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.