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Chapter 43 – Surfing and Smoking

Several days later, the adult Genie woke up lying on her back. What a long few days it had been that week. Explaining why and where the children were going. Legate was brilliant and even popped parents to the island to let them tour the grounds to ease their minds as to the safety. The only time Genie had truly felt like she was in over her head was when she met a student that Tony Stark had recommended named Peter Parker. His Aunt demanded to know everything that was going on. Why this sudden change? Why they were taking her nephew so far away with no way for her to drive over to see him?

Genie was quite pleased when Legate had taken over the entire conversation with May Parker. Legate always had that Quauthin ability to make everyone in the room feel comfortable and it had never been so needed. Poor Peter Parker looked like he wanted to simply disappear from embarrassment.

The first few days of classes where finally done. She remembered asking Legate not to disturb her that morning. She felt after this week, they deserved a lie in for sure.

Samuel and Arles had surprised her. There had been no explosions that she was aware of. And in fact, the only thing she had heard that they had done had been a volume experiment.

Arles' maths class was studying volume and to explain what it was, he had set the students the task of filling balloons and putting them into Samuel's classroom. Samuel opened the door and half of the volume of the room was emptied into the hallway. All of the students laughed loudly as Samuel, and the students, dove into the waist deep balloons and popped them around the room and hallways the remainder of the day. Genie recalled hearing one of the students tell her that she would never forget what volume meant.

She exhaled her relief and rolled over on her side. Week one of school was done. She stretched out her hand to touch Legate only to find she was in the bed alone. He must have already gotten up and went outside to play in the snow.

As she grew more awake, she remembered they were on the island. Her eyes opened suddenly as she realized where he probably was.

"Surfing."

She sprang straight out of bed and pulled her dressing gown on.

"Legate?" She called.

There was no answer.

She rushed out of the bedroom and stood at the top of the stairs.

"Legate?!" She shouted.

There was no answer.

XXXXXXX

Meanwhile, in the sea that morning, four surfboards floated near one another. Samuel, Arles, Legate and Tony Tyler all sat in the calm waters. Arles was smoking a joint as he lay back on his board with his feet in water.

"This is the calmest sea I've ever seen in my life." Arles sighed.

Samuel looked back. "Maybe we're too far out."

Legate shook his head. "Nah. We've been out further than this. There's just not any waves."

Tony held his hand out to Arles. "Give me some of that."

Arles handed the joint to Tony. "I wish I had brought some more out here."

Samuel laughed and ran his hands through his hair, "Hell, I don't need to smoke anymore."

Tony Tyler coughed, "How are you planning on teaching class?"

"It's Saturday." Samuel grinned at them. "No class."

Legate was handed the joint.

Tony asked, "So, have you heard of this party at the Tylers'?"

Arles lay on his board and moaned. "Fucking hell."

"That's what I think, too." Tony insisted.

Legate looked up and blew smoke. "Party? Why?"

"I don't know." Tony shook his head. "But, Mum rang and wanted to know that I was welcome to invite whomever I wanted."

Samuel chuckled. "Red alert, mate!"

Arles laughed, "It's a fix up!"

Tony shook his head. "I don't know anybody here. Is she mental?"

Arles answered quickly. "Without question. Jackie Tyler is completely mental."

Legate handed the joint to Samuel. "He's stoned."

"Completely baked." Samuel grinned. "And you know, that is good for me."

Arles sat up and groaned. "Why's that?"

"What's up with you and Kelly?"

Arles grinned. "Nothing."

"You've been gone every day this week!"

"No, I haven't-"

"Yes, you have. And I'm not saving your ass just because Legate is sitting there."

Samuel inhaled deeply off the joint.

Arles cleared his throat. "I don't know what you're on about."

Legate rose his eyebrow. "Kelly? Is that her name?"

Arles shook his head. "It's not a big deal."

Tony grinned. "I've not heard him come home all week."

Samuel coughed and groaned. "And that tells me what I need to know."

Arles laughed under his breath and rubbed his eyebrow. "No, it doesn't."

Tony rubbed his hands on his thighs, "Won't the students see you lot smoking out there?"

