Vienna was making pan cakes on Monday morning after her lovely weekend in the kitchen while she was listening to the radio. It was still snowing outside. She was singing to the radio tune while mixing the pan cake mixture in a bowl as she looked through the window outside. She thought of all the the fun she had over the weekend Christmas shopping with Tristan and smiled. She had managed to convince him to let her buy some clothes he wasn't so fond off. Normally Tristan had the policy that they bought clothes based on each other's tastes. Tristan got himself outfits that Vienna loved mostly and he expected her to get what he wanted to see her wear. A king wanted to see her queen in more glamorous outfits but Vienna liked simplicity. Shopping for clothes was an area they mostly agreed on but also was one of the only areas Vienna could test the waters. Tristan was a future leader with authority and power. He was only going to get more responsibilities in the business world that Vienna couldn't be part of through her own choice or rather the choices her mother had made for her. Vienna knew she couldn't  have much say about anything in her life as Tristan's girl but the few occasions like clothes shopping when she had a say, she made the most of it. Sometimes her big brother objected to their mother for forbidding Vienna from getting involved in the business.

Vienna sighed as she started pouring her mixture in the pan getting on with making pan cakes. She missed Tristan already. In the past few weeks she hadn't seen much of him because he was studying as well as being involved in business his father assigned him to.

Vienna flipped the pan cakes as she stared through the windows at the empty spot that belonged to the snowman she had made with Tristan on Saturday. It was all gone. The guard dogs that belonged to Vincenzo had demolished it. She was sure his brother had ordered it on purpose. Tristan dating his baby sister was still not sitting well with Vincenzo because he felt Tristan rushed Vienna. Of course she wasn't ready to come out with her feelings when Tristan had confessed to loving her but he hadn't pressured her. He had offered to wait as long as she needed. Only he wasn't allowing her to see other boys. Not that she wanted to.

Vienna started placing the pan cakes in the plates on the kitchen counter as she watched his older brother playing with his dogs at the front. His cousin Alexander had once joked that Vincenzo preferred spending time with the dogs rather than phoning up Letizia to keep him company in his spare time. Unlucky for him, Vincenzo had heard and Alexander had suffered quite alot. But Vienna did agree with Alexander to some extent. Vincenzo didn't spend time with Letizia unless they were invited to do so. Her brother was peculiar in relationships. Him and Letizia didn't act like other couples. But maybe Vincenzo was closer to her behind closed doors. Who knew what went on in Vincenzo's mind.

Just then as she placed the plates on the table, she heard Viggo from behind her " Good morning. Wow. You made pan cakes."

Vienna turned around " Good morning."

Viggo said " it's hard to decide what to pour over it. Maple syrup is fine I guess. Do we have any?" He then walked to the fridge and opened the door. He picked up an orange juice bottle.

Vienna walked closer to him " We have everything... Mum has packed the cupboards with food... Viggo... How is Angelia?"

He drank from the orange juice bottle as he closed the fridge door. He then turned to Vienna as he put the bottle on the table " She was better last night. I stayed the night but she insisted I shouldn't. She told me to come here for breakfast because Monday morning breakfast is important before school. I tried to stay this morning before coming back here but she asked me not to. She was being good. She didn't cry last night. She was quite stable... It's all you Vienna. You took her to church and made dinner with her in the Andovini kitchen that she hadn't stepped foot in after the incident because of her memories of her family. It made a difference."

Vienna nodded " It was nothing. I just saw she was in a cheerful mood so I tested it out that maybe stepping foot somewhere she couldn't stand wasn't going to be an issue. It shows you are right. She doesn't need no mental asylum for recovery unlike what Vincenzo thinks. She can recover with support. She just needs time to recover. Poor girl."

Viggo sighed " She will get through it. She is strong enough to get past it and move on to live..."

Vienna nodded " Why don't you invite her to come with us to the O'Neil house today since Clarisa is coming home this evening. I don't think we go to airport but definitely attending the party."

He looked around " We have sometime till breakfast. Right? I go call Angelia and tell her. I doubt she would want to go but I ask her. Thank you Vienna for the suggestion. I wasn't planning on going but if Angelia goes, I will join the welcoming party too."

