Page 40 of Spirit Island

“Sometimes, notthinking about mom stuff is all the encouragement I need. Nothinginspires me to work faster.”

Serinlaughed.

Andreux pokedhis head in. “Does he need a distraction?”

She looked downat the smiling face looking up at her. “I think that would be good.Terro, do you want to visit with Daddy? He will find you somecoconuts.”

Terro squealedand ran to Andreux.

The alphapicked him up, and there were tears in his eyes. Jane knew why. Hehad been told to go to Daddy, and he went.

Through a thickvoice, he said, “Let’s go find an army of coconuts.”

Jane watchedthem go with a soft smile. “Maybe a date night isn’t a badidea.”

Serin laughed.“I just think I heard your panties drop.”

Jane snorted.“Like they aren’t already in his pocket.”

Serin laughed,and they went to join Orla and Monique. All of the boys had gone ona coconut hunt.

Monique wassurprised. “Friends?”

“Friends andnew citizens, though I believe Serin grew up on Wonder.”

“I did.”

Monique wentbehind the kitchen counter and smiled. “I am just making us asnack. They can eat coconuts.”

The ladieslaughed and joined her to prepare some snacks that could take themthrough a sporting event.

They sat aroundand traded origin stories. Monique had been taking photos of thecountryside when she smelled something and followed it to a hotelhaving some kind of convention, and then, she bumped into a broadchest that carried the heavy scent of greenery and sunlight.

Monique sighed.“His arms wrapped around me, and I looked up. He smiled, and I sawthe markings around his eyes. We had tea, and then, he asked me togo for a walk. The next thing I knew, I was here in the islands,and he was making sure that I didn’t notice the difference betweenhere and there.”

They laughedand shared gossip about the men, and then, the conversation turnedto Terro.

Monique frownedwith concern. “How did you make it without Andreux? I was exhaustedfor weeks after he was born.”

“Oh, I hadfriends, and they helped give me what I needed. Great doula andmidwife, too.” She smiled. “Some of the energy was acquired fromElite, so let’s hope I metabolized it properly.”

Serin chuckled.“Has Andreux seen the video?”

“He has. Heteared up when Terro was born.”

Moniqueblinked. “There is a video?”

Orla smiled.“It was one of Jane’s training projects.”

Moniqueswallowed. “May I see it?”

Jane smiled.“Of course. Andreux has seen it. I am debating calling him Dru orAndy. Maybe And.”

Orla smiled.“Or Roy.”

Moniqueblinked. “You would give him a nickname?”

“Sure. Andreuxis awkward if you are in—” She realized what she was about to say,“—a hurry?”

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