Chapter 4: Arrival

They've been on the road for half an hour already. The traffic was calm, and the two friends were chatting happily against the background of rock music from the 80s. After a while, Tani resolved to ask questions.

"Could you tell me a little more about your family? I mean you told me some good memories but who are we going to meet exactly? How are they ?"
"As you know my parents are invited. We are going to my uncle and aunt's house. He is also my godfather. There will also be two daughters, their husbands and five grandchildren. We will also see three uncles and aunts who all have children. My grandfather died a few years ago now, but my grandmother will be there too. In all, there will be more than thirty people. They are all very nice and I am sure they will be delighted to welcome you, especially if it allows them to glean some details about my private life. I have extremely curious cousins."
"Wait, I didn't know you had such a big family. Do they all live on the island or some come from the mainland? If we all sleep on the spot, it's because your uncle must have a huge house," the brunette asked curiously. She was dying to know all about Junior and his family.
"Some of my youngest cousins live on the continent for their studies but otherwise the rest of the family lives on the archipelago. I confirm that this house is huge. It turns out that they have both done very well in their conversions. My aunt, who was a doctor in the army, now works at Oahu hospital. In addition to his private security business, my uncle has a few touring businesses for vacationers. We have not chosen the most lucrative path," the young man explained delightedly with his interest. He felt her deeply sincere and it warmed his heart.
"That's the least we can say. Finally, I wouldn't change that for the world. Before I was alone but with 5-0 I found a goal and a real family," the Hawaiian confessed melancholy. Junior noticed his sadness but made no comments. He was aware that his father's death still weighed heavily on him. Besides, she never talked about her mother, which was very strange knowing her. The policeman promised to do everything to ease his sentence, but he wanted to find the right time, when they were alone, without any outside disturbance and when he would feel her ready.
"We arrived. Admire the landscape a little," he smiled, nodding. He knew that the place always had the same effect on newcomers.

When she looked in the direction indicated she was speechless. They were in front of a huge building, typically Hawaiian style, made up of several buildings. The garden was huge with lush vegetation. You could indeed observe extremely green grass, many trees and flowers of all colors. To top it off, there was access to a breathtaking private beach. The two friends got out of the car. The former sailor headed for the trunk to get their things out when they were greeted by a couple in their fifties.
"Junior, honey, you are finally here, we are so happy to see you," the woman exclaimed, mad with joy. He quickly kissed the duo then turned to his colleague.
"Auntie, uncle, please, meet my teammate Tani."
"Mr. and Mrs. Reigns I am sincerely delighted to meet you and let me tell you that you have a superb house," the brunette politely greeted, trying to get over her sudden shyness.
"Oh please, not that with us, call us Elizabeth and George. All of Junior's friends are at home here. We are very happy to meet you since the time that we hear about you and your colleagues," she reassured, bending down to give her a friendly hug. The policewoman instantly relaxed in front of the apparent friendliness of her hosts. She also couldn't help but wonder about the meaning of her last words.
"Did you have a good trip?" The man asked.
"Yes very good, the day was relatively calm. So, we were able to leave early enough to avoid the traffic jams," she replied. Her friend took the two bags and they headed for the house while continuing to exchange banalities. Upon entering she could observe a decoration mixing modernism and Hawaiian traditions perfectly. The walls were drawn between pale yellow and brown. The furniture was made of wood in different colors, all decorated with beige rugs, various plants, and paintings. The entrance consisted of two large staircases leading upstairs, each to a wing of the house.
"Is there everyone here?" His godson asked, looking around.
"Your parents, aunts, and uncles have arrived, as well as your grandmother. Otherwise, your cousins and their tribes will arrive within an hour just like those arriving from the continent. We still have a few things for them, but we put you in the same room as before. You are in the room next door. Son, you know the house and its habits, so make yourself at home," George announced, giving him a friendly pat on the shoulder. They smiled at each other, then the two older left to go about their business.
"How do you want to play it?"
"I think we should go greet them," he said after a few seconds of hesitation. The young man didn't know what to expect from his father and it was confusing. The Seals had taught him that everything was in preparation. The duo walked to the veranda.

Seeing the young man arrive, everyone smiled, and his mother got up immediately.
"Honey, I'm so glad to see you. Don't worry everything will be fine," she whispered in his ear, taking him in her arms. He immediately felt his heart warm at the words. Tani, having perceived this moment of complicity, could not help smiling. Something that escaped no one. She loosened her embrace and hurried to go and greet the youngest.
"Mrs. Reigns, it's nice to meet you. Junior has told me a lot about you."
"Call me Claudia, please we are here as a family," the mother smiled trying to put her at ease.
"Don't worry it was the same with uncle and auntie," the Officer Reigns exclaimed with a teasing air. Immediately understanding where he was coming from, she returned to her game.
"That's how you want to play it. When he arrived, your son was dropping an impressive number of gentlemen and commanders per sentence."
"I'm sure you have a whole lot of very interesting history, but I see that you haven't even dropped off your bags yet. Take your time. We will have plenty of time to finish this conversation later. Hopefully Junior will even let me tell you some stories from when he was a child. Her grandmother and I have a staggering amount."
"I would love to hear that," the former lifeguard delighted. Their eldest daughter left, and they went to greet the other family members. Everyone was delighted to see Junior again and to meet his teammate. At the end of this reunion session, the duo arrived before the father of the soldier.
"Daddy," he greeted, holding out his hand. Coldly he grabbed his son's hand and then nodded. He then greeted his teammate and left.
"Are you okay ?"
"He didn't scream, and he didn't completely push me away. We are progressing. Come on, I'll show you the rooms," he breathed, trying to be optimistic. He took her bag from her and led her to the stairs.

The two young people crossed a long corridor where several rooms were aligned. On the wall, it was possible to see that a large number of family photographs were hanging there. At the end of the corridor, they each went to a room and installed their things. A few minutes later Tani came out to find her partner in front of a picture of him and his sister. Tenderly, she put a hand on his shoulder. He brought her near him and wrapped an arm around her waist. They remained entwined for a few minutes which allowed Junior to gradually return to the present. What they did not know was that a woman of about 75 years old was watching them. She smiled sadly then left her post when she saw them go back down to the living room.