As Viggo left the kitchen, Vienna smiled and walked to the kitchen counter to make more pan cake mixtures. It wasn't exactly breakfast time yet so she decided to make more pan cakes. Vimcenzo and Viggo had big appetite when it was around study periods. That week was controlled assessment week for all year groups.

Vienna started mixing more pan cake mixture as she was deep in thought. Her parents were still away because of their extended holiday for their wedding anniversary. When this happened it gave her time to think. Loneliness made her think about her future. She going to be an adult soon and then she was going to be independent. It was sad to slowly watch her teenage days slip away.

Vienna had mixed feelings about this particular Christmas this year. Soon, her older brother and Tristan were going to be eighteen. That meant they were totally going to be part of the business side. It was their birth right. She could indeed already see the change in Tristan and Vincenzo. They didn't belong with any crowd of teenagers. Their calling was to lead men even older beyond their years.

Suddenly as Vienna was mixing the pan cake mixture, she felt strong arms around her waist. His breath on her cheek " Good morning beautiful."

Vienna was startled and almost screamed as she dropped the spoon in the mixing bowl and touched her hands on his hands that were holding her tight feeling peace and excitement with his warm touch.

Tristan slowly turned her around and lifted her up in the air as he sat her down on a kitchen counter " So beautiful. You are so gorgeous...," He then kissed her lips gently not giving her time to respond.

That was typical Tristan. He let his kisses do the talking and preferred s morning kiss to any good morning from Vienna.

Tristan deepened the kiss and wrapped his arms around her waist as she was sat on the kitchen top. He moved his lips against hers possessively but gently. He pulled away finally after he was satisfied " Tell me who do you belong to?"

Vienna bit her lip " Let me down please. The pancakes..."

Tristan replied " Let your brothers make their own pan cakes. They are capable of making their own breakfast. Leave it... I asked you a question beautiful..."

Vienna blushed as she looked into his eyes " I belong to you Tristan...."

Tristan nodded " Damn right you do..." He then attached his lips to hers again getting a taste of her lips. He then pulled away finally after a lengthy loss " I came early to pick you up and I see you cooking. I was going to take you out for breakfast. I didn't think you would start cooking by now.."

Vienna replied " I like cooking. It puts my mind off other matters I don't want to think about..."

Tristan raised an eyebrow as he put his hands on her hips looking into her green eyes " Really? What matters?"

Vienna responded " You know... Everything... Everything is slowly changing..."

Tristan frowned " Well. Yes. That's natural. No one can stop the time Vienna. We all have to live with changes..."

Vienna shook her head " It is too much change... My father has left us alone for so long this time. He wants to test Vincenzo's leadership.... Vincenzo has been the man of the manor for awhile. My father wants to see how we handle life without him. It... scares me Tristan..."

Tristan smiled warmly as his expression softened " Is that all? Come on Vienna. Your brother loves to be left in charge and he is good at what he does. I have been left alone a lot too... A lot is changing for me and Vincenzo. There is so much you don't know about what we do... But one thing never changes about us. We love our family. Vincenzo may not act like it but he cares for you Vienna as his sister just like how much I care for my sister. She had been away from me for so long and I miss her but I want her to be happy. Your brother is right next to you but you feel distant with him. I know that. But his love for his siblings never dies no matter what he does. Mine doesn't die for my sister even though she is living in Italy until further notice....."

Vienna didn't know what to say to that. He mentioned Clarisa. He rarely mentioned her. Tristan wanted her to be happy so he hadn't tried to block her from leaving and hadn't tried to convince his parents to bring her back even though he was capable of it. He was supportive.

Vienna in response lifted her hands up and ran his hand on his chest making her stiffen as her touch made him feel heavenly. Vienna leaned close and kissed his lips. She gave him a lengthy kiss. She then pulled away and breathed " Thank you Tristan... Thank you for making me feel better."

Tristan smiled and leaned closer whispering in a husky tone " You are welcome beautiful. You can thank me with more kisses. I need more..."

