Megan smiled at Blake and look at the glass dragoon.* Can you make it a little less scary I am a little scared of his eyes. Maybe a Mr. Spheal when I have tow Mr. Spheal. One to sleep whit and one to look at in my window.* She smiled and look at Reth. * Year maybe my mother would let me get a trip here again* She smiled and shake his tail and smile. She love him too he was really cute too.

Bells smiled and find Reth present* Well I wounder what this might be. She shake it a little bit and try if she could hear what it was inside it.* Well I guess I have to open it * She open the present and was really excited to see what she got form one of her closest friends.

Vincent smile when he suddenly could hear his Mobil ringing and he had to take it. * sorry my dear it is work that calls.* he took it and walk a little out the room and did check that no one was spying on him* Yes I am here..... No Don't do it now..... You have to wait to after the party is over . I can not risk anyone to see you doing that*

Reth purred softly and gave Megan a nice hug as he watched Bella opening the present. He'd made it himself, and it was probably partly wrong, but it was the thought and effort that counted right? What he called the "Where in the World is Miss Bella" book, a very short little book with a rough drawing of the world that he mostly copied out of a book. Then different areas were colored in if she'd been to that part of the world. And then the next page had her in the states, he was actually kind of off when he tried to draw where exactly the school and Foxford was. And the last page had a little picture of her, a picture of him, and "Where is miss Bella? Right here" with an arrow pointing to Reth's heart and a drawing of them hugging.

Blake smiled and nodded. "Okay, one Mr. Spheal for your birthday and one much less scary dragon maybe? There's got to be a cuddly one somewhere that you'd like right?" And he'd be able to have Bella help too.

While he may have thought he was alone, out of everyone's sight and hearing, there was one person that was listening in on Vincent. Athos, who had been at the party but mostly mingling with students and keeping out of sight, was now just around the corner with a handy little device to amplify his hearing. Now what was he talking about, not during the party? Strange.

Bella smiled and look down at Reth and she was almost about to cry because it was so sweet she got from him. She could not think of any better gift she could get. She look at all the pretty picture in the book.* Awww I don't know what to say I am so happy to get a nice book. It is going to have a special place on my desk I can tell you. Come here you little one* She give him a nice big hug and gentle rub his back whit her tail. * Do you want to help me to pic the next gift?* She smiled and give her some room to see the present.

Megan smiled and blush really much and look at him and smiled * I am sure you can find one a little more cute and cute than this one. * She use her tail to point at Reth as an example. She blush a little bit. She really like him but was a little to shy to say it to him. It would also be really hard if they live as far away as they did it could be hard to live far away form a really good friend

Ritzi did came back whit a bass he hat found in the band room. He really hope it was his but sadly he did not have the money to buy it. He begin to make a little sound check on it so he make sure it did not was out of tune.

Vincent look around to make sure no one was listen* Well .... I am sure she will understand why you come this late. .... Year I know she is only18 but she is my girl and she can do it ..... Don't talk like that about my girl. Or ells you can say goodbye to the job.... I have other men that would do anything to get your job* HE stooped and begin to look really mad and he begin to talk to him self in In italian* I talk to you later* He said and look around to see if he could see anyone. but he hat a filling that he was getting spy on.* you can come out if you not a too afraid to show you self

Reth smiled and blushed a little. "You're welcome miss Bella. Hmm, how about this one here from your mom and dad? Or were you saving it for last?"

Blake nodded, giving her a little pat on the head. "Sure, I'll make one as close to him as I possibly can. And then you'll always have him close." It would only be difficult to get Reth to pose long enough to have a good figure done of him. The other one would be much easier to complete so he'd probably have Bella make that one at some point when she was a little better and had some lessons.

Verdy managed to slip over to Ritzi and watched him checking the equipment. "For a moment I was worried you'd be too shy to come back and play for us. Hehe, if you had been we would have just had to come and find you to get the concert instead." He gave him a quick kiss and another smile.

"Now why would I be afraid? I'm not the one who's got anything planned. So shall I take a guess or would you be so kind as to tell me what it is? Bella's got me watching her back and teaching her how to take care of herself as well as Blake. I'm just the one that's not really afraid to get my hands a bit dirty."

Bella sit Reth up on the gift table and look into her mothers eye to see if she could get any asward by her of what that might be in it. well she was really mysterious about something. *well looks like my mother would not give me a clue of what that might be.* She open the gift and saw it was a new bow for her.* Wow a pro bow for me? That is one of the most rare bow you can find in the all the world* She took it up and gently try to see what is was like to hold in her hands. In the present was a little letter written in Italian that drop down in the lab of Reth

Donna begin to smile gentle but she did not have a happy look on her face right now she did get some tear in her eyes most because she know what the background for the present was,* She walk over to the food table and grab a lot of food and begin to eat and did not really want to talk to anyone . She use to do that every time she know something was about to happened that she was not proud of.

