|19| ohana

"How was your trip?" Everest asks me as I come out of my room and sit next to him on the couch.

"It was really good. We ended up running into Teagan and  Jonathan while we were there and hung out with them for a while. I guess Johnny boy finally popped the question."

"Finally. Geez it's been like ten years."

"I know. That's exactly what I said."

"Anything else fun happen?"

"Oh yeah. The whole trip was amazing. We went to this really cool aquarium and when snorkeling and surfing and everything. It was a really good time."

"Good. I'm glad you had fun."

"Yeah me too. Steve is really an amazing guy."

"Good. You deserve him. I love how happy he makes you."

"Don't get all sappy on me now, Everest."

"I know I know. I just know this is exactly what you needed."

"It really is."

"Oh yeah, remember when I said I had a surprise for you when you got back?"

"Yessss. What is it?"

"Go look in the guest bedroom."

"What?"

"Just go look."

"Okay." I stand up and walk over to the door of the guest bedroom and look back over to Everest.

"Open the door Brooklyn." He says laughing. I open the door and I couldn't believe what I saw.

"Emily?!"

"Hey there sister." I run over to her and give her a hug.

"What are you doing here?" I say almost in tears.

"Well Alex's sixth birthday is coming up, and I asked him what he wanted, and the only thing he said was for auntie Brook to be there. So...we decided to do his birthday here."

"Really??"

"Really."

"Oh my god I feel like it's my birthday!"

"I thought you'd like this surprise." Everest says coming up behind me. "She called me and told me all about it and I told her I would help her and the kids and Michael fly out here and we would do his birthday party on a beach this year."

"Our beach?"

"Well, not this one."

"We have more than one beach?"

"I talked to the realtor who's selling dads old house and she said we could stay there next weekend and do the party there."

"Really?" I say as a tear streams down my cheek.

"Hey, don't cry." Emily says laughing. "This is happy news."

"I know. That's why I'm crying. This is amazing news." I turn around and hug Everest and Emily comes up and hugs us both. "Where is Michael and the kids?"

"They're out playing in the sand." Emily says.

"Well I'm gonna dry up these tears and go out there and say hi."

"I think the kids would like that." I wipe away a tear from under my eye and walk out back to see Alex and Jessie splashing each other and Michael watching them. I walk down to the beach and walk up behind Michael.

"Boo." I say. Michael jumps and turn around and smiles at me.

"Brooklyn! Hey!"

"Hi!" I could feel the tears forming in my eyes again but I try to keep them in. "I'm so happy you guys are here. This literally made my day. I was sad I had to leave my vacation with Steve but I'm definitely not sad anymore."

"Good. I knew you would be happy that we came here."

"AUNTIE BROOK!" Alex and Jessie both yell, running up from the water to give me a hug. I pick Alex up and hug him tightly, while Jessie was still running with her short little legs up to me.

"Hi buddy. I missed you so much. And look how much you've grown! And you too little miss Jessie." I say picking her up and hugging her.

"I three now!" Jessie says.

"I know! You've gotta stop growing! You're making me feel old." I say as I set her back down.

"You're not old Auntie Brook. You're just a big kid now. Just like me."

"That's right. I am a big kid like you." I say smiling at him. "I just can't believe you said what you wanted for your birthday was for me to be there."

"Well duh. You're Auntie Brook. You've never not been at any of my birthday parties."

"That's very true, isn't it?"

"Yeah, and this year we're doing a finding nemo birthday since we're at the beach. That was daddy's idea."

"Well your daddy has very good ideas, doesn't he."

"Yeah."

"Yeah." I couldn't stop smiling. I was so happy to see them. I haven't seen them since Jessie turned three which was ten months ago. "Thank you so much for coming here. Honestly. I was so upset I was going to miss his sixth birthday."

"You're very welcome. Plus it gave me an excuse to finally bring the kids here. The last time I was in Hawaii was when Emily and I got married. Man and that was about eight years ago."

"Yeah, it has been a long time since you guys were in Hawaii. And now we get to do his birthday party at my dad's old house. Even though he's not my kid, it's like my dream to be able to do one of the kids's birthdays there."