"Nah." Legate shook his head. "There is a student beach that has a lifeguard. They aren't allowed over here."

Arles threw his hands up dramatically, "Privacy. Adults only!"

They all laughed.

Samuel handed the joint to Tony. "And how are you?"

Tony nodded. "I think I'm ready to have John look me over. Declare that I'm well."

Samuel rubbed his hands together excitedly. "Brilliant! That's two of us. Granted, I know I'm well."

Legate pointed at Tony. "And you'll have to leave to go see Lartius."

"What is that about?" Tony groaned. "Do you know?"

Legate shook his head and scratched his bare chest. "If I had to guess, he's going to put you into a fast track program at the Academy. But, that's just my thought. I don't know."

"Well, fucking ask him with your weird head talking shit." Arles insisted.

"Says the guy who has been hiding the fact that he can do that again." Legate pointed out.

Arles groaned and lay back down on his board. "Fucking hell. I wish I had another joint. Or two."

Samuel leaned up on his board and sighed. He wished there was another joint, too.

Legate splashed some water on his chest and rubbed it on his arms. "Lartius is busy with the negotiations."

Tony put out the joint and slipped the remains in the pocket of his board shorts. "How's that going?"

Legate shook his head. "No one is saying anything. Well, to me. Seems like a lot of….waiting around."

"Like softball!" Samuel cheered. "They should have sent you, Arles!"

Arles sighed and put on his sunglasses. "I like softball."

Tony grinned. "That's what he's calling it now."

Samuel laughed. "Kelly and you playing softball, mate?"

Tony laughed. "Swing batter, batter."

Arles didn't sit up and flipped them off.

Samuel grinned. "Do you have any more?"

Arles pulled out the plastic bag from his pocket. "Nah. I only brought four and we've smoked all of…." He looked in the bag. "Well, that's odd."

Legate looked over at him. "What's that?"

"There's four more." Arles told him. "That's strange."

Samuel pointed at him. "Are you sure?"

Arles nodded. "Yeah. I rolled them just before we came out here and I only had time to roll four. Are you lot fucking with me?"

Tony smiled. "I'm not. Although, I know how to now."

Arles held the bag out. "Well, anyone want some more? Where's the lighter?"

Legate grit his teeth. "Sorry. I dropped it into the sea."

"Damn it, Legate." Arles groaned and put the bag back in his pocket.

"Damn, it's fucking hot." Tony ran his wet hands through his ginger hair. "I don't want to leave. Sammy. How long do you think it would take to recover. Fully?"

Samuel splashed water on his chest. "Some people never do. If you consider the mental injury."

"Do you remember any of that?" Arles asked.

Samuel shook his head. "No. And everything has been different. Odd, since I came back. Have you experienced any of that, Tony?"

Tony shook his head. "No. I've slept a lot, though. In fact, I need to stop that shit. I need to get my bloody feet back under me and do something productive."

Legate spoke. "I've experienced something similar to what you lot went through. And take an old man's advice. Do not rush being well. Savor the moments that you longed for when you were gone. Anything you promised yourself, do it. Tell people how you really feel."

Samuel nodded. "Good advice."

Arles sat up. "Yeah. That is good advice. Sammy. I still maintain you shouldn't let this woman run your life."

Legate laughed under his breath.

Tony shrugged his shoulders. "Isn't that what women do?"

"Asks the gay man. Just notice that." Arles pointed out.

Tony grinned. "I know plenty of men who would do that, too. It's not unique of a female."

"Yeah, remember Fredrick?" Samuel laughed.

Tony shook his head in disbelief. "Oh wow. We're going there."

"And….what was that other guy's name?" Legate asked.

Tony grinned. "Which one?"

"The dark haired…."

"Oh. Umm." He chuckled. "Marcus?"

"No, not the black guy. The other one." Legate asked.

Tony shook his head. "I really don't know."

Samuel snapped his fingers. "Dean!"

"Yeah! Dean! He really ran your life." Legate grinned.

Tony held his hands out, "He was my bloody assistant! That was his fucking job!"

"Ha! That's what he calls them." Arles laughed.

Tony shook his head and splashed water on his chest. "Nah. Dean and I wasn't an item."

"And you and Marcus were?" Samuel asked.

