Sweet summer [Bella]

[Bella Walsh]

The look of realization that swept over his face was absolutely priceless and as he moved with her to the next game, she watched the muggles playing intently for a moment, spotting the inconsistencies in how the rings would fly and land for a moment before smiling and leaning close to him and speaking in a soft tone that only he could hear. "The rings, they wobble when they fly if you just throw them regularly. If you flick your wrist when you throw, then they're more stable and there's a better chance when you figure out how hard to throw for the distance that it will land on the bottle. If it is given the change to wobble, it'll just fall." She watched the muggle that was up currently, and he flicked the first one, missed, flicked the second, missed, then the third made it with no effort at all.

If there was a market for cracking codes and tricks, she'd be in it!

This time, she giggled softly, clutching both her clutch and the silvery dog to her chest. "You should be able to do that one perceftly. Our culture has wrist snapping to an art!" The next muggle was trying, an older muggle, and he managed three perfect throws and was presented with a stuffed tiger the size of a small pony, which was given to his child who promptly disappeared behind the giant thing as she carried it.

It would be fun to bring their children to something like this later on in life. Now that the tricks were known, they could see their daddy as the strongest man in the world. Little did Artemis know that he already was that to her. He always would be.

[Deleted]

All was quiet for a moment as the two watched the muggles toss the rings at the various glass bottles, trying to figure out just what the trick for winning the game was. It had taken a few moments but sure enough after a while he found Bella leaning up towards him, ready to tell him just what the trick to winning this new strange game was. Apparently, all one had to do in order to make sure that the ring landed around the bottle was to flick their wrist and judge how hard one must throw the ring in order to properly make the ring around the bottle.

He watched as yet another muggle tried to play the game, missing both the first and second attempts before finally making the third one. The muggle after that was an older man who had managed to get all rings around the bottles and was given a very large stuffed tiger as a reward. Artemis watched with a soft smile as the man turned and handed the giant prize to his young daughter, who disappeared behind it the very second that she had recieved it from her smiling father. The image was enough to make the Demetriou male smile softly as he watched.

One day, that would be him with their child. He just knew it.

His eyes moved to Bella when she encouraged him to go and try the game, he gave her a small smile before making his way over to the stand and buying three rings from the person who ran the stand. He stood there for a moment, aiming very carefully and trying his best to judge the distance and how hard he would need to throw it before flicking his wrist and sending the ring flying forward and landing perfectly around the bottle.

One down, two to go.

Artemis did the same thing with the second one, gasping happily when it too landed around the same glass bottle. He was so close to winnng a prize and he was so excited! Finally he threw the last ring and watched with a quick beating heart as the ring also landed around the bottle.

He had won!!!!

He was rewarded with a very large stuffed rabbit that had a pretty green bow tied around it's neck and smiling just like a kid who had entered a candy shop for the first time, he turned to Bella. " Bella!!! I did it!!!! Look what I won for you love!!! The ribbon matched your eyes!"

[Bella Walsh]

Bella watched with apprehension as Artemis went up to the game to try out this new game. She really hoped she was right on guessing the trick for this one! As he got ready to toss the first ring, she pressed her palms together and squeezed her eyes shut. One eye opened as she watched the ring sail through the air and land on the bottle.

Oh! He made it!

She watched the whole scene unfold and when he took the rabbit and brought it to her, she found herself bouncing excitedly and clapping her hands. "Oh, darling that's wonderful! I'm so proud of you! I love the rabbit so much!" Her arms flung around him among the laughter that flitted through her lips.

She pressed a kiss to his cheek softly and she smiled up at him excitedly, "This is so much fun! I'm glad we found this! To you want to do something else? Eat? Try one of those...moving...things?" She gripped the bunny to her chest and smiled up at him with the most adoring gaze she had ever given him.

[Deleted]

Bella really knew how to make the often shy and hesitant male break out of his shell and make him feel good about himself in ways that he had not even known were possible before he had met his love. There was something about her excitement and her happiness at the fact that he had actually won the game that made him forget about his previous two failures at trying to win something for her. There was something about the adoration in her eyes as he presented the stuffed rabbit to her that made him forget that he had ever been embarassed. It was almost as though it was impossible for the young man to feel any sort of negative emotions for too long whenever he was around her.

