1.9 Happily Ever After

Gavin became a handsome fellow, and after a night of partying and staying up late, he was ready for bed.  I was selected for the honor of tucking him in his first night as a child.  I couldn't wait to play ball with him and fish - things I used to do with my father.

"Dad," Gavin whispered as I leaned in to kiss him.
"Yes son?"
"We are surrounded by water," Gavin whispered weakly.
"Good observation.  We are on an island."
"I.. don't like... the water," he whispered as he fell asleep.

After making sure the blanket was tight I headed back upstairs.  He apparently hadn't forgot.

I found Sun Li upstairs on the couch.  I missed some technological advancements, like a television. "So about that wedding?" I said throwing my arm around her.  In the past few weeks it was hard to even think about a wedding for me.  For Sun Li it was harder because of her guilt. "Well I haven't forgotten," she replied with a smirk.  This was the best ending to today that I could ask for. There was no one I would rather have on the couch but her. Piercing screams filled the empty house as Graham demanded attention.  "I got it," Sun Li sighed and climbed the stairs to where Graham waited.

Sun Li was a great mother to our children.  After Graham's birthday she pushed herself to teach Graham to talk and walk while educating Gavin in the wonders of the world.  She was a pro.  Watching her made me tired.  While Sun Li took a break from her paintings, I was began picking up more writing jobs. I was making a fairly modest living and hoped that we could soon wed. 

Gavin had taken to mixing chemicals shortly after Sun Li showed him a chemical reaction with mentos and soda.  It was nice to see him taking an interest in science; however, it resulted in a shortage of our cleaning supplies and a large mess in his bedroom. To combat his wasteful and messy ways, Sun Li found an online store that shipped to our island and purchased a chemistry set.  He can't get in trouble, she said. He won't hurt him self, she said. Right.

He even got a cute little chemist suit.

 It was all fun and games till he blew it up.  Then I had to clean a mess out of his room.
Again.

And Sun Li got to comfort the crying baby. But, like a true soldier, he'd be right back at that chemistry set right after I cleaned it up.

Graham enjoyed spending nights playing with dolls.  I told Sun Li I didn't want him playing with little girls dolls, but she insisted she played with plenty of "boy toys" growing up and she turned out "just fine".  Graham had his own way of playing with dolls anyways.  "Munnnsterrrr YUMMMM," Graham yelled.

My birthday snuck up on me.  Wrinkles set in my face. The sparkles consumed me.  I was angry at first.  Time is a terrible thing, and it does terrible things to your body.  This attitude continued until I saw Sun Li  playing with Graham.   She was beautiful.  He was healthy.  Gavin was alive.  I had many things to be thankful for.  My own life for one.  And since time was so terrible, I needed to spend time with my boys.  They were quickly growing.  Now Graham can do more than poop and gurgle and Gavin isn't blowing things up like he used to.  It was things like these that made me realize I'm a proud father!

 I fantasize often about teaching Gavin to garden.  It would be nice to have some help since our garden is getting large.  However, I'll probably have to wait for Graham to show interest since Gavin hates any reminder that he lives on an island surrounded by water.  I wasn't looking forward to the hours of work I was about to put into the garden. Alas, my family needed feeding.  Sun Li skirted up to me in her ceremonial dress.  I hadn't seen that outfit in ages.   "We're getting married," she announced as she pulled me to my feet.

But we couldn't get married here! I protested - to myself.  This wasn't romantic! This wasn't Al Simhara! As if she could read my doubts Sun Li spoke again, "This is as good as any other place, Jace. It's a garden.  It's your hard work. It's the island where I found freedom and the home we raise our boys. It's the island that saved you from certain death at the sea.  This place has more meaning for the two of us than any pyramid in Al Simhara."  She. Was. Good.   I had to think a minute.  She was right- our wedding place should have special meaning to us.  This was the best place ever.

 I should have agreed and waited until the sun *started* to set (because you know it really never fully sets here) but I decided that the present was the best time.  And with a short exchange of vows and a ring slipped on her finger I officially and finally made Sun Li my wife.

