27 Eli's Birthday

It was tense. Too tense and Olivia could feel the cold aura that Eli was admitting but she couldn't do anything about. In her defense Eli could have said no to her request but he was kind and made a few phone calls before agreeing to the change of plans.

Eli stared at the Masama twins, quietly assessing them. It caused the twins to raise their guards and made the whole trip to their destination unbearable. Once the driver announced that they had arrived Olivia quickly opened the door and jumped out of the car, welcoming the fresh air into her lungs.

As Olivia looked around she realized that they were at the Bluman Pluma Lake about 45 minutes away from the city. Eli came up beside her and held her hand. Olivia was relieved to see the Eli's normal smiling face again "Surprise! I thought we could have a party on my family's yacht. Don't worry I invited all our friends so we are not alone."

Once they were on the yacht, Olivia quickly greeted all her friends. It felt like a life time had passed since she last seen them all and was happy to know that she didn't ruin whatever Eli had planned.

The party was in full swing, music playing, people were talking and everyone seemed to be having a good time. They decided to keep the yacht anchored at the dock rather to go out onto the lake.

It was dark out but it didn't seem to bother anyone as the yacht was decorated with thousands of fairy lights. It was also the perfect chance for Olivia to try and bond with the twins and nonchalantly ask them about their mother.

Before she could start her mission Olivia need to get Eli alone and give him his birthday gift. She found him next to the chocolate fountain dipping in some strawberries. "Hey!" she cheerfully called. Eli turned to face her while he was taking a bite out of the freshly dipped strawberry. She froze in her spot as she watched him finish his bite, He slowly lick up the chocolate that selfishly dripped onto his bottom lip and she involuntarily gulped.

"Hey" he said back as he watched her stare at his lips. Olivia flushed as she tore her eyes from his lips, she took a few more steps forward and looked into his gaze. His eyes were dancing with amusement and gave her a charming smile. Olivia felt herself starting to melt, her knees turned into jelly and her heart was starting to race. She couldn't take him looking at her like that anymore so she shoved the small, thin package into his chest and said "Happy birthday... I hope you like it."

Eli gave her his thanks and began to gently pull of the gold ribbon and unwrap the blue wrapping paper. He put the packaging to the side of the chocolate fountain, he lifted the lid of the box and inside was beautiful silver ornament. He gently lifted it out of the package and inspected it carefully.

One end of the ornament had a long, flat silver handle not wider then his index finger, with wave marking embedded into it while the other side resembled a hook. Hanging from the hook was a chain of turquoise and jade beads leading downwards to a small turtle figure. The turtle shell was made of Labradorite crystal while the body and head were made of silver. "It's a book mark." Olivia said nervously "Do you like it?"

Eli gave her wide grin "I love it!" he said as his eyes twinkled with delight. Olivia nodded and internally praised herself for getting him the gift. Eli placed the bookmark back into its box and placed it with the wrapping paper beside the fountain. He looked up at Olivia and slowly spoke "You know having a party here was plan C.... just in case you didn't like plan A or B.".

Olivia looked confused and tilted her head slightly as he continued "I really wanted to celebrate my birthday alone with you..." Eli started to move closer to Olivia and stretched out his hand to cup her chin. He gently touched the bottom of her lip with his thumb. "I have been wanting to tell you something for so long."

"Oh my God Loreley! Loreley! Someone help!" everyone on the yacht could hear the blood curdling screams coming from Laila and ran towards her. Laila was bent over the guard rail and kept shouting into the water "Loreley!"

"What happened?!" Olivia shouted as she grabbed Laila's shoulders. "River... River pushed her over! She needs help she can't swim!" Laila cried. "It was an accident! I didn't think she was going to fall over! I swear!" River was sitting on the floor, barely holding herself together.

Loreley was barely able to keep herself above the surface of the water. She pale and spitting out water as she struggled against the small waves. She could barely scream for help as water kept trying to drag her down and that's all it took for Olivia.

She jumped into the water after Loreley. The water was cold and immediately shocked her system. She quickly turned toward Loreley just in time to watch her bob her head one more time before disappearing into the dark waters. Olivia swam as fast as she could to try to reach her before she sank any deeper.

Once she had a firm grip on her she swam up to the surface for air. Loreley flailed as her lungs were screaming for air, Olivia made a rookie mistake she had Loreley face her in order to calm her down. It was useless Loreley was now hysterical and her movement was bring them both down under the water.

One of her wrists had an elaborate charm bracelet on it and it was just Olivia's luck that it made contact with her temple as Loreley was clawing her way towards the surface while her one knee got her in the gut, causing her to expel some of the air she had in her lungs. Olivia couldn't help but let go and watch the lights from the yacht start to become dimmer as she and Loreley sank further.

The cold water had gotten to her. Her body could longer move and the impact against her temple was making her lose consciousness. She struggled to stay awake for her own sake but it was getting harder to do so the deeper she was going down. Olivia took one last look in front of her and saw a giant blob of white frabric, floating motionlessly. The sight caused her adrenaline to kick in and she swam towards Loreley.

Her arm hooked around her waist and this time she had her back against her body. Olivia struggled with everything she had a broke through the surface of the water. Loreley had gone limp and Olivia started screaming for her friends to throw a life ring.

They aimed the ring as close as they could and Olivia hooked her free arm through it before yelling "Pull!" It took Marek, Eli and Rodan to drag up the girls. Laila quickly grabbed Loreley from Olivia's death grip and with the help of Blair laid her on her face up on the floor.

Autumn and Porter helped Olivia over the guard. "Loreley! Loreley! Please wake up!" Laila cried as she shook her sister's shoulders. Olivia pushed herself through to get to Loreley. She sat right beside her and started barking orders "Porter check to see if she's breathing, do not move her. Someone find a warm blanket. River snap the f*ck out of it and call an ambulance NOW!"

"She's not breathing!" Porter shouted. "Everyone take a step back!" Olivia shouted before taking action she quickly checked Loreley's pulse on the side of her neck, it was weak but still going. She gently tilted Loreley's head back and with her other hand she lifted her chin. She pinched Lorely's nose closed, covered her mouth with her own and started breathing air into her.

After two breathes, Olivia started to perform chest compressions "27, 28, 29, 30" and she gave her two more breathes of air before restarting her compressions again. "Loreley you need to wake up! Loreley wake up! 15, 16, 17, 18. You are not leaving your sister behind so wake the f*ck up! 29, 30"

There was a gasping sound coming from Loreley and Olivia turned her body sideways as water started to erupt from Loreley's mouth. Autumn came running back with a thick blanket and quickly wrapped it around Loreley. Laila started rubbing her sister warm, while tears were running down her face. She looked at Olivia and was only able to mouth the words "Thank you."

Olivia finally felt relieved that Loreley was now breathing, she gave Laila a smile and tried to say something in return but everything in front of her turned black. "OLIVIA!"