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“Lila, Ku‘uipo, you were hurt keeping my baby safe, and for that I will be forever in your debt.”
Knowing she needed to give me those words, I bit back my argument and gave a slight nod.
“Everything okay?” Cade asked from the doorway. He frowned as he took in the tracks of tears on his mother’s cheeks.
Pulling a handkerchief from his pocket, he crossed the room and placed it in her hand. She looked at it, then up at him with a smile and said, “That’s my good boy.”
Today was shaping up to be a much better day than yesterday.
I was stuffing my mouth with Loco Moco, which Mama had made at mine and Alani’s request. Elin was reaping the benefits as well, and was currently trying to see how much Loco Moco would fit inside his pie hole at one time.
It was pretty impressive actually.
Then, before I’d even finished my second cup of coffee, Cade had come in, all smiles, and announced that he made reservations for me, Alani, and his mom at the spa. I’d almost dropped my fork; I was so excited by the news.
“Really?” I’d asked, already imagining the pampering and relaxing.
“I figured you ladies deserve it, plus, someone is graduating tomorrow and I know how she enjoys a good spa day,” he replied, making all the ladies in the room love him a little more. Well, except one.
“Not me?” Elena asked, giving him her best puppy dog eyes.
Cade put his hand on her head and said, “Sorry, Lena, you have to be sixteen to go to the spa, but I can take you out to shred some waves, if you’d like.”
“Yes, please,” Elena replied excitedly, puppy dog eyes gone.
“And Elin and I were planning on going to the aquarium today,” Pops said as he filled up his coffee mug. “All settled and everyone accounted for.”
“Thanks, Cade,” Alani said as she wrapped her arms around her big brother.
Cade didn’t reply, he simply lowered his head and dropped a kiss on her crown.
“Well,” I began as I pushed back from the table and patted my full belly. “I’ve got some shaving to do if we’re going to the spa. I’ll be quick,” I promised, then rushed off to shower and shave.
Once I was clean and smooth, I threw on some comfy shorts and a tank top and went out to see if Alani and her mom were almost ready, or if they were waiting on me.
“Hey,” I said
when I entered the living room. They were sitting on the couch talking about Alani’s graduation the next day. “You guys waiting on me?”
Mama shook her head and answered with a smile, “We just finished getting ready ourselves.”
We said goodbye to everyone, all told Cade “thanks” again, then loaded up Alani’s car. Thankfully, Cade’s mom was at the wheel. I didn’t think I could handle another near-death experience so soon.
“Are you excited about graduation?” I asked as I started at the beauty out my window.
“I’m not really excited about standing around all day then getting on stage in front of everyone, but I am happy to be done with school,” she replied from the back seat.
“Do you know what you want to do next?” I asked, my eyes sliding to Cade’s mom before looking back at Alani.
Alani shrugged.
“I don’t know. I mean, I know Mama and Pops want me to stay here and go to school, but I’d like to travel. I was thinking of asking Cade if I could come to the States and stay with him for a while … Do you think he’d let me?”
I glanced at Mama again, but she was wearing a mean poker face, so I was unsure how to proceed. Did she want Alani to stay here and go to school? Would she be mad if I encouraged her youngest to come to the States?
On the other hand, Alani had been through a lot, and I didn’t want her to think she wouldn’t be welcome, so I decided to take her feelings into consideration and tell the truth. Of course, I’d do it in a way so as not to piss off mama bear.
“You know you’re always welcome as far as your brother is concerned, and Elin and Elena would be over the moon if you came to visit. So would I. But, you need to make sure your parents are cool with whatever plans you make.”
