46
DECEMBER
Well dad? Where are you? I told you what happened on Thanksgiving. Dad? So Friday comes and it's more time with Jacob. On Sunday night I get a text message from my dad one word, "Friday."
"You're too happy. They'll know something is up," he said with a wink in his voice.
"I'll tell them it's something furry that they won't understand." So out of the car and up the drive way I go and then there I am.
"What's going on?" I asked coming into the house.
Emmett was so happy even I could feel it. "Car show in Vegas BABY!"
"There is also a fashion show," Alice added. "High fashion and day wear."
"We're going shopping. We'll be gone for at least a week," Rosalie snapped in my general direction.
"Have fun . . . Vegas," I gasped. I'd never been but then again Jacob and I hadn't taken a vacation yet.
"Would you like to come?" Alice asked.
"School," I said walking into the kitchen. I got some groceries and headed to the cottage. They headed out in the dark. Oh well.
Harkoni called on that Wednesday and spoke to Carlisle. Carlisle didn't say anything to me. He just asked me to come home on Friday night early. Bet on it. I came 'home' for the last time. I knew it was over because I saw Charo and Kenji outside the house with the cars, just waiting. I knocked and then entered because I knew no one would answer the door. I headed into the dining room. I could smell my dad over the Cullen stench any day. "Daddy," I said as I hugged him.
"Get your things," he said.
Esme looked like she was in shock. I guess she thought I'd leave on Christmas break for the wedding and then come back here. As if.
"I'm all packed," I said as I headed out to the cottage to get my bags. I was way ready to go.
"Is there anything else we can do?" Carlisle, still trying to be the mediator.
"No. Nothing. Thank you for your kindness to my daughter."
"I'll send Nessie a DVD of Christmas and of the wedding. I promised her that I would," I said trying to make Esme feel better. Even I could feel how upset she was. That's why you have a family.
"Does Nessie know that you aren't coming back?" Esme managed to ask looking like she was actually going to cry.
"No. But she knows that this wasn't working out. This way Seth can move into the cottage and your home will be back to normal. You'll be able to have your peaceful home back. Now new and improved and Kai free."
Then Carlisle asked, "Where will you live?"
"Leilei will live at the farm with Kolohe. Don't worry she'll still attend high school and graduate on time. Have a good evening," Harkoni finished with a bow.
"Gives this to Alice, please?" I asked handing Carlisle an envelope.
"Yes, of course. Have a good evening."
As we left Harkoni touched my shoulder, "What's that?"
"It was a check for the clothes Alice bought for Jacob and I. Mom told me to make sure she was repaid. Mom said she'd give me half."
"Good. I'll pay you the rest." We loaded the truck with my stuff and I got in the car with Harkoni and I knew we were headed to the rez for dinner.
"We have to go," Alice said to Jasper in a low whisper as they played 21. "Now."
"What?"
"We have to go. Something is wrong at home. Call Carlisle. I'll call Bella and Edward," she said taking her chips off of the table.
"What's the problem?" Jasper asked looking around for the danger that only she saw.
"Something is wrong at home. I feel Esme all upset and I can't see what happened."
Jasper said, "I'll call them first. See if they are ok?"
"Ok, then call them," Alice countered heading toward the room where Nessie was watching a movie with Bella.
Nessie saw her mother and Alice talking and packing up the clothes that they bought, "what's wrong?" she asked.
"Nothing sweetheart," the answer came in stereo.
"There is something wrong. What's wrong? Is there a problem with Seth?" Nessie insisted.
"No. I don't think so," Bella answered her daughter.
"I'm calling Seth," Nessie said with conviction.
"Do that. Find out what's wrong."
"If nothing's wrong, then how can I find out what's wrong?" Nessie asked listening to the phone ring. "Seth, what's wrong?"
"Auntie Alice is all upset. Why?"
"That's true . . . ok . . . It makes sense," she nodded listening to Seth explain that Leilei was leaving the Cullen house. That she and Rosalie and Alice didn't get along. And things would be better if Leilei wasn't there.
"That means you can move into the Puppy Place? Maybe?" Nessie asked.
"Fine, I'll tell mom and dad what happened. They'll be happy to know that the world hasn't ended. Things have just changed. Mahalo."
"What? She's gone?" Alice asked. "She's out of our lives finally!"
"Oh, Hell Yeah!" Rosalie hooted as she started dancing with Emmett.
"Don't sound too happy Rosalie. I liked Leilei," Emmett admitted.
"Alice, did you hear? Leilei left. Maybe she said something to Esme that upset her. She's gone," Bella said.
"Hot damn! Now, I feel like celebrating," Rosalie stated with conviction.
"We'll celebrate when we get back home," Alice said still packing.
"We're leaving? Still?"
"Yes, Nessie."
"We should go home and enjoy the lack of stink," Rosalie stated aloud.
"Rosalie, Nessie is standing right here. You know how she feels about Seth. Will you please think about her feelings," Edward said watching Nessie look strangely at her aunt.
"I know but I'm just so happy," she said gleefully still dancing.
On the drive back from Las Vegas Nessie sat in the Audi with her parents. Alice, Jasper, Emmett and Rosalie were in the Porsche and they sang the entire way home. As they pulled up in the driveway the house was still.
"God, their smell is still in the air. But it's over now!" Rosalie sung as she got out of the car. "Esme, we're back. We're home!" she bellowed.
"Hello family," Carlisle said defeated. "I didn't expect you back so soon. Isn't the car show still on?"
"Hello angel," Esme said giving Nessie a hug.
"She's my friend," Nessie said falling into her grandmothers arms.
"I know. I know but things change sweetheart," Esme said.
"But Leilei and I were . . ."
"I'm sure you and Leilei are still friends. Talk to Seth, maybe something can be worked out. You're still an imprint and she's still Jacob's imprint. That can't change. So we'll see what happens next," Carlisle said to his granddaughter as he handed Alice an envelope, "Alice, this is for you. Leilei left it."
"It's a check for the clothing that I bought for her and Jacob. She paid for it. All of it. What an insult! That was a gift. That ungrateful . . ."
"You didn't ask what she, what they, liked and you spent too much money in their eyes on the clothing. It seems fair to pay for it," Esme said. "I'm sure she left the clothing in the cottage."
"But,"
"But with us you know when we'll wear what you buy for us. With them she said no and you didn't believe her. Or listen to her," Emmett stated getting the new clothes out of cars.
"Alice let's take the money and go shopping for Christmas presents instead," Rosalie hooted.