She truly made him one of the happiest men in the world.

He smiled softly when she told him that she was proud of him and that she loved the rabbit that he had won for her. " I'm glad that I made you proud Bella and I'm glad that you like the rabbit!" He laughed as she threw her arms around him and pulled him into a hug, his own mixing with Bella's and filling the air as they enjoyed each other's company. Lips were pressed to his cheek in a gentle kiss and he couldn't help but smile brightly, laughing again.

When she asked him what it was that he wanted to do, his eyes moved to glance at the metal moving things that the muggles were riding on. " Can we please go look at those Metal things? They look like they're fun." He waited for her answer before leading her towards the rides, wanting to see just what they were.

They wandered around for a small while before something had managed to capture his eye. It was a large circular shaped thing that had various glass compartments that muggles would sit in. The wheel would spin round and round slowly, bringing the muggles up to extreme heights before bringing them back down again. " Can we go on that Bella? Please?"

[Bella Walsh]

"I am always proud of you, darling. Absolutely always."

No one ever recieved such praise from her, save him. Then again, people had to earn her respect and that was difficult to dole out considering her past with people. He had managed to slip past her defenses from day 1 and it showed no signs of stopping. Part of her knew from that very first day they'd met, that her dream boy finally had stepped into her life and now he was every bit of her prince.

No one could ever compete with that. Ever.

"Honestly, love, there is only one boy that I will ever love just as much as you. It will be 10 years from now, and he will call you 'Daddy'."

She smiled softly up at him after embracing him and the he asked if they could look at the metal things that the muggles were riding on. What were they called? She heard a few people mention something called rides, was that it? It was certainly suiting those things. After a little wandering, close together, they came upon a very tall, circular ride and Bella watched it, fascinated.

That was as close to flying as muggles got...too bad for them!

"Absolutely, love. I would love to try that one out. You don't mind heights, do you, love?"

[Deleted]

He smiled brightly at Bella after he received the not so surprisingly sweet words of praise from his girlfriend. It was not often that someone was praised by the brilliant girl and even though she showed him plenty of love and gave him plenty of praise, it was something that he had always known not to take for granted. Each and every single word of praise had been something that he had cherished from the beginning of their relationship, up until the very moment that they were currently sharing together at the moment. Part of him had known that when they first met that Bella would be the one that he would one day marry and know he had never been more happy in his life.

" And the only other girl I will ever love as much as you will be the one who calls you Mommy, my love. " It was after that was said that the two of the embraced and they made their way over to the Ferris Wheel. When Bella told him that she would enjoy going on that ride with him, he couldn't help but get excited all over again.

Merlin he had never felt so much like a child before!

" I'm fine with heights love. I help my sister practice quidditch over the summer so I'm used to being up high in the air." It was after that was said that the two of them got into the surprisingly small line and before they knew it, they were sitting in the glass compartment and the ride was slowly beginning to start.

[Bella Walsh]

The stuffed animals were propped against the glass wall gently so that her arms were free to hold on to the most important person in her life, encompassing him in a gentle embrace and gazing out of the window as they rose into the air. The hand upon which the golden string rested made soft strokes on his biscep. This was nice! It was quiet and the view the closer they got to the top was simply beautiful. They could see for miles and the sky was getting painted with the tell-tale streaks of orange that told of the impending sunset.

Her head rested on his shoulder gently as the ride came to a stop with them on the top. She smiled thoughtfully, "This is wonderful! I wonder why not many muggles were in line to get on the ride. Maybe it is because it is not as fast and exciting as the other ones. Still, I think this is perfect. Then again, I have you." That was perfect company to her.

They remained still for a long while before the ride moved slowly again downward. She was content to snuggle in his arms as the ride went on. In all honesty, she was so happy to spend time with him that she wasn't looking forward to having to go home at the end of the night, but she would certainly be walking on air for the next few days. If they were able to see each other throughout the summer a couple of times, it would make the time apart so much easier.

