like someone opened a door and all my childhood memories came pouring through. When I remembered Europe was more than just a country, I remember the three sons she had, Minos, Radamantho and Sarpidona. Of her three children Minos was the only one I heard stories about. Asking the kids if they ever heard of him and getting blank stares for an answer I went ahead and told them what I could remember.

I started with Minos marring the enchantress Pasiphae, the sister of Calypso and Circe after he seized the island. The words were just rolling out of me, every detail polished like I just heard it yesterday. Next I told them how Minos asked the God Poseidon for a bull to be sent so it could be sacrificed at the new temple dedicated to honor the God of the sea. The white bull that Poseidon sent was too beautiful to be sacrificed so Minos substituted another bull in its place. Which I told the kids if one of the Gods gives you an animal to sacrifice, no matter what you do it. It doesn’t pay to anger the Gods, they have a long memory and nothing but time to think up a suitable punishment.

The next part of the story made me stop and look into the faces of my children. Marissa may understand a little of the next part, but it would fly right over little NJ’s head, so I decided to forgo telling them anymore of that story.

Looking up I see the sun starting it’s slow fall into evening, and one of the most beautiful sunsets explodes across the sky. Wrapping my arm around Amanda so she was standing directly in front of me so I could rest my head on her shoulder. We stood and watch the sun go down until we almost ran out of daylight to walk back with, but getting back to the car was easy and soon we were headed back to the boat and all the shopping bags.

Greece Part VII

We weighed anchor and made our way to the north/western side of Crete, to the port city of Chania. As this was the last official day of our vacation, tomorrow we would be traveling back home, I just wanted to do a little more shopping and visit a beach I read about. Amanda had bought quite a few swim suits before we left and I want to be sure she wore them all while we were here.

It was a beautiful day for sailing, Amanda and the kids were on the top deck working on their tans, while Rosa sat comfortably in a deck chair beside them reading a book. I was leaning against the rail behind them, a hint of a smile playing on my lips as I looked over my family. I tilt my head back and let the rays of the sun wash over me, sighing contently over the strange but wonderful path my life took.

As soon as we docked and the gangway was lowered I saw our driver waiting beside the rear door of the limo. I tell the driver our plans for the day, then we head out to the market district.

I’ve never been a big fan of shopping, I always passed that off to my squires to handle. My tailor still comes to the house for all my measurement, he brings his books with the latest designs and fabrics over and I pick the ones I like. Amanda has started sitting in when he comes over, she has a better take on fashion and in all the years together her taste in my cloths has been outstanding.

I try to keep up with her as she filters from one shop to the next, looking at a few things here and there, buying some things while discarding others. When we hit the clothing shops is when my real fun begins. With each outfit and swim suit she tried on, I got a front row seat to all the transformation she went through with each outfit.

Not to be out done by her mommy Marissa was putting on her own little fashion show. Coming out of the changing room and doing a spin to show off the whole outfit. It was then I had a flash of her at 16 and the never ending stream of older boys who wanted to go out with MY little girl. It might take Julian, Ash, Nick and maybe a few of the Gods to keep me from killing the first idiot who hurts my baby. But that was a problem for another day, today she was just the cutest little thing.

When we loaded up the limo I thought the shocks were going to go out from the amount of stuff we put in the trunk. We were going to have a fun time coming back through Customs when we got home.

As we headed towards the beach I found myself not wanting this to end, back home was all the pressures of everyday life and here was paradise. Although this was just an illusion, a small break from the realities of life, I still wanted it to last awhile longer.

Shaken from my reverie when the car came to a stop at the beach, I rub the back of my neck where a small knot has formed. Stepping out of the car I get my first look at Iguana Beach, and I’m not disappointed. The beach is like a horse shoe with golden sand and the crystal blue sea as a backdrop.

Paying for a group of sunbed, we started applying various sunblock’s and tanning lotions to each other and settled down to enjoy our afternoon in the sun.

The kids started right away with wanting to go swimming, so I leaned over towards Amanda, played rock, paper, scissors (I lost) I got up with the kids and dove into the Aegean Sea. The water was surprisingly warm and clear, I was treading water and watching the fish swim below me.