"Deal, we'll celebrate. Let's throw a party."
"Are you both so heartless? Nessie has just lost her only best girlfriend. Leilei isn't here any longer. Her people may consider us enemies at the worst, untrustworthy at best. And you're celebrating? I'd hoped that we could be friends with them, the Kai. They are so numerous it seems, to be able to have friends. Real friends that we could have friendships with. Almost people our own ages to be friends with. Love, it's not that you're not enough but . . ." Esme cried tearlessly.
"I understand," Carlisle concurred. "Leilei was the child you liked to raise."
"What?" Rosalie asked spinning on her heels.
"It's a mothers' job to braid hair and make breakfast. Wash clothes and plan what needs to be done. With Nessie growing up, grown. Well almost, that was coming to an end. With Leilei in the house especially with Jacob and Seth here, it was a slice of heaven. Not that I think you two would understand that. We made cookies for Jacob and Seth to eat for snacks. 5 dozen at a time of course. Leilei knew how to cook things I've never seen before. She picked up things for Nessie that I wouldn't consider giving to her but Leilei explained that even she took classes in how to be American so she could pass. In many ways Leilei was helping this family while smelling up the house," Esme spat with anger at her children. "It was an arrangement I could live with for 2 years. And now Nessie doesn't have any friends to be with. Are you happy?"
"We'll both miss her in our lives," Carlisle concurred. "Enjoy your party," he finished as he and Esme headed upstairs to their room.
"Esme's really upset," Rosalie said shocked.
"Yes," Emmett said. "Well, while you hated Leilei, Esme liked doing things with her and for her."
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Someone was ringing the bell at the farm stand. I knew that the boys and Leah were on their way. They all went out to play in the fresh snow last night and they were coming to welcome me home, well welcome me back home. And someone was ringing the bell at the stand. So I grab my boots, don't really need them but oh well. And as I get close I smell Cullen. "Cullens at the farm stand," I send to Jacob who was having fun with Jamie, Quil, Embry and Seth on the way back from the rez.
"You're backup is there if there's trouble."
"I know but damn, I haven't been gone 12 hrs. What's wrong now?"
"You probably forgot something, maybe?"
"Listen in as the fun begins . . ."
"Oh My God! What the bloody hell do you want? I haven't been gone 1 whole day yet and you're here complaining about what? Did I leave 3 hairs somewhere? What?" I scream. Rosalie just stood there, staring at me. Emmett joined her like half a moment later. To keep her from killing me no doubt. "I'd thought you and Alice would be skipping down Front Street throwing $100.00 bills over your shoulders singing, Ding Dong the Webelo bitch is out of our house. And instead you're here! WHAT!"
"She's so upset, she crushed," Rosalie stuttered.
"Nessie knew that I was leaving. I told her that I wasn't going to be around for Christmas and New Year's. She offered to be the flower girl for my parents wedding. I told her next time maybe."
"Not Nessie! . . . Esme!" Emmett said.
"Son of a bitch! . . . Really?"
"Leilei, don't do it. We're not that close yet."
"I've got to. Rosalie needs to understand . . ."
"Play with fire much?"
"Yup actually. So what do you want me to do? What are you going to do? Drag me back to the Puppy Place and tell me it's my job to make sure that Esme is happy? When I lived there you made sure that you let me know each and every single fucking day that I stank and you hated me and everything about me. And now, things are completely different. Did you think that my father would leave me with you for 2 years while you treated me the way you did? You couldn't just say, 'Fine it stinks. We'll go to Alaska and come back for Thanksgiving and Christmas – since it means so much to Carlisle - the family together on holidays'. And the rest of the time just leave me the fuck alone. But no! That didn't happen. And I still want to know who the fuck has that dog whistle?"
"Nessie has it."
"I know. I want to see if they'll fess up to being the ones who gave it to her?"
"Not gonna happen."
"Yeah, I know."
"Didn't you know it was over when you people violated the treaty? Really? So my advice to you is the same advice you gave to Seth, 'So what? Forget about it. In 50 years it won't make a difference'." That's when she lunged and Emmett caught her. She snarled at me and I loved it. Revenge is best served ice fucking cold with a double side of attitude and this morning I am your server, my name is Leilei. Bitch! I moved off of the farm stand counter to the ground. I knew the packs were close. We could feel their little teeny tiny footsteps on the ground. Jacob fazed and walked past them to my right side.
"Naked!!" Rosalie screamed looking away.
"Sorry. This is Kai land and we're werewolf friendly over here so that means naked is just fine," I said aloud giving my man a hug. "Morning Jacob."
"Hey boo! Push much! Hey, what up Emmett?" Jacob said as he hugged me, you. "What are we having for breakfast?"
"Fried fish, bacon sandwiches, hash browns, hoe cakes, green mango smoothie and congee with scrambled eggs. There are towels and paraos in the kitchen everyone." I said as the rest of Jacob's pack and the guests walked past Rosalie and Emmett on all fours. "The water isn't hot yet but there is water to wash with if you want to."
Just past where Rosalie wasn't looking at naked Jacob the rest of the pack broke out of the forest. Third from the last person was an unusually tall shiba with scruffy fur on his right fore paw. He fazed and walked over to me. I gave him a big hug and kiss. "It's good that you're back home young one," Tokar said.
"Thank you. It is good to be home."
"Quil, will you please start to coffee when you get there?"
He fazed, then stood there, flexing for a minute. "Yup, no problem," he said grinning from ear to ear showing off his newer leaner muscular body.
A brown and tan wolf walked up to me. She was followed by 2 other shiba's that I didn't recognize. Leah and her honor guard.
"Good to see you," I said giving her a hug after she fazed. I helped to wrap her in a bright blue sarong she brought with her.
"Night dance tonight!" Leah said with a big smile on her face.
"Great !"
"Oh bless you!" I said to a mahogany wolf with a white tipped tail and ears. It was the fresh and concentrated Cullen smell that made Jamie sneeze. "You, get to the house and blow your nose. Bless you again."
Then a roar went up and I knew it to be my dad. Even Jamie stopped to look and see what was what. Harkoni roared all sonically loud and booming and then came up to me and purred standing at my left side. He'd snuck around the house and came up from behind.
"Daddy! I'm glad you decided to come. Stay for breakfast please?"
He fazed, "All right, I will. Good morning!" He said nodding to Rosalie and Emmett.
"We should go," Emmett said to Rosalie.
Then all of the wolves and shibas disappeared took to the woods or behind the farm stand almost in an instant. So did dad as a car drove down the street. It was Charlie.
