Chapter 119
"This is where we grow all the radishes," Yoshiko told Eun Mi, pointing to a patch in the garden. They'd met that morning and had come straight to the garden, Helen and Jae Sun in tow. Lisa, not particularly caring for gardening, decided to stay home and did not join them.
"Do you pickle them?" Eun Mi asked.
"I haven't," Yoshiko said. "I usually slice it thinly and eat it as is. Do you know how to pickle radishes?"
"Yes, I do," Eun Mi said. "Of course, I haven't had the gardenia fruit I need to make pickled radish, so I haven't done it in a while."
"Is that what makes pickled radish yellow?"
"Yes, the gardenia fruit stains it that color when you pickle it," Eun Mi nodded.
"I'd love to try it someday," Yoshiko said. "I hear pickling is common in Korean cuisine."
"Pickling and stewing," Eun Mi said. "JJ isn't the biggest fan of pickles. He prefers to eat kimchi right when it's been made. He loves fresh radishes too. What I'll do is I'll run the knife over a radish so that it's super thin like paper and slice it into little strings."
"Oh! Could you show me how to do that? I've seen the butchers at the fish market cut radish like that and I've always wanted to learn how."
"It's just a matter of a sharp knife and steady hand," Eun Mi said. "So is anything growing right now?"
"Very little," Yoshiko said. "Once the snow melts, we'll be operating the garden like usual."
"How many use this garden?"
"About twenty of us," Yoshiko said. "We share the work and share the crops more or less once they're done growing."
"Is there a patch for cabbage?"
"I think so," Yoshiko said and wandered around until she found a sign labeled cabbage/キャベツ. "Here they are."
"I'll make sure I grow enough for kimchi. I can show you how to make that too."
"I would like that," Yoshiko smiled and then she shivered. "Let's go back inside. It's freezing out here and I would love some green tea."
Eun Mi and Yoshiko left the garden returning to the apartments where Yoshiko and Lieutenant Holloway left. He was out for the day, so it was just the two of them when they arrived. Yoshiko got some water on the stove and started preparing the teabag with the loose green tea.
"Is green tea alright or would you prefer Oolong?"
"Green is fine," Eun Mi said and sat on the floor at the tiny dining table. She rested Jae Sun on her lap, but the boy was sound asleep so she left him alone.
"There's something I've been wanting to ask you," Yoshiko said when she came to the table with their tea. Helen had already retreated to her room, door wide open, to play with some toys.
"What's that?" Eun Mi asked hesitantly. Yoshiko didn't answer right away. She seemed as though she were trying to convince herself of something but couldn't quite do it. Although, eventually, she just smiled.
"Never mind. It's not my place to ask," she said and sipped her tea. "Are you and Corporal Dauer planning to have more children?"
"Not until we return to Washington," Eun Mi said, deciding not to push on the previous topic; whatever it might have been. "I'd like more children, though. JJ would too."
"Will they all have Korean names?"
"Yes, they will," Eun Mi said. "Next we conceive, I've already decided if it's another boy his name will be Mae Sun and if it's a girl her name will be Eun Mae."
"You said Jae Sun was named after his grandparents?"
"Jae was my husband's father's name and my mother's name was Chin Sun," Eun Mi said. "My grandpa was Chin Mae."
"I see," Yoshiko smiled, noticing the pattern right away. "So all your children will be named after their grandparents in some fashion?"
"That is the intent," Eun Mi said. She took a sip of her tea and then looked at Yoshiko. "You haven't told Lieutenant Holloway about….what happened…did you?"
"I'm sorry?" Yoshiko asked, unsure what she meant.
"When we'd argued and…" Eun Mi didn't finish because she wasn't even sure how to explain what had happened. Instead, she just did what she'd done before but with much more gentleness, pressing a ghostly hand against Yoshiko's chest. Then she realized what Eun Mi meant.
"Oh, yes," Yoshiko said, "that. No, I did not mention it to Danny. Truthfully, I was certain I must have imagined it. What…..what is that exactly?"
"A hand," Eun Mi said. "I have several of them."
"You must be a gifted multitasker," Yoshiko said, trying to lighten the now extremely uncomfortable mood. She succeeded and Eun Mi smiled.
"It helps quite a bit," Eun Mi said. "Is that what you were planning to ask me about?"
"Yes, actually," Yoshiko admitted. "You see…..when my big brother was-" they were interrupted suddenly when there was a knock at the door. "Sorry," she said. "I'll be back." Yoshiko left the table and went to the door to answer it but when she spoke, she almost sounded nervous. "Akihiko? I didn't realize you were coming today."
"Good morning to you too," the man at the door, Akihiko, teased Yoshiko. "Sorry to come unannounced, but I needed mother said she needed me to bring this to you."
"Oh, yes, thank you," Yoshiko said, accepting whatever the man had brought.
"You have company?" Akihiko asked, noticing the unfamiliar pair of shoes at the door.
"Yes," Yoshiko said, suddenly extremely nervous again. "Corporal Dauer's wife. You've met him haven't you?"
"The giant one that doesn't eat you mean?" Akihiko asked.
"Stop it, big brother. He eats," Yoshiko scolded. Akihiko stepped inside, removing his shoes and putting on a pair of slippers before entering. When he did, Helen noticed him and said his name as best she could before getting on her feet and running over to him.
"Helen," Akihiko smiled and kneeled down so he could take Helen into a hug. Eun Mi could finally see him and noticed then that he had a large scar on his left eye. The lid to his eye seemed permanently shut and the skin was lighter where the injury had been sustained. That scar seemed to reach his neck and further still from what Eun Mi could see. "Where's the Lieutenant?"
"He's with a few friends. I was actually showing Mrs. Dauer the gardens today."
"Is that-" Akihiko stopped when his good eye finally noticed Eun Mi and he seemed to go pale but Eun Mi didn't recognize him. He must have started holding Helen too tightly because the little girl started crying and Yoshiko had to force Helen out of his arms. He was shaking almost violently from terror. "How….you're…." he was stuttering, at a loss and in complete horror.
"Akihiko," Yoshiko said, trying to get her brother to calm down while Eun Mi brought Jae Sun to her chest and stood from the table backing away slowly, all ten ghostly hands out and ready to act at a moment's notice as if by instinct.
"Why is that thing in your house?" Akihiko finally asked Yoshiko.
"Akihiko, please, try to stay calm. She's not dangerous I swear."
"Not dangerous?! Yoshiko, she's-"
"I know, Akihiko, I know she is," Yoshiko said.
"You know?!"
"Please Akihiko, try to calm down. You're scaring Helen."
"What the hell's all the damn ruckus about?" a booming voice sounded in English after letting himself into the house. Lt. Holloway stood in the doorway only just hearing Akihiko and Yoshiko yelling.
"Dan! That woman-"
"Danny, can you take Helen for me? Akihiko and I need to talk," Yoshiko said, handing their crying daughter to the Lieutenant and then trying to drag Akihiko to the bedroom closing the door behind them followed by yelling in Japanese.
"Mind telling me what the hell's going on?" Lt. Holloway asked Eun Mi.
"Her brother recognizes me," Eun Mi answered. "I need to leave."
Eun Mi left the apartment in a hurry, rushing to get on her shoes and then ran away from the unit and to the other building where she and JJ were staying. When Eun Mi got home and let herself in, it was just her in the apartment. So she did her best to take deep breaths and walked to Jae Sun's room, still clutching her son to her chest. Her pounding heart seemed to wake Jae Sun and he looked up at her blissfully unaware. Desperate to relax, Eun Mi went to the floor with Jae Sun and started playing with him. He smiled while she cooed to him and played with him and that smile alone did her wonders. While she was playing with Jae Sun, the front door opened and JJ came in.