"Well someday you'll be able to have your own kids's birthday parties there too. Speaking of which, when do I get to meet this Steve guy?"

"Woah woah, not speaking of which. Kids are not in my future for a while."

"Yeah yeah okay."

"But I don't know. I'll have to call him and see if he wants to do dinner while you guys are here."

"That would be good. Because you two can't be official until I meet him."

"Well it's a little late for that, but I will still let you meet him."

"Last Everest told me, it wasn't yet."

"Well a whole weekend on Maui can change things."

"That is very true. He seems a pretty good guy if he took you to Maui just to ask you to date him."

"Well yeah, he is pretty great. And while we were there we ran into Teagan, so he got to meet her."

"Oh that's awesome. Man I haven't seen her in years. How is she?"

"Really good. Engaged."

"Oh really? Finally."

"Haha, I know. That's what we've all been saying."

"Hey, I'm gonna go pick up dinner. I'll be back in twenty." Everest says yelling out the back door.

"Thank god. I'm starving." I say.

"Me too."

"I'd offer some food, but I think all we have is peanut butter and maybe some milk."

"You guys are really eating good here."

"Oh for sure. Only the best." Emily walks up beside me and sits down on a towel that was sitting out.

"Auntie Brook, come swim with us. Daddy won't let us go in the water without an adult."

"I thought I was a big kid."

"Oh crap. You are. You need an adult too."

"I really do. Go ask your mommy if she will come supervise us kids in the water." I hear Emily let out a small laugh.

"Mommy, will you come swim with me and sissy and Auntie Brook? We need an adult in the water with us."

"We really do." I say to Emily. "I'm a big kid but I can't go in the water unsupervised. It's against the rules."

"You're ridiculous. Yes, buddy. I will come out and swim with you guys."

"Yaaay! Auntie Brook, mommy said yes! We can go swimming!"

"Oh good! Let me go inside and change and I will be right out."

"Okay! Hurry though!"

"Oh I will." I just laugh and walk back inside to go change. I decide to call Steve really quick.

"Hey there pretty lady. Miss me already?"

"Why yes I do. Oh so much."

"Good. I miss you too."

"Guess what Everest surprised me with?"

"A puppy."

"God I wish. No, my sister and her husband and kids are here. Alex, which is her oldest, is about to turn six and he said all he wanted for his birthday was for me to be there."

"That's the cutest thing I have ever heard."

"I know. I cried a little bit when I heard that."

"Oh I'm sure you did. I probably would of cried too. Joanie is still to young to even know what a birthday is." He says with a small laugh. "So since Alex got you for his birthday, does that mean that I can't have you for my birthday?"

"I think I can make an exception and be two peoples birthday presents."

"Oh good. I was gonna have to change it to a puppy."

"You already have a dog, Steve." I laugh. I start walking back out to the beach.

"Nobody can only have one dog."

"You make a very good point."

"Auntie, hurry! There's a wave coming and I want to jump over it with you!"

"I'm coming buddy. Hold on!"

"Well I guess I have to go jump over a wave."

"Oh boy. Be careful, I mean that can be very dangerous."

"Oh, I know. That's why we have an adult in the water with us, to supervise us."

"Oh thank god. I was gonna be worried. Alright, go spend time with your niece and nephew and I will talk to you later, okay?"

"Okay. I miss you."

"I miss you too. Bye."

"Bye." I smile and hang up.

"Was that Steve?!" Emily shouts from the water.

"Maaaaaybe." I say setting my phone down on a chair and walking out into the water to where Alex was.

"Awe man, why didn't you let me talk to him?"

"I have my reasons. Very good ones."

"Yeah whatever you say."

"Here it comes Auntie!" Alex says, practically shaking from excitement.

"Alright buddy. Here we go. You ready?"

"Yeah!" He says as I grab his hand. "Three! Two! One! JUMP AUNTIE!" We both jump over the very small wave and he laughs ridiculously loud. "That was so awesome! Mommy! Did you see that?!"

"I saw buddy. I think the whole island knew it was gonna happen too. You're very loud."

"Sorry mommy! I'm just so excited!"