"Good morning Charlie," Emmett and Rosalie said.
"Good morning all. What are you doing here?" he asked me narrowing his eyes at me. "I thought you'd be on the rez?"
"Actually, that's none of your business. Why is he here anyway?" I answered and asked.
"No clue babe? Do you think they know?"
"Nope."
Charlie tried to stare me down but I'm taller than him so he got back into his car and pulled a U-turn and drove away.
"What? Why were you being so rude to Charlie?" Emmett questioned me.
"Didn't you know? He's decided that he's going to go public with the news of the Quileute being werewolves. Blackmail is a bad business."
"Blackmail?"
"Charlie told Sam he'd go public if Sam doesn't bring him to the pack meetings. You know, let the tribal council know about the settlement money. He'll disappear if he keeps it up."
"Disappear?"
"Did you go stupid in the last few minutes Rosalie? Gone without a trace. Poof gone. Disappear. Dead. We won't let him go public."
"We'll stop that from happening. You won't hurt Charlie," Rosalie snarled.
"Then make him shut the fuck up. Threatening Sam and Jacob for a spot on the pack council isn't going to win him any friends. And might get him hurt, for real," I said in my most menacing voice.
"Coming Leilei?" Jacob called.
"Right now. Bye," I finished turning my back on them and headed back to breakfast with the pack.
"It has to be Bella and Edward who's spilling the goods to Charlie."
"Or Bella or Edward."
"How many times must we tell them to get a handle on Charlie?"
"I don't know but he'd better get himself in check soon."
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"Well, what did she say?" Alice asked. She had to ask. She had to know. She couldn't see what happened at the meeting between the Leilei effect and the pack members. She was blind.
"What do you think she said? . . . 'In 50 years it won't matter'," Rosalie lamented.
"That bitch . . . I'm going to . . ."
"You're not going to do anything," Jasper said to calm his wife. "That's the exact same thing Rosalie said to them about Seth. Leilei's not here anymore. Isn't that what you wanted? Now you have it and because Esme isn't happy you're still mad at Leilei. Let it go. She's gone and she won't be back. Now we have to focus on Esme and trying to make her feel better. Did they say anything else?"
"Only that Charlie needs to back off. He wants to sit on the pack council as the Cullen representative and he's threatening to blackmail them to let him do that. Its making them feel threatened. They've threatened violence against him and they say he's acting like he's immune," Emmett stated, wanting to sound alarmed about it.
"What? . . . Charlie's threatening to expose the Quileute?" Carlisle questioned.
"Leilei said he's threatening to let the tribal council know about the settlement payment. And to keep his mouth shut he wants a seat on the pack council," Emmett repeated.
"They wouldn't hurt him would they?" Rosalie asked Carlisle.
"Yes, they would," Carlisle said feeling fear take him. "We won't out the Quileute and they won't out us but Charlie . . . this is dangerous. He's probably expecting us to back him up. I believe he thinks he's helping. And he isn't. We need to find out as much as we can about what he's threatening to do and make him stop. If the Quileute catch him on the rez alone . . . we won't be able to help him."
"They wouldn't . . ." Rosalie snarled.
"Yes, they would. Wouldn't you?" Jasper asked Rosalie.
"Anything else?" Carlisle
After a pause Emmett said, "Jacob is huge."
"Oh My God! Emmett!" Rosalie spat disgusted. "Really?"
"No, not that," Emmett said looking at his wife funny. "The boys that fazed were naked. So was her father and no one seemed to be worried about that. Well anyway, I haven't seen Jacob up close in a while and him standing next to Leilei, they looked normal but when he was standing next to me I could see that he's bigger. Like he's put on muscle. Both he and Quil have put on like 50 lbs. of muscle at least."
"That's understandable since Tokar is supposedly a trainer. They've probably been in training. So they're stronger," Carlisle said.
"And they have some attitude about it. Quil flexed," Emmett admitted.
"He's probably proud of it," Jasper said smiling.
"They even said they were having another of their night dances. Actually it sounds like fun," Emmett said.
Rosalie rolled her eyes.
"Baby, dancing in the snow to loud music at the farm with your friends. It sounds like fun to me. And no, Carlisle I'm not going. But it sounds like fun."
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"Are you sure? Well I'll see what I can do," Jacob said. "Thanks Carlisle," he ended the call and returned to helping me clean up after breakfast.
"What are you planning Jacob?"
"Well Esme is depressed. It seems that she didn't want you to leave. She didn't think that things were that bad and now. Well . . ."
"So were Alice and Rosalie dancing all over the house?"
"They were until she told them to stop and to plan to spend the rest of the month cleaning. The Alaskans are coming for Christmas. Is there something that we can do?"
"What? Other than dance in the streets too?"
"Baby, you like Esme and so do I. So is there something anything that . . ."
"Let me think about it. Are we going to the rez today?"
"Yeah, a bit later," Jacob sent looking at me strangely.
"Well, ok then. I think I might need a cookie recipe or 2? Don't you?"
"No, I don't . . . well . . . now that I think about it. Yeah, I think you do," Jacob said and I could hear the smile in his voice.
So after breakfast was cleaned up, we were all going to head to the rez to talk wedding preparations and family. Jacob and I decided we needed to make a stop in town at the grocery store before heading to the rez.
So up pulls a Mercedes in a spot across the parking lot and I head to the car. "Hi. Good morning!" I say all cheerful to Esme and Carlisle as they sat in the car. Nessie was in the back seat.
"She looks so happy," I overheard Nessie say.
"Good morning," Esme said trying to sound cheerful but it wasn't working. "Here. I didn't think you wanted the recipes," she said handing the book we'd put together to me.
"Esme, if you give me all of the recipes now, then I can't call you asking for more of them. All I wanted was the recipe for the sesame cookies. Then maybe in a few days I'll ask for the recipe for the ox tail soup." I hope she picks up on what I'm trying to do here.
"Oh! I see. So here you are then," she said smiling tearing the one page from the book she'd put together.
"You look like a snow bunny," Carlisle said.
"Snow bunny? Is that an insult?"
"In the 1950's the women who were the girlfriends of skiers wore sweaters like the one you're wearing with black ski pants and similar boots. They were called snow bunnies," Carlisle explained to me. I guess my expression looked confused.
"So I'm a vicious snow bunny who's with a wolfie boy," I giggled.
"But his car is a rabbit anyway," Nessie added.