She looked over at him and softly caressed his beautiful hair. "I'm still convinced I've dreamed you up. But, I'm willing to accept the fact that life dealt me a card that I can handle. However, I know full well that I am going to miss you even more by the end of the night when we go home."

Honestly, it would be nice to go to their own home together, but, all good things required one to wait.

Waiting just stunk sometimes.

As they started raising again, she giggled softly. "You know, love, this is an amazing date so far. I'm glad that you wrote me and wanted me to come out. I would have never had such an incredible day. I had a feeling the summer was going to be difficult to be apart, but then again, absence makes the heart grow fonder."

[Deleted]

There was nothing that was quite as peaceful or as beautiful as the sight that the two of them were currently sharing together. The two of them were sitting peacefully on the bench that lay within the compartment. He was held in Bella's gently embrace, one of her hands absent mindedly resting on his bicep and stroking it while his arm was wrapped around her thin waist, his hand resting lazily there as he stared out of the glass compartment, taking in both the numerous sites that London had to offer and the beauty of the barely setting sun and the colors that filled the sky.

When her head rested against his shoulder and she spoke quietly, Artemis nodded in complete agreement with his female companion as usual.

" I do believe that you are right. If I have to guess, I would think that the line was shorter just because it is simply that this ride is probably not as thrilling as all of the others are and I believe that this thing is aimed more towards lovers and groups. I think that this is perfect as well but then again, any moment that I am lucky enough to share with you is perfect to me."

Bella gently caressed his hair and Artemis sighed happily leaning into her touch before speaking again.

" I assure you that I am as real as the air that you breathe Bella, though I can't help but admit that it is often that I am finding myself having similar thoughts about you. Sometimes you seem like you are just so perfect and I start to think that perhaps you are just a dream. Honestly, I find myself not wanting this night to come to an end. I don't want to let you go because I end up missing you far too much when I'm not with you."

He nuzzled his face gently against the head of his girlfriend.

" This date has been perfect. I am so happy that you are enjoying it as much as I have been. I feel the same way, so I promise that I will try my hardest to write to you and come and see you whenever I can. Perhaps maybe you can also come visit me and my family in Greece sometime? My adopted parents Adonis and Anne would like to meet you Bella. I told them that it was up to you and they agreed but they truly would like to become better acquainted with you."

[Bella Walsh]

For some reason, the thought of meeting his adoptive parents frightened her. She never had to do this before and the portraits of his birth parents didn't really count. These were actual people. She wanted to meet them, however, and looked over to him with a bright smile. "I would love to come to Greece and see you, meet your family, plus, I would get to see Luna too. It would be fantastic! Though, you should come to Scotland and see my mother. She's been dying to see you again."

Bella looked at Artemis with a soft gaze, nuzzling the tip of her nose across his own. "I will write you when I am able to, love. We can figure out when to visit through the letters." Until then, dear sweet Merlin, she was going to miss him.

The ride came to a stop and the woman operating the ride opened the door for them. Slightly bummed at the concept of the ride being over she gathered up the plush animals and ducked out of the car as Artemis followed behind her. Once out, Bella looked up at him again with a smile. "Lets look around and see if there are any other fun things to ride on."

Most of them looked the sort to make both of the teens sick beyond compare. They were fast and lurched around more than a hexed broomstick. However, the ride that caught her eye next was one with small boats that drifted down a long man-made river and through a long stretch of building. The people that left were all couples and the whole thing was decorated in the most romantic way possible.

"That one looks nice, love, the Tunnel of Love. Can we go on that one?"

[Deleted]

While he had not meant to make her nervous by bringing up her meeting his parents
over the summer he supposed that it was something that was unavoidable. Even he
was nervous at the prospect of the three of them meeting, though it was not for the
reason that most would think.He was not worried about whether or not his parents
would like his Bella. His adoptive mother,Anne Demetriou was a sweet and kind
British woman that had the embarassing habit of pulling out the most embarassing
childhood photos of both him and Luna that she could find at theabsolute worst
possible of times.His adoptive father Adonis Demetriou, was neither the nicest of
people nor was he the easiest person to get along with. He was a very cold and
blunt man, that had the habit of favoring Luna in every way simply because she was
the talented twin, and he had the habit of either ignoring or being extremely rude to
Artemis both in private and public places. His father was the type of man that could
make Luna seem like a sweet and happy young woman.

