Page 55 of Big Island Moonlight
As she padded across the damp grass in her bare feet, her little grandnephew continued to cry. She would make some food for Juniper as well – and if the crying hadn’t stopped by then, she would offer to trade her waffles for the newborn.
Emma had stashed about twenty ‘ulu waffles in the freezer, so breakfast was easy. While the first batch was reheating in the toaster oven, she started a pot of chai tea on the stove.
“Hello the house?” Ethan came through the front door carrying two bags of groceries.
“Good morning.” She peered past him into the brightening morning. “Just you?”
“Yeah, Fern and Theo are still sleeping. He was up half the night. I think he must have molars coming in.”
“Are you hungry? I have waffles.”
“No, I’m fine. I didn’t mean to crash your breakfast. Is Jun up yet?”
“She must be. Baby’s been crying a while.”
“Is everything okay?”
“Yeah, I’m sure he’s fine. It’s a big transition, this whole being human thing. He’ll settle.”
“I’ll just go see if she needs a hand.”
“Of course. Tell her I have breakfast for her if she wants any.”
He left, and Keith came inside a minute later with an armload of blankets.
“Where do you want these?”
“You can just drop them on the sofa for now. Do you want some waffles?”
“Waffles!” Kai shouted, crashing into her. She laughed and put her hands on his shoulders.
“Yours are ready, Kai. Would you please set the table?”
“Okay. Can I have hot chocolate too?”
“Sure, I can make hot chocolate.”
“I can do that,” Keith offered.
“Thank you.”
He was just serving up the hot chocolate when Juniper came inside, followed by Cody and Ethan. The baby, finally quiet, was propped up against his mother’s chest. He looked towards Emma in quiet consternation, like he still wasn’t sure what to make of all this light and color.
“Hungry?” Emma asked.
“Always,” Jun said. Keith offered her a mug of hot chocolate, which she accepted with a grateful smile. Looking back to Emma, she said, “We decided on a name.”
“Tell us!”
“Roland Wilder.”
“That’s beautiful.”
Ethan reached for his grandson, and Juniper transferred the baby into his arms.
“Hello there, Roland Wilder. Big name for such a little guy.”
“He’ll grow into it,” Cody said.
