Chapter 2
The morning after Moana and I eloped – it was an uneventful night, since I'm asexual and Moana respects that…and her parents were down the hall anyways – I get up and fix pancakes and turkey bacon (to respect Pua, who did not make the trip to the modern world…Hei Hei didn't either).
"So this is where I find my wife." Moana says, wrapping her arms around me as I'm frying the turkey bacon.
"Yep." I smile softly at my wife as I continue making breakfast.
"You okay?"
"I'm terrified."
"Why?" Moana asks, letting me go and turning to face me.
"What if my parents find us? What if they want to hurt us?"
"If they want to hurt us, they'll have to get through my dad. Dad would do anything to protect me and Mom…and now you, too."
"I'm just really scared they're going to do something to hurt you."
"We could always move to Hawaii. It would be safer over there."
"Really?"
"Yeah. And your former parents would be crazy to try to get to you over there. It's over 12 hours of a flight."
"Moana, you've never flown before."
"I know. But as long as I'm with you, I'll be okay."
"But you just got this house."
"Technically, we're renting it. It would take a lot to move us over there, ship everything over there, and not just financially."
"Why don't we talk to your parents? See what they think?"
"That's a great idea!"
"What's a great idea?" Moana and I turn and see Tui and Sina coming down the stairs.
"Becky and I…we want to move to Hawaii, for safety reasons."
"You're afraid her parents will come back?"
I turn, recognizing yet not recognizing the voice.
"Maui?" Moana and I ask.
"The one and only. Shapeshifter, demigod of the wind and sea, hero to all."
Moana goes over to hug her friend.
"Well, aren't you going to introduce me to your wife…which I'm assuming this woman is?" Maui asks, looking back and forth between Moana and me.
"Yes. Maui, this is Becky. My wife."
"So, Moana, this is where you ended up. In the modern world. The 21st century."
"Uh, yeah."
"And if I had, say, the power to bring you back to your old time with your wife in tow, you wouldn't take it?"
"Wait, you could take us back?" I ask Maui.
"Yes, but who knows the consequences of the future. If you brought modern things – as in 21st century things – back to Moana's original time period, it could destroy that time as we know it."
"So…I just won't bring anything with me. Except for my baby blanket. Is that okay?"
"You're a 26-year old woman and you still have your baby blanket?"
Moana grabs Maui by the ear.
"Don't you disrespect my wife, Maui."
"Okay, okay, I'm sorry, Becky. And, yes, you can bwing your wittle baby bwanket with you."
"Maui…" Moana and I both say, annoyed.
"I'm kidding! Geez, you're both so sensitive. Alright. Just picture Motonui, all of you, and you'll be transported there."
"Just picture an island with sandy beaches, turquoise water, and a lush green forest of palm trees. That's Motonui. Our home." Moana tells me.
"Got it. Thanks."
"You're welcome."
"Where were we? Oh, yeah. Close your eyes and picture Motonui, and you will be all transported there."
I close my eyes, gripping my blanket in one hand and Moana's hand in the other.
When I open them, I see trees in front of me, I'm standing on a beach, and the ocean is behind me.
"Becky, my darling, welcome to Motonui."
"It's…it's beautiful."
"Thank you. Moana, would you care to show Becky around our island?"
"Of course, Dad. Becky, right this way." Moana offers me her arm and I take it.
She begins to show me around the island, and, after the tour, she takes me to her home.
It's simple, but beautiful at the same time.
"It's absolutely beautiful, Moana."
"We'll have my people build a home of our own, so we can have privacy. Becky, I need to tell you that…you not only married me, but my people as well. First and foremost, you are my wife, and no one can replace you. But my job isn't easy, and…"
"…and sometimes you'll have to put your job before me?"
"Maybe…but I know that we belong together, in sickness and in health, in good times and in bad, as long as we both shall live. And all of that stuff we promised each other at the courthouse."
"All of that stuff." I whisper back to Moana. Her lips meet mine, and we kiss until we hear someone clearing their throat.
"Pardon the interruption, chieftess. We need to start the council meeting, and we can't start without you."
"Of course. Becky, would you like to come?"
"Sure."
Moana and I walk hand-in-hand into the council room to start the meeting.
"I am here to call this meeting to order, but, first, I must introduce my new wife, Rebekah, to everyone. Everyone, this is Rebekah, my wife."
"It's a pleasure to meet you all."
The meeting starts, and it's pretty boring, but it does have its interesting times, too.
A few weeks later, there's another council meeting, but I'm not allowed to attend.
I eavesdrop outside.
"Chieftess, there's been talk around the island. Do you really think your wife is qualified to…to be at your side? There are plenty of suitable men here so the legacy of your family can continue."
"If Rebekah and I wish to have children, we'll simply adopt. I wouldn't want my wife going through pregnancy and childbirth, and I know she feels the same about herself and about me."
"Forgive me, chieftess, but there must be an elaborate ceremony welcoming your wife into the village. A reception, if you will."
"I will talk to her about it, and see what Becky thinks of a reception."
"Of course, Moana."
I head to the beach and just sit at the ocean's edge.
"I thought I'd find you here."
"Yep."
"You were eavesdropping, weren't you?"
"Yeah. Sorry."
"It's okay. As my wife, you had every right to be there at that meeting, even if we were talking about you."
"Why don't they like me?"
"Well, as far as I know, you and I? We've made history as the first same-sex couple in my tribe."
"Wow. And…and your people won't accept me because I'm a woman?"
"Unfortunately so. But my people trust me. They'll learn to love you."
"Thank you, Moana. And what you said about having kids…"
"I might've overstepped my boundaries with that. I'm sorry."
"You didn't. Really. But I'm just not ready to have kids yet…"
"I'm not either, Becky. But my parents are counting on me – on us – to continue the legacy of our family."
"But what if…what if we're never ready?"
"Then we'll have to choose someone to continue the legacy for us. Becky, I never want to pressure you into doing something you're not ready for…but we can't just walk away from this. Our family, our people are counting on us."
"I know we can't, Moana. When the time is right, we can adopt. But only when the time is right."
"I completely understand."
"Thank you."
"You're welcome. Now, come on. It's time for dinner."
