Page 39 of Not So Stranded
He fetched it for me, and the three of us made room for it in front of us. Carefully, we scooped hatchlings into it, and they curled up together under the dock-like platform in the center. Eric had developed a thing for 3D printing items for the playpens over the years, even making the posts of the structure hollow so they could be filled with sand to weigh them down. The screened sides were replaceable, and we could swap out the items inside to make slides, swings, and obstacles to keep the little ones engaged. But right now, it was nap time.
Dad and Serion gave us hugs before moving off to let everyone else know the kids names—and probably laugh about two idiots giving birth at the same time.
“We shouldn’t have more than one pregnant at a time,” I said as I leaned on Kit.
“The delivery,” Zenori said from Kit’s other side, “was easy compared to managing the two of you.”
“What?” I sat up to glare at them. “What did we do?”
Zenori glared back at me. “You were on the grass at least once a day.”
“I was?” I looked behind me, like there might be some evidence. “Why?”
“I don’t know. You would stay there until you dried, and then you would complain while also refusing to get back in the water.”
Kit snickered. “You’re a bitchy drunk.”
“I am not!”
“Do not tease, Kit,” Zenori warned. “That much elixir makes you quite an idiot.”
Kit flinched back and gasped.
“I spent an entire day flipping you over because you kept floating face down.”
I giggled.
“I don’t remember that at all,” Kit said with his nose in the air.
Zenori sighed, and I realized that he’d been sober and conscious the whole time. “You must be exhausted. And hungry?” I looked toward the dock, ready to holler for someone to bring Zenori a fish.
“No, your parents kept me fed. I was not expecting that. I was also able to sleep a few times.” They paused to yawn. “But now that you are both sane again, I believe I may sleep for a month.”
I reached over and pulled Zenori into the middle. “You worked so hard,” I told him, “you deserve all the rest and rewards.”
Zenori hummed, and I was pretty sure they’d already fallen asleep.
“We’re definitely not doing it at the same time again,” Kit whispered.
“Yeah, no. We’re terrible drunks.”
Kit snickered and held my hand on Zenori’s belly as we curled up together just like our children.
I kept staring at our nine tiny hatchlings and imagining the amazing life we were going to make sure they’d have. Exploring the lagoon, the island, the ocean… Taking trips to Pacilona Nepthis so they could learn their history and meet more of our people. Listening as they daydreamed about finding their mates. And someday supporting them as they became parents, too.
“It’s going to be so good,” I whispered to them before I finally let myself sleep.
Epilogue
TWO YEARS LATER
From behind Kit, a little voice hollered, “I took a whole six baby turtles into the water, Daddy!”
Kit looked to the moonlit surf, squinting suspiciously at his offspring. “Bramble, you didn’t carry them, did you?”
“No, of course not,” they said solemnly. “That would be irreponsible.”
“Irresponsible.”
