Page 32 of Big Island Sunset
“Would it be okay if I invited Lorenzo to stay for dinner?” she asked.
He froze for a second, the blender hovering in the air without pouring.
“I think it would be good for Rory,” she said apologetically, “and he won’t be here much longer.”
Tenn let out a breath and set down the blender. He turned to Lani and opened his arms. As she stepped into him, he said, “Poor guy. I can’t imagine living on a different continent than Livie.”
“He only just met her,” Lani said, but she wasn’t sure whether that made the situation easier or harder on Lorenzo. He didn’t have all of those foundational memories to bond them together, but he had missed out on so much. He may have only known her for a couple of months, but he loved his daughter as much as any parent loved their child. Lani could see that, and her heart ached for him. If she hadn’t been so foolish and irresponsible – but no. She was done castigating herself. She had promised herself that she wouldn’t do that anymore.
“I’ll grab another glass,” Tenn said. He squeezed her and then released her.
“Let’s eat,” she added. “I’m starved.”
“In this house?” he asked in mock horror.
She just laughed.
“Livie, come finish setting the table,” he said as he walked into the living room. “Hey, Lorenzo. Hi Rory!”
“Hi Dad!’ she said brightly.
“Do you want to invite your babbo to have dinner with us?”
Rory gasped. “Can I?”
“Of course. There’s plenty.”
“Will you stay for dinner, Babbo?” she asked, pleading.
“I would be honored,” Lorenzo said. “Thank you.”
The three adults were a bit stilted and awkward as they sat down to eat together for the first time, but the girls’ chatter got things moving. Before long, Tenn and Lorenzo were talking about growing tomatoes in volcanic soil and the keys to a truly great red sauce.
Rory followed the conversation with rapt attention. Her face glowed with happiness.
Lani felt another niggle of guilt, but she pushed it aside.
Whatever mistakes she had made along the way had brought them here, to this moment. Rory was thriving, and so was she. Their little family of four was living their best life, surrounded by extended family and friends who poured so much love into the two girls.
In the end, there was nothing more important than that.
8
Emma
Emma slipped out the door predawn, navigating her overgrown front yard by the light of the moon with a cup of chai in each hand. Juniper was awake already – she had woken up nauseous but managed to get down a piece of toast with tart lilikoi jam – and would be there for Kai if he woke up before Emma got home. Tara was waiting for her, van idling outside the front gate.
Emma climbed in and handed her one of the travel mugs.
“Thank you,” Tara said, accepting it.
“Thanks for driving.” Emma looked out at the quiet neighborhood as they coasted down their street. “You know, in all the time I’ve lived here, I’ve only made it down to the cliffs for sunrise one time.”
“It’s been ages for me too. I’m always up, but an ocean sunrise rarely wins out over morning chores. I never take time away.”
“We should do this more often.”
Tara nodded, but her mouth pulled down in a frown.