Yes. He really was that bad.

Merlin how he hoped that Bella wouldn't hold that against his father too too much.

When Bella told him that she would love to go to Greece in order to both visit him and to meet
his adoptive parents he couldn't help but smile, especially when she mentioned that she would
also get to see his sister again. It was funny just how close the two of them had seemed to
have gotten over the time that he and Bella had been dating each other. His sister seemed
to genuinelyrelax around the other female and there were a few times where he could have
sworn that he saw a smile on the icy woman's face.

"Really? That is great! I promise that we will have lots of fun during your
visit in Greece. I would love to come and visit you in Scotland if you and your mother will have
me. That is a brilliant idea love. We will figure it out that way, but I feel that you should know
that until I am able to see those beautiful eyes and that amazing smile I will miss you terribly,
my love" He smiled and chuckled softly when Bella began nuzzling his nose with her
own before happily returning the affectionate gesture, something that he knew most men
his age would have been too embarassed to do and yet he did not care. He loved Bella more
than anything and was more than happy to show it in any way possible.

It was directly after he had done that that the woman opened the door in order to release
them from the glass compartment and let them off of the ride. He waited until Bella had
climbed out of the ride before following after her eagerly, agreeing instantly when she said
that they should find another thing to ride on. Side by side the young couple walked, walking
in search for something to ride. All of the contraptions were very large and jerked the muggles
that chose to ride it more than a hexed broomstick jerked the person that rode it. They looked
as though their main purpose was to either make the rider as sick as possible or to get them
injured.

Words could not describe how relieved that he was when Bella said that she wanted to ride
a very calm looking boat ride that was called the Tunnel Of Love. Artemis smiled and with a
hand resting gently on her back he led her over to the ride. They got into line and waited
patiently for a while before they were allowed on the ride and Artemis climbed into the boat
first before gently helping Bella in. It was after the two of them were seated that the ride began
and they were off and floating towards the inside of the building.

[Bella Walsh]

Tucked into that little boat next to him, with their animals sitting safely on the seat on either side of them (thank Merlin for both of them being so small), Bella was able to slip her arms around his middle and rest her head upon his shoulder with a soft sigh of content. No amount of time in the world was ever enough for her to be with him, and knowing that the day was dwindling down made her anxious. This day had been too perfect to be ending so soon. Damned daylight!

The inside of the building was filled with roses, doves, hearts that hung from the ceiling and a general atmosphere of love without an ounce of magic. It was easy to lean against him and smile up into those warm brown eyes and thank Merlin that the only light there was coming from these dimly lit candles and from glowing lights scattered throughout the place because she was turning red.

"Darling, do you ever wonder if it's possible to love someone too much? If it is, I'd be willing to say that I love you far more than anything else. She smiled, brushing her fingertips through his hair before placing a soft kiss to the sweet press of his own lips. It was pretty obvious to anyone that smitten wasn't even the word to describe how she was feeling. It was almost beyond love.

"Do you think your parents would like me, love? I've never had to do this before so I'm a little nervous thinking about how to make a good impression."

[Deleted]

It was such a beautiful and peaceful little ride that the two of them had managed to
find and Artemis found that as he was being held by the girl of his dreams that he
had never been more relaxed before in his life. It was almost like this was some sort
of amazing dream, one that seemed as though it would thankfully never end for him.
He smiled softly and shifted slightly before leaning his head so that it lay resting on
top of Bella's. The only thing that would have made this entire date better would be
if it never had to end, but alas he knew that as the sun sank lower and lower in the
sky that their date would eventually have to come to an end.

When Bella asked him if it was possible for someone to love another person too
much, Artemis looked down at her in quiet contemplation. Was it possible for
a person to love each other a lot? Definately. To love another too much? He wasn't
sure.

" I am not sure if it's possible for someone to love another too much. What defines
loving someone too much after all? The fact that you would give up your life for them? You
should already be willing to do that for the person that you love." At least, that was
how he felt about it. He smiled when he felt her fingers run through his hair and
gently returned the kiss that she had given them.