Megan smiled and gently try to lick his paw as she fill him pet her on the head. She always use to do that every time she got pet on the head something she learn form her mother. Every time she try to poke her big nose she got a lick on her finger* I am sure you will do it really good.* She look at his really big tail and gently try to find out if she could wrap her hole tail around his. She smiled gentle and giggle a little bit

Ritzi did look a little nervers and look him into his eyes and let him fill how fast his heart did go and she was so nervers if he might pass out on the floor* Hey you did say I should not steal the spotlight. But is that not what I did if I play that song. Just because some kids ask me to do that dose not mean that I have to play.* She look at him and return the lit tel kiss.

Vincent look at Athoes and smile as he saw one of her old *Friends* " Well Athoes nice to meet you again I am sorry I have not call you early but you know. You left us so I guess you did not want to have anything to do whit the business. Well it is nothing big I have in plans. So fill free to give a free shoot*He smile at him did not have done anything wrong jet so he could not get arrested for anything

"Very nice. Oops, hehe, you dropped the note miss Bella. And I can't read it to you." It looked pretty for a bow as far as Reth could tell. And hearing her say how rare it was then it was definitely special.

"Well it won't just be me, I'm going to be teaching Bella how to do it too so maybe you'll get a few of these from her too." She was sweet, and he let her try to get her tail all around his. She came kind of close too so it wasn't a bad try. It was also kind of sweet to get that little lick to his paw.

"Mmm, well if you're worried about that then you can always wait until the end of the party and then play, that way people can head out if they want or they can hang around a little longer and listen. And I know they'll be impressed." And that way it might take off some of the stress and he wouldn't steal the show. Could even be a nice little added bonus present to Bella.

"Everyone thought me dead for a while. Was hoping you wouldn't remember me really. Besides, I left right around the time there was an offer or two to take care of you. As a bit of a parting gift I... removed those offers. So how about just telling me?" He had his ideas, and if it was a hit then Vincent was as bad about it as he had been in the past. Never talk about it more than once, or over the phone like that. Too easy to trace.

She smild and saw the littel leter and pic it up and read it*well looks like no one can change* She look over at her mother standing at the buffe table and could see that she was not really happy. But she could not get her self to walk over to her and talk whit her.* Well I think I read it when I have the right time. It is kind of a personal letter this one.* She put it in a box.

Megan smild at him and gentel smile at him and could see that he help her wit getting the tail around his tail and jump happy up and down and see the nice presten she got form her mother and father.* I am sure you are doing a nice job And Bella will sure helo you whit what you need.* She smild and look up at the prsent that was left she could just not wait to get her own birthday.

Ritzi blush really much.* Maybe that is a good idea to do it after she open the present as a littel ekstra gift. I am sure she will be happy but I am still really nervervs. * He blush really much and look at the grupe of people over at Bella. HE was sure that if the see him they will sure that they will also drage the birthday girl.

* You can't tell me what to do. It is a deal me and Bella have made for a long time. So it is nothing you shall care about. She is still under my control. And I can take her out of this school any time I want. So if I was you I hold my nose to myself unless you want to miss a great student and a freind.* He smild at him and look in his eye

"Hehe, okay. Still lotsa presents left, which one next? Ooo, shiny wrapping paper, shiny wrapping paper one next?" Reth was almost feeling like it was his birthday now since he was helping her pick which one to open.

Blake smiled and knelt down so Megan could use him as a sort of platform and get a better look up on the table and to see all the gifts. "Thank you, and I know you'll have a great birthday too. It's so hard to wait for them isn't it?" Except when you got to be a little higher up in years no matter how young you looked or felt. Blake had decided recently to stop counting his birthdays and to keep saying he was a certain age.

"Awe, once you start singing and the music's going you won't be nervous at all. Come on big guy, I know you can do it and I know you're the best." Maybe not the best but the more encouragement he could give Ritzi right now the better.

"Don't assume too much. You may have sent her here but she's old enough to make her own decisions and if you want her to take over some day then you've got to start trusting her and getting her the support she'll need. Besides I still know a few secrets, and I'm learning a few new ones too. I was the absolute best at what I did remember. I still don't take any shortcuts and I keep track of what's going on in certain circles." Mostly so he could keep them out of this area. And so he could know if there was anyone that was going to give him trouble. And he was sure that the recent problems with the wife would be useful leverage if he needed it.

* hmmm looks like it is from Ritzi. Did not know that I was going to get present from him. * She turn around and could see him wear a bass over his chest.* Looks like I am going to get a littel concert from him too.* She open the gift and saw the cd cover of Ritzi and his band and his littel sister has sneek her way behind him and gentel suck on his big tail.* Come on Reth lets see the concert.

Megan smild as she got up on his shoulder and sit and could see the hole table and she look over at the pop star.* Well year my mother hat told me that she hat booked the local ice sport center. So I can maybe play curling or speed skate or just ice skating* Her tail run over his back and wack it fater and faster. *yay I can not wait to see the pop star.* She gentel clap her paws

Ritzi begin to blush really much and he begin to hear his hear pump. He sis make a littel soundchek on his mic.* Well year I have made a CD and one of the tracks on the CD. And......that is one I will....Play* He did toke a remotecontrol and a littel backtrak came out and he begin to play on his bass.

