Page 81 of Big Island Weddings
“He loved to surf. He’s the one who taught me how.”
“Will you teach me?”
“Sure I will.”
“But not big waves like today. I need little ones. Like five-year-old size.”
“Deal.” She pulled Rory back into her lap. “We’ll find you some five-year-old sized waves.”
Olivia came running back with Lani’s bridal bouquet.
“Your dad should get flowers too,” she said, placing the plumerias beneath his name.
“That’s so thoughtful, Livie. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” She looked down at her feet, turning her bare toes this way and that in the grass. “Can we go home now?”
“Yeah.” Lani released Rory, who bounced easily to her feet.
Tenn extended a hand to her and pulled her up. She rose up onto her toes and kissed him lightly on the lips.
“Let’s go home.”
31
Fern
Fern’s heart was light as she hefted two heavy baskets full of produce out of the back of her car.
The neighborhood produce stands were one of the things that she absolutely adored about living in Pualena. Any day of the week, she could go and load up on yams and lychee and other delicious things without having to set foot in a grocery store.
She had lived in at least a hundred different places during her four decades on Earth, and it was an immense relief to finally feel settled. The Island of Hawai’i was varied and ever changing; maybe that was why it was the place that her restless soul finally felt at home.
She had fallen in love with the island many years before when she and her mom lived in Puna for a couple of years – possibly the longest that either of them had ever lived anywhere– and she loved it now that she had made a home for herself in Pualena.
Her mom had always told her that she was great at making friends, and it was true that Fern was always able to create some level of community wherever she went… but at the same time, she had spent her whole life wishing for atruefriend, someone who knew her inside and out. Maybe here that would finally change, and she could find true friendship here in Pualena.
Maybe she could even start a family.
Yes, she was coming to it late, but women her age had babies every day. She hadn’t wanted to have a baby during her wild, wandering years. Hadn’t wanted to give another person a childhood as unstable as her own. But now that she was finally settled, the longing for a baby had hit her like a tidal wave, carrying her along to some unknown destination.
They had been trying without luck so far, but she felt hopeful. Even if she couldn’t have a baby of her own, there were so many kids out there who needed a home.
She had been trying to coax Chad into considering foster care for a while now, but he was adamant that he could never fully love a child that wasn’t his flesh and blood.
Fern still couldn’t wrap her head around that. She felt sure that if they just tried, if they took in a baby or a group of siblings, he would feel differently. After all, what sort of person couldn’t love a child in their care?
Carrying a basket in each hand, she walked up the outdoor staircase that led to the second floor of their house. The place was essentially a duplex, with two complete homes on each floor. She and her partner lived upstairs, and she had devoted the first floor to her yoga studio.
“Honey, I’m home,” she sang out as she walked inside.
No answer. She hefted the baskets up onto the kitchen table and walked down the hall towards Chad’s home office.
“Hello?”
He wasn’t there, but his car was parked out back. She walked through the bedroom and found him – them – out on the balcony.
“Hey Chad.” Fern’s heart stuttered as she looked between him and a young blonde. The woman had been to a couple of Fern’s classes, but she couldn’t quite remember her name.