Tony rubbed the back of his neck. "Why are we talking about my love life? We were on Sammy's case about his woman. Focus, assholes."

Samuel rolled his eyes. "She's not running my life."

"No?" Arles asked.

"No. We're getting on great." Samuel told them.

"He's well. Look at this shit. He has a glow from how much he's getting laid." Arles told them. "Where do you think he's been all week?"

Samuel shrugged his shoulders. "I won't deny it."

Tony grinned, "Finally had to come up for air? Huh, mate?"

"She needed to rest." Samuel told them as he rubbed his eyebrow.

"Really?" Legate asked. "You might be doing it wrong, mate. Need a book?"

Samuel grinned, "I'm sorted. Cheers."

"Yeah, Logan gave him that book he had." Arles drummed his hands on the surf board. "Holy shit. That was….fucked up."

Samuel shivered, "That was alright until I recognized Dad's handwriting. Oh, nasty."

Tony laughed. "I bet my Dad has some advice in there, too. And you probably read it without knowing."

Samuel looked seriously back at Tony. "I will properly be sick."

Arles laughed. "Karen worried you are going to get over tired?"

"Nah. She's tired." Samuel told them.

"Why? Is she alright?" Legate asked.

"Yeah. She's….she's fine." Samuel nodded.

Tony rose his eyebrow. "Fine, huh?"

"Yep." Samuel insisted. "Completely fine."

Arles pointed at him. "I'm not buying it, brother."

Samuel asked. "Why-"

"You have a look-"

"We never sorted you and Kelly out." Samuel reminded him.

Legate laughed just as they heard a loud whistle. They looked up to the shore and saw Genie standing there with her hands on her hips.

Arles laughed. "And Legate's woman is running his life."

Legate waved at her. "I knew she wouldn't like this."

Samuel sighed. "If only we could get one, really good wave."

"Well, don't look now, mate. You might have your wish." Tony told them and pointed out four perfect waves that were coming towards them.

"Called the first one." Legate told them and lay down on his board. "See you on shore."

Tony clapped his hands together in excitement. "And the second one is mine!"

Legate rode the wave in, beautifully. When he got back in close enough, he shouted in excitement and fell backwards into the water.

Genie seemed to be laughing as she shook her head at him from the shore.

Tony left and surfed his way back to shore, too.

Arles smiled back at Samuel. "Want this one?"

Samuel sat up on the board. "I need to tell you something. Can you wait a bit?"

Arles nodded, "Sure. What's up?"

Samuel sighed. "I….umm…"

"It's about me. I'm sorry about saying that about Karen. I really like her. If you want me to stop saying she's running your life, I will. It's really disrespectful, and I shouldn't say that. I'm just teasing."

Samuel smiled and looked back at him. "That wasn't it."

Arles nodded. "You're alright?"

"Yeah." Samuel told him and sat up to stretch his back. "Umm. I don't know how to tell you this."

"Just say it, man." Arles grinned.

Samuel looked back at him. "Umm. Anyway. But, I had a think about this girl in New York you phased in front of."

Arles sighed.

"I think it would be a good idea to tell Legate it happened. If you won't tell Papa or Dad. They need to know-"

"She's a student. It's alright."

"She has a big mouth according to Karen-"

"And your woman is again…"

Samuel rose his eyebrows. "Again what?"

Arles cleared his throat. "I'll give it a think."

Samuel nodded. "Okay. You take the next one. I'll be right behind you."

"Well, wait. Sam."

"Yeah?"

"We're good?"

Sam smiled and relaxed, "Of course. Yeah."

Arles rose his eyebrow. "Was that it?"

"Ummm. Well, let's catch these waves. You get the next one."

They rode back to shore and waved to Legate and Genie, who had apparently decided to take a stroll on the beach together.

Tony had already taken his board, and himself, back to his and Arles' flat.

Samuel walked onto the beach, carrying his board. Arles walked next to him.

"Oh, it's a beautiful day. The sea being so calm means it will be nice tonight. Want to do something?" Samuel asked.

Arles rubbed his face. "Umm. I have plans. Sorry."

Sam smiled and sat his surfboard up in the sand.