Celebrations we're over for the night just yet.  It was the boys' birthdays.  So much for christening the wedding night.  I wasn't too let down, Sun Li was mine for the rest of our days, but the boys only had so many childhood birthdays.  We crowded around the table for birthdays galore. 

1.8 Pitter Patter

Sun Li stayed sick throughout her pregnancy, so we shoved the wedding until after our second child was born.

Gavin was an easy baby.  He slept, ate, and pooped.  Not much more.  However as a toddler, he was difficult to train.  No potty could contain him and forget about learning words. It was like fighting with a parrot that only knew one word, "NO!"  Maybe we could have a silent household? Pretty sure Sun Li wouldn't be happy.

Every once in a while Gavin would spit out something that sounded like trash can or gloves.  I'll take what I can get.

While I worked with the last of our wood on a basement,  Sun Li finished teaching Gavin to walk.  He was much more cooperative with her.  I might have envied her a bit. Gavin always melted into her arms. I wanted a daughter. 

With the lack of knowledge I had about Gavin, We didn't have very many things to entertain him.  However, Sun Li was dead set on giving Gavin the best shot at life.  She quickly went to work with a peg game to sharpen his logic skills.  He immediately took to it.

Gavin also loved to be read to. With a mother that could draw and a father that could write, the only thing stopping him from knowledge was how fast we could put out books for him. 

I had to take her word that this pregnancy was harder.  But I was determined to take care of her every little whim. Even if it meant I was making mac and cheese in my underware at two in the morning.

Construction was finished on the house just in time for baby number two.  I constantly wondered secretly if was normal to have a water illusion on your stairs.  I think we're good.

Sun Li spent nine hours in labor.  It was times like this I wished we lived with civilization. Medical technology could take the pain away, but we didn't have that technology. So Sun Li relaxed in bed until a baby boy graced us with his presence.  With a small talk we decided to name him Graham, after my father.

I picked up a few extra writing assignments to help save for the wedding.  I spent each day writing while Sun Li worked with the boys.  Writing was usually pretty relaxing for me.  We decided early that we were going to homeschool the boys -not that there were too many other options.  Sun Li took this serious and started teaching Gavin as soon as he could talk.  Days were usually quiet so when I heard Sun Li's high pitched screams I immediately jumped from my seat.

Outside I found Sun Li holding her mouth.  I followed her eye sight and a rock sank to the bottom of my stomach. Just out in the ocean laid Gavin curled in a ball. I couldn't tell what happened next because the next thing I knew, I was in water to my knees with Sun Li screaming hysterically behind me.

I pulled Gavin toward my body and swam back to shore. "He's not breathing," I said, handing him off to Sun Li to catch my breath.  Sun Li had calmed herself and rushed the limp boy into the house.  I followed her and watched as she quickly pumped his stomach and listened to his breath.  Soon I heard Gavin gag and let out a high pitched wail. Never have I wanted to hear a wail as much as I did at that moment. I relaxed a bit and Sun Li's soft smile let me know the danger had passed.

Sun Li watched Gavin with hawk like precision and Graham never left her hip.  I was worried for her.  I slipped on my writing.  Right now my family was most important. And with Sun Li feeling guilty and Gavin refusing showers, I had to step up to keep the family balanced.  Within a few days, Gavin had all but forgot about the accident and Sun Li started to relax. 

Ever since Gavin learned to talk, he constantly jabbered on about how the carburetor is connected to the manifold and the manifold is connected to the engine. It sounded a lot like a rhyme I sang as a kid, but I really don't remember those being the words. I really wasn't sure how he learned all that seeing as we had provided him with all his toys.

With the money we had saved for the wedding and our over abundance of produce from the garden, Sun Li was able to bake a birthday cake for Gavin.  It was a small party for just us, but we had plenty to be thankful for as Gavin started on a new path in life.

