Chapter 18

It took them nearly an hour to ride a boat to Murano where Dylan had his own private Villa there for the rest of them. They decide to settle in first and catch up on everything.

"Speaking of family, how are my nieces and nephews?," asked Zara looking at her older brothers and sisters in law.

"Liu Wei and Xiu Ying are with my uncle in the Shaolin Temple," replied Megan, "He's helping to look after them,".

"What about you guys?," asked Zara looking at her twin.

"Guess what we name our daughter?," Ezra wiggled his eyebrows.

"Something from Star Wars?," asked Leon.

"Nearly there, baby bro," replied Ezra.

"Rey?," said Zara, "It's Rey isn't it? Damn.. I thought it was just a codename,".

"Ten points to Gryffindor," said Sienna grinning, "And she's a bit chattery these days, I bet she's giving my cousin hell right now,".

Dylan and Ben had started handing drinks and crisps to them in the living room as they sat around on the sofas. 

"Our kids are with our wives," said Shane, "They have no idea what we're doing actually,".

"Yeah.. We told them that our old football coach died and his last wish is that the entire team have a small reunion for his funeral," said Steven.

The family laughed but they sober up once Karan returned from the bathroom.

"We're sorry about your loss, Karan," said Harvey, "We just found out,".

"It's alright," replied Karan with a sad smile, "I still have Adhira and you guys though,".

"How is she?," asked Megan.

"Stronger than me," said Karan, "She adores Raven though,".

"That's because I'm a perfect Godmother," Raven smirked at him.

"Where is she?," asked Miranda.

"With my brother and his family in Mumbai," replied Karan.

"What about you guys?," asked Zara.

"Our Sameer is with my sister in Jordan," smiled Meera, "He's obsessed with the Avengers nowadays, thanks to your brother,".

"I forced him to watch Iron Man since he was two," said Theo and suddenly rubbed Meera's tummy gently before looking at the others, "And now, we're expecting another one,". 

There were loud congratulations from the others and they chanted requests for celebration and Dylan finally agreed they will celebrate during dinner time. 

"But first, I want to go to that Glass Museum, then we go and do some more sightseeing," said Megan, "And a romantic ride on a gondola,". 

"I thought we just rode a boat on our way here," Shane frowned.

"Did you hear when I say 'Romantic'?," Megan raised her eyebrows at him.

"Si signora," replied Shane meekly. 

"You don't want to mess with her," said Steven darkly, "I have a feeling that she's on her period,". 

He turned towards his sister and winced as Megan was looking back at him murderously. 

"I'm kidding, Meg," said Steven quickly. 

"Come on, guys.. Let's go," said Raven eagerly, "Any killing can wait right now,". 

"That reminds me.. Did Il Macellaio really contact you?," asked Leon.

"Of course not, we're not that popular," replied Jackson, "It was Zara's idea to trick the INTERPOL,".

"We know they would pull out something like this so she came up with a Plan B," said Harvey.

"That was a smart move, sis," said Ezra fist bumping her.

"Well clearly we're outnumbered and I have a feeling that the INTERPOL will try to blackmail us," said Zara, "So I have to do something to protect our family,". 

Before she could continue again, Dylan had pulled her into a tight hug.

"We were supposed to look after you," said Dylan, his voice muffled, "But I forgot how much you have grown, and now you want to look after us,".

"Dylan, I'm not afraid of the Hunters or the INTERPOL," said Zara, "I can protect myself,". 

"She took Jiu Jitsu but quit after few classes in Self Defense Academy back in New Zealand," said Jackson as he lead them towards the boats that will take them to the Glass Museum, "So please don't try to playfully attack her or else she's going to kill you with a fork,". 

"Err.. Why did you quit?," asked Leon.

"I got a job," replied Zara, "And I thought I won't have the time for it,". 

"But you remember the move, right?," asked Steven, "Or else you can have me or Megan teach you,".

"Well, it's kind of a few years now," said Zara, sheepishly. 

"Someone better give her a gun," said Shane, "Unless you forgot how to shoot,".

"I remember how to shoot, asshole," replied Zara, smacking his shoulder playfully, "And my aims are better than yours,". 

"Alright alright.. Don't be violent on me, Black Widow," cried Shane, rubbing his shoulder. 

They had fun that day, visiting the Glass Museum and Glass Factory. Enjoying a romantic gondola ride with the gondolier serenades a love music to the Phoenix's couples. They tasted a famous delicious ice cream and had lunch in a fancy restaurant, facing the canal. Then they went sightseeing again and took pictures at some Venetian gothic architectures and bought souvenirs for their family back home. They had a big dinner with celebrations of Theo and Meera's pregnancy, and the engagement of Leon and Raven.

