This story is a remake of a since discontinued Gadge story I had written about a year and a half ago. The gist of the story was about Gale and Madge living on an unnamed island while they were both part of different branches of military. Gale was some type of marine while Madge was a naval nurse. Now this story was based heavily on how my own parents met since they met on the island of Guam in the Micronesian islands. Many of the things that Madge and Gale might go through are based somewhat on what my own parents went through. I will be dropping the main angsty plot that was supposed to be based on Pearl Harbor for the sake of it just not fitting in what I enjoy writing about. Even though I love a good angsty Gadge fic.
So without further ado, enjoy Island Life.
The warm breeze felt glorious on her skin as she walked down the sidewalks that led to the main hub of the tropical paradise that she found herself on thanks to her occupation. She never thought she'd go from being a small town mayor's daughter to a certified nurse with military training living on an island in the middle of the ocean.
The little shops on main street reminded her of home but still had that tropical touch and smells such as the fresh coconuts and pineapples that littered the shops bins and shelves. She was Madge Undersee and today was luckily her day off from working at the island's only hospital.
"I'm so glad we chose this place over boring California. I mean, Cali is nice, but this place is amazing!" Delly, her fellow nurse and friend from boot camp boasted loudly, stretching her tanned arms out in front of her. "We get the sun and the beach, what more could you want? It's like a vacation!"
Madge shook her head, amused. "We do still have to work you know. We get today off an then it's back to the emergency room!" She was only teasing, she had no desire to burst her friend's bubble of excitement, because after all... they were in paradise.
Madge enjoyed the smells of the bakery, giving the blond owner a kind glance as he happily smiled back, walking back into his shop after leaving out a display of muffins, breads, and turnovers. Delly had run to the other side of the narrow street, her mind distracted by a large notice that hung loosely to a bulletin board.
The blonde finally tore herself away from the bakery displays of cakes, cupcakes, pies, cookies, and other pastries, rejoining her friend on the other side. Upon seeing Madge's shadow, Delly excitedly turned pointing at the notice. "There's a party at the lighthouse tonight! And it's for military personnel only!" Madge winced at Delly's loud tone, seeing that some of the native islanders were staring at them strangely. "There's going to be dancing! With Marines!" Delly was practically swooning at the thought of dancing with a buff soldier.
Madge wasn't very interested and instead shouldered her bag, ready to walk away. "We have to work tomorrow, I don't think it's a good idea to go to that." She was practical as ever, besides, she loved her job and she didn't want to risk angering her boss if she was tired or hungover.
Delly was quick to roll her eyes, reaching out and gripping her friend's bag so she won't wander off. "No. You and I are both going to this thing, I will drag you there if I have to! You need to have more fun, all you dare to do is lounge around on the beach and read romance novels." The fellow blonde pointed out in distaste.
Madge raises an eyebrow, crossing her arms. "And how is that a bad thing? I enjoy reading and I enjoy relaxing." She honestly didn't get Delly's need for speed. Sure, Madge liked adventure, but she also loved being lazy on a sandy beach with a drink and a good book in hand.
"No you enjoy being a stick in the mud- or sand. If you won't go for you, go for me! I need you there so I don't make a fool of myself in front half the island."
"It won't be half the island since only branches of military are invited." Madge pointed out with a smile.
"Alright, smart-aleck. But that's still quite a bit of people, will you please come?" Delly was practically begging, she wouldn't be surprised if the other dropped to her knees Oliver Twist style.
Madge sighed loudly. She really didn't want too, but she knew that Delly wouldn't shut up about it until she agreed so with a shrug of her shoulders she nods. "Fine, but I'm taking a book with me. I have two left feet" That was a lie, she was required to dance at some of her father's parties when she was younger. She had gotten good at a few different dances, but Delly didn't have to know that.
"Fine, bring your book you nerd!" Delly replied, all smiles. "Now come on, we need to head home and find outfits to wear!"