"Where did that outfit come from?" Esme asked relaxed at last.
"Well Jacob asked Leah and Rehka how to get his sweaters back. They told him to give me things that I'd like better than his clothes and I'd probably give his things back. I'm letting him think that he's figured that out. For now."
"So you're spending the day at the rez?" Carlisle asked.
"Yeah, my dad will be here until tomorrow then he's off to Hawaii to get ready for the wedding. He said mom is going nutz and so he needs to be there to help keep her calm. Nessie call Seth and let him know what's in the cabinets of the cottage. He said he'd go shopping to get you snacks."
"Little chocolate things? And little salty things?"
"And little cheesie things too!"
"Ok, you two," Carlisle said with a gentle smile. "Jacob looks like he's ready to go. And we should go too. We're taking Nessie out for a ride." 'Thank you,' Carlisle mouthed silently while Esme was looking at me.
"Fine then. Have fun Nessie," I called to them as they drove away. Jacob came and took me by the hand. "
"That was really nice. What you just did."
"I did it for Seth. He's never asks for anything. Helping him and Nessie in any way I can is my job."
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The new routine for the last week or so was Jacob and I slept in the yurt with Kolohe. And I get ready for school in the shower house. I make breakfast at night so it's easy to eat in the morning. Jacob takes me to school and he brings lunch if he's not working. If he is then I'll bring my lunch with me. 2 days before we leave Travis and Rehka arrive. So there are 5 people in the yurt. But it's only for 2 days.
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December 21
My dreams/nightmares of the plane ride were true. The flight crew looked shocked but when we began to speak Hawaiian they calmed down. Rachel and Billy sat in first class. The rest of us were in business class. We needed the leg room. Maybe all of those skinny vampires could all sit in the same seat, we couldn't. Jacob was a white knuckle flyer. Now that's funny! We landed without Jacob breaking the plane and I felt at home when we stepped out of the airport into the warm air. We headed to the vans that were there to take us to the homeland. Rebecca was at my mom's house already. We drove out into the forest to the end of the road. Then down our street to my mom's house. We lived across the street from the cliffs that were above the beach.
"This is beautiful. Really beautiful," Jacob gasped as we were on the way to the homeland.
We pulled up in front of house, west facing toward the ocean. It's just a house but it's home. My western home. It's kinda like a slice out of the middle of my dad's house. Big kitchen, dining, living, family rooms. With lots of bedrooms. "This is my mom's house. Come on in everyone," I said. "Welcome, aloha!"
"Just a moment," Nona said standing on the porch and she picked up a basin of seawater. Then she flicked sea water on us all before we crossed the threshold of her house. "It's a sign to the goddess that you are welcome in this house. It's a way to ask for her protection. Your daughter and her husband got sprinkled too. Come in everyone. Billy, Leilei told me about your health concerns, no problem. Please come in." The porch had been modified with a ramp that looked old enough to be part of the house. Billy accepted it as normal.
Jacob said, "Now I see why Seth got so tan. Is it like this all the time?"
"Sunny? Yeah although it does rain a lot. I mean shower," I said. It rains in Forks.
Harkoni came to the house after we finally got in. With us all in the house it was a bit close but still nice. The house seemed smaller to me but then again I'm taller. Billy said he'd stay here with us until the wedding then he'd move in with Rebecca for about a week. Mom had worked out the bedroom assignments. Paul and Rachel had 1 bedroom. Travis and Rehka had 1 of the lanais. Jacob and I had the other lanai. Billy had a bedroom to himself. Mom had the other. Kolohe would stay with Chaska and Tara and Yutan. Harkoni was staying with Bishop Price. When all of the introductions were done, we ate dinner. As Keri and Rebecca were getting ready to leave for the evening Hank decided that he wanted to stay. Koni and he were about the same age, they became fast friends. Mom said it was fine and she'd let them sleep in the living room – just like they were camping.
"So were sleeping outside?" Jacob asked.
"Here on the porch. It's screened in so no mosquitos. We'll be in a hammock, so parao yourself and I'll get a quilt," I quick kissed him to quiet him. "We don't feel the temp so it's ok. People who might not be as comfortable get rooms in the house with heat."
"Ok boys time for bed. Uncle Jacob and I will be right out here," I said getting the sleeping bags for them.
"When is Christmas?" Koni asked.
"3 days from today," I said handing him a pillow.
"Will there be presents?" he asked sounding worried.
"Oh, I don't know. Maybe?" I said. "What do you think?"
"If we were good, then maybe yes," he said looking at Hank to be sure he had all of the info correct.
"Were you good? Both of you?" I asked.
"I was," someone sent.
"I try to be," Koni said like he was trying to bargain with me.
"That's good enough then. Ok go to sleep. Both of you. Did you go to the bathroom? Ok, then night." I turned out most of the lights leaving enough light to see the way to the bathroom if they needed it.
"So this is the land of the Hoku Ao. Seth got this kind of welcome. No wonder he liked it so such," Jacob sent settling in for the night.
"Don't sleep to heavy. We're watching the kids you know. They're right inside just on the dining room rug."
"Are they gonna be ok?"
"With the rug on the floor. Futon on top of that with sleeping bags? I think they'll be so warm they'll cook. And they are here in the land of shiba's and there are 2 wolves in the house. Problem?"
"No problem," he sent while falling asleep.
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December 22
I got up early and helped to make breakfast. Fruit and eggs and zucchini bread toast. Yogurt and muffins, fruit and smoothies. We waited for Rebecca and Keri to come before Jacob and I took the kids to the beach. Travis and Rehka were going back to the airport. Her parents were arriving from Sweden. They missed a connection in NYC. There was bad weather.
"We may vacation here," Jacob said after we climbed down to the beach from the houses above.
"If you think this is nice, then Tahiti and New Zealand would blow your mind," I giggled as we made our beach head for the day. We were babysitting for the 5-9 yr. old boys. Since the parents were still working and the kids were out of school having someone take care of them was something that we as Hoku Ao did down at the beach for most of the day. Playing games and swimming and feeding them lunch and if I had to knock them all on their heads to get them to take a nap I'd do that too.
"Any Hoku Ao pack things happening soon?" Jacob asked.
"They put on the Christmas party celebration. And the parties that we normally have at New Year's End. But this year our family is sponsoring them," I said knowing that I'd be paying my share over the next 150 years.
"Harkoni suggested that we go up to the school this evening to have our 'family talk'," Jacob said knowing that that discussion would be hard. But after spending most of the day chasing 5 year olds around it might be easier to talk to his sister.