"Eun Mi?" JJ said, coming to the room. "Are you okay? I heard you'd left Mrs. Holloway's house in a rush." Eun Mi took a deep breath trying to make sure her voice wasn't harsh since Jae Sun was so close to her.
"Her brother recognized me," Eun Mi finally answered. She looked up at JJ who'd gone to the floor beside her and he looked ready to panic.
"Did he hurt you?"
"No," Eun Mi said. "I think even if he wanted to, he was too scared to do anything," Eun Mi said. "Yoshiko was trying to get him to calm down by the time I left." JJ was still a moment. "I made a mistake. When Yoshiko and I first spoke, I became upset and forced her against a wall with one of my hands. She'd not said anything to the Lieutenant and she wasn't going to tell anyone. I don't know how true that is now."
"Fuck," JJ glowered and rubbed his face.
"What do we do?" Eun Mi asked after he'd been silent for several seconds.
"I don't know," JJ finally replied. Eun Mi sat up but kept a hand on Jae Sun rubbing his belly to keep calm. He was wiggling and making his little noises.
"Do you want to send me back to Washington?"
"No," JJ admitted. "I might have no choice, though."
"I'm sorry," Eun Mi said.
"This isn't your fault," JJ said and finally came closer to her and took her in his arms. "This isn't your fault. The way you're telling it, even if you revealed too much to Yoshiko, she was good enough not to tell anyone. We can't really held that her brother recognized you."
"Still," Eun Mi said, "while leaving Japan is no skin off my back, I don't want to leave you."
"I know," JJ said and continued to just hold her. Eventually, there was a knock at their door. JJ told Eun Mi to stay in Jae Sun's room and went to answer the door. On the other side was Lieutenant Holloway. "What can I do for you, sir?" JJ asked. The Lieutenant didn't answer at first but JJ stayed quiet.
"Can I come in?" he finally asked.
"Sure," JJ said and stepped aside then closed the door behind them.
"You know," Lt. Holloway said, "You're wife's just full of shenanigans isn't she?" JJ said nothing and waited for the Lieutenant to say more. He didn't at first. He looked at Eun Mi in the other room and she tensed immediately. "I can't believe Akihiko's been telling the truth all this time. He said that when he was in Korea one of his men was murdered by a girl with the power to move things with her mind. Even kill with just her mind if she just willed it."
"I don't know what you mean, sir," JJ lied.
"Horse shit you don't," Lt. Holloway said, even chuckling just a little, but it was a nervous laugh. "A man doesn't marry a woman like that without being fully aware what she can do. I'm shocked you have the balls not to be scared of her."
"I have nothing to be scared of, sir," JJ said defensively.
"Apparently," Lt. Holloway said.
"With all due respect, sir, please get to the reason why you're here," JJ said.
"No need to get hostile with me, Corporal," Lt. Holloway said. "Honestly, I don't really know why I'm here. I'd intended to come here and tell you to keep your wife away from Yoshiko, but I'm being told she already knew about this and determined there was nothing to worry about. Leave it to a Jap not to find any of this shit horrible and frightening. According to her fucking brother, that woman tore a man apart with nothing but her mind so it goes. Yoshiko said it was 'self-defense' or some nonsense."
"She was defending her mother, sir," JJ said. "That was hardly 'nonsense' and I'd prefer you watch how you speak to my wife, sir."
"Jesus," Lt. Holloway said and rubbed his face. Then he looked at Eun Mi, still in Jae Sun's room and still extremely defensive. "So it's all true then?"
"I'm more concerned with whether or not this has spread to anyone else on base," JJ said.
"No," Lt. Holloway said. "I'm the only one to know at this point and, frankly, I was ready to brush this shit off as stupid as I'd been doing but then Yoshiko went and told be me it was all true. Fuck, I still don't know if I believe it."
"In that case, sir, I'd recommend you keep it that way," JJ said. Lt. Holloway returned his attention to JJ and the two just stared at one another a moment. Eventually, he sighed.
"You're wife's not dangerous?"
"Don't give her a reason to and she won't be," JJ said.
"Is that a threat, Corporal?"
"No, sir. Just an honest answer," JJ said. Lt. Holloway didn't seem pleased with that answer. "Look, sir, I'll be blunt. I won't go into detail of what Eun Mi can do, but what she can do doesn't have to be dangerous. She's only dangerous when she's forced to be."
"What the hell does that mean?"
"It means I've known her and of her power for years and the only time she was a danger to me was when her superiors abused it," JJ said. "They took advantage of her, sir, and in doing so they made her a weapon. When she helped me and my men escape, I took her with us back to the south expecting she would never be put through that again."
Lt. Holloway groaned and rubbed his face again. He wasn't sure what to think. Akihiko had told stories of a woman in Korea with the power to will things to move with just her mind and how that woman had torn one of his countrymen to pieces apparently from nothing only to run away never to be seen or heard from again. He'd listen to Akihiko and tell him, 'Sure, sure, whatever you say' but always held it up to men that were drunk at a whore house. Now he was being told that not only were these stories apparently true but the subject of said stories was living at Camp Zama.
"Work of the devil I tell you," Lt. Holloway muttered to himself. His first instinct was to demand the woman leave but, first of all, he didn't have the authority to demand such a thing and, second of all, to force the hand of those that did have that authority he'd need to tell them everything and they were as likely to give him an honorable discharge for being insane. "You know she's not dangerous?"
"I already told you that, sir: she's not dangerous unless she's forced to be," JJ said.
"This is ridiculous," Lt. Holloway glowered.
"Permission to speak freely, sir?" JJ asked.
"You've already been doing so," Lt. Holloway said.
"As far as I'm concerned, this happened because your brother in law recognized Eun Mi. Frankly, we can't help that. All you need to know is Eun Mi won't hurt you and she won't hurt Yoshiko. If you don't want them to socialize anymore then fine, but Eun Mi isn't leaving. There's no reason this can't stay strictly between us and forget it."
"You realize Akihiko is still in my apartment in a cold sweat like he's just seen a fucking ghost right?"
"You tell Akihiko that so long as he doesn't bother the 'ghost' then he has nothing to worry about. I know exactly what event he's referring to and, as I said, she was protecting her mother. She did what any loving daughter would have done in her position and circumstances. I'll defend her to the death on that."
"I can see that," Lt. Holloway grumbled. Then another knock came at the door.
"It's unlocked," JJ said, not taking his eyes off Lt. Holloway. With the approval to enter, in came Yoshiko.
"しつれいします,"( Shitsurei shimasu/Excuse my interrupting) she said as she entered the home.
"Yoshiko, where's Akihiko? Where's Helen for that matter?" Lt. Holloway asked.
"Akihiko's watching her," Yoshiko said.
"You left a man cowering in a corner in charge of a 2 year old," Lt. Holloway said. "What could possibly go wrong there?"
"Oh, be quiet," Yoshiko said, surprising Lt. Holloway quite a bit, as she walked over to Jae Sun's room where Eun Mi still was. She was still defensive and Yoshiko was stopped from coming any closer by the wall of hands. She started touching what she bumped into, feeling the contour of a hand. "So they are hands," she mumbled.
"Yoshiko," Lt. Holloway said.
"It's alright, Danny," Yoshiko said and sat on the floor at the distance Eun Mi determined acceptable. "Are you alright? I know Akihiko startled you."
"I think I startled him more than he did me," Eun Mi said.
"Yes, I would say so," Yoshiko said. "I can't believe he'd been telling the truth all these years. Mother and I never believed him."
