Page 50 of Every Chance to Stay

“It’s overwhelming, right? All that stress and we get away with writing a check… Feels anticlimactic.” He was rewarded with a huffed almost-laugh.

“Come swim with me?” Lucky tilted his head up, like Antonio could ever say no.

By the time they were both changed and outside, the sky was heavy and dark. He could taste the rain in the air, but Lucky looked utterly unbothered. The omega dove into the deep end with ease, swimming like a fish beneath the wobbling surface. Antonio eased himself in, laughing as Lucky breached the water with a splash that sent droplets into his face.

Two seconds later, the sky opened up and rain fell in fat droplets. Lucky’s laughter was bright, sparkling over the hiss of rain as he tipped his head back. Antonio’s hands found Lucky’s waist.

“You remind me that every part of this island is perfect!” He raised his voice over the pounding rain, laughing heartily when Lucky threw his arms around his neck.

“It’s Paradise!” Lucky sank fingers into his hair, pulling him down. It was a release. The rain, the water, Lucky’s lips on his. Everything slotted into place, washing away all the worry and replacing it with bright relief.

This kiss tasted like winning.

Three weeks after Antonio cut the check, the council insisted on a symbolic show of handing over the land ownership documents to the Marine Center. Lucky asked him to be there. Teague went all out, inviting local reporters, doing a photo op, and even giving all the council members enamel turtle pins. It was every bit the victory lap it should be.

“And none of this would be possible without Captain Antonio Saavedra.” Lucky spoke into the mic, clapping his hands as Antonio was all but shoved to the front by Jack.

“Really not true.” Antonio laughed, ducking his head.

Lucky gestured to the mic encouragingly, “Please, say a few words, you’ve earned the podium.”

Most of him wanted to shy away. He still didn’t enjoy speaking to large groups or accepting praise for things he felt were a responsibility… “I don’t think I’m the one deserving of praise, not where it really counts.” He squeezed Lucky’s hand before the omega could interrupt, forcing himself to face the crowd.

“But, while I have the mic, I do actually have some thoughts.” Antonio tried to organize the lines in his head. “In the years since my father’s corruption was brought to light, there is no denying the success of the resorts in Lyrica Beach. That doesn’t mean we have to approve the methods. In the long run, our island’s future is something that should be stewarded by the will of our sailors – our people. I was a child when everything happened, but I carried guilt over the loss of those beaches as if it were my own burden to bear. When the chance came to save Playa del Tesoro, it was a very easy one to make.”

He looked at Lucky, at Teague, and then out and the people gathered for the ceremony. There were new friends, SAR members, and Mateo all gathered, all clapping.

“Paradise is home to a diverse group of people, animals, and plants. I think she’s at her most beautiful when we all work together. I want to continue protecting her, and I hope everyone on the island continues to think of new ways to make Paradise prosper.” Antonio pulled Lucky into a hug that quickly turned into a group effort as the Wilde family swarmed him.

This was everything he ever wanted and more.

27

Lucky

“Turtle 1 this is Turtle 2, do you copy?” Antonio’s voice crackled through the radio on Lucky’s hip.

Lucky dusted sand from his hands, sitting up on his knees to answer, “This is Turtle 1, reminding you that these nicknames are ridiculous, and I thought you were still at work, over.” Pushing his hat back and wiping sweat from his brow, he checked his watch. It was already eleven in the morning, and he had been crawling along the beach since five.

“I think the names are adorable. Mateo came in early, so I thought I better drop by to see if the new sign was up, over.” He heard Antonio’s blinker clicking in the background.

“Alright, alright, I’ll meet you at the lookout spot.” He didn’t bother with an over as he holstered the radio. Lucky stood, brushing sand from his knees and cracking his back with a groan. Wiggling the wooden posts to make sure they would stay; Lucky signed his name on the wood with a marker.

A lazy stroll down the beach allowed him to sink his toes into the surf before making his way up to the brand-new lookout they designed for the beach. A semi-circle of logs formed a barrier fence where cars could pull off and look at the preserve, pending the sign they eagerly awaited. But today was installation day. Even down by the water, he could see that the sign was up, a blue tarp covering it.

Antonio’s white Jeep sat alone in the natural lot created by a bald patch beside the road. His own bike was tied to the wooden fence with its small wagon of supplies. Lucky took pride in sticking to a ‘no clearing allowed’ approach. He refused to disrupt the flora and fauna of Tesoro.

“How many nests did you find, Turtle 1?” Antonio greeted him with a cheeky grin.

Lucky reached up to push Antonio’s sunglasses up into the alpha’s hair, “Three!” He could see his joy reflected in the man’s eyes.

Six months after they gained control of the beach, Lucky’s newly expanded camera system picked up overnight action. A handful of Paradise Leatherbacks were seen shuffling up the beach. And this morning, he found proof of their nests for the first time.

“Everything happens when the time is right.” Antonio pressed a kiss to his forehead, smiling softening until it made Lucky’s heart ache with the sweetness.

“It does feel like that, doesn’t it?” Lucky hummed, “I found you right when I needed you the most…”

“We found each other.” Antonio wrapped an arm around his shoulders, holding him close. The sweet scent of oranges and magnolia blossoms filled his nose. He loved breathing Antonio in, feeling the warmth and weight of his scent fill the hug.