Once we were all settled in our rooms, the whole family met on the front porch to discuss what to do together on our first day here. Later, we would probably split up and do different things. But at least for part of one day, we decided that we ought to spend some time as a group.

"What does everybody want to do?" Sheri asked.

"Shopping!" said Claudia.

"Miniature golf!" said Will.

"Trampoline Land!" said Zach.

"We can't all do that together," Will protested, looking at me. Quite obviously not.

"Eating out?" asked James.

I sighed. "Take a nap?"

Mom looked at me closely. "Are you really that tired, honey?"

I stifled a yawn and tried to look peppy. Unpacking was what had worn me out, but I didn't really want to take a nap. We had just arrived, and I knew that I would be spoiling the fun if I didn't find some energy. Maybe I could catch my second wind…

"No, I was kidding," I said. "I agree with James. I know it's a little early, but I'm starving."

"Me too," Dad said. "How about Crabs for Grabs? We passed that coming in."

Everyone agreed to that, and we piled back into three vehicles and headed back the way we had come. Crabs for Grabs was one of Claudia's "Sea City Landmarks." It was a novelty seafood diner that was right on the seashore. Claud informed us that the best tables were out on the porch overlooking the beach. Taking her advice, we chose one of those tables.

After ordering beverages and studying the menu, we collectively ordered lobster, fried shrimp, crab legs, and catfish to split amongst the group. Zach, however, ordered chicken pasta.

"I'm allergic to seafood," he explained with a look of dejection.

Until the food arrived, we chatted.

"There's something I've been meaning to ask," Claudia said to James and me. "Have you thought of any names for the baby?"

James and I exchanged a glance before answering this. We had been neglecting this detail as time went by. Initially, however, we had discussed the issue and come to a few conclusions.

"I believe we have established her middle name," I replied.

"What did you pick?" Claudia pressed.

I smiled. "Confidential. I cannot disclose said information to you at present."

Claudia rolled her eyes, probably for two reasons. One, I was being too articulate, and two, I was keeping something a secret from her. But James and I couldn't tell anyone about the middle name just yet. This was because we wanted it to be a surprise. We wanted the baby to have a Japanese middle name and a family name as well. We had chosen Rioko as the baby's middle name, in honor of my mother.

"So you have the middle name but no first name?" Sheri asked.

"That's a tough decision," James explained. "You see, Yamakawa is a long last name."

"No kidding," Will muttered.

"And nobody can pronounce it," Zach added.

James chuckled. "Right, that too. But if you notice, we all have one-syllable names. Or at least, nicknames. Zach instead of Zachary, Will instead of William…"

"Because William Nicholas Yamakawa is a mouthful," Will pointed out, eyeing his parents.

"Yeah, that's why we don't call you that," James said. "With our last name, I think one-syllable names sound better and make it less of a mouthful. Especially if there is no question on how to pronounce the first name."

"So what you're saying is you want the baby to have a one-syllable name that everyone knows how to pronounce," Claudia concluded as the food arrived. "Right?"

"Mm-hm." I said. Then we dug in.

* * * * * * * * *


Later that evening, James and I went off on our own. We walked to the beach, around 11:00 or so. The air was cool, the stars were out and absolutely brilliant, complimenting an almost full and bright moon. We walked down the shore and found a quiet, secluded place to sit on the sand and watch the waves. James leaned back, I settled against him, and he wrapped his arms around me. It was especially romantic, because we were both thinking of this very same evening one year ago. The evening before our wedding day.

"I was such a nervous wreck," James told me. "Zach and Will tried to get me to loosen up and have some fun with them and the rest of the guys, but I couldn't take my mind off of the next morning. Or how you would look in your wedding dress. And what it would be like to hear the minister announce us as Mr. and Mrs. Yamakawa." He paused. "And what it would be like on our honeymoon."

"I used to think I'd never get married," I whispered.

"When did you think that?" James asked.

"Up until the day you asked," I confessed. "Even then, I had my doubts. I was always waiting for you to realize that there was someone out there who was better than I was. You never did."

"Because there wasn't anyone else," James quickly put in.

"I know that now," I smiled. "But I didn't back then."

"Why do you think that was?" James wondered.

I laughed a little. "Oh, James. As if you don't already know. Remember me when you first met me? Remember my glasses, my haircut... my kilts and sweaters?"

"I liked your glasses and your haircut and your clothes," he protested.

I laughed louder. "No, you didn't!"

"...Okay, I didn't. Not at first, but later I came to like everything about you. And eventually, I fell in love with you." He kissed the top of my head. "I remember the day we met like it was yesterday. Gosh! I can still see you in my mind, standing there in a red turtleneck, a black pleated skirt, and knee socks and loafers. Pretty clever of Will and Claud to trick us both into making it a double date!"

"I was so mad at Claudia," I said. "She really put me on the spot!"

We had told people this story many times before. And we sat there and retold the story to ourselves...



"Janine, why don't you try my demin jacket with your turtleneck?" Claudia asked.

"And burn up outside?" I scoffed. "Forget it."

"Why don't you ever wear pants?" Claudia asked. "Don't you have a cute pair of jeans in the back of your closet that you've never even worn? I bet they would look great on you."

"I feel much more comfortable in my usual attire," I argued. "Why are you so concerned with what I'm wearing? As I recall, YOU are the one going out on a date this evening."

"I can't do this anymore," Claudia suddenly looked very flustered.

"What are you talking about?" I inquired, putting my hands on my hips.

"You're coming with me!" She finally spit out the words. Then she thrust a movie ticket into my hand.

"On your date?"

"It isn't just... my date," she admitted with difficulty. "Will is bringing his older brother. His name is James, and he's twenty-one. I don't think his age makes much of a difference since you're both in college and everything. He's studying to go to law school and he--"

"Claudia? What? NO!"

"But they'll be here any minute, Janine! And he's--"

"No! What on earth are you trying to do, Claudia?" I sputtered. "Oh, I see. You feel sorry for me, and you thought you would help me out by convincing some guy to go out with your older sister. Well, I don't want your help. I'm perfectly fine by myself. And I absolutely refuse to--"

"Janine, if you really don't want to go, one no is enough," Claudia said. "And you can say it quietly. Look, I'm sorry. I just wanted you to be happy."

"I'm doing fine," I protested again. "By myself."

"No, you're not," Claudia said softly. "You haven't been on a single date since you and Jerry broke up two years ago. You spend even more time studying alone in your room than you used to. You don't have any friends, Janine, because you never give anyone the chance."

I stared at Claudia. "What are you saying that I should do?"

"Give James a chance," Claudia said. "You might have fun with us tonight. You'll certainly have more fun that you will sitting in your room with your computer all evening."

"If I do this, will you stop interfering?"

Claudia sighed. "...Yes."

"Fine."



James held me close and put one hand on my abdomen. I turned to look at him, and he kissed my lips gently. I couldn't believe it. I never thought that I would be married or expecting a baby, but that had always been in my dreams. I had gone through life hoping for a star, and I always knew I'd never get it. But then one day I looked down, and there it was. Just shining in my hand.

I was coming to new conclusions about my life, right there on that beach under the stars that night. I was thinking about God. He was every last bit of that beach. He was living in the sand and shining through the stars. He lapped over our feet in those waves. He had to be the One who had mapped out my life in such a way that I had once never thought possible.

The week was more than a chance for James and I to celebrate our one-year anniversary and enjoy time together before the baby came. It was time for me to slow down and ponder some important questions that I had about my life. And, hopefully, to find an answer.