*Alexia*

I awake from the sunlight seeping into the room to find Ricky already up and about towel wrapped around his waist and his hair still damp from the shower. He looks at me as I begin to sit up, rubbing the grogginess from my sleepy eyes.

"Good morning, Gorgeous." He smiles brightly while handing me a coffee cup. "Perfect timing, the housekeeper just delivered our breakfast."

I take a sip, my nose scrunching up from the way-too-strong coffee. "This needs more milk desperately."

Ricky takes the foam cup from me. "Coming right up."

I watch him walk over to the mini-fridge, the muscles in his back rippling as he bends to retrieve the carton of milk.

Sensing my eyes on him, he looks back at me and blows me a kiss. Smiling, I catch it.

As he goes back to fixing up my coffee, I continue to stare at him, not believing that he's actually mine now. After all the dreaming, I finally have him here with me.

Unless this is all just a dream.

I find myself pinching my arm to see if all of this is real. Ouch.

"What are you doing?" Ricky's eyes are on the pinch marks.

I look at him sheepishly. "I was making sure I wasn't dreaming."

He sits down beside me, handing me the coffee cup once again. "And what was your conclusion?" He asks with a small smirk on his face.

"That this is actually real."

"I believe you're right," he relates, planting a kiss on the top of my head.

I close my eyes, savoring his touch.

"How about we finish up with breakfast, get dressed, and head out?"

I open my eyes and look at him. "Sounds good to me."

Taking my hand in his, he helps me to my feet and leads me over to the two-person table, where the breakfast is all set up.

Like a true gentleman, he pulls out my seat for me and tucks me in after I sit down. He then goes to sit across from me, helping himself to a few pancakes.

I pick up the blueberry muffin before me and dig in.

***

We stroll along the streets of Paris, trying to take in everything while enjoying each other's company.

"Excuse me, Monsieur and Mademoiselle."

I turn around to see a young man in a red barrette and necktie waving at us with a paintbrush. I then notice the easel beside him.

"Yes?"

He smiles. "Can I please paint the beautiful couple?"

I look at Ricky who shrugs.

"Ok, why not," I tell the painter.

"Great, great. Please, stand over here and look at each other smiling."

We do as he says, and I hold my breath when Ricky's eyes meet mine, the love for me shining so bright within them. I hope he can see how much I love him back.

As the painter paints our portrait, Ricky and I discuss where we should head next.

"I've always wanted to go to Italy," I say.

"Then Italy is where we shall go. Luckily, it's not that far from here."

I find myself leaning in to kiss him, but then remember that we're supposed to be standing very still.

The painter works feverishly, his paintbrush flying over the canvas. Finally, he finishes, beckoning us over.

Ricky's hand slides into mine as we make our way to the easel.

My eyes widen, taking in the painting. The painter captured a beautiful couple, gazing lovingly into each others' eyes, bright smiles plastered onto their happy faces.

"I love it. Thank you," I tell the artist, handing him some money.

"No, no," he says, shoving the money back into my hands. "No money. It's a gift."

"You sure?"

He bobs his head up and down in a nod. "Yes, yes. Gift, gift for the beautiful, happy couple."

I smile. "Thank you so much. We'll treasure this gift forever."

The painter rolls up the canvas and hands it to Ricky, who slips it into his backpack. We thank him again, before parting ways.

"Where to now?" Ricky asks me.

I look around at the magnificent city bustling with activity. "Let's walk around a little more and then head back to our hotel to pack up. We have to move on soon if we don't want Eva to track us down."

Ricky gives my hand a little squeeze. "Sounds like a wonderful plan to me."

Together, we head deeper into the city.

***

*Eva*

Kent and I agreed that LA is a good place to start. We had a past there and maybe Alexia wants a future there too.

We touch down in the same forest Alexia and I did not long ago. Talk about nostalgia.

We ask the driver to stay in the camouflaged FC with our belongings while we explore. It's a good thing FCs can camouflage though they didn't expect it to be under these circumstances; rather it was in the expectation of war.

We first head to the Los Angeles Plaza. I ask the guard if he has seen Alexia, and he said 'No, but it's nice to see you.'

I then knock on Malika's door. I try to ignore the look on her face upon seeing me and Kent holding hands. We do that a lot lately. It's almost like our hands are glued together, not that I'm complaining.

We catch up with Malika for a few minutes before moving on. I ask people we pass on the street if they have seen a red-haired, purple-eyed girl. I figured she'd make an impression. No one saw her.

"Eva you need to calm down," Kent implores, "We just started looking. We will find her."

"I know, I'm sorry." I slow down my pace and Kent wraps a reassuring arm around my shoulders.

On the way Kent suggests we stop at Starbucks. We didn't eat for a while, and I have to agree, despite my worried mind, that it's a good idea.

I can't help but sigh in relief when I find that Joel isn't there. It's just that seeing too many people I know that haven't been Alexia makes me not want to see him at the moment.

I take an iced coffee and a carrot muffin. Kent takes a scone and an espresso.

"It's kind of weird to be back isn't it?" Kent asks after he takes a swig of his espresso.

"Yeah. It really is."

We finish up and then head to our next destination—the beach and I pray that Tanner didn't suddenly stop liking it here.

I sigh in relief when I spot him and Leo.

We walk over and Tanner's shocked face comes into focus. Leo yips happily. I am glad he didn't forget me.

"Hey Tanner," I greet him. Then I bend down to pet the puppy that was once mine. My heart aches a little. "How have you been doing?"

"I've been good. Just Leo and I together. I'm teaching him how to surf."

"That's nice."

"Yeah, it is." He begins to play with the necklace tied around his neck. "So, I have to ask, what are you doing here?"

"It's a very long story, but I'm wondering did you see Alexia?" I ask, hopeful.

His eyes light up, "Is she here?"

"I don't know," I admit, and he frowns.

"What do you mean you don't know?"

"Something happened to her father that upset her. She ran off and didn't tell me where to. Now I'm searching for her. I thought she would come back to this place, but looks like I'm wrong."

"Did he..." Tanner whispers and I realize he is asking about Alexia's dad.

"No, he is alive, but he isn't well still, and they had a big argument."

"Well good luck. And please send her my regards when you do see her."

"All the best Tanner." I smile.

Then Kent and I walk off. Where to? I don't know.

***

I lay in the hotel bed that night, feeling frustrated. I let my mind wander, and as I turn over for the umpteenth time... it hits me. The tracker.