"The picnic tables would be the perfect place to have that 'talk'. That way we wouldn't really have to be too quiet and things could be discussed," I giggled. Rachel, Rebecca, Paul and Billy with Jacob and I would be heading to the school in the afternoon for the talk. I'd take my picture book just in case. Jacob was nervous but he knew this had to happen before his 5 yr. old nephew, Hank, got any older. That boy might go fuzzy when he was a teenager. He should at least hear the stories and maybe make a choice before he entered that nightmare alone like Sam.
"It's really nice up here," Rebecca said. Then she just stopped and got to the point, "Ok, so what's with all the secrecy? Why all the way up here? What's going on? Jacob did you bring us all up here to announce that Leilei is pregnant?"
"No, that's not it. There will be a big party when that happens," Jacob said partly embarrassed. "I brought you up here to explain something to you in person. . . . Do you remember all of those old tribal stories about the cold ones and the wolves?" He began.
"Yeah, so what?"
"Well . . . all of those stories are true. Ephraim was the last Quileute chief that was a werewolf and I take after our great grandfather."
She laughed nervously at first. Then she realized that we weren't laughing. "Are you saying that you think you're a werewolf? Leilei, what have you been feeding him?"
"I don't think I'm a werewolf, I know I am a werewolf," Jacob said proudly. Jacob stood and reached for the cord on his parao.
"You're not gonna . . . right here and now. Jacob come on. The moon's not full," Rebecca said looking at the rest of us. We didn't move.
"I don't need the full moon," he said. Then bam, naked and then poof all fuzzy. Then bam Rebecca fainted.
Billy said, "I expected as much. Good catch Paul."
So after some cool water on her face she woke up. "I guess I fainted. I had the strangest . . . Oh My God! It's still here."
"That's he's still here and yes, this is Jacob and he's still here. He can hear you but he can't talk to you. He'd howl and there aren't any wolves in Hawaii so that would be really strange," I said giggling.
"It's a trick. It has to be a trick," she said starting to panic. "Why are you doing this to me?"
"It's no trick," Billy said. "You needed to be told. Your son might carry the genes to be able to do this too. Jacob." And Jacob fazed back.
And she dropped again.
Rachel said, "I expected her to do it once but not twice. Thanks for catching her again babe."
Paul, "I guess that's why I'm here."
"Ok, what did you do to me?" Rebecca said again.
"Nothing. Our brother is a werewolf and so is your brother in law to be, Paul. Deal with it," Rachel said point blank.
"So great grandpa Ephraim was a werewolf," Rebecca said taking a sip of water. "Did he get bitten or something?"
"No. Not as far as we know, he was born with this ability. He was the last wolf pack leader. And there was an Utley, a Clearwater and an Otero in that wolf pack then. And the same thing now," Jacob told his sister.
"So there are more than just you Jacob?"
"We number about 40 give or take," Paul said. "Yeah, I'm one too."
"What? . . . Clearwater too! So cute little Seth is one of you too?"
"And so is Leah," Rachel. "We decided to tell you in person so you could see that it's not that weird. Your kids might be able to do this too."
"That's it," Rebecca said shaking her head. "No more kids. I'll tell Keri . . . no more kids."
"Don't be silly," Billy said. "I love my grandchildren. Fuzzy or not but if they can't go fuzzy they might carry the genes to do it. You should know it's a possibility."
"Leilei?" she asked. "When did you find out? How did Jacob tell you he was a freak?"
"He's not a freak. He's your brother," I stated with conviction. "I knew the first time I looked into his eyes who and what he was. And I've loved him ever since. Most of the members of my family, well the male ones anyway are shifters. That's what we call them. I never thought that I'd marry a 'regular' man. When Jacob and I found each other it was and is perfect."
"Your father? Kolohe? Travis? Yutan?"
"We're not sure about Yutan yet. He's only 10. They can't start changing until they are like 15 or so he's got time. But the rest, yeah. Pretty much."
"But the rest are? Koni too? Are all of the men down there go all poofie?"
"Koni, probably. His father was a great warrior. A shiba, like this." I showed her a picture from my book.
"Who's this?" she asked looking at another picture from my book.
"That's Kolohe. And this is my dad."
"Holy shit! . . . He's a jaguar?"
"Snow leopard, my dad is a snow leopard. This is Travis. This is Mr. Angstadt, Rehka's father."
"You have got to be kidding me? Please?" Rebecca begged. "Tell me this is just a sick joke?"
"No, this is for real. At some point Paul and I will get married. Leilei and Jacob will get married too. We'll have children to carry on this legacy, to ensure the safety of our people," Rachel said.
"To ensure our safety from what?" Rebecca begged.
"The cold ones are vampires," Billy said.
"Ok, now I know ALL of you have gone over the edge. Vampires? Really?"
"So why would there be werewolves, if not to kill vampires?" Paul asked.
"To . . . to . . . I don't know . . . Vampires?" Rebecca concluded. "Really?"
"Believe it. They feel cold because they're dead. And they hunted humans for blood and you know the stories. The wolf packs tore them to pieces," Paul said.
"And then burnt the pieces to keep them from coming back together. I know the stories but it's a story. But you're saying it's all true," Rebecca said.
"Do you need me to faze again to prove it to you?" Jacob asked.
"No," she said. "Does that hurt? It looks like it hurts."
"No, it doesn't. It just takes a lot of energy," he grinned.
"So that's why you eat so much. So is Paul in your group?" Rebecca finally got her footing.
"No. Paul is Sam's second in command. Seth is my second and each group is called a pack. Wolves travel in packs," he explained.
"So, Leilei you're going marry my brother, the pack leader?"
"And be a pack leader's wife, just like Emily. I'll cook when they hold meetings at our house. Talk with the wives and imprints, help with the kids. Pack stuff."
"Imprints?"
"When a pack member finds his perfect match he falls in love with her. It's all in the eyes. That's called imprinting. She'll be the best person for him to have children with. Nona is my dad's perfect match. I'm Jacob's. Your sister is Paul's."
"Is it possible for the woman to not want the guy?" Now she's getting all analytical. And I like that.
"Yes, it is. People outside of our community may not understand what it means but inside our community – we get it. And honor it."
"So your father is ok with you and . . . that's right he's a leopard. He's ok that Jacob isn't a leopard?"
"Yup. Says he can't wait to be a grandfather. And yes, the kids are human, just regular normal human until they're teenagers then some of the boys change when they smell 'Vampire' in the air."
