Luau of Love

chapter 3

by Petit Angel Girl

Meanwhile, Tèa was in her own room with her family getting ready. Her mother, a former nurse named Myra Gardner, walks in as she puts in her pearl earrings. She wore black cotton pants and a shirt like the blouse her daughter - who still wore the same clothes from earlier that day - wore but sky blue with matching black dresslike shoes. She was young, early thirties. Same bright, blue eyes and brown hair as her daughter but up in a tight bun.

Her husband, Michael Gardner, walks over, wrapping his hands around his wife's waist before softly kissing her cheek. "You look lovely, my darling..." he uttered softly in her ear.

"It's just casual clothes, dear.." she giggled.

"You are still beautiful regardless..."

Michael was currently a scientist and former police officer, just a couple of years older than Myra with the typical short jet-black hair and ocean blue eyes with just a touch of brown around the pupils. He wore navy blue jeans and a typical red and yellow hawaiian shirt and white tennis shoes and socks.

"You're not so bad yourself, you know..." she said in a sultry voice and he chuckled, kissing her again.

They pull away just as their son Joshua walks in. He was a teenager like his sister, but not quite a year older, making him the older as well as slightly taller sibling. He had brown hair like their mother but with blue eyes like his father. He wore white shorts and sneakers and a red t-shirt, although his baseball jersey lay neatly on the bed nearby. He had changed it for tonight's outing.

"Ready to spend time with your new boyfriend?" he teased with a playful smirk.

"He's NOT my boyfriend!" she shouted back.

Ever since she told them about her meeting Yami and Yugi, the boy had been itching to tease her about it. But he really did admire Yami, and he proved this in his next comment.

"I still can't believe you got to meet him!"

"Before you start bombarding me with questions," she added quickly before he could do just that. "I'm sure they will all be answered once we get there."

Meanwhile, Yami and Yugi had already arrived and were now seated at one of the many wooden tables, both with cups of coconut milk in their hands. Yugi sat normally while Yami had his legs crossed in his classic fashion with one leg crossed over the other at the knee. Not far from them was a stage, where fireblowers and twirlers performed, the rhythmic beat of the drums filling the boys' ears.

"You think she will show?" Yugi asked.

"She appeared genuine, Yugi. I doubt she's the type to stand someone up and not show." He looked over as if on cue, smiling as Tèa walked their direction with her family. "And there's the proof..." he concluded softly.

Yugi too smiled when he saw them, raising an arm and waving. "Tèa! Over here!"

The Gardner family all looked over and Tèa smiled at them. Before she could even open her mouth, Joshua ran past her, nearly bumping her down as he rushed to Yami's side.

"It really is you!" Joshua said, taking Yami's hand and shaking it briskly. "Wow, this is awesome! I'm a big fan of yours."

"Isn't everybody?" Yugi added jokingly with a kind smile.

Yami chuckled. "It's a pleasure to meet you, too, uh..."

"Oh, sorry! I'm Joshua. Joshua Gardner."

"Joshua." he repeated with a smile. "Pleased to meet you, Joshua."

"Sheesh, bowl me over, why don't you, Josh?"

"Sorry, sis!"

"You'll have to excuse him." Tèa apologized as their parents walked over. "He can be a bit...enthusiastic."

"I'd say it runs in the family." Myra joked, giggling. She took Yami's hand then Yugi's shaking them one at the time. "I'm Myra Gardner and this is my husband Michael. Tea tells us you just arrived here. Will you be staying long?"

"Another week for break. Where are you from, if I ask?" Yugi asked.

"Domino City, Japan."

"Really? So are we!" he beamed. He then smiled at his brother, giving him a look that read, 'Lucky for you, ehhh, Yami?'.

Moments later, the luau is in full swing, delicious food and song and laughter filling the air. Now on stage was a line of beautiful hula dancers and Tèa watched with bright excited eyes. Oh, how she wished she could join them up there! For it was her dream to be a dancer one day. She closed her eyes, taking in the music and standing, stepping aside and mimicking the movement of the dancers.

Yami turned his head to watch, eyes and expression full of awe. 'Wow...' he thought. 'She's so fluid...So graceful...'

The dance ends and everyone claps, Tèa taking her seat again. "Sorry about that. I couldn't help myself..." she apologized modestly.

"Don't apologize. It was beautiful..." he said. 'Just like you...' his mind thought, his mouth dying to utter it to her aloud.

She smiled, thanking him and his heart did another backflip. They'd just met, but he was falling harder and harder for her every moment they were together. And he was looking forward to even more in the near future...

Author's Note: Writer's block has had me in its hold lately, so I'm sorry if this chapter seemed cut short. More to come in chapter 4!