"Mrs. Holloway," JJ spoke up and Yoshiko looked at him. "I would really prefer that we keep all this between us. No one is supposed to know about this. I mean, Jared knows, but he saw the whole thing with his own eyes so that can't be helped."
"You don't have to worry. You're secret's safe with us," Yoshiko said and then looked at the Lieutenant. "Right Danny?"
"Alright," he groaned.
"What about your brother?" JJ asked.
"I've told him to keep this to himself," Yoshiko said. "I still need to reason with him about Eun Mi not being a danger, but he's at least agreed to keep quiet."
"You're sure?" JJ asked cautiously.
"I'm sure," Yoshiko promised. "I promise you have nothing to worry about, Eun Mi. Akihiko won't hurt you."
"You can appreciate why I might not be inclined to believe that," Eun Mi mumbled.
"I know, but I'll make sure of it," Yoshiko said reassured. She looked at Jae Sun on the floor and went to touch him, but Eun Mi's ghostly hands blocked her from doing so. "How many of these do you have?"
"Ten," Eun Mi said.
"How far do they go?"
"I can reach at least seven meters if I reach," Eun Mi said. "I've been able to increase my reach with practice."
"That's amazing," Yoshiko smiled and touched one of the hands then giggled. "They even have nails?" Eun Mi nodded and Yoshiko giggled again, "すごい,"(Sugoi/Amazing). "You must be like six people in one body."
"In a manner," Eun Mi said.
"How did you learn you could do this?"
"I just knew I guess," Eun Mi said. By now, Eun Mi hand taken down all but one of her hands so Yoshiko could keep touching. Eun Mi did however use a set of hands to pick up Jae Sun so she could hold him and Yoshiko watched in amazement as she saw Jae Sun seemingly float to her.
"Sweet Jesus," Lt. Holloway jumped when he saw that. "That doesn't scare the shit out of you?!" Lt. Holloway said.
"Honestly, whenever I see her working in the kitchen, it's like watching the Sorcerer's Apprentice from Fantasia," JJ smiled. "Why scoff at a gift that useful and helpful?"
"When it apparently can rip a man apart, it's a little hard to appreciate," Lt. Holloway muttered. JJ didn't answer and watched Yoshiko and Eun Mi instead.
"That doesn't scare Jae Sun when you do that?" Yoshiko asked when Eun Mi was holding the baby.
"It doesn't seem to," Eun Mi said. "He just knows he's being picked up."
"Can he do it too?"
"No," Eun Mi said. "I don't think so." Since her hands were down now, Yoshiko approached until she was sitting right next to Eun Mi. She smiled at Jae sun and took his tiny hand waiving it gently and cooing to him in Japanese.
"You poor dear," Yoshiko teased in Japanese. "You won't get away with anything. No you won't! No you won't!" she said to the baby and Eun Mi smiled.
Unconvinced with the situation but having little other recourse, Lt. Holloway stood near the kitchen while Yoshiko and Eun Mi stayed in Jae Sun's room visiting one another. When she had to leave and finally returned home, Helen was playing with pans in the kitchen while her brother Akihiko was right where she'd left him: cowering in her bedroom with his army knife in his hand. Yoshiko knew she'd have to keep her brother away from Eun Mi. Even if she wasn't dangerous to Yoshiko, she couldn't act like her brother's terror wasn't unjustified. She was able to convince him to keep quiet about the whole thing, but that was no easy task.
Back in Washington, as soon as they were able to take one, Natalie and Suerro took a family photo with Blu Jae who was quickly becoming 'Birdie' to everyone except Natalie. He'd already grown so much by the time they were able to get a picture together. Natalie insisted next JJ was home she wanted another family picture that would include all the kids, Eun Mi and Jae Sun for a complete picture to have in the family room. Within a few weeks of being born, Blu Jae was already appearing much older by months. He was already sitting up and standing on his own by the summer and even beginning to walk around. He was spoken to in both languages, but Suerro generally spoke to Blu Jae in Quileute rather than English and it was quickly forming into the boy's first language.
"It's been a while since we have a grower like this in the family," Salem chuckled while Suerro was on the floor with Blu Jae talking to him in Quileute while the boy meandered around in a circle.
"Last time was Gabriel," Natalie said.
"Do you think Uncle Nathan and Ada María are planning to have another kid any time soon?"
"They haven't said anything to me," Natalie said. "I figure Jaedynn's plenty for them right now. And Ivory when she's visiting."
"How old's Ivory now?"
"I think she's still twelve," Natalie said. "She's growing so fast even at a normal pace."
"They all have to grow up eventually, mom," Salem teased and patted Natalie's back. "Speaking of which, mom," he continued after a brief silence, "can we talk privately?"
"What happened?" Natalie asked, instantly suspicious.
"Nothing," Salem said, "nothing's happened. I just need to talk to you about something."
"Alright," Natalie finally said and the two of them went outside together on the porch. Once they were on the porch swing staring out at the ocean, Natalie broke the silence. "Is something wrong Salem? You're not in trouble over anything are you?"
"No, I'm not in trouble," Salem said. "I'm just….can I be honest with you mom? And you not get angry with me or upset?"
"Honey, you're not going to upset me for being honest," Natalie said. Salem seemed nervous so she waited for him to take a deep breath before he finally spoke.
"I've been feeling….unfulfilled."
"How do you mean?"
"I mean for a while now, I've been feeling like I haven't accomplished anything. Sure, he did it behind your back, but JJ joined the army and made something of himself. He found a wife and had a son at least. Nesia's getting herself ready to be a teacher at Grandma's school once she's been trained and she enjoys doing it. Ariel and Gabriel are working at the bar and they love doing what they're doing. Me? What am I doing? I'm a step in for JJ's job and as soon as he's retired and back, it's his job again and I'm out. Not that I mind but still. Then there's Birdie. Don't get me wrong; I love the little rugrat. But you're starting new as it were. It's about time that I started getting out of your hair, you know?"
"Salem, I don't mind you being here," Natalie said adamantly. "You don't have to 'get out of my hair'. I quite like you in my hair frankly."
Salem chuckled a little, "I know, mom, but that's not the point. I feel like it's time I started my own life. So…...I'm considering maybe….joining the military myself."
"Salem-"
"I know, mom, I know, you don't want me to," Salem said, "But try to understand from my point of view. JJ, Nesia and I are pretty much grown. You need to focus on Birdie. You don't need us lounging around doing nothing and that's what I feel like I'm doing. I don't want to feel that way anymore. I think it's about time this pup left the den. Don't you think?"
"You can stay in the den as long as you want," Natalie insisted.
"I know, mom," Salem smiled. "I haven't done anything yet. I wanted to talk to you about it first. Warn you that I'm planning to. I was thinking about the Navy actually."
"Why the Navy?"
"Because it's different," Salem said and Natalie finally laughed a little.
"That's not a very good reason, honey," Natalie said.
"I know and it's not just that. There are a lot of opportunities I think that could be opened up to me if I join the Navy. It's a lot more high tech than the Army. Good gateway into different industries."
"I suppose," Natalie answered hesitantly. "I don't know."
"Mom, I know it's not your idea of an ideal next step, but I still think it'll be a good route for me," Salem insisted. "Sure, I probably won't become a lawyer like Uncle Kevin, but maybe it'll at least make me marketable. Like Uncle Embry."
"Salem, your Uncle Embry became 'marketable' because he was heavily involved in city reconstruction when the depression hit and it was his only way to earn money. He's just very lucky that it turned out to be something he's very talented at."
"Still," Salem said, "Maybe this will open a door to something I'll discover I'm talented at. You never know. And worst case scenario, I get a pension once I retire and real world experience for when I'm back home."