"Change?"
"Go all hairy and bam!" Jacob said taking a seat next to me. "No. We start by getting sick. Then we grow. I'm 6'8" tall now. I grew about a foot. I put on about 100 lbs. of muscle. And I had to cut my hair. When I faze if my hair is too long it gets in my eyes and I can't see."
"The house was full of ripped clothes and shoes for a while. But he's gotten better about that since he's learned to control it. For a while I thought he'd have to run around naked," Billy added the father perspective to our talk.
"When the boys are in the run – sometimes they do. But usually it's paraos or kimonos for everyone. Something loose that just breaks away. When they finally get it down life in the house gets simpler," I chimed in.
"What the hell are you talking about?" Rebecca asked.
"I grew up in a house where we trained the boys to hunt as a pack. Dogs or wolves it's all pretty much the same. To be really effective as a group they have to train together. So in our house had 15 to 20 boys breaking out of their clothes, eating like there was no tomorrow and fighting all the time. They had to establish who was who and who the leader was. But they are some of the best pack leaders and trainers in our world."
"So there are vampires out there," she hesitated. "Eating people? Real vampires?"
"Yes," we all said.
"Have you killed, is that the right word, some of them Jacob?"
"Yes I have. And that is the right word, killed," he answered without sounding too proud about it.
"Paul? You too?"
"Me too. The rez is out of the way so they think that it makes it a safe place to hunt without causing too much trouble. Without being seen. With us watching the rez and Forks, it's a safe bet that we will see them before they see us," Paul boasted.
"And my son may be one of you?"
"That's right sis," Jacob said.
Then there was quiet.
Then there wasn't.
"So what happens now?" Rebecca asked looking at all of us waiting for her to finish processing.
"You and your husband raise your son. When he's 12 or so let him go to Jacob and Leilei's house in the summer, for just a couple of weeks. Let him meet the other boys about his age and learn the stories of our people. When he's 15 or so maybe let him stay for a year and go to high school for a year on the rez. And we'll see if he's a pack member or not. If he is – Jacob will train him to understand who and what he is. If not then your son will come back to you to spend his junior and senior year with you," Billy said laying out the plan.
"So, if he is one of you then . . ." Rebecca began.
"There are decisions that only he can make," Jacob finished her sentence.
"So how many of the wedding people here are you?" the questioning began.
"Some," I answered.
"You're not gonna give me a number? Or tell me who they are?"
"Well I've told you some. And no, because you'll go looking for them. Does it really matter? All you need to know is that they will protect you with their lives if a vamp comes here and they won't. The islands are clear of them because they get dead as soon as they get here. No questions. The men can tell who's a vamp and who's a person. The vamps smell to them."
"Them?"
"Like 3 day old moldy bat shit," Paul said for me, I guess.
"Oh, thanks for that," Rebecca snapped and she sounded just like Rachel.
"So they get identified as soon as they get off the planes or boats and it's on," I continued.
"Right there in the airport?"
"No. They are followed and the packs take care of business when no one is watching," I said. D'oh! "Are there any more questions? We won't answer any other questions when we leave here. If you ask anything we'll just look at you like you got hit in the head by a coconut."
"So, Leilei you grew up with this? I feel so sorry for you," she said reaching for me.
"Oh no, not that again. Why does everyone say that? Yes, I was brought up in this world by people who loved me and spoiled me rotten. Usually I was the only little kid in our house with like 20 boys that were learning to be a pack. I thought it was fun and when I was told that I'd never be able to shift like them I cried for a week. Ok, there weren't any evil stepmothers in my bedtime stories but there were red-eyed monsters. The vamps have red eyes, blood red. It's what I grew up with. It's what I know. Now I'm learning the Quileute stories and how to be a wife for Jacob. Part of that is telling you that your son might inherit the Quileute legacy of being a werewolf. And just like my mom, if he fazes and you won't have that in your house he'll be welcome to live with us. The same way that my mom let Travis come and live with us when his mother threw him out when she found out he could faze."
"Is she, Travis's mother coming to the wedding?" Billy asked concerned.
"Yes she is. Her name is Shelly."
"Is that going to be a problem?" Paul asked knowing all of that story.
"Mom said she didn't think so. She might just want to see him. She hasn't seen him in years. Maybe she's upset that he's changed his last name to Honshiro."
"Have you decided on a 'Black' yet?" Billy asked changing the subject. I told him that I was thinking about a Hawaiian name for our oldest daughter. And I asked him what 'Black' meant to him. He wasn't sure how to define it.
"I'm thinking, 'Forest dark without a sliver of moonlight'," I said. It sounded poetic enough to me.
"What?" Paul asked.
"Ok, it's our Hawaiian tradition to explain what it is and not just name it. So Clearwater could be, 'I can see the small fish at the bottom of the pool'. So our first daughter will be some combination of Sarah, for your mother. Forest dark without a sliver of moonlight meaning Black. And Princess, which is what my parents gave me as a middle name." I gave Billy a hug. He just didn't let go.
"Are you going to tell her everything?" Billy asked.
"Nope. Not yet. If she asks for more info then yes. But for right now Jacob has decided to see how she handles this."
"Good."
"So are we done here? It's almost dinner time. I promised Koni I'd let him sit with us for dinner," I chirped. It actually went pretty well.
"Were his parents killed by a vampire?"
"Oh fuck me!"
"No. They were killed by Kolohe's nephews. They were trying to get back at Harkoni by killing Leilei. Nona's husband was upset that she left him for Harkoni like years ago. His grandsons went to Forks to kill Leilei. But she wasn't home; she was out on a date with Jacob. So they killed everyone else in the house. Jacob killed one of them and their tribunal executed the other." Billy stated calmly.
"If he was a . . ."
"I usually refer to them as fuzzies," I said touching Jacob on his back.
"If he was a fuzzy then why didn't he kill them?"
"Well it was 2 against 1 and he didn't expect a fight with them. And they did shoot him first. Like 5 times then they . . . well . . . you don't want to know," Jacob said talking for me. He knew what I saw.
"You have your own laws?" Rebecca asked as we headed back down the hill from the school.
"We have to. We can't go to the police with things like this. Ready? It's dinner time," I said hearing the conch shell being blown.
"Do I tell Keri?"
Well finally an important question. "If you want to. Do you think he'll believe you or just think you're crazy?"
"Crazy? So my brother do I call you pack leader?"
"No. In formal tribal meetings I'm called chief. That's all," Jacob said with a broad smile.