Gale Hawthorne stood around the lighthouse's large foyer, chairs and tables were set up with blue decorations. His best friend Thom stood nearby studying the buffet table. "Do you know why the lighthouse owner is letting us have a party here?" Thom inquired glancing up at the crystal chandeliers that hung over the makeshift dance floor.
Gale shrugged, he knew that when you get a bunch of soldiers in one room with alcohol then something is bound to get broken. "Something about keeping us all off the beach tonight. I'm pretty sure the locals are having some type of bonfire and they want it to be private." Gale for one was actually excited for the party. He enjoyed hanging with his buddies and meeting new people. Something he got to do a lot while stationed on the island. "And don't act like you're not excited. I know you asked that cadet friend of yours to come personally." Gale teased lightly, leaning against a nearby table.
"Bristel." Thom repeated her name softly. He was absolutely smitten with her, something Gale had taken notice of as soon as Thom returned to their barracks with a goofy smile on his face a week ago.
"Yeah, her."Gale turned away from his pal at the sound of approaching footsteps. He grinned teasingly at the new arrival, "My oh my, Cadet Everdeen. Is that a box of large cookies from that bakery you seem to love to shop at now?" Gale sauntered closer to one of his favorite people to tease.
The young woman's long braid whipped around in annoyance as she set the box down gently on the buffet table. "Shut up, Gale. I figured I'd contribute to this party that Finnick and Joanna mostly planned." Gale could notice her embarrassed look from a mile away.
"And that's exactly why you visit that guy's bakery daily and order the same thing." Gale pressed lightly, Thom took notice and was visibly laughing behind him.
"I like cookies." She states firmly. As if that short statement explained everything.
"Yeah... his cookies." Thom added in finally stepping closer. Making Gale burst out into a laughing fit. The two of them had taken to teasing Katniss over her sudden infatuation with the owner of the bakery.
"Both of you need to mind your own business." slapping Gale's fingers away gently as he tried to snatch a cookie from the large box. "No! Those are for tonight. If you want one go buy your own."
"You just had to get chocolate chip? You know those are Thom's favorite." Gale feigned a hurt look as Thom also attempted to grab a cookie, Katniss glared at the duo in response, wrapping herself around the box protectively.
"You better be careful. These cookies will ruin your figures." She pointed at Gale's stomach who in return just rubbed at the shirt covering it in slight thought. "And I don't know if Bristel likes a flabby stomach, Thom." Katniss jabbed at Thom who crossed his arms quickly in defiance.
"I will not get a flabby stomach."
Gale took the initiative, hoping this would help the cookie crisis. A cookie crisis was the usual banter they had, since quite frankly not a lot happened on the island. So, besides training they had to occupy their time by other measures. "I don't have a special person, so I can get a flabby stomach." He offered, reaching for the box, as Katniss inched away in annoyance.
"And I wonder why! You're annoying, Mr. Strong and Independent Marine." Not the best comeback, Gale mused to himself.
Sighing dramatically, Gale shrugged. "Are you saying girls don't like me?" He faked an insulted tone. He knew she wasn't being malicious, he just enjoyed playing along.
"Exactly. And I bet you can't get a girl tonight." Katniss challenged, untangling herself from the box.
"Oh yeah? I bet I can get any girl." Gale challenged back, pointing at himself for emphasis.
"Fine. It's a bet. You say you can get any girl? Well, we'll test that tonight, I choose the girl and if you can get her to give you her number I'll give you fifty bucks. If she doesn't give it, I get fifty." Katniss was smiling now, holding her hand out waiting for the deal well struck.
Gale thought it over. He was confident in himself that he could woo any possible lady that walked into that lighthouse. "You're on." the marine's expression flashes into a challenging one as he shakes hands with Katniss.
Thom watched the duo his face ten shades of excitement. Tonight was going to be very interesting.
I hope this was a good setup! Please let me know what you think, thanks for reading this first chapter!