"No, Salem, worst case scenario is you never come home," Natalie said.
"Given the war in Korea is over, I doubt I'll be in immediate danger."
"Not now, but what if the Russians attack or something?"
"Then it would be my job to defend the country," Salem said. "I know how you feel mom. Really, I do, but I need you to understand how I'm feeling too. I need to do something more with my life. I want to do something more with my life. And I think the Navy is a good choice for me. I wasn't planning to do anything until JJ came home for good. I promise. But once JJ's home, I want to join the Navy. Get my foot in the door and carve out my own future. I would rather tell you long before it happens and make sure you're not worried than do it suddenly without telling you like a certain someone." Natalie gave Salem a slightly critical look at the last statement but eventually sighed.
"I do appreciate that at least," she finally said. "You're sure this is what you want to do?"
"Positive," Salem said.
"Then I'll support your decision," Natalie finally said and patted Salem's knee. "You swear you won't join until your brother comes home?"
"Nothing will happen until JJ's home. You have my word," Salem reassured.
"Alright," Natalie said, though she appeared to still be hesitant. The front door opened then with Blu Jae coming out and going to Natalie while Suerro stayed at the door.
"Sorry, I overheard," Suerro said. "You're absolutely sure this is what you want to do?"
"I'm sure," Salem said. "I've thought about this a lot and I think it would be a good thing for me to do."
"If you're sure," Suerro said. Then he smiled reassuringly and patted Salem's shoulder. "Thank you for warning your mother at least."
"Figured mom's had enough surprises from us for one lifetime," Salem said and Natalie huffed a little with irritation while she held Blu Jae. Salem patted the boy's little back after Natalie had brought Blu Jae in her arms. "You make sure you're good, Birdie. With me gone, you'll have JJ to contend with when you misbehave. And you don't want that."
Suerro laughed without humor and leaned against the railing across from them. Since they had a picture to send, Natalie made sure a copy was sent to JJ and Eun Mi. By the time Eun Mi got the picture, it was a day when she was alone at the apartment with Jae Sun. Lisa was out doing something with the local church and Yoshiko had left for Tokyo the previous day for a family event. Jae Sun was in a little basket Eun Mi kept on the counter sound asleep while she did some cleaning. She took a break to look at the picture and smiled at it a little. It was just Suerro, Natalie and Blu Jae, but there was a note with the picture relaying Natalie's eagerness for a full family picture either when JJ was home or at least next he was home. She put it on JJ's pillow so he'd see it when he returned home and returned to her day. She had a hardy dinner of Kimchi Jjigae and rice with peas ready by the time JJ returned home and when he returned, she went to the door to welcome him with a kiss and taking his coat.
"How was your day?" Eun Mi asked.
"Long," JJ said. "Smells really good in here."
"Kimchi stew with rice."
"Any fresh kimchi?" JJ asked.
"I made a quick one for you," Eun Mi smiled, putting the coat away while JJ took off his shoes.
"Jae Sun asleep?"
"No, he's just in his basket," Eun Mi said. "He's been sucking on his Nurungji from this morning." JJ smiled and kissed Eun Mi again when he had his shoes off. "By the way: your mother sent a picture of your new little brother."
"A little brother you say?" JJ said.
"I left it on your pillow."
JJ went to their room to get out of his uniform and into a pair of jeans and white shirt while Eun Mi plated up a bowl of rice so he could eat it with spoonfuls of kimchi stew and his fresh kimchi. She put on the radio which started playing Jane Russell and Marilyn Monroe singing Bye Bye Baby. Eun Mi started to hum a little to the song swaying her hips a little while she did so. JJ had seen the picture and was holding it, but he was watching Eun Mi with a light smile. Soon she noticed him watching and stopped to go grab Jae Sun.
"Don't stop because of me," JJ teased.
"You can't eat your dinner just standing there," Eun Mi said and sat down at the table they finally had. JJ sat down beside her putting the picture somewhere else on the table and started eating. "So what do you think of your new little brother?"
"Squirt looks like Suerro," JJ said after finishing crunching on his kimchi.
"I think he's cute," Eun Mi said.
"He wears that face better than Suerro does," JJ said. Eun Mi swatted his arm and he just chuckled. "How was your day? Besides getting a picture from mom?"
"Quiet," Eun Mi said. "I got the place cleaned up while Jae Sun was asleep. I had to work fast, though. Anyone that says to sleep when the baby sleeps doesn't know what they're talking about."
"Unless you're like my grandma and you had older children that could get chores done for you," JJ smiled.
"Even that took time," Eun Mi said bouncing Jae Sun on her knee a few times until the baby smiled. "Next I have a chance I'll buy a frame to put this picture in. I'll just have to find a place to put it while we're here."
"Somewhere in the living room," JJ said, continuing to eat his dinner.
After JJ finished eating, he cleaned the dishes for Eun Mi while she changed the channel on the radio to listen to some radio soap operas that were always broadcasted a few days late for military wives overseas. Jae Sun stayed in her lap as she listened to the radio sucking on a little pacifier beginning to doze off after his milk. Once the dishes were cleaned and put away, JJ sat beside Eun Mi listening to the radio along with her while finally getting to reading his mother's letter.
"Birdie, huh?" he said. "Poor kid."
"I think it's cute," Eun Mi said. JJ looked at her with a small smile before continuing to read.
"The Navy? Why the Navy?"
"Opportunity as I recall her letter saying," Eun Mi said.
"And to be different apparently," JJ sighed. "Oh well. He's waiting until we're home for good, so that's something. Since we're no longer at war with Korea, maybe this won't be so bad."
"I think so," Eun Mi said.
"All things considered, Salem's getting it easy frankly."
"That's not fair," Eun Mi said with a gentle smile. "I'm sure he'll be worked to the born just like you were."
"I'm not saying an enemy officer has to burn him alive or anything," JJ defended. "I'm just saying it's going to be a lot different than the army. I had an idea of what I was getting into thanks to my uncles, but Salem's going in blind. He'll be the first to join the Navy instead of the army."
"Maybe he's right about the Navy being a good choice for him," Eun Mi said.
"Maybe," JJ said. "We'll see."
"At least he's not springing this on your mother last minute," Eun Mi said with a slightly raised brow.
"Yeah, yeah, I get it," JJ sighed and finished reading his mother's letter before folding it back up before standing back up. "I'm going to take a shower. Did you to join me in the bath once I'm done?"
"After this is done," Eun Mi said with a gentle smile, referring to her radio show.
JJ kissed Eun Mi's forehead before going to their bathroom to take his shower. By the time he was done and had gotten the tub filled with hot water, Eun Mi came in with Jae Sun in arm already out of his clothes and handed him over to JJ so she could undress and join them in the tub. It wasn't as big as their tub at home so this was harder than it was at home, but they made due. By now, Jae Sun was awake again and was kicking at the water while JJ was holding him. Once in the tub, Eun Mi came as close as she could and lathered her hand so she could give Jae Sun a bath.
"It's been a while since we've done this I realized," JJ said while Eun Mi cleaned Jae Sun's tiny feet.
"I know," Eun Mi sighed and cleaned the bubbles off Jae Sun's toes. Once he was cleaned, Eun Mi took the baby from JJ's arms into hers so she could rotate in the tub to sit in JJ's lap.
"I know we had a big scare with Mrs. Holloway's brother, but other than that, have you been adjusting alright?"
"It's better than I thought it would be, but it's still not home," Eun Mi said. "When we get a chance, do you think we could find out where Yon is and visit her? I'd love for her to meet Jae Sun."