We swam together for about an hour, the kids could swim but I still had little ski vests on them. I pointed out the fish below us so the kids could tell their friends about it when we got home. They started pointing and giggling, NJ asked if he could swim down and try to catch one. I told him he was welcome to try but the fish swim a lot faster than you do. I watched as he screwed up his face thinking about trying to catch one, then dismissing it and went back to splashing his sister.

When we were done swimming we headed back to the beach chairs to dry off in the sun. As we laid there sunning ourselves I turned to Amanda and told her about some of the things this beach offers. Along with the price of the chairs, there was toys the kids could play with. With the mention of the word “toys” NJ’s head snapped up and started asking where the toys were. Rosa said she would take him to find the toys, I told her that there was supposed to be a rack with books and magazines in the same area.

With another landmark to look out for Rosa took the kids and went to find the toys, leaving Amanda and I alone, sometimes I think Rosa has some hidden psychic ability. She’s always there before I realize I need her, she also knows when to give Amanda and I some private time, once again before either of us know we need it. I can’t imagine my life without Rosa, she had taken such good care of me before Amanda, and even now she still does the little thing for me that lets me know how special she really is.

While we lounged the day away I looked over to Amanda and told her how beautiful she looked today. Although I loved her swim suit, I would have preferred that particular one would have stayed at home. It was a little to reviling and I found myself glaring at the guys who would gawk at her for longer than I felt was appropriate. Amanda just smacked the top of my hand and went back to working on her tan.

When the car arrived to return us to the boat, I took one last longing look out across the landscape and the Aegean. Sliding into the car I pull the door closed on our vacation and we headed back to the boat.

Greece Part VIII

Waking up the next morning and the dock was on the wrong side of the boat. We must have set sail sometime in the night, looking out through the window onto the dock and the car was there waiting. Damn it, real life was knocking and I still had on my pajamas.

When Amanda sat up I settled in aside her, giving her a kiss good morning I told her the car was already here. She look around as confused as I was when I got up. “We sailed through the night” I said “and real life has issued a notice that our vacation has come to an end.” Groaning we got up and started getting ready.

Pulling the suitcases off the shelf I started packing the cloths from the closet while Amanda jumped in the shower. I laid out both sets of cloths on the bed, mainly because I didn’t trust myself not to pack them in a frenzy trying to get it all done.

With one closet done I moved on to the next as she stepped into the room, the towel wrapped tight enough to show off her luscious body. When she dropped the towel I had to take a step back or we’d never get packed. She knew exactly what she was doing, neither one of us wanted to leave. Steeling myself I turned and went back to packing, praying she would walk behind me and run her fingers along my jaw. My resolve would have crumbled to dust and the packing forgotten, but she knew like I did and started getting dressed.

I jumped in the shower while Amanda finished with the closets, we would tackle the shopping bags together. Getting in and out of the shower in record time, being a guy helped, less to wash and I didn’t even wait for the hot water I needed the cold one. I got dressed and together we got all the bags arranged into various suitcases, then went to get the kids packed up.

I took the boys while she went to take care of Marissa, remembering how she got her stuff ready before we went on vacation, I was getting the short end of the stick. NJ was at least dressed when I opened the door to his cabin, but all his cloths were scattered across the floor. “I was packing daddy” he said, “I can tell and doing such a good job, were are you suitcases by the way?” He just stood there with a blank look on his face and shrugged his shoulders. So this was going to be a scavenger hunt, it’s a small room how hard could it be. Twenty minutes later I found them, to give himself more room NJ had put the suitcases in a supply closet.

Once I had the boy done, I got Alex’s stuff packed, then we went to find mommy and Marissa. We found them on the tween deck with Rosa having some fruit and juice for breakfast. Sitting down with the family for one final meal of our vacation, we talked back and forth about all we had seen, what we liked the most, and what we were going to do when we got back home.

Soon enough it was time to pack up the car and head out for the airport. I thanked the Captain of the yacht for a wonderful trip and pleasant sail, then handed him two envelopes, in his I placed $5,000 in hundred dollar bills, and one for the crew to split with the same amount in it.

Once at the airport I took a final longing look out the door of the jet, then went to sit down and start the journey back home. Taking Amanda’s hand in mine as they close the door and start to taxi down the runway. Silently I said good bye to Greece for the second time, at least this time I could come back at any time I wanted.