Chapter 6: A busy day
The next morning Junior woke up very early as usual. It is one of the many habits that had not left him since he entered the sailors. However, one thing had changed. This morning he no longer had this weight on his chest. Being with his family was more beneficial to him than he ever imagined. He had missed them so much. Also, Tani's presence, and their recent rapprochement, were more than pleasant. He wanted to show her how much he cared about her. In a good mood, he got up, got dressed and went jogging on the beach, certain that no one was awake. An hour later, he returned and found part of his family preparing breakfast. To his surprise, passing through the kitchen, the young man fell on his mother, two of his cousins, his aunt and his teammate in pajamas making pancakes. He smiles at the familiarity of this scene. It was something he could get used to.
"Seriously Junior, jogging at seven in the morning?" the future mother asked doubtful. Automatically, he rolled his eyes, smiling then left to take a shower with no further response.
"He is always so ..."
"From what I know yes. Finally, I don't think you have to worry. No one on the team noticed anything worrisome. I imagine it is in their nature. Our boss is the same," the policewoman finished, seeing very clearly where Elizabeth was coming from. They all knew that hyperactivity was a common trait among veterans. Sleeping late was not the habit of the men in the family. Her interlocutors were reassured at this remark.
"Otherwise I hope you slept well. The rooms on this side of the house are rarely used outside of our annual meeting."
"Sincerely everything is more than perfect. This place is so beautiful."
"It's true that we immediately fell in love with this house and its history," the owner said. They continued to chat while preparing the meal. Barely ten minutes later the last latecomers had come down and everyone went to the table. They had breakfast in a good mood.
"It's crazy to have so much energy upon waking up. It's no wonder you're from the same family," the former lifeguard whispered to her partner's ear. With a gesture of the head, she showed the children playing, smiling.
"I think it's more a question of age. They are indestructible, it's crazy. Would you like to go for a walk on the beach after eating? There are lots of beautiful places that I would like to show you."
"With pleasure, give me time to change and we'll just have to go when you want."
They finished their meal then the young woman went up to get ready. After a quick shower, she combed her hair, put on a swimsuit and an emerald green short jumpsuit that was going to delight her. The brunette left out the idea of putting on makeup knowing that they would probably go for a swim. Anyway, she never really liked it. The pretty Hawaiian was in full preparation when she saw her phone ring. Quinn was too impatient to wait for her.
"Pleasantly surprised, seriously Tani, it is all you have in stock to describe an entire evening," the newbie announced, laughing as soon as her friend picked up.
"Good morning to you too Quinn."
"Hello, I hope I don't wake you up."
"No, I'm preparing myself. Junior and I are going for a walk on his uncle beach, which by the way is breathtaking," the policewoman explained in a very good mood.
"By the tone of your voice, I deduce that everything is going well."
"Everything is going wonderfully. He has a family as large as adorable and it was less difficult to return than he thought."
"If everything is going so well can I know what caused the lack of vocabulary in your message last night? Seriously even a five-year-old child would have added more description," the soldier teased nevertheless delighted for her colleagues. Tani hesitated for a few seconds then decided to spit the song.
"So, I may have misinterpreted the events but after dancing for a moment in a more than ambiguous way I thought he was going to kiss me."
"Sorry?" She choked on the news. She knew that their relationship was inexorably made to evolve but she had underestimated how quickly it was going to happen.
"We are in neighboring rooms and he kissed me on the cheek just before going to bed. Only that kiss was a little too close to my lips for it to be a mere coincidence," the brunette explained in more detail. While continuing to prepare she continued to tell her about her evening in the smallest details: the meal, the dance or even the discussions with her family. The two women quickly agreed that Junior was ready to take a step forward. After half an hour she put on a pair of sneakers and then to perfect it all she took a beach bag with the necessary to join her friend in the living room.
"I have to leave you; we're going to go. Have a nice day."
"You too and you'd rather give me all the details next time," the pretty brunette ordered suggestively. The duo laughed and then ended the conversation.