Vincent smile and gigels* I am nor affraid about it. You can prove anything I have done. Beside do you know what kinds of deals me and Bella hat made. And do you know what Bella is doing all the time. Do you know who she write e-mails to and calls and do you know how she really fill about the mafia.*

"Yay a concert a concert, hehe, and we get front row!" Reth had known about Ritzi possibly singing but it was great that he was actually doing it. Up until now he hadn't expected it, or forgotten for a minute in the excitement of opening other presents. "Maybe I hire him for my birthday hehe."

Blake laughed softly and carried her carefully over to where they could see and hear the music better. "Ice rink huh? Sounds fun, I don't often get to go out and play on the ice. Is Bella coming too?"

"I know what I need to know and I give her privacy on certain matters. Today is supposed to be a happy day for her and as a result a happy day for you. Don't go ruining it by doing anything selfish or too close to your business. It's not worth it. Let her have some good times without having to be a boss' daughter and just let her be a daughter."

Bella smild at him she did stand a littel in the background and look at her mother. She was not happy now. she gentel walkover to her and took her paw and smild gentel at her and it was good thing that everyone was interesting in how good this boy was at playing.* It is okay mom I make sure I don't get hurt by it. And you always have to know that dad will not let me alone unless I do this thing now.* She gentel hugs her really close to her and gentel dry her eyes and saw that she was also shaking ín her buddy.

Megan smild down at him * I am not sure about it but maybe if mama send a invetation but she might what to find out how to go to alaska. But I warn you if you and Bella come I kick you butt in curling. * She smild and look at him she was sure that he was a super star. But if he said he was not he must be speaking true.

Ritzi blushe and look at all the person that look at him but he did fill better just looking at the tow cute kids and he could fill he was like a pop-star. HE look over at verdy whill he sing to other person and he could see that he enjoy that too so he enjoy that too.

Vinsent smile.* Well I am not going to do any problem at this party. who hat told you I am going to do anything at this party? And yes it is her day and I am not going to change it . So I can not see why you making a big deal about it

"Heh, I'll take that as fair warning but you'd have to teach me how to play the game properly if I wanted to even try and beat you. Bet you're probably one of the best in town right now huh?" Of course she very well could be since while it was played in the area there probably weren't too many experts at the sport. And coming from a place where she does it all the time the kid could definitely be better than him.

Verdy was enjoying it so far and was watching happily. He knew Ritzi could do it and he was going to have a great audience and great performance. The green dragon would even give him a little reward probably for the show later on. He'd get to be a groupie of sorts.

"Because I know you Vincent. And I don't want any trouble happening around here. So just remember that I'll be keeping an eye on you and everything you're connected to especially while you're here." And even if it might seem like something positive he'd probably have to look deeper and see the reasons for it. This was one advantage of being out of that kind of work, now he could take a better look at some of the contracts that got put out there and see which ones didn't deserve to happen.

Megan smiled and giggle . It was truth what Reth hat said He was really funny to play whit.* Well I am one of the best. Because my mom say you may not say I am the best if you play in a team sport. But my coach is much better than me. She have a gold medal from something she call OL. So I want to be just like her someday. But I am better than her in a sport I call *Belly curling* It is where you make a fast run and slide over the ice on your belly. It is really fun.* Well not so fun if she hit the side of the ring or the end of the ring.

Ritzi Blush really much as he was at the end and could hear everyone was clapping in paw or wings or what they might have. HE gently put the bass down and bow for all the person and was almost about to cry but he try to hold it back before he run out of the room whit the bass in his hand and cry outside.

Vincent look really mad at him* YOU don't know me. You don't know what happened to me after you left me. And I will not make any trouble around here. It is Bella you might want to look after if you want to stop the problems.* He smiled at him a little bit mysterious at him.

"Hehe, I think they'd have to paint a much bigger target on the ice for me to play that game, and I'm sure you're much better at it than I am. Sounds like a great game though." And sounded like a great performance that Ritzi put on too.

Verdy was clapping for him too and followed Ritzi out when he finished playing. He wanted to congratulate him personally and help him relax after the show, the green dragon knew his friend would be emotional about it. A few hugs, pats on the back, a kiss or two, and hopefully his friend would be feeling better.

"Let me guess. Losing one of the best assassins or enforcers in the field had you struggling to find a way to replace me. Probably lost a few people, a few business openings, hard to keep up when those that didn't use me still had their top guys. So now Bella's going to be getting a lot of responsibility, trying to take over a new area? Or recover lost ground? I wouldn't put her on that path if I were you. It ends up costing you a lot unless you clean house completely."

Megan smild at him and gentel begin to clap her paws and look down at him and smile gentel* Well we can always put on bigger stickers on the ice.* She look down at the ground and she saw Reth and want to go down to him* Can I plese come down mr. BLake ?* it was not becaous she was affraite of falling down but she really want to go down to his freind

Ritzi smild at him and could see him walking after him. He run on in the music room and wait for him to come in the room. Maybe he could give him a littel surptise.

* No it is not that. I have been in wors things than that. And things you did not come to in the time you were under me. Just stick you nose out of the bussness if you want to have bella stay at you school.* he smile at him and walk back at the party and walk over and begin to talking to Bella and Donna