"What about you, sis?," asked Ezra, from the end of the table, "When are you going to find someone?,".

"Well since I'm A-sexual, that's not going to happen," Zara jokes.

"A-sexual? Like Kneazles?," asked Leon. 

"Exactly like a Kneazle, lil bro," Zara nodded, smirking at the same time.

They went back to Dylan's villa nearly midnight and after Dylan had assigned their bedroom, Zara ended up with her own room with a conjoined door that led her to Jackson and Harvey's. After a long bath, she put on her pajamas and flopped herself on the queen size bed to sleep.

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They had a light breakfast the next morning and by the time they were boarding the boat, Agent Ford had started to call Dylan telling them that the contract was ready and they were to have a meeting in the ballroom again. An hour later, they arrived at the INTERPOL base and went straight to the ballroom where the four agents and the Hunters were waiting. 

"Good morning," said Zara cheerfully at them.

"Good morning, miss Phoenix," said Agent Caldwell.

"Good morning, love," Theseus said slowly. 

Zara smiled at Theseus making him frown. This is not like her, said Theseus to himself. But he kept it to himself and watched her as she took her place next to Dylan who was now inspecting the agreement with the INTERPOL. The Phoenix siblings stood side by side looking at the contract with Dylan in the middle and Zara narrowed her eyebrows as they all read and inspected for flaws from the deal. 

"You haven't signed," said Zara looking up at Theseus. 

"I was hoping that I could talk to you in private for a second," said Theseus.

"NO!," The entire Phoenix family shouted together. 

"Unless you have a death wish," said Jackson glaring at him.    

Zara looked at her family amusingly.

"It's alright, guys," said Zara, "I'll be alright,".

"What? No way," said Ezra fiercely, "If you're going to talk to him, I'm going to be there,".

"Yeah, me too," Leon scowled at Theseus.

"Guys.. Come on, it's going to be okay," said Zara, "Besides, we're not going out of this room, just at the corner over there,".

She pointed to the corner of the ballroom and glanced at Theseus and made a gesture with her head so he could follow her. 

"Well?," asked Zara, looking at him. 

"I was wondering if I could take you out to dinner tonight," said Theseus calmly.

Zara looked at him in surprise.

"You do realize we're going to sign an agreement that you and your gang are going to stay away from us for at least ten miles, right?," said Zara crossing her arms on her chest. 

"I know but the agreement will start right after we've done the mission," said Theseus, "Right now, we're still free to do anything,".

Zara narrowed her eyes.

"I mean, I won't do anything without your consent," said Theseus quickly, "It's just a dinner,".

"Fine.. Just dinner then," sighed Zara, "I'll starve myself a few hours before that,". 

"Err.. Why?," asked Theseus, in alarm.

"Because I love their food and I want to taste everything in here," replied Zara, "So you better get ready for a large order of full course meal, Throwback,". 

"Sure.. Anything for you, love," Theseus chuckled.

She gave a warm smile to him and turned back to walk towards her family. I guess we've both changed, love, said Theseus to himself. Jackson put his arms around her neck as he pretended to kiss his cousin's forehead.

"So what does he want?," Jackson mumbled. 

"Let's wait for Dylan to sign the deal and I'll tell you, cousin," replied Zara, quietly. 

They watched Dylan sign the agreement and finally gave it to Theseus next. He looked at the agreement and made eye contact with Zara, he let out a deep breath and finally signed it before giving it to the INTERPOL. Agent Chen took it to make a copy for the two gangs so they could keep it for themselves. 

"Alright, let's get on with our short meeting?," said Agent Caldwell. 

"Why is it short?," asked Matt. 

"Because it's just a briefing about Il Macellaio," replied Agent Caldwell, "Tomorrow, we'll start with the planning, in two weeks, they'll crumble,".

"Thank God, most of us told our boss that our mom or dad passed away," said Zara, "Or else, we could have lost our job,". 

"Hang on, you haven't quit yet?," asked Sam looking at Jackson, Zara, and Harvey, "What happens if the plan works and we can go home?,".

"Well, we kind of love the country that we live in," said Harvey, "Besides, Jackson just got married,". 

"So if the plan works, you're not going back to England?," asked Theseus, his eyes gazing at Zara, "What about your family?,". 

"We could always come and visit," Jackson frowned at Theseus, "Is there a problem?,".