Arles stopped walking and looked confused. "Okay. What is it?"

Samuel leaned his board against a palm tree. "I really want to tell you something."

"Well then, tell me." Arles smiled.

Samuel put his hands on his hips. "Umm."

"Hang on." Arles groaned. "I know what this is."

"What?"

"You've decided to leave." Arles sighed.

"No." Samuel shook his head. "I wouldn't do that. Karen's family is here. My family is here."

"Then what is it?" Arles shrugged his shoulders.

Samuel laughed. "I can't believe is so hard for me to tell you. But you should know."

Arles rose his eyebrows. "What?"

Samuel closed his eyes. "Karen and I…."

"Are in love. Yeah, I know that-"

"Are pregnant."

Arles' face spread into a wide smile. "What? Are you serious?"

Samuel felt as though his heart would burst with happiness. "You're my 'One', I wanted you to know before anyone else. Well, Karen knows."

"Well, I would hope so!" Arles insisted and began to dance in goofy way. He covered his mouth and shouted into his hands. "I can't believe it! You're going to be a…."

Samuel laughed. "Yeah."

"Oh, damn. Fucking hell. Shit-"

"Totally what I'm going to tell this child when she asks how you reacted."

Arles held his hands out to steady himself. "How long?"

"Oh, I'm pretty fucking long-"

"Fuck. I don't need to know that shit. How long has she been…?"

Sam grinned. "That first week. She's worried everyone will think that's the reason we're engaged."

"Is it?"

Samuel smiled and shook his head. "No. I know she's the one for me. My letter told me she was."

Arles nodded and put his hands on his hips. "I see. And have you read this entire letter?"

"No. Have you read yours?"

"No. And I don't want to."

"Why not?"

"Well, look at how bad it messed up your head!"

Samuel laughed. "Well, that's true."

Arles smiled back at his brother and said quietly. "A baby. Sammy. I can't believe this."

"Please, keep it to yourself." Samuel told him. "We want to tell people in a few months. Not right now."

Arles nodded. "Makes sense. Okay. Well, are you happy about this?"

Samuel smiled. "I'm very happy."

"Karen?"

Samuel nodded. "She is."

Arles laughed. "As am I. Oh! Sammy!" He embraced his brother and they held one another tightly. Samuel laughed with him.

Arles whispered in his ear. "$1,000, it's a boy."

Samuel shook his head and looked at his brother's face. "You're on!"

They smiled and pat one another's shoulders.

Arles grinned. "I would suggest you name him after me, but I have no idea what Papa has named me, yet."

"Are you serious? He's been back for days!"

"Yeah, but he's been busy. Or, I've been busy. He refuses to tell me until we're face to face."

Samuel grinned. "I think you'll like it."

He playfully smacked him in the chest, "You fucking know what it is!"

Samuel laughed. "Oh yes."

"And you won't tell me?"

Samuel threw his hand up. "How would I explain that to Papa? Are you mental?"

"Ugh. What fresh hell he has tossed on me?" He looked down at his bracelet to see the time. "I need to tutor someone, but I'll see you a bit later." Arles told him as he walked up to the balcony next to Samuel and Karen's. As he got to the top of the balcony, he turned and pointed at Samuel. "Make that $5,000! I'm sure of it."

"Fine!" Samuel laughed. "You've lost every bet this week!"

"But, I have this one." He watched Arles dance into his flat. Samuel carried his surfboard up the deck of his and Karen's flat, and leaned it against the wall. He quietly slid open the door and walked inside. The sudden change in temperature made him shiver. He wrapped his towel around him and walked quickly through the downstairs area and ran up the steps.

After a quick shower, he changed into a pair of shorts and a t-shirt. He walked out of the bathroom and sat on the side of the bed. Karen was sleeping peacefully under the duvet. He smiled as he watched her, feeling his heart swell. He whispered, "I never thought I could love someone this much."

Karen took a deep breath. "Samuel?"

He stroked her cheek. "Are you cold? Do you need another blanket?"

She opened her eyes and looked up at him. "No. I'm so tired."

"Then sleep. It's alright." He smiled and ran his hand through her hair.

She closed her eyes. "Is this normal? I feel like I've slept all week."