"Well, you'll always be my little brother." Then she swung her hand to hit him. Then she made contact.
"I wouldn't do that if I were you. Like he said he's all muscle. When I was young they gave me sticks to hit them with," I said wanting to take her hand and make her feel better but she didn't need to know about me and my abilities yet. As far as I knew.
"Ouch. Shit. What are you made of concrete?"
"Just Quileute Grade A prime werewolf," Paul said proudly. Maybe too proudly.
"So what do you people have planned for Christmas Eve? Anything special?" Rebecca back in holiday mode.
"We'll have dinner and then later a party at midnight with fireworks. The kids get presents in the morning," I said.
"So, no tree?" she seemed really upset that there wasn't going to be a tree.
"You'll see," I smiled at my newest sister. I liked her too. So back down the rise to the houses overlooking the cliffs. And to mom's house for dinner.
Rebecca spent a few too many minutes looking at people in the living room. The men mostly trying I guess to figure out who was what. No one said anything about fazing and running around on all fours so she didn't say anything wrong.
"So you're not gonna tell me?" she asked as we were in the kitchen scraping the dishes.
"Nope."
"Tell her what?" Keri asked handing us more dishes.
"What we're gonna do for Christmas?" I lied. "She has to see for herself. And remember you can come next year too," I smiled at my new brother-in-law.
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.
"Will we get presents?" Koni asked again.
"Same as last night, were you good this year?"
"I was," then he stuttered. "But mommy and daddy aren't here," Koni finally said.
"What?" Hank asked.
"Koni's parents were killed in an accident," I said quietly giving Koni a hug. He didn't mention his parents often but it was the holiday now and he was thinking of them. Me too.
Hank said, "I'm sorry I didn't know. I'm sorry," as his eyes filled with tears too.
"It's just grandma, grandpa and me," Koni said defiantly for a 5 yr. old.
"And me and Uncle Jacob and . . ." I started before I started to cry myself.
"Jacob is my uncle," Hank said staking his claim. Boys.
"Jacob can be an uncle to more than one person," I said gently but firmly. "How many people call Grandpa Harkoni Grandpa? Grandma Nona Grandma? Grandpa Billy Grandpa?"
"Did your tutu and kuku make a list for you? And did they mail it?" I asked Koni.
"Uh yup," he said sniffing back tears.
"So why do you think that Christmas won't come for you?" I said biting my cheek to keep myself from tearing up.
"Because, I'm not home. At home I mean. And . . ."
"I just think you're tired. And tomorrow is another day," I said knowing what was planned for the rest of their visit. "Christmas will always come. You will always a family. We will always be here, all of your family. Always. I know you miss your mom and dad. So do I. But everything is just fine." I gave Koni a big hug. And then hugged Hank too. Balance. "You guys should sleep now," I said taking out the bedding for their encampment in the dining room.
"Tell us a story," Hank said.
"Hank? A story? Oh shit!"
"We want a boy story," he continued. "Not girl story about princess and girlie stuff. Boy stuff."
"Jacob! The boys want a story. I'll make popcorn," I said smiling.
"I don't know any stories?"
"I'll tell you one. Tell them it's a story about the shape shifting Hawaiian gods, the god Maui. He's the war god. Very macho." So I made popcorn and listened to Jacob tell the story I was telling him cuddling with the boys on the floor leaning against the couch.
"Does Maui have to marry the chieftains' daughter?" Koni asked.
"Yes, he does. So they can have children. That way Maui can shift back into a whale and protect the people from the ocean," Jacob relayed from me.
"Yes, there are many more Maui stories where he is with his children."
"Ok, then its ok," Hank said.
"Now you had your story. It's time for you guys to go to sleep. Tomorrow is 1 day closer to Christmas. Good night Koni. Good night Hank." I gave them both kisses and tucked them in for the night. "Sleep well. I'll see ya in the morning."
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December 23
Rebecca asked, "Is everything ready for tomorrow night?"
"Yup. Everything is in place."
"Hank likes is here. He asked if he could stay the night again. I told him no. He can't just move in."
"He can stay over if it works for you. We don't mind. One more in the house isn't a problem," Nona said. "You and Keri can get to spend some time alone."
"I didn't think about it like that," Keri said. "Really, it's not a problem?"
"Not a problem at all," Nona said giving him a hug. "Ohana. We're family."
"It will be nice for the boys to have some fun together," Rebecca said watching them eat breakfast.
"You mean more fun together," Nona said.
The boys were pretty much exhausted by dark. We had them up helping to clean the yard getting ready for Christmas and they just about fell asleep on their feet.
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December 24
So I got up for to help with breakfast, like usual. The boys got up later, Jacob and Travis too. And back down to the beach to the playground. We ate lunch down there too. We made a fire and the boys cooked hotdogs. When the conch sounded we headed back up the cliffs to the house. Got the kids hosed off and got ready for dinner.
Then mom announced that there was something special that was going to happen when it got dark. And she wouldn't tell me anything else. So it got dark. And the street lights went out. Then down the street came a single light.
"What's this?" Keri asked.
"No clue," I answered.
"It's Saint Lucia silly," Nona said.
"What?" was the answer from all of us as we watched Nona hand the boys large Japanese paper lanterns that had small flashlights in them.
So Nona explained, "Angela was upset that she wasn't at home for Christmas. Each family has one of the daughters dress as the early saint who brought Christianity to the Swedes. She brings the light, the spirit of Christmas. So I told her if she wanted to she could be Saint Lucia for us."
"So what happens now?" Hank asked.
"She'll come outside on the porch and say, 'Gud Yul Alla'. That's 'Merry Christmas everyone' and she'll touch the lantern that you'll be holding and give you the spirit of Christmas. The spirit of happiness and giving."
"Just Hank?" Koni snapped. Jealousy rears its ugly head maybe.
"No, there's a lantern for each of you boys. Since there are so many people in this house we need lots of Christmas spirit. Then you show each person the Christmas spirit and say, 'Happy Christmas'," Nona finished.
"Happy Christmas? What about Merry Christmas?" Koni asked frowning.
"Same thing," Nona smiled at him.
"Is this new?" Rachel asked.
"We have Swedish guests. It's part of their Christmas, so why not?" I said.
So the boys went to bed finally about 9pm. Then we got to work. At about 11:30 we got them back up. Then we went outside in the dark. Conch shells were blown, drums were drummed and men carrying torches that were lit from the Saint Lucia candles came walking down the street. The boys were tired but excited. Then the fireworks went off. And we all watched and applauded. The boys were on Jacob and Travis's shoulders. We wished each other 'Mele Kalilimaka' and when the dancing stopped we headed to the first house on the street, "Ok boys go to the door and wish them, 'Happy Christmas'."