"I can look into it," JJ said, but he was hesitant. "I don't know when we'll be able to actually go, though. The only time I'd be able to get any meaningful time off would be closer to Christmas and frankly I'd far rather use that time to visit home."
"I know," Eun Mi said. "I'd like to send her a letter at least."
"I'll try to find out where she is and we can write to her and send her a picture," JJ said. "We still need to take a family picture anyway."
"True," Eun Mi said. "I miss her a lot."
"I know," JJ said and kissed her head. "I'll tell you what: before we return to the states for good, we'll go to Korea and visit her."
"Do you think we'll be able to go to Korea again after that?"
"I don't know," JJ said. "Someday. I wouldn't hold my breath that we'll go to North Korea ever again. Can't say that's any skin off my back."
"I'll never see my home again," Eun Mi said. "I've resolved myself to that. I would just like to return to Seoul someday. Visit Yon. She was like a mother to me while I was there and I would love to see her again."
"I know," JJ said and gently rubbed Eun Mi's back.
"I would love Jae Sun to see Korea too. He'll never see it as I did when I was a girl, but still."
"Is that really a bad thing all things considered?"
"No, I suppose that's true," Eun Mi said. "Maybe someday we can go to Alabama and visit Terry too."
"Maybe," JJ chuckled. "I'd have to find out if he's even returned to Alabama yet."
"Add that to your to-do list," Eun Mi smiled and cuddled against JJ's chest. She was ready to fall asleep in that water until Jae Sun begun to get fussy indicating it was time to put him to bed. "I'll get him dressed for bed," Eun Mi said as she stood from the tub.
JJ held the baby while Eun Mi got a towel on and then took Jae Sun to his room. Since his fingers were starting to prune anyway, JJ got out of the tub and dried off before going to their bedroom and into a pair of clean clothes. Eun Mi eventually returned still wearing the towel and grabbed a clean nightdress to put on. JJ watched as the towel came off and seemed to float away, out of the bedroom and, he assumed, to the hook in the bathroom where the towel had been previously. Then she got into her nightdress then went to her side of the bed undoing her hair from its braid so she could brush it. JJ continued to watch her and moved a little closer so he could touch her hair. He took stray locks of hair in his hand while Eun Mi continued to brush and smiled gently as JJ touched her silky hair.
"How've you been feeling?" JJ asked.
"I'm homesick, but it's getting easier," Eun MI said.
"No," JJ said, "I mean how've you been since having Jae Sun?" Eun Mi blushed a little having realized what JJ was referring to and smiled shyly while she continued to brush her hair.
JJ hadn't realized how much he'd missed that blush and shy smile until he saw it. He came that much closer to her on their bed and adjusted himself so that Eun Mi's back was to his chest cuddled between his legs while his arms wrapped around her waist. He saw her blush deepen a little and finally she put her brush down on the nightstand on her side of the bed. She leaned against JJ's chest with her head turned to the side so her neck was in view. JJ started to kiss her neck after he gently pulled her hair aside so her neck was bare. She trembled in his embrace with the first kiss to her skin.
"I've missed you terribly," Eun Mi finally said, answering JJ's question. "Jae Sun will keep me distracted most of the time, but when we're alone, I start to dream."
"Do you?" JJ asked and used one hand to start pulling up the hem of her dress. Once her dress was high enough that her thighs were bare, JJ started to touch her there enjoying the feel of her skin. "How long has it been since we've been together like this?"
"The day I told you I was pregnant," Eun Mi answered.
"So too long?" JJ joked and Eun Mi giggled.
"Exactly," Eun Mi smiled. JJ started trailing his hand higher and higher up her thigh approaching her hip.
"I want you so badly, but I thought you weren't ready yet." Eun Mi gently shook her head and then reached between them with a visible hand so she could touch JJ's erection. When she started touching him, JJ's hand went right between her legs so he was touching her intimately as well. The touch made Eun Mi release a gentle moan and she gripped him just a little tighter.
JJ tugged on Eun Mi's panties so they were brought down her thighs and stopped pulling once they were at her knees. Once she wasn't covered, JJ brought his hand back between her legs touching her entrance and her clitoris. She sighed again from the touch and kept stroking his erection from between them. JJ kept kissing her neck and her ear as he touched her until she was wet. Once she was wet, JJ took his hand away only to pull his clothes aside to free himself and then slipped inside her. Eun Mi moaned from the entry and lifted her hand up to JJ's head so she could hold onto him. JJ pressed one hand just under her breast and his other hand was on her thigh while he began to gently lift Eun Mi up and down. Eventually Eun Mi took over the task so JJ was able to move one hand between her legs again so he could rub her clitoris.
Eun Mi moaned from his touch and used a set of hands to keep herself upright so she wouldn't be far from JJ. He could feel that pair extending from her back and knew she had more stability because of it, so he adjusted himself so he was on his knees and took over their movements. He gripped her hips while Eun Mi's hand reached behind to keep a hold of his hair with her other hand covering JJ's on her hip. He whispered sweet sentiments in her ear about how he had missed her and how much he loved her with Eun Mi cooing the same words back to him with intermittent moans and sighs mixed in. When they'd been like that a few minutes, JJ left her only so he could turn Eun Mi around to gently place her back onto the bed before slipping back in and taking full control.
Initially her hands stayed on his chest while she threw her head back savoring the feel of JJ inside her for the first time in far too long, but then she leaned up so she could wrap her arms around his neck clutching him to her forcing him down on top of her. He continued his thrusts passionately as they shared kisses interlaced with heavy breathing and JJ kissing all over her neck and chest until he felt Eun Mi reach her climax with a whimper and her entire body shuddering almost viciously right before JJ reached his own climax. For the longest time after that, JJ couldn't be bothered to move at all. He stayed inside her and kept kissing her ear whispering again how much he loved her while Eun Mi sighed with contentment returning the sentiment until they both finally fell asleep in each other's arms.
JJ was awake the next morning earlier than usual, but he didn't open his eyes or move at all. Eun Mi was still in his arms but he realized she must have left the bed and returned because he could feel Jae Sun in her arms between them very much asleep probably sleeping off his morning milk. JJ eventually opened his eyes with a little light coming in from the sun rising to see Eun Mi and their sun in bed with him. He smiled and held her just a little tighter and put a hand on Jae Sun's belly causing the baby to kick a little. He was content to let himself sleep until longer until he had to get up for work when a familiar and deeply despised sound irrupted from outside. It sounded like a man yelling a single note, but it was no man. It was a Japanese crow that was right on their window sill. The sound startled Eun Mi awake but thankfully Jae Sun was unbothered. JJ, on the other hand, was very much not unbothered by the loud bird.
"Fucking birds!" JJ growled and got out of bed to grab a spare shoe. Once on hand, he opened the window and hit at the bird that flew away before JJ even opened the window. He still threw his boot at the bird as it flew away and then closed the window.
"That was a bird?" Eun Mi asked.
"It's a crow," JJ sighed. "Fucking hate those things. The base I'd been staying at before I went to Korea used to have a bunch of them outside and they were so damn noisy. Used to be we'd hit the windows to make them go away but they always came back."
"I heard of them," Eun Mi said. "They're supposed to be really smart birds or so I've heard."
"If that fucking bird is what the Japanese consider 'intelligent' then the nuclear waste from the bombs are messing with their heads," JJ sighed. He turned ready to go back to bed when a loud bang hit their window and made them both jump and, this time, Jae Sun woke up with a cry. JJ went to the window and there was now a large pebble on the sill that had been thrown at the window. JJ opened the window prepared to yell at a neighbor kid he assumed had thrown the pebble when the crow flew past in a hurry causing JJ to fall back in surprise. He hurried to close the window before the crow flew back and started flapping it's wings angrily at the window.
