Page 76 of Hidden Falls

Tutu had stayed back to greet her son and prepare them a quick dinner of reheatedlaulau,poi, and salad. “Glad the family is together again,” she said with a kiss and hug for Marcella as well as Marcus. “Don’t be gone so long next time.”

“I will do my best,” Marcella said. “Thanks, Tutu. We couldn’t do this without you.”

“Oh, you’d find a way, but it wouldn’t be as pretty.”

Marcella laughed, and her mother-in-law let herself out with a wave goodbye.

Now Marcella was the one to be scooped up in Marcus’s arms, spun around, and kissed soundly. Jonas clapped his hands over his eyes. “Ew, gross, Dad!”

Later that night, snuggled in bed, Marcella slid her thigh over Marcus’s firm belly. “I’ve been feeling weird lately.”

“Oh yeah?” Marcus immediately set aside his phone. “What do you mean, feeling weird?”

“Stomach problems. Sleep problems. Dizzy spells. Sore boobs. I’m thinking I’d better take a certain kind of test.”

That took a minute to sink in, then Marcus bounded out of bed, grinning. “Let’s go take that test together.”

“I take it you’re not upset.”

“Nope. Couldn’t be happier. But if it’s just a stomach bug, that’s all right too.” He pulled Marcella out of bed for a kiss. “Your cooties are my cooties. That’s married life.”

They went into the bathroom. Marcella took out the sealed box she had bought months ago and waggled it. “Do you think it’s the right time?”

“There will never be a right time with our jobs,” Marcus said. He took the box from her and ripped it open with his big hands. “For us, the right time is when it happens.”

“I love you,” Marcella said. “Enough to pee on a stick right in front of you.”

She did, and after they both washed up, they held hands and waited for the results—together.

36

Lei followed the hostess through the open spacious dining area toward a patio overlooking the ocean. Sunset lit the Honolulu sky with brilliant bands of purple, orange, and yellow, setting a few clouds near the horizon on fire. Tiki torches around the perimeter gave off a pleasant citronella smell. A handsome Hawaiian man wearing multiple leis over his bare, tanned chest sat on a stool, singing a ballad as he strummed his ukulele.

Lei smiled; it was good to be home in Hawaii.

Sophie and Marcella were already seated at a prime table near the edge of the patio, with an unobstructed view of a sea streaked with color as if from an artist’s brush.

“Nice to see you had time for a shower,” Sophie said as Lei arrived.

Marcella got up from the table to hug her. “It’s unbelievably good to see you. I feel like I lost a decade on this last case, worrying about everybody.”

“Me, too. Took all three of us to get it sorted.” Lei took a seat at the round table between her friends. “Can’t beat Security Solutions’ gym and locker room for a workout and cleanup. And since Stevens had to pull an all-nighter to work on a case and the kids were with grandparents anyway, I didn’t have to rush back to Maui. Glad it worked out for us to meet.”

“Thought you might get caught up in Harry and Malia’s family therapy,” Sophie said. “I was relieved you got off the plane with me. Sorry I had to rush back to the office to debrief with the team.”

“I love Harry and Malia, but I’ve had enough of their family drama to last a lifetime. Hopefully Dr. Wilson can help them through this. I was more than ready for some girl time. And a stiff drink.”

Right on cue, a server decked out in a nice aloha shirt appeared. “What can I get you ladies started with?”

Lei ordered her favorite mai tai, Sophie ordered a Blue Hawaiian, and Marcella ordered a virgin strawberry daiquiri.

They perused their menus for a moment, and after they’d made their choices, Lei pinned Marcella with a look. “You never order virgin drinks. You always say they’re a waste of good calories.”

“Yeah? Well maybe I have a reason to stay away from alcohol.” Marcella smiled. “For about eight more months.”

“Yay!” Lei yelled, raising her fists in a “touchdown” gesture. “Baby Kamuela-Scott number two is on the way!”

“Oh, beautiful joy!” Sophie clapped her hand over her chest. “I’m so happy for you and Marcus! And Jonas, too.”

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