"We have bags why?" Hank asked.
"It's like Halloween, like tricks or treats. They'll give you snacks if you wish then Happy Christmas." So we went to all of the houses on our street and the boys got apples, oranges and popcorn balls, little match box cars and packs of chewing gum. When we got back to our house they sat on the front porch and handed out tangerines when they weren't eating their snacks. Angela got some 'Hello Kitty' things and a Justin Bieber t-shirt that she said she'd never take off. About 3 am we got the kids back in bed. Angela was on the couch, the boys were on the floor again.
"Nice. This was really nice. Thanks for inviting us to Christmas, babe."
"No problem honey."
"I didn't get you anything," someone pouted in our link.
"You're here and we're all together. What more could I want or need?"
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.
So I got up in the morning and headed outside. We were making breakfast. Flipping pancakes in the street. We also had coffee cake and muffins and lots of hot coffee and juice and fresh fruit. You could hear the screaming for blocks as the kids got up and opened the front doors of their houses and found their gifts. Boogie boards, surf boards, skateboards and bicycles. Koni had a bike before so he knew how to ride. He and Jacob helped Hank figure it out. And they were both up and riding before long. I snatched them both off the bikes long enough so they could eat at least.
"Are we taking them to the beach?"
"Yup. They can ride on the sand," I said flipping pancakes like I knew what I was doing. Well, I'd done this before so I did know.
"So, it's just another day here in paradise," he sighed.
"Yup. But dinner will be special. We'll all be in the street for a family dinner, us and all the neighbors."
"Are they all Hoku Ao?"
"Most are. The rest know what we are. If it looks like it will rain then we'll be in the school with all of the other streets on this side of the homeland. It's the only place big enough to hold us all. It's where we're holding the wedding reception," I said.
I had to remind Jacob not to run too fast. Now that the boys had bikes they could move faster so Jacob had to remember not to make them try to ride at 30 mph trying to keep up with him. But having the boys on bikes did make it easier to get to and from the beach. He looked like the Pied Piper of Oahu. There were about 10 boys on bicycles chasing after him. He had them riding up 2 houses ahead of him and then circling back to him. That way the one mile trip to the beach took them about 3 miles.
We hosed the boys off and got them dressed again and went outside to eat dinner. We didn't make the kids sit thru the entire dinner, they could get up and run around. It made eating for all of us easier. There was roasted pig and fish, sushi and poke. Lots of Chinese noodle dishes and salads and poi for us hard core Hawaiians. We did have traditional coconut ice cream for dessert. But out of respect for Billy and his diet there was mango sorbet too. As it got dark the families went back into their houses and we all ended up at Chaska and Tara's house for after dinner coffee and stories. When the boys fell asleep we went to Nona's house again. Rebecca and Keri decided to stay the night. The bedroom assignments were rearranged but everyone had a place to sleep in.
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The next morning started the wedding prep for real. We had dancing practice for at least 2 hours. Yutan said he'd babysit for the boys while I had Jacob trying to learn a practiced dance routine. That was a challenge.
We only held one total and complete wedding practice on the 28th. We started from the tents on the lawn and we walked into open space that overlooked the ocean. The pack members were about half finished with the arbor that they were making for the wedding. The stage and risers were already finished. It was the only way to be sure that everyone could see the actual ceremony. The arbor would be covered with ti leaves and orchids on the day of the wedding, so they all would be fresh. Billy got upset when he realized that he personally, was going to be in the wedding. He didn't plan on that. After Harkoni and Bishop enter and get to their places. Billy was to be escorted in by Paul followed by Rebecca, Rachel, Hank, Keri and baby Sarah. Billy decided that he'd hold Sarah so the couples could hold hands and look all warm and fuzzy. Hank stood like a soldier on one side of Billy's wheelchair. Then the Angstadts walked in with Angela in front to take seats on the right front across from the Blacks who were all on the left front. Then Kolohe and Walela, Travis and Rehka, Jacob and I with Koni. Then Nona and Yutan.
When we went into the women's tent to discuss the events to happen in 2 days Angela saw the kimonos. She went nuts. She decided that she needed to have one. Nona said, 'Yes of course'. There were lots to choose from and Angela picked one of my old kimonos. Mom asked her how she wanted to make it hers. Sonya, her mother, tried to stop Nona from helping Angela decide what else she wanted.
"You don't have any chance at all. My mom is like this. The kimono is my gift to Angela," I said.
"You can't. It's beautiful," Sonya said to me. Rehka even shook her head, 'No'.
"Yes I can. It's mine. I don't have a younger sister. And since she'll be my sister in law, I can give her a present if I want to. It is Christmas after all." Nona overheard me and sent me 'smoochies'. Air kisses for being good.
"So what do you want to wear?" I asked Sonya. "There are lots to choose from. Rebecca, Rachel, do you want to wear a kimono to the wedding? Or maybe to the reception? How about we put Sarah in kimono?"
Nona chimed in, "Sarah would be so cute in a kimono. Here. This one was one of Leilei's favorites. I insist that she wear it. I'm the bride and you wouldn't want me to be upset so here take it. I insist." She cut her eyes at Rebecca still smiling.
Sonya took the kimono and handed it to Rebecca. "You wouldn't want to upset the bride. My God it's beautiful. Is it silk?"
"No," Nona lied. "It's cotton." It was the kimono I wore when Travis was formally adopted by our family, light blue silk with little pink flowers.
"Leilei, take this to the men. I think they might want it. I think Hank may want to wear it."
Rebecca asked, "Hank? He's not in the wedding."
"Well, yes he is," I said. "He and Koni are such good friends when Koni started teasing, saying he was in the wedding. Hank got jealous so they are both in wedding now. A good padawan outfit is good for everyone."
"Padawan?"
"Well, Koni said he wouldn't wear a kimono. It's a dress and girls wear them so that was out. But he decided that he could dress like Anakin Skywalker. So they both are. Koni said he'd even let Kolohe braid some of his hair."
"But that isn't necessary. Is my son getting a braid too?" Rebecca asked.
"They are boys. And more than that they are friends. This is something that they won't forget and I'm honored to have them in my wedding. Now back to the important things, Rebecca are you going to wear a kimono for my wedding? Rachel? Sonya?" Nona asked wearing that slick smile on her face.