"You're growing a baby, and trying to stay up all night with me. It's normal." He told her softly.

"Check on the baby and make sure everything is alright."

He rubbed his hands together and blew his warm breath on them to warm them up. "My hands might be cool."

"It's alright. I'm just worried."

He slipped his hand under the duvet and she pulled his hand under her shirt. He mumbled. "Gosh, she's growing. No wonder you're tired. She's….hmmm."

She opened her eyes and looked up at him. "She's what?"

He tucked her back in. "My Mum only carried me for five months. This pregnancy might be the same way."

"You were fine?"

He smiled. "Of course. And she's completely alright. I'd like to measure her and see if we need to move up our due date."

She sighed. "We'll have to tell people."

"Not everyone. Not until you're ready. Karen. Listen to me. Just rest. Don't make any decisions when you are tired. Everything is fine. You're okay, she's busy growing and kicking you. You just can't feel it yet."

She relaxed. "You should tell Arles. He should know."

He grinned. "I thought so, too. I just told him."

She smiled. "What did he say?"

"We have a bet."

She laughed. "You two are ridiculous."

"But, he's happy. Karen, you need to tell your Mum and Dad."

She rolled over on her back. "I don't know how."

"Your Dad is getting deployed."

She groaned. "It might be better to tell him while he's away at sea."

"Phhh. I wouldn't like that. That's a good reason to tell him now."

"He is trained to shoot people."

"Yeah, but he likes me."

She rolled over on her side and groaned. "Samuel. I need to sleep."

He smiled and ran his hand through her hair. "Sleep, Baby. When do you want me to wake you?"

"About 8 pm, tomorrow." She told him sleepily.

He chuckled. "Right. How about food-"

"Don't mention food. I'm sleeping."

He smiled, "Yes, ma'am."

She seemed to relax. Samuel watched her sleep for a bit, then leaned down to kiss her forehead. It sent electricity through his lips.

He whispered, "I love you."

She smiled in her sleep.

Samuel took her quilt and spread it over the top of the duvet. He went over to the closet, pulled on a grey hoodie and quietly walked out of the room, closing the door behind him.

XXXXXXX

Arles had gotten dressed from surfing and sat at the bar of the flat he shared with Tony Tyler. He was eating a bowl of chicken soup and reading a text someone had sent him with a smile on his face.

Tony Tyler walked in the kitchen rubbing his beard. "That smells good."

"There's some more just there. Help yourself." He told him without looking up.

Tony made himself a bowl of soup and sat down next to Arles. "Texting Sammy?"

"Nah. Someone prettier." Arles grinned.

"Kelly." Tony said she he blew his soup. "Damn, this is hot."

"Let it cool a bit. I like it where it burns my mouth."

"You are so strange." Tony told him as he pushed the bowl of soup away and propped his head up on his hand.

Arles sat the phone down and spooned some of the soup in his mouth. "So, Grand is trying to fix you up. How are we going to get you out of this?"

"Well, I could simply, not go to this party. I could find a way to be busy."

"She'll come after you. You know she will."

Tony sighed. "You're right. Damn it. She's going to have every gay man she's ever met there."

"Including Jake." Arles grinned.

"So, gross. Jake."

"He was cute when he was younger."

"So was a lot of girls, but I don't see you running to see them."

Arles sipped his soup. "You make a good point."

Tony groaned. "No one is talking about this virus. I don't remember that happening, do you?"

"No. But, it might not have."

Tony sighed and pulled back his bowl of soup. "I think it probably did. Nothing really changes."

Arles blew air out of his burnt mouth, slowly.

Tony sipped some of the chicken soup and then had the strangest look come over his face. He turned pale with fear and sat down the spoon. He remembered the liquid that the Vesuos had given them while they had been held there, tasted just like cold chicken soup.

"You alright?" Arles asked as he took a deep breath through his burnt mouth.

Tony stood up and ran both of his hands through his hair. "Ummm. I just remembered something. I'm sorry, I need to go."

"Where, mate?"

Tony took a remote transport trigger out of his pocket and disappeared, leaving Arles on his own.

He rose his eyebrows. "Huh. Must not have liked it."

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