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Theo wrinkles his nose at my name, even though he came up with it. “He may not return with us. He’s clearly sleeping with her.”
“I’m right here,” I remind them.
“I know.”
“I’m on birth control.”
“Man, the sky is really blue today, isn’t it?” Theo asks, making me grin. “You’re twenty-four and free to make bad decisions, I simply don’t need to hear about them unless I need to dispose of them.”
“That’s so sweet. Zayn invited him.”
“Ugh,” Nacio sighs goodnaturedly. “I guess that changes things.”
“The kid had good instincts,” Theo mumbles.
Have I mentioned how much I love my family? Zayn is already on the boat and sitting between his birthday sharing aunts by the time I get to the slip, and Arran is waiting for me. He holds his hand out, and I easily take it as I step up onto the boat. I can almost hear the hum of appreciation from the peanut gallery and immediately blush.
This is the first time he’s met my family and I know they are weighing judgment.
Arran follows me onto the boat, his hand on my back as we find a seat.
“Feeling good?” he asks, his lips moving against my ear so only I can hear as he reaches for my fan. The air is stagnant on the boat and warm.
“Yeah, it’s hot though… Oh. Thank you.”
He holds the fan in front of me as he turns to Zayn and asks him teasingly how big he thinks the whales will be. The three musketeers’ eyes grow wide as they talk excitedly, and no one pays attention as I cool off.
This is what I want. I don’t want anyone to worry about me as I figure my shit out and enjoy my son’s birthday. I simply want to be normal.
“He’s smooth. I’ll give him that,” Elijah says beside me.
“Shh,” I say, hiding a smile as a tour guide begins to talk.
“We’re almost ready to begin,” she says with a smile. “Please keep your arms inside as we get ready to go, and then I’m going to tell you about some of the animals that live in these waters. The captain knows where to find our whale friends, and we’re going to try to get you lots of opportunities to see them.”
“We want to know everything,” Ari says with wide eyes.
I hope she’s ready, because my sisters and son will eat up everything she has to say. As soon as the boat begins to move, the airflow becomes better, and I tap Arran’s leg to know I’m good now. He quietly puts the fan away and we listen to the tour guide, who is actually a naturalist.
She’s really good at keeping everyone engaged, and I sigh happily as I soak up every second of this. It’s hard for me not to log life in the seconds I almost missed out on. I check out less than I used to, unless there's pain involved.
The humpback whales are majestic. The way they breathe, arch, and communicate is incredible, and I can see my son trying to soak it all in. I take photos, knowing I want to recreate this for myself in a painting. I doubt it’ll be the same, but I’ll damn well give it my best shot.
My eyelids are drooping on the ride back, and Arran tucks me under his arm. Zayn is occupied with his water bottle and a snack, excitedly listening to Ari as she discusses different facts about blowfish. The naturalist joins in, and I smile sleepily as I listen.
“Will you be able to nap later?” Arran asks me.
“I don’t know,” I say with a shrug. “It all depends.”
Arran looks around and catches Rachelle’s eye, surprising me. She gets up and comes over, her brow raised as she sits in the space Elijah was sitting in earlier.
“What’s planned for the rest of the day?” he asks her. “She’s kind of wiped.”
“Cake won’t be until later. The kids can keep themselves busy for a while,” she says.
“Really?” he asks.
“Of course,” Rachelle laughs. “Naps are a way of life in our home, whether it’s for the kids or the adults. Are you trying to remind me how to take care of my daughter?”