"I know you are." She says with a laugh.

"Okay, the kids, including Michael, are finally asleep." Emily says coming into my room.

"How are all four of you sleeping in that room?" I ask as I look up from my phone.

"Everest got us a little air mattress for the kids."

"You know you and Michael can sleep in here? I can just go sleep with Everest. I don't think I've actually slept in my bed more than two times while I've been here. I usually just sleep in his bed anyways."

"Haha really?" She asks as she lays down next to me.

"Yeah. I just told him I'm getting used to the new house but really his bed is really comfortable."

"Well I might have to take you up on that tomorrow because those kids wake up early and I don't want to."

"Haha I get that. And if anything I can just sleep at Steve's house a night or two."

"Well I'm sure that will have nothing to do with the fact we are here."

"It's a good excuse though." I say laughing.

"True. How is Steve anyways? You have to tell me everything. I'm your sister. It's the rules."

"That is the rules. You're right. He's uhh, he's good. Yeah, he's really good. He's amazing really."

"Yeah? Look at you, your blushing."

"I am not!"

"It's good! That means you really like him." She says with a laugh.

"Yeah. I really do. I didn't think I'd get so lucky when I first got here."

"I'm sure he makes the transition here easier."

"Yeah, he does."

"So how often do you see him?"

"Well this past week since I've been here, I think everyday."

"Wow really?"

"Yeah. I know that's unusual. At least for me it is. But it just feels right."

"I'm really happy for you. And I can't wait to meet him. So on to the more serious slash fun stuff"

"Oh god. Here we go."

"Is he a good kisser?"

"Uhmm let me think about that. Yes. One hundred percent."

"Really?? Damn. Have you two hooked up yet? I mean I'm gonna imagine so since you just spent a weekend on a romantic get away."

"Well yeah." She just smiles.

"How long did it take to to hookup the first time?"

"Uhmm let's see. We met on...Monday. So...three days?"

"Not to bad."

"I mean he made me this incredible dinner and then we watched top gun...well we watched about five minutes of top gun."

"Well damn, how could you not then?"

"I know. Exactly."

"So did you guys actually do anything when you were in Maui or did you just stay in the hotel room?"

"Yes we did other things." I say laughing. "We snorkeled, played volley ball, went for walks, aquarium, that kind of stuff."

"I'm slightly jealous."

"You have a husband."

"Yes, but I also have two kids now. They make it a little hard to go on random romantic get always."

"Well while you're here Everest and I will take the kids out for a whole day and you two can have a day to yourself."

"Oh my god. You promise?"

"I pinky promise." I say sticking my pinky finger in the air. She wraps her pinky finger around mine and she shake.

"So when do I get to meet Steve?"

"I don't know. It all depends on his work. I told Michael I'll see if he can come over on a night this week and we can all do dinner."

"What does he do for work?"

"He's a cop. Kind of. He's the commander of a crime task force on Hawaii. So he's kind of like a cop with no rules."

"Sounds dangerous." I just let out a sigh.

"Yeah. It is. I'm trying to get around that part."

"Does he know about your cop background?"

"I mean he knows I have one. I haven't told him much about it. Just because there's some stuff I don't like talking about."

"I know. But it's also good to get off your chest and he seems like he's someone who would relate the most to it."

"Yeah, that's exactly what he told me. I told him when the time is right I would share some stuff."

"Well I'm really happy for you little sis. You've really got an amazing life going for you here."

"Yeah I really do. Now I just need to find a job."

"You consider joint the police force here?"

"I thought about it. But I really don't know if I want to keep doing that. I love it, but Hawaii is all about a change... getting away from it."

"I get that. Have you had any other ideas?"

"Not really. Maybe I'll become a teacher."

"A teacher??"

"Yeah. I mean why not? Like first grade or something?"

"You have little to no patience at all. How in the hell would you manage that?"

"You make a very good point."

"That's what I'm here for. Keep you in check. What about working with Steve?"

"Ehh, I don't know. I know we spend a lot of time together, but I'm not sure working together would be a great step at this point."

"Good point. Well, I'm gonna head to bed, I will see you in the morning."

"Alright. Goodnight."