1.7 A Welcome Return

I returned home to find new furniture on the island, along with a third person. While I was gone Sun Li gave birth to a baby boy, Gavin. Apparently, that's what all the sickness was about.  Glad I am male.

It was time to start on our house.

Even with the limited space, I built us a tiny house with room for more upgrades. I envisioned a small living room and maybe a basement.

Gavin wasn't a fussy baby. Which was good because I had  been gone a while, and I was ready to christen the new house.

Gavin's coo's filled the empty space of our new house.  It felt almost right.  I had a beautiful girlfriend and a charming baby boy.  I knew I wanted the next step but caring for our family was tough.  I had a small garden, and we had just spent all our savings on a house.  I would be a failure if I couldn't support my family.  Then where would we go? Simla Chang? Forget that. Those people are crazy.  I had to make it work. Plus, how could I make Sun Li my wife if I could barely keep food on the table?

 It may just be 'new dad stress' but raising a baby was tough.  I feared how bad it would be if Gavin wasn't so quiet.  I hoped he'd keep it up but he was slowly approaching the terrible two's. 

Things started to look up for us.  I was hoping to throw a party for Gavin.  Sun Li started selling her paintings.  I hated to see many of them go because they were beautiful.  But each little bit helped.  My garden slowly started to produce a surplus.  Although I couldn't sell the extras until our next trip abroad, it was nice to know I had plenty of food to feed my family.

With money coming in, I started to plan how I would propose to Sun Li.  I was thinking about next to a pyramid in Al Simhara. Maybe in a tomb?  We could marry there too.  Gavin could be the ring bearer!
It was finally Gavin's birthday and although we hadn't enough to throw him a party, he aged up well on his own.  Quiet a handsome fellow with his head full of hair. Charming Gavin, charming.

Sun Li had her own little surprise for me, although I probably should have noticed earlier.   She was pregnant with number two! I was over come with emotion.  With Gavin, I was gone for her pregnancy. I felt like I had missed out on everything.  This time around I would be here for her.

In a moment of ecstasy, I dropped to one knee.  So it wasn't Al Simhara and this wasn't a tomb, but this was my home with the woman I wanted to be my wife and my two children. It was the perfect moment.  "I don't want to wait any longer.  Sun Li, will you be my wife?"

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1.6 A quick trip

It was nice to have Sun Li on the island.  I wasn't a crowd guy, but I liked her company.  It became apparent that I needed to build us a house for our collection of stuff.  Turns out Sun Li was quite handy with trash.

Our island had grown to have a bathroom area, a kitchen area, a bed area, and of course, my garden.   We were limited on space so I had to really research my ideas.

Once I had settled on a design, it was time to plan a trip to Champ Les Sims.

I was excited for our trip to Champ Les Sims. It was the perfect opportunity to continue bonding. Plus  Sun Li was getting stir crazy. The trip would be perfect.  However, on the night before we left, Sun Li got sick.  Twice.  It was hard to watch her get sick, knowing I couldn't do anything. After a heated debate, we decided she should stay home till she was healthy, but I had to go any way because we needed the materials.

Champs Les Sims was beautiful.  I wish I could share it with Sun Li. I spent the first day searching for exotic fruits for my garden. Maybe I could one day make wine.

Until I could make wine,  I'd settle for a bottle to share with Sun Li.

The second day, I looked for supplies for the house.  The locals were nice. Nothing  like my last vacation.  They were chatty.  And enjoyed kissing cheeks. Maybe a little uncomfortable for me.

At the end of the night I was lonely. I missed Sun Li. I liked to think she was looking at the same night sky as me.  It made the distance feel smaller.  At least until I remembered the sun never set on our island. 

In the distance the lights started to dim. It was getting late.  Here I was in the city of love without my love.  I had come a long way in the past couple of months.  I'm not sure I could count on one hand the partners I had on the cruise ship alone.  Now I was ready for the next step with Sun Li.  I guess it's funny what a near death experience could do to you. I just had to figure out the next step.  Maybe marriage? Na, I wasn't quite ready for that.