"I think you made the bird angry," Eun Mi said while she cuddled Jae Sun managing to calm him back down.
The crow eventually flew away at long last after what one could interpret as having the last word before flying away. When the bird was finally gone and Jae Sun was calm, Eun Mi actually couldn't help but giggle a little at the situation despite JJ's grumbling. Several days later Yoshiko and Lt. Holloway finally returned home from Tokyo and Eun Mi told her about what happened while they were having tea together.
"Oh no," Yoshiko said and shook her head. "You two will never be rid of that bird."
"We haven't seen it since," Eun Mi said.
"Crows are very smart birds," Yoshiko said. "They learn and can even use tools, but most importantly: they remember. I'm only saying Corporal Dauer may want to ensure he sleeps with one eye open so to speak."
"Oh, joy," Eun Mi said with sarcasm and a sigh. "So how was the wedding? You said it was a wedding, right?"
"Anniversary party," Yoshiko corrected with a light smile. "I admit, I barely know them if I'm honest, but mother insisted we join her and I thought it was a nice excuse to go up to Tokyo. It was nice. Akihiko needed the distraction to be sure."
"He hasn't….said anything to anyone has he?"
"No," Yoshiko smiled reassuringly. "I made sure of it. You shook him pretty badly but he's finally calming down."
"Can't say as I'm sorry he's scared of me, but I hope he isn't being difficult about it," Eun Mi said.
"Akihiko will be alright," Yoshiko said and then giggled. "I will have to tell him about your husband's run in with the crow. He'll find it quite funny."
"I'm sure," Eun Mi giggled with her. "I just hope it doesn't end up breaking the window. That bird threw that pebble really hard and I still can't figure out how he did it."
"Like I said: crows can use tools and they're extremely successful. Why, I've seen them drop nuts on the road just as someone's riding their bike past so the tire will crack the nut!"
"Clever," Eun Mi said.
"Of course, the crows are nothing compared to the wasps. They're worse. Far, far worse."
"You mean those giant hornets? I've heard they're vicious."
"That's an understatement," Yoshiko said. "If a hive pops up, so do signs telling people to stay away. And those monsters get this big!" Yoshiko held out her palm laying it flat with two fingers on either end of her palm to indicate the size. "I was stung by one when I was a little girl and I can still feel it to this day! I'm lucky I got inside the house before more could get me. Trying to get rid of them was an ordeal to be sure."
"Has the base ever had an infestation?"
"Not while I've been here, but I imagine if we did, the men would just shoot them," Yoshiko joked and the two laughed again.
"An American solution to a very Japanese problem," Eun Mi joked making Yoshiko laugh a little harder.
Sadly, as Yoshiko had warned would happen, the crow did indeed remember JJ's little stunt and became a bit of a grey cloud on JJ. It wasn't every day, but sometimes while JJ was walking to the office on base for work, the crow would drop rocks and nuts on his head and JJ would sometimes try throwing it back at the bird. Lt. Holloway joked that JJ should start walking to work with an umbrella for protection. Eun Mi continued to write to Natalie and so forth, mentioning JJ's new friend that Yoshiko's brother Akihiko, or so Yoshiko told Eun Mi, had nicknamed the bird Koro-Koro. It was around Nesia's birthday that Natalie got the latest letter from Eun Mi in which she described the latest misadventures where Koro-Koro dropped a walnut on JJ's head and he threw one of Jae Sun's wooden toys at the bird. The toy was forever lost having been found and claimed by one of the neighbor kids. Thankfully, Jae Sun was not too unhappy given he had plenty other toys.
"Serves JJ right getting put in his place," Suerro chuckled when Natalie told him about the bird.
"Mama, what does Koro-Koro mean?" Blu Jae asked beside her. He'd grown so much in the past few months alone. He still appeared under two, but he was already speaking English and Quileute near fluently.
"According to Eun Mi, it's a play on the Japanese word for crow: Kurō."
"Papa, aren't crows sacred?" Blu Jae asked.
"That's right, Birdie, they are and your big brother should know better than to pick a fight with one," Suerro said with a light chuckle.
"What's in the box?" Blu Jae asked after having his own laugh with Suerro.
"I don't know," Natalie said. "It's a birthday present to Nesia that JJ sent. We'll find out when she gets home."
"We can't open it now?" Blu Jae asked.
"No, honey, if it's not your present then you can't open it. When it's Christmas and your birthday, you'll have plenty of presents of your own to open."
"Okay," Blu Jae said with a pout but he got over it rather quick.
"Birdie," Suerro said and Blu Jae went right to him while Natalie sighed a little to herself, still hating the nickname and hating it all the more because it was sticking.
Blu Jae helped Suerro with whatever he'd called the boy over for, having him speaking entirely in Quileute while they worked. She glanced at them from time to time just watching them and it made her smile. Suerro had taken immediately to being a father the way a man did that had thought for years he'd never get to have children and now he could. He was tough on the boy even at his age, but Suerro was also a doting father in every way. To see Suerro with their son always brought a smile to her face. Soon, Nesia finally returned home and hugged Blu Jae, said hello to Suerro and then went to Natalie to kiss and hug her.
"You got a birthday present from JJ," Natalie said and handed over the box.
"He remembered?" Nesia smiled. There was a little note tabbed to the box, so she read that first, but it was rather confusing.
"Nesia,
I know you've always wanted a pet. I thought this might be a nice substitute.
Love,
JJ."
"A pet?" Natalie asked. Nesia put down the note after a moment and opened the box. She immediately screeched and dropped the box as she backed away, falling on her butt. Blu Jae went to see what was in the box and found a hornet that was as big as his hand.
"Dad!" Blu Jae said with a big grin. "It's a mutant wasp!"
"A dead mutant wasp I hope," Suerro chuckled and came closer to see it while Nesia got back to her feet gripping her chest. Natalie was just as mortified by the creature as Nesia and watching in horror as Suerro kneeled down to pick up the box. The hornet was pinned into the box and was very clearly dead, meant to stay in the box for display. "Don't worry. It's dead," Suerro said. Just then, Salem walked into the house and asked what everyone was staring at only to approach and see for himself.
"Sweet Jesus, what is that thing?" Salem asked.
"I think it's a Japanese Hornet," Suerro said. "It's a present your brother sent to Nesia for her birthday."
"JJ sent you that?" Salem asked, starting to laugh. "What an asshole."
"Salem!" Natalie scolded, but Blu Jae wasn't paying attention, trying to get Suerro to pick him up. Once he had, Blu Jae had a better look at the bug and laughed a little at it.
"Nesia, Nesia, I know JJ sent it to you, but can I keep it?" he asked innocently.
"Keep it!" Nesia said angrily while flinging her arms. "You can have it!" In a huff, Nesia retreated upstairs to her room to put her things away while Salem ruffled Blu Jae's hair with a light chuckle.
"You be sure to send JJ a thank you letter for the monster bug, Birdie," Salem joked.
"I will!" Blu Jae said confidently.
Not long after, Blu Jae was showing off the bug to everyone. Reactions varied from similar to Nesia to impressed like Salem. Edward confirmed it was a Japanese hornet and insisted on making sure there were no eggs unintentionally attached to the creature so there wouldn't be an infestation. Japanese Hornets, Edward explained to Blu Jae, are the last thing you wanted infesting the area and went on to explain how aggressive the bug was and how painful their sting is said to be. Blu Jae listened intently while Edward made sure the creature was clean with no eggs and then got it into a frame for Blu Jae with glass to protect the exoskeleton. Once the bug was pinned appropriately in its frame, Edward helped Blu Jae hang it above his bed in the room he shared with Salem. Natalie wrote a blistering letter to JJ regarding the scare that he caused Nesia and that Blu Jae ended up keeping the bug. In the meantime, JJ's vendetta with Koro-Koro continued. The bird didn't bother the apartment; rather he would drop things on JJ's head or attempt to and JJ would throw something back.