"Is Quinn okay?" The sailor asked when she arrived in front of him. His partner rolled her eyes.
"I'm getting too predictable. She says hello."
"I find it great that you get along so well even McGarrett, Dani, Lou, Adam and I will probably regret it quickly," he concluded in a joking tone. Quietly and while discussing things and others they left towards the garden.
For almost an hour they surveyed the beach and its surroundings to discover distant memories of childhood. Junior was thrilled and each shared moment brought him the peace he had been looking for all his years. The young man had always believed that it would be too hard to evoke his sister only it was quite the opposite. He had never felt so light. Tani was delighted to see him like this, he who always seemed to carry the weight of the world on his shoulders. Their discussions were so fluid, deep and light at the same time. They could talk about everything without any problem. Shortly after the start of their walk, the policeman took her hand without even realizing it. The tenderness of this gesture made the pretty Hawaiian's heart beat much faster than usual. After a while, they returned to the house and sat in the sand watching the youngest children play in the water. Their hands still entwined the brunette rested her head on his shoulder. The duo stayed in this position for a moment when two young children separated from the group to interrupt them.
"Do you want to come and play with us?" A little brunette about 6 years old asked.
"We have masks, buoys and many other cool things to try to see fish," a younger little boy added who looked like two drops of water to his comrade. Their replies immediately made the two young people laugh.
"Jenny, Luke let me know the next time you walk away from the group. I was afraid not to see you anymore," a cousin of Junior exclaimed joining them. She took the two children, who were hers, by the hand.
"Sorry, mom but we had to invite Junior and Tani to play with us. We have too much fun. It would be a shame if they missed that," the elder remarked. The three adults immediately smiled at this thought.
"It is an excellent idea."
"Are you sure?" The old sailor murmured. His face was close to her friend's ear. She smiled at him in a sign of approval but found a serious expression by raising her head. Her two interlocutors followed her gaze. In the distance they could all see Mister Reigns standing, watching them. He waved at them.
"What do you want to do?" The two young women asked in one voice.
"I think it is necessary to burst the abscess. You just have to go play with them. I'll join you later."
"Is it going to be okay?" Tani asked worried, aware that whatever happens the turn of this discussion would be decisive.
"Yes, do not worry. Above all, don't forget to tell them about the mermaids. I'm sure you're going to make yourself fans," the officer reassured before heading to his father with a heavy heart. Her teammate put on her swimsuit, put her stuff in the sand and then left to have fun with the rest of the group while keeping an eye on him.
"I have no desire to relive our last discussion so if you have to yell at me hurry up. I'm expected," he said with difficulty, nodding towards the sea.
"I deserved this one. I did not come to shout but to apologize for having behaved like a monster," his elder announced.
"I wouldn't go that far either, but I found it unfair. You know how much I miss Maya and how I wish she was with us today."
"Yes, I know. I should never have told you that. Only I was angry, angry with myself for not being as strong as you. Your sister had such a big heart. She would have been proud of what you did, proud of the person you have become. In any case, I am sincerely sorry that my pain has spilled over onto you," his father confided with difficulty. He had tears in his eyes and still had a lot to say but being so open was new to him. The man had decided to go there gradually but whatever happened, he wanted to be forgiven near his son.
"Thank you, thank you, dad," the young man whispered taking him in his arms. This paternal hug lasted a moment then they parted moved. The two men sat down for a moment, then continued talking about something and others. They were aware that their relationship would not return to normal immediately, but this little moment of simplicity was very pleasant.
"I'm glad your friend convinced you to come. I would like to continue on this path."
"Me too, that's all I want. The others are waiting for me but"
"Go have fun. Anyway, I have to go join your mom to tell her what happened just before she learned about it from someone else. It would make her want to murder me. Don't worry. I want our relationship to change. We will go gradually but I intend to make it work," the man timidly reassured. He was not used to opening like this, but he was ready to make this sacrifice for his son. The young man laughed softly then left without a word.