I returned to base to the worst experience ever. A room full of strangers.  My first thought was avoidance, head right once inside and avoid all those people, at least until the screams hit me.

I turned towards the screams to find the living room engulfed in flames and all the inhabitants watching. Dumbasses. 

While one tourist danced with his pants on fire, my survivor mode kicked in, and I pulled a fire extinguisher out of my... well not sure. But I quickly started to put on the fire.

At least until it quit working.  But   it must have been a bubble in the line because upon inspection I got a mouth full of foam.

The fireman finally showed up, but I don't think he liked crowds either because he stood and looked around.  Pretty sure he was trying to blend in with the travelers.  He was quick to lecture us before leaving.

So with one dead, a pissy fireman, and one antisocial hero the base camp was saved. I was done for the night.

The next morning, I wanted a quiet day to myself, so I set out to find some gems.  I could usually find a pretty good price for them in town.  

"Hey you," a child like voice called from  behind me.  I looked around to see no one.  "You!" the voice shouted again.  Goosebumps rose on my arm as I looked around to still see no one. "Down here dufus!" the voice called.  I looked down just before my foot crushed a small bird.

 "Hey little fellow," I said picking up the bird.  I realized I had missed birds. There wasn't much wild life on my island.  "I'm not little," the bird responded. I could only laugh as he paced my shoulder.

I knew I couldn't keep him.  It wouldn't be fair to him, so with a quick goodbye I let him fly off into the midday sun.

Watching him fly away I knew it was time for me to get home too.  Back to Sun Li. I had made up my mind. She'd soon be my wife.

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On another note: I love this picture.

1.5 Sun Li's Story

Sun Li silently weighed her options. Or so I figured.  To tell or to run back.  To me, it was a no brainer, whatever she was running from wasn't worth going back.  Her eyes darted around the island.  She was going to run.  I knew it.

"First you have to understand that growing up outside Shang Simla  is rough.  Yes, the city is beautiful on the surface, but in the farmlands that support the city, food is rare and crime is high."  I knew I should probably be listening, but my apple was burning.

"My family was broken from the time I was born.  My father wanted a boy, and my parents kept trying until she died with the birth of girl number five.  Me."   Here I was a spoiled only child;  Jace 2.0 scowled at me.  "At 16, I decided to leave.  My father had nothing to do with us. My sisters were grown and had nothing to do with me.  I wanted attention, and I swore to find it somewhere."

A chill ran down my spine.  The fire was dying, but I wasn't ready for her to stop talking.  I took her poker as she finished her marshmallow and moved to poke the fire.  It roared back to life, warming the two of us.

"I made my way to Shang Simla.  After weeks of roaming the streets and getting by I met Zhan.  It was the life I never had.  Food was abundant. The parties were lavish. There may have been drugs and crooks, but I was in love."  That wasn't exactly what I wanted to hear. I was busy trying to convince myself I wasn't in love with her.  I watched the flames dance, and listened.

"It didn't take long before Zhan was tired with me.  I was soon locked in a room with other girls who had once been the object of Zhan's eye. I cried for days.  But they didn't laugh because they had been there too.  We all had similar stories.  And when he was done,"  Sun Li suddenly started sobbing.

I'm fairly certain I had never moved as fast as I did to comfort her in my life.  But this time it was different. I was in love. There was no avoiding it.  She was the ying to my yang. The peanut butter to my jelly.  That moment I knew I wouldn't life without her. I couldn't pull her into my lap.  We were too close to the fire.  And even though I might have been new to this romantic thing, but I knew I was supposed to hold her.  At least that's what happened in the movies. So I stood there, holding her, and whispering words of encouragement.  Because it really was okay now.

I held her close and just let her cry.  Long after my legs fell asleep, I tried to look at her. She met my eyes and smiled weakly. Whatever it was, it was painful. And I was fairly certain I wasn't figuring it out tonight.