"My brother made something I insisted he let you have," Yoshiko said to Eun Mi while the two were at Lisa's house together.
"Your brother made me something?" Eun Mi asked skeptically.
"Well, no, he made it during a meeting he was in and when he showed it to me I thought it was funny," Yoshiko said and presented it to Eun Mi. It was two pages back to back entirely in pencil in which there were comic panels of a bird getting into misadventures against a giant pair of boots. It read: アメリカとコロコロの冒険 (Amerika to Koro-Koro no bōken/ The Adventures of American and Koro-Koro).
"Are those boots supposed to be JJ?" Eun Mi asked as she skimmed through the panels.
"Yes, they're JJ, but the story only refers to them as 'American'," Yoshiko said. Lisa looked at the panels and, despite not being able to read Japanese, began laughing.
"It looks like JJ's being portrayed as the bad guy," Lisa laughed.
"He is," Yoshiko admitted.
"That's not fair," Eun Mi defended, but then Yoshiko walked Eun Mi through the comic reading it for her and as the read, Eun Mi couldn't help herself. She found herself laughing too.
The first strip was of a little cartoony looking crow perched on a window sill pecking at little nuts when the window shook forcing Koro-Koro from the perch. A voice box portrayed a booming voice commanding the bird away. She had to explain it to Eun Mi, but all of JJ's dialogue was written entirely in Katakana and mostly in English though it was extremely difficult to read and understand. It came off as someone that barely spoke English trying to write English without knowing the Roman alphabet. That had Eun Mi laughing harder than anything. The bird's dialogue boxes were filled with just spellings of chirping sounds and the story was told near entirely in picture form with Koro-Koro trying to get food, the large boots getting in his way somehow and Koro-Koro taking revenge by dropping a rock presumably on the head of the owner of the giant boots. Jae Sun stared at the pages when Eun Mi showed them to him but had to be careful that he didn't grab the paper and ruin it on accident. He seemed to like it, smiling at the pages and making loud squeaks and noises as best he could.
Later that night, Eun Mi showed JJ the little comic but he wasn't nearly so impressed with it given he'd been refused to a pair of boots while the bird was the hero of the story. Eun Mi still showed it to Jae Sun all the time before putting him to bed and kept the pages somewhere safe so nothing happened to them.
Then summer of 1954 came. After thirty years of planning, of progress followed by setbacks, after a war practically halting all progress, after legal battles and spending years following legal procedure, and after all the blood, sweat and tears – both his own and that of patients and family members – Kyle was looking at the result of all that hard work. It was a large hospital that would be perfect for all his tribe. It was entirely white on the inside and on the outside except the waiting rooms: those had some calming colors for families. He and Evalina had spent years training men and women in the tribe to become nurses and Monday would be everyone's first day. Nearly everyone both from the tribe and from Forks where outside that hospital staring at it in awe and congratulating Kyle, but he could barely hear them. He was holding his daughter in his arms with a broad smile on his face still not completely believing that he'd really done it.
"Do you see that big building, Evalynn?" Evalina cooed to their daughter. She nodded eagerly while staring at it. "It's called a hospital. Its where people that are sick go to get better and your daddy made that."
"Daddy did?" Evalynn said with wide eyes and looked up at Kyle who was already smiling a little when he looked at his daughter.
"It took 30 years, but yes I made it," Kyle said.
"That's a big number," Evalynn observed and Kyle chuckled, holding the little girl closer and kissing her head.
"That's right, Evalynn; 30 is a very big number."
"We're very proud of you, Kyle," Jacob said and rested a hand on Kyle's shoulder. "We all know how hard you've worked for this and how long."
"Thank you, dad," Kyle said appreciatively. Eventually, though they wouldn't be allowed in the operating rooms for sterilization purposes, people were allowed to go inside to see the hospital. Kyle stayed outside with Evalina and his parents just staring until Renesmee broke the silence.
"Seeing as you've accomplished this monumental goal," Renesmee said, "perhaps it's time to work on a simpler one? A little brother or sister for my little Evalynn perhaps?"
"Damn it, Renesmee," Jacob chuckled and pinched the bridge of his nose. "Let the boy enjoy himself before you berate him about babies."
"Mom," Kyle said before handing Evalynn to Evalina and turning to put his hands on Renesmee's shoulders. He was about to tell Renesmee it would happen again when it happened, but she looked so hopeful, so Kyle sighed heavily and said, "I'll have her pregnant by the end of the month."
"Well, I don't want to rush you," Renesmee said and Jacob burst into laughter.
"Horseshit," he barely managed through his laughter while Renesmee turned to look at Jacob.
"We'll stop actively preventing it," Evalina smiled and then looked at Evalynn. "Would you like a little brother or sister?"
"Can I play with it?" Evalynn asked.
"Yes, you can play with a brother or sister," Evalina answered. Heather, who'd finally gotten away from Kevin and Amber, ran over and started tugging on Evalina's skirt.
"Aunt Evie, can Eva and I play?" she asked. Evalina didn't end up answering because Evalynn pushed away from her so Evalina put the girl down so she and Heather could go straight to the playground that was outside together. Embry went after them so he could watch the girls while Kevin and Amber approached Kyle and Evalina.
"You did it, Kyle," Kevin said.
"I did," Kyle smiled a little to himself.
"Just remember who fondled all the right balls to get you to this point," Kevin joked and Kyle elbowed Kevin.
"Shut up," Kyle said with a small laugh.
"Evalina, did I ever tell you about the time your husband was nearly lynched because he pointed out to the entire class one of his classmates masturbates?" Kevin asked.
"Yes, you have," Evalina smiled and patted Kyle's shoulder before hugging him. Kyle wrapped an arm around her shoulder accepting the comfort.
The remainder of the day, people came and went from the new hospital with loads of food to go around while people talked and enjoyed themselves. Courtesy of Jacob's efforts, Renesmee didn't bring up Kyle and Evalina having another baby but the idea was now blossoming in Evalina's head. By the time it was nightfall and everyone had left the hospital save for a few nurses that were officially beginning the night shifts, Kyle and Evalina returned home with Evalynn who'd long since fallen asleep. Evalina tucked their daughter into bed for the night and the two went to bed together.
"Kyle?" Evalina said when the two of them were in bed together.
"Yeah?" Kyle said though he had a feeling he knew exactly what she was going to ask about.
"I know you were trying to appease Renesmee when you said you'd have me pregnant by the end of the month," she said, "but what would you say to us having another baby?"
"I'm fine with Evalynn right now," Kyle said while he smiled gently at her.
"You wouldn't like to try for a son?"
"And have your grandfathers bickering over what the middle name should be? No thank you," Kyle said.
"I already decided if we have a boy his name will be Caleb Dante," Evalina said.
"So make neither of them happy?"
"Exactly," Evalina joked. "Besides, I think Caleb Dante is a good name."
"And if we have a girl?"
"Kylie?" Evalina suggested but Kyle shook his head.
"No," he said, "don't like it."
"Me either," Evalina smiled. She came closer to Kyle so she could snuggle into him with her cheek on one pectoral muscle and a hand on the other. "Kathrynn?"