The sailor was more than happy that this discussion took place, but it was a lot of emotions. He needed to take time. He calmly joined his teammate and his cousin who was still playing in the water with the children. The young man couldn't help but smile. It had been forever since he'd felt so happy. Not only did his family finally recover from the tragedy of his older sister's loss, but he also found a woman who made him feel complete. The brown took off his t-shirt and put his stuff next to that of his partner then returned to the water.
"Is everything alright?" She couldn't help asking when she saw him coming. It was more than obvious to the two women that this conversation had been very emotional.
"Yes, everything is going well," he replied, moved, a thin smile on the corner of his lips. Quickly Junior took her hand and brought her against him for a tender embrace. The pretty Hawaiian shudders at the touch of their wet bare skin. First surprised, she quickly relaxed and rested her head on his shoulder. Her hands were naturally positioned in the middle of his muscular back. It would be a lie to say that this sudden closeness did not affect them. When he finally decided to move away the pretty brunette smiled confusedly at him.
"What gives me this pleasure?"
"You're amazing. I hope you know that. I don't know how long it will take but I feel that things between my father and me will go back to normal. He apologized flatly saying that I was much stronger than he ever would be. If you hadn't encouraged me, I wouldn't even have come."
"Junes, it is great. I'm so happy to hear that. I know how much it means to you," she cheered delightedly. Tani was so happy that she forgot her embarrassment. For a long time, they continued to have fun with the children in joy and good humor, always so close to each other. From afar his father continued to watch them, smiling. He was delighted to reconnect with his son but still felt guilty for the harm he had done to him. Finally, it made him happy to see that he had found peace and happiness.
About an hour later the duo got out of the water and went back to dry on the beach. Junior handed a towel to his partner, smiling, dazzled by her natural beauty.
"I didn't know you were so good with children. You just made yourself fans for life with all your stories."
"It was not difficult I had a lot of fun," the brunette whispered in return. She started to shiver when he wrapped it around her shoulders. They dressed and then returned to walk hand in hand. At one point he gave her to stop to look at the ocean with one arm around her thin waist, her head on his muscular shoulder. Tenderly ran his hand through her hair. Carried away by the magic of the moment, the pretty Hawaiian sighed with contentment. In his presence, all her fears were gone, and nothing mattered anymore. The sailor turned to her and looked at her lovingly. There was no going back. Their feelings were far too intense to deny them any longer. Gently he stroked his friend's cheek with the palm of his hand. Tani shudders at this contact. None of the men she dated had treated her so delicately, it made her melt from the inside. The brunette felt her barriers gradually crack. With the tips of his fingers he continued to touch the cheek of his teammate he began to trace the contours of his face, brushed against his cheekbones, stroked her cheeks and forehead, released a few strands of hair from her magnificent brown eyes. The policeman placed a soft kiss on his forehead. At this contact, the swimmer's heart swerved. An endless stream of sensation overwhelmed her, the tingling went through her body and her pupils dilated with pleasure. Her breathing became more chaotic, she could no longer resist. Reigns leaned over and delicately placed his lips on those of his teammate. The brunette's last reluctance vanished, and she responded to his kiss with ardor. Junior's lips were fleshy and warm under those of his teammate. She kissed him feverishly taking advantage of the delicious sensations that ran through her. Wanting to deepen this embrace, even more, the young man stroked his lower lip with the tip of his tongue, and it loosened his teeth to accede to his request. Tani's hand went up to burrow naturally into her companion's hair, wrapping his fingers around his silky brown locks. The exchange lasted a long time, the two partners savoring the warmth of the other. They had dreamed of this moment many times over the past few weeks, but never imagined that it would be so intense, so delicious. When the soldier reluctantly moved away a groan crossed the young woman's lips. She blushed before realizing that she was also out of breath. They stayed a moment looking in the eyes, forehead against forehead, Tani's hands still around his neck and those of his teammate under his blouse around his waist. Feeling his partner's hands against her skin gave her sweet chills.
Today everything had changed, and it was really for the better.