Page 44 of Big Island Moonlight
“Juniper!” Cody was there all of a sudden, on his knees in front of her, his face pale in the moonlight. “I’m here. Are you okay?”
“Hi,” she gasped. The contraction subsided, and she looked up to find her midwife nearby. “Hello.”
The woman smiled, serene. “Hey there, Jun.”
Another wave came, and she squeezed her eyes shut as three voices comforted her and told her to breathe.
“Let’s get you inside,” said the midwife when the contraction had passed.
“I can’t,” Juniper panted. “I can’t stand.”
“You can.” Her voice was kind but firm. She took one of Juniper’s arms, and Cody supported her other side. Slowly, they made their way through as Emma held open the door.
“There we go,” said the midwife as they walked inside. “Let’s go meet your baby.”
15
Lani
The white glare of the sky made Lani’s head ache as they walked across the lawn to ‘Olena’s house. Rory tried to sprint ahead, but Lani reined her back in.
“I want to meet my cousin!” she demanded.
“You will, but let’s keep our voices down. The baby might be sleeping.”
“Okay,” she agreed in a stage whisper. “Let’s go.”
Lani opened the front door without knocking. Mahina had taken Luana and Kiki for the day, so there was just ‘Olena grinning at them from the big sofa in the corner.
“Hi Auntie!” Rory whispered loudly.
‘Olena chuckled. “Aloha, ‘ohana.”
“Can I see the baby?”
Rory tiptoed towards the sofa, and Lani detoured to the kitchen to drop off the huge tray of food that Tenn had prepared.
“Hey Lani,” Nate greeted her with a quiet voice and a huge grin. “Howzit?”
“Hey there, father of three.” Lani put the tray on the counter, and her cousin’s gentle giant of a husband enveloped her in a hug.
“You want some soup?” he asked when he released her.
“I’m good, thank you.”
“You see that baby yet?”
She grinned and shook her head.
“Go on!” He followed her into the living room, beaming joy at his wife and baby. “Soup’s on, Lei.”
“Mahalo.” ‘Olena stood and moved towards Lani. “Do you want to hold him while I eat?”
“Of course I do!” She accepted the sleeping baby, shocked by howbighe was.
‘Olena’s newborn had rolls on his arms and weighed nearly ten pounds. He was like a six-month-old Rory. But he was still brand new, and Lani’s heart went mushy as she looked at his little face.
“Does he have a name yet?” she asked, trailing ‘Olena into the kitchen.