" You'll be fine my love. My mom's perfectly nice, I think she'll like you just fine.
My father, well I'm sure that he'll like you too. The question is will you like him."

[Bella Walsh]

"I can't imagine any reason why I wouldn't like them. They are such a big part of your and Luna's lives." Anyone that was important to him was important to her, that was just how it was supposed to be, wasn't it? Perhaps her views on relationship issues were simplistic and didn't make any sense, but their relationship was solid. Sure they had their ups and downs, but what relationship didn't? Those who did not squabble over something or another, were lying to themselves.

Bella gazed up at Artemis through the tops of her lashes and smiled warmly, snuggling into his side as if it were the one place in the world that she would never leave. The little boat finally swam out of the other side of the building, when it was stopped so that they could get off. She gathered up the animals and the attendent helped her balance out and then Artemis in turn. She had been getting ready to ask what was next, when she heard music floating through the air. It was soft and slow, pleasant to listen to, and she found herself drawn to it, leading him gently toward the sound.

Upon a stage in the center of the lights and rides, was a band playing the music she was so drawn to. The music faded from one song to the next and she giggled softly, looking up at him. "Would you like to dance, love?" She held the animals down so she could see him with a soft gaze. It was starting to get dark, but she never wanted the night to night.

[Deleted]

" Well to put it lightly, my father has the ability to make Luna look like a sweet and giggly little girl in comparison to him. I know that he is a big part of our lives and I am thankful to him and I do love him, but he's not exactly the nicest man you'll ever meet."

He spoke truthfully, his tone nervous as he told her about their father. It was nervewracking but at the same time he knew that warning Bella would be the right thing for him to do, that way she had at least a bit of an idea about what to expect when she came to see him at his family's home in Greece. A while passed and finally the ride came out of the other side of the building, signalling that the ride had ended. He watched as Bella gathered up her stuffed animals before following after her as she exited the boat ride.

The sky was now completely dark and the lights that were on the rides and were hung up were shining brightly, lighting the way for everyone that was still out and about to properly see where it was that they were going. He had glanced at Bella, ready to ask her what it was that she wanted to do next when he noticed that she seemed to be distracted by something. His hand was taken and he wordlessly followed Bella as she led him away from the rides, looking for something. It was a moment later that he found that she had led him to a stage that was in the very center of the carnival. A band was on top of the stage playing some music that Bella seemed to like, judging by the smile that was on her face.

For a moment, the two of them just stood there listening as the band finished one song before immediately beginning the next one, his gaze moved from the band, to glancing at Bella when she asked him if he would like to dance. He smiled and took her hand before leading her to the small dance floor, pulling her close to him and beginning to dance with her as the band played their music.

" I love you so much Bella."

[Bella Walsh]

While the thought of their father managing to make even Luna appear chipper in comparison was enough to cause some fret, it was quickly forgotten as he brought her close and she found her own smile simply pushing the thought from her mind. Delicate hands joined behind his neck and she smiled warmly up at that warm gaze he gave her. Oh, Merlin he was beautiful with the lights from the rides casting a glow over his skin.

"I love you too, my sweet Artemis. This day with you has just been...incredible. I honestly can not wait for more days like them."

Her cheek nestled against his chest gently, listening to the beating of his heart contentedly as they danced together. She was too happy to be within his arms again. Over the music there was a sudden loud pop from above and she instinctively held tightly to his shoulders as she jumped with surprise. More pops sounded and flashes of light and color were forming above them and she found herself looking up in order to see what in the world was making that sound. Oh! Fireworks!

The surprise on her face faded and she smiled warmly now, watching the fireworks with the man she adored, safe inside the press of his arms. "Oh, this is wonderful! I'm so glad we came here, love. This has just been perfect." Despite his unlucky dealings with the games until she had figured out how to get past the tricks that made them hard to win. She wanted to really give him the opportunity to gain back his masculinity that she felt like she robbed him of, especially with the strength game. Her arms wrapped tighter around him and she gazed up at him with a warm gaze, "Thank you, my handsome prince, for bringing me here. I can't imagine how this could possibly get any better."