Just as Vienna was about to respond, Tristan heard a clouding sound from behind him. He turned around and saw Viggo who was standing at the kitchen door. He spoke with amusement  " Come on Tristan. You can't be serious. You won't be thanking Vienna if Vincenzo  bans you from seeing Vienna until my father comes back. Are you crazy testing the waters under the same roof as him? He let you in the house just now. But he may make those dogs of his chase you out if you don't behave."

Tristan narrowed his eyes as he turned and stated simply " He can bring it on."

Vienna cleared his throat " Viggo. Can you please help me finish making the pan cakes. Tristan was about to just go down to call Vincenzo up."

Tristan turned and looked at Vienna " We will pick up where we left up soon. Very soon."

As Tristan let go of her waist and walked away to the kitchen door, Vienna took a deep breath and stood on her feet as she jumped from the kitchen counter. She walked to the window " I hope they don't hurt each other...."

Viggo walked to the cooker and poured some pan cake mixture into the pan " They won't. They are closer than you think... Vincenzo has a different way of showing affection and care...."

Vienna breathed " I suppose so... I hope they stay friends.... " She then watched Tristan approaching Vincenzo in the front yard as she held her breath.

At that moment Vincenzo was laughing and enjoying playing with some of the new pups he had added to his collection of guard dogs. They were going to be soon trained to be proper guard dogs but away from the house and behind the woods. He heard Tristan from behind him " Hey there. Vienna is waiting for you to have breakfast."

Vincenzo sighed as he blew a whistle for the puppies to be dismissed and go back to their residence out back of the front yard. He turned around facing his rival " I was about to come. It's not breakfast time yet."

Tristan shrugged " I came earlier to pick Vienna up. It's controlled assessment week. She needs to go to the library to prepare."

Vincenzo replied as he walked past him "Who's fault is that?" He then walked inside the building and towards the stairs as Tristan followed him silently. Vincenzo went on " I offered to help her but she didn't accept any help. They are allowed consultation."

Tristan rolled his eyes " She is predicted a distinction grade either way. She will be fine...."

Vincenzo looked at Tristan who was walking beside him " Are you going to the airport to welcome your sister?"

Tristan nodded " Probably. If I finish school on time."

Vincenzo stated " Expect delays today. My offsite project is based at the airport. I know there are delays. Give it a full hour or two."

Tristan sighed " If you say so.... I don't know how you managed to convince your father to have your senior project at an airport. He sees some airport staff as government...."

Vincenzo asked " How is yours going at the Hollywood studios?"

Tristan shrugged "It's going well. There is more technical problems than I thought but I am solving it all." He then chuckled " They offered me an honourary badge that I can use to go on Hollywood sets behind the scenes and be their consultant on technical issues..."

Vincenzo replied " They have no idea who they are inviting. If they offend you they will be sorry...."

Tristan responded " Then they better be careful. I am more worried about the passengers entering your terminal including my sister."

Vincenzo frowned " Terza is safe. Always is."

Tristan didn't get why the comment got on Vincenzo's nerve. He sounded as though he was offended and took it serious. It was hard to joke with Vincenzo. So he muttered " No offence."

Vincenzo replied " None taken... this time."

Tristan sighed and decided to drop it all for now " Anyways.... Are you coming to the party or it's boycotted because Letizia wasn't invited at first to the welcome party."

Vincenzo turned to Tristan " Letizia is with her aunt this week. Her aunt has come to visit so she doesn't intend to attend parties. Tonight I am coming. I want to welcome Terza. Let's hope this visit is her last and she stays...."

Tristan shook his head " She is loving it in Italy. The boys are well mannered." Tristan then was taken back as he watched Vincenzo open the door to the family floor with so much force the door nearly came out of its hinges.

They were now on top of stairs while Vincenzo was staring at Tristan with a hard expression " After you Tristan. Go in."

Tristan looked at Vincenzo with questioning eyes " Is something bothering you?"

Vincenzo gave him a dark smile " Of course... You... Get inside and keep your hands to yourself at our breakfast table. Have respect for our family home."