Surfs Up

Chapter 1

Hello. My name is Ioan Thomas Brown, and my first name is pronounced Yo-On, and the origin of the name Ioan is Romanian, Welsh, and Sardinian. I'm 19-years-old, bisexual, and I live in Malibu, California. I live and breath surfing, as I surf whenever I can, and I am also a surfing instructor. I am 6 feet tall, slim build, deep red hair that is slightly wavy, and hazel eyes.

I live with my older brother, Asher, who is 25-years-old, and my beautiful sister-in-law, Ashland, who is 24-years-old. They have been together for ten years, and married for the last two years. They surf, too, but they don't love it as much as I do. My best friend, Lane Northland, who is also 19-years-old, also surfs, and is a surfing instructor with me. He loves surfing as much as me, and one day we hope to be signed, and compete in compititions. Asher is 6'1", muscular build, with light red hair that's to his jawline, and green eyes. Ashland is 5'4", slim build, long, and slightly wavy light red hair, and blue eyes. Lane is 6'1", slim build, short light blond hair, and bright blue eyes.

I have a 1-year-old son named Benjamin Lucas Brown, who I was pregnant with. Yes, I am a male with a reproductive system who can become pregnant. Benjamin's other dad, Logan Benjamin Lucas, died when I was seven months pregnant, so he died fourteen months ago. Logan and I had been dating since we were 15-years-old, but we had known each other since we were 7-years-old. Logan died while he was surfing alon at night, he caught a wave, but some how fell off his board, and hit his head off his board, and drowned. His body wasn't found until the next morning by a couple of surfers, who were out for a morning surf. Benjamin has light blond hair, blue eyes, and he gets his blond hair from Logan.

As Logan's parents were being told their son was dead by two police officers, I was, too. I ended up being rushed to the hospital an hour later by Ashland, from the stress of Logan's death and I had gone into premature labor. I was seven months pregnant which is thirty weeks, and the fantastic doctor's and nurses did everything in their power to stop the contractions. The medicine I was given to stop the contractions worked for four weeks until it stopped, and I gave birth to Benjamin four weeks early. He was born on September 9th, Logan's birthday was September 10th, and mine is October 30th. Benjamin spent four long weeks in NICU before I could finally bring him home.

Now on with the story, with a few breaks with explanitions along the way.

"Ioan, you're working tomorrow, right?" Ashland asks as the four of us are sitting down at the table for dinner - it's Friday night.

"Yeah, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.," I answer as I cut the spaghetti in Benjamin's plastic green bowl. "Can you still two still watch him?"

Ashland watches Benjamin every Thrusday and Friday for me, and Asher and Ashland him every Saturday and Sunday for me while I work. I may only work only twenty hours a week, but I make decent money by giving lessons, as I bring home three-hundred dollars a week, plus tips.

"Of course we're watching Benjamin!" she gasps as if I have ask the worse question ever.

Grinning at her as I say; "Rad! I appreciate you guys!"

Giving Benjamin his bowl of food, along with his green plastic spoon, and green colored sippy cup that is filled with milk. Kissing the top of his head as I sit down next to him to eat my own food, I watch him while I eat, and talk with Asher and Ashland.

"Hey, I have to be to the club early tonight," Asher suddenly says looking at Ashland and me.

"What time?" Ashland asks, taking a sip of her water with ice - her favorite drink.

"I have to be there at 7:30 p.m.," he tells her. "Holland has to leave early in order to head out of town."

Asher is a bartender at a BDSM club called 'Alpha's Pumpkin,' and he has been there for seven years now. Ashland works from home as an accountant for a law firm.

"That's okay, baby," Ashland sweetly replies while leaning over to her right to kiss him on the cheek.

Adverting my gaze as my stomach tightens in envy. I'm happy that they have each other, but it still hurts sometimes to see others in love when Logan isn't here any longer.

"Are you surfing after your shift tomorrow before coming home?" Asher asks, dragging me from my spiraling thoughts.

"Yeah, but not until I come home to get Benjamin," I tell him with a soft smile at my boy. "I love that he enjoys being on the board in the water. I feel as if we're both close to Logan when we're there together."

Benjamin has surfing in his blood, and I love it. I bought Benjamin his own wetsuit when he turned ten months old. We don't stand on the board while we're in the water, or fully ride a wave, but we sit on the board, enjoying the breeze, sunshine, and water for a while. Benjamin becomes content while we're out on the board, and is so still as he takes in everything around us.

Asher and Ashland smile tenderly over at us as they try to understand how I feel.

"Hey, since the club is closed Monday, why don't we go surfing after Benjamin wakes in the morning?" Asher suggests with a bright, hopeful smile.

"I'm down," I reply as Ashland agrees with a nod. "Can I invite Lane along?"

"Duh. I thought that was a given, Ioan," Asher grins at me with a chuckle.

"Right on," I grin as Benjamin leaves his spoon on the high chair tray to use his left hand to stuff food into his mouth with a grin at me.

Chuckling at him as I coo; "My sweet, messy boy."