Page 32 of Not So Stranded
Chapter 11
Though it was easy to forget about real life on that incredible island, Kit remembered that he did actually have a job to do. He’d happily donated his supplies to everyone and left the boat docked because he could hike around from there to the beach to observe the turtles. So far he’d found three nests with zero predator evidence. He was hopeful all of them would be successful, but he would keep coming back to watch for evidence of hatching.
And then he’d help them make it to the water, protecting them from the birds, and even dig the ones on the bottom out himself if he needed to. He was very into babies at the moment.
As he reached the dock to hike back up the hill for the lagoon, he heard someone say his name.
“Kit.”
He turned to find Zenori bobbing in the water beside the dock. “Hey. What’s up?”
They held out a snorkel and goggles. “Can you use these? Jonah is giving birth.”
Excitement seized him, making him smile. “Oh, wow! Yeah, I use those. Are you taking me around to the gate?”
“I am. It will be the fastest method.”
Kit left his notes and shoes on the dock and jumped into the water, eager to find out what a sprint around the island with Zenori would be like. And being there for a birth? He was nervous and excited already.
Zenori held onto him protectively while Kit got the snorkel and goggles on. Then they really did sprint because Zenori was off like a shot. Even with Kit acting like a whole lot of extra drag, Zenori propelled them through the water just below the surface. And good thing they weren’t any deeper because Kit gasped with that first burst of speed but the snorkel was up enough to save him.
Going by the reef on the outside of the island was fascinating, and Kit wanted to remember to come back—maybe with Larkin to check on the abalone. They went by so quickly, Kit could barely register that he’d seen anything. But then they were at the gate, and Zenori motioned that they needed to go deeper. Kit took a deep breath and nodded, then Zenori took them down to the door they could use.
Kit swam through the door and aimed for the surface, but then Zenori was there to propel them both up that much faster. Taking off the goggles and snorkel, Kit let Zenori steer them over to Blowjob Rock. Hiaka was sitting on top of it and helped Kit join them there.
“It’s the best place to watch without getting in the way,” Hiaka whispered.
“Thanks,” Kit said as he sat cross-legged beside them.
Zenori sat on the other side of Kit just as Jonah cried out.
“The eggs secrete a chemical that tells the body to start pushing,” Hiaka said. “I’m told it’s like having contractions? Totally involuntary.”
Kit gulped but nodded. He’d wondered how he’d know when it was time for the eggs to come out. That it was automatic madesense and eased his worries, but oh, he wasn’t looking forward to the pain Jonah was clearly experiencing.
Jonah hollered again, and Primus ducked underwater. Interestingly, Jonah slouched in one of the Adirondack chairs with Primus positioned between his spread legs. Those chairs were good for everything, apparently.
“That’s the first egg out,” Hiaka whispered.
“And Primus is breaking it open, right?” Kit asked quietly.
“Yes. Contact with the cooler water will make it crack, so they’re just finishing the job.”
Zenori shifted a little closer, and Kit took their hand. His fingers got a squeeze.
Primus’s head appeared above the surface again as Jonah grunted and clenched. That happened six times before Primus pulled Jonah into a hug. Were they done? Were all the babies out? Kit’s heart was pounding anxiously.
Primus turned to look over at everyone. “Six new hatchlings!”
The whole crowd cheered. Kit put his hands in the air and whooped, relieved and excited for the new family members.
Eric ran down from the land behind Jonah to give him a hug, while Ty swam over to Primus and embraced their oldest child. Kit saw big smiles and maybe some tears, which was when he realized he’d shed a few, too. Hiaka wrapped their arms around both Zenori and Kit, and Kit heard Zenori’s big sigh.
“What do you think?” Kit asked Zenori. “One pregnant mate or two?”
Zenori whipped their head around to stare at him.
Kit chuckled. “We could, right? Me and Hiaka knocked up at the same time?”