"That's better," Kyle said as he rubbed Evalina's back. "Boy or girl, can this be the last one?" Kyle asked. "Don't get me wrong: I love Evalynn but I don't know if I can handle too many more."
"Scout's honor," Evalina smiled, "one more and then we'll be done."
"Good," Kyle said and then, rather suddenly, tossed Evalina onto her back so he could be on top of her. "You're not fertile just yet, but no reason we can't have fun."
"No reason at all," Evalina agreed before they began to kiss.
This time around, there was nothing 'medical' about conceiving and it was extremely refreshing. They made love whenever they wanted with no concern for the time of the month and Evalina wasn't even keeping track. It ended up taking another three months, but by fall, Evalina was pregnant. The news was, naturally, forwarded to her family who promptly made the trip to Washington with the intent of remaining until the baby was born. The previous bickering over the middle name ensued between Alfonse and Dimitri but Evalina disregarded it. Evalynn was usually able to get her great grandpas to stop bickering when she went to them demanding attention. When her family arrived, they already brought several gender neutral gifts that Evalynn and even Heather helped unwrap eagerly. Evalina wasn't even showing and she was already having an early baby shower. Admittedly, watching Evalina seeing all the gifts with Heather helping unwrap some things had Amber slightly jealous.
Within the first week of Evalina's family coming to Washington, Amber was tucking Heather into bed for the night after they'd spent the whole day in Forks visiting. Heather liked having the door to her closet slightly open with the light in the closet turned on as a small nightlight and she always liked her bedroom door open. She was snuggled under the covers with a teddy bear that Embry had given her for her birthday that year and she loved being under several blankets so she was toasty warm. She'd had a long day of playing with Evalynn and Blu Jae, so she was already asleep by the time they returned home and making no fuss about wanting to stay up longer. After Heather was tucked into bed, Amber stared at her a moment. She looked so much like Kevin. Her hair was that same brown she'd been born with and she had her father's brown eyes. When she smiled, those eyes sparkled and it reminded Amber so much of Kevin. Her cheeks were fully just like Kevin's had been when he was a boy and Heather had the same stubborn streak and determination to do things herself just like Kevin.
Amber ran the back of her index finger against Heather's cheek gently feeling her soft baby cheek. Heather was so tired that she didn't even twitch from the disruption. She slept like a little angel and Amber couldn't help but sigh and smile. Deciding Heather needed to be left alone to sleep, Amber stood up from the tiny bed and left the room ensuring her door was slightly ajar. Amber returned to the bedroom she and Kevin shared and heard the shower still going. Amber got out of her clothes ready to join Kevin in the shower so they could both get to bed, but as she was approaching the bathroom, she stopped for a moment and began pondering. She glanced at one of their pictures from when Heather was first born and smiled. Resolved, Amber took a deep breath and stepped into the bathroom. Kevin was in the shower scrubbing soap into his hair and rinsing it out. He'd heard Amber come in and glanced at her when she came in.
"Heather's in bed?" Kevin asked and then continued to scrub his head.
"Out like the dead," Amber answered and leaned against the wall just watching him. He didn't notice at first but eventually he realized she was being quiet and hadn't come into the shower with him. Kevin finished getting the soap out of his hair and then looked at Amber. He noticed the longing look in her eyes and smiled back.
"Everything alright?" he asked.
"Mhm," she answered with a sigh before saying, "I want another baby," in a gentle voice. Kevin stopped cleaning off and focused entirely on Amber. The two looked at one another a moment in silence before Kevin shrugged gently.
"Okay," he said and then suddenly grabbed Amber into his arms causing her to start giggling. He pressed her against the shower wall and silenced her laughter with a fiery kiss.
Amber reciprocated the kiss and in no time Amber was ready for him and Kevin slipped inside her and made love to her right in their shower. When they'd reached their climax, they stayed as they were for some time until the water started getting cold and they had to leave the shower. Amber got cleaned up really quick and then they went to their bed together. Heather was still asleep when they awoke together in the wee hours of the morning and took advantage of their time alone to make love again. Within minutes of them finishing, they heard Heather start to grumble and moan from waking up, so they hurried to get dressed and attend to her before returning to their day. Amber worked on breakfast and Kevin engaged in some mild flirting while she was cooking though out of ear and eyeshot of Heather. When they both left the house to go to work, Amber stayed mostly in the back with Heather carving some orders while Anna and two of their cashiers manned the register.
"Mommy," Heather said, getting Amber's attention while she worked.
"Yes, Heather?"
"You have a pretty smile today," Heather said and Amber giggled.
"Are you saying I don't always have a pretty smile?"
"It's prettier today," Heather giggled as Amber started tickling her belly briefly before returning to carving. "Daddy looks happy today too."
"Well," Amber said in a slightly hushed tone, "between you and me, your daddy and I are trying to have another baby."
"Like Uncle Kyle and Aunt Evie?"
"Exactly," Amber smiled. "So soon, you'll also get a new baby brother or sister."
"I want a little brother," Heather said.
"Not a little sister?" Amber asked.
"Nope," Heather shook her head gently. "If I have a sister, I won't be daddy's little girl anymore."
"Heather, mien Liebling, that's not true," Amber reassured and then laughed a little under her breath at Kevin's expense. "You know full well your father would see you both spoiled rotten."
"I still want a little brother," Heather insisted. "Eva says her mommy's having a boy too."
"Heather, it's far too soon to know that," Amber said. "She won't know until the baby's born."
Heather shook her head, "Nope. Eva said she's having a little brother. I want a little brother too." Rather than try to argue, Amber smiled and leaned over to kiss Heather's head.
"If you say so, Heather," Amber said. "Just remember: your father and I trying to have a baby is between you and me okay?"
"Okay," Heather nodded.
Heather had left the matter alone until it was dinner time that night. Levi and Anna were over and she'd been playing with them until she saw Kevin in the kitchen with Amber and saw how close they were to one another. After watching them a moment, she ran over to the kitchen, interrupting Kevin from kissing Amber's neck discreetly, and tugged on Kevin's pant leg.
"Is mommy having a baby yet?" she asked innocently. Anna and Levi overheard, but figured it best not to draw attention.
"What?" Kevin asked.
"Is mommy having a baby yet?" Heather asked. "Mommy said you were trying to have a baby." Kevin was a little stunned but eventually regained himself.
"Not yet, honey," Kevin said. "We're trying to, but here's the thing." Kevin let go of Amber and kneeled down so he was at Heather's level. "Mommy and daddy making a baby is very private. That means you can't interrupt us. If you do, there's no baby!" Heather's eyes went wide in alarm.
"I didn't mean to interrupt," Heather said meekly and Kevin took her in his arms and kissed her cheek.
"It's okay, Heather. It was an honest mistake. When we're all awake and downstairs, you can come to me or your mommy whenever you want, but when it's night time, mommy and daddy need to be alone, okay? Unless there's an emergency. Then you come get me no matter what."
"What's an emergency?"
"It's when something very, very bad is happening and daddy needs to fix it," Kevin said. "Like someone entering the house that you don't know or a fire. Your mommy and I are going to be trying really hard for a while to make a baby, so I'm counting on you to warn me if something's wrong. Can you do that?"
"Yes, daddy!" Heather said and even saluted the way she saw soldiers do at the Fourth of July parades and Kevin chuckled.
"That's my girl," Kevin said and kissed her cheek again. "Now go back to your grandparents to keep them company. I'm sure they miss you. Dinner will be ready soon."
"Okay, daddy," Heather said and left the kitchen to return to the living room.
"That's one way to tell her not to interrupt," Amber smiled.
"Worked, didn't it?" Kevin chuckled and hugged Amber again and kissed her ear.