Ova Da Rainbow: HAWAII'S STORY (3)

Long-Gone History

Hawaii ran her fingers through American Samoa's hair. He had been so excited to get his new flag, and talked about it often and now, finally, all that was coming to fruition. He had nearly passed out into America's arms from excitement, and when his flag was raised he had actually passed out. Now Hawaii watched over the sleeping little boy, smiling.

As was proper with the introduction of his flag having a bald eagle on it, he was to grow a pair of wings with it.

Sikaiana sat on a chair facing Hawaii, trying in vain to read with her glasses. Reading had never come easy to her, but goddamn would she make it work for her. The glasses helped very little, but a little was better than nothing.

Sikaiana glanced over worriedly. "Is he gonna be okay, Mama?"

"Of course he is." Hawaii said quietly. "He's going to be just fine. Have you seen his new flag?"

"Yep. He's a bird, like you." Sikaiana said, frowning. Her voice held... hurt to it. As if she were trying to hold something she wanted to say back.

Hawaii sighed. "Come here, Ku'uipo. Are you jealous of him?"

"No. I just... Part of me wants to have been there. During the overthrow, you know?" Sikaiana said quietly. "Part of me thinks that if you hadn't sent me away... that... That Britain wouldn't... That we would have never lost each other for so long. That maybe I would be closer to you than I feel right now."

Hawaii took Sikaiana in a hug, which she quickly melted into. "Sikaiana, as much as I regret sending you away just for Britain to take you, I don't regret you being far away from what was happening on those islands. I am so sorry, my little wayfinder."

Sikaiana smiled at that. "Mama, I'm too old for pet names, you know that."

"I don't think so sweetheart!" Hawaii replied. "You know you love it."

Siki couldn't argue with that, as American Samoa had started to stir, turning over in the bed. He opened his eyes, and smiled at Hawaii.

"I'mma bird, Tina. Just like you... and Lasky..." American Samoa said happily. "And I feel like butter."

Sikaiana smiled a little, laughing. "I don't know what it's like to be a bird, but Tinana's never described it as buttery before."

He tried to sit up, looking at Hawaii with his big brown eyes. He traced his hand over his face happily, and flapped his wings a little. "Do you like my flag, Tina?"

"Yes, I do. You've always been such a handsome little boy, and now you are even more so." Hawaii said. "Because now you don't look like a striped fish I know!"

American Samoa sneezed a little, yawning. "I hope Tama doesn't mind too much."

"He won't. You're your father's boy, Sammy." Hawaii said, smiling. "But that does not mean you have to look like a little clone."

American Samoa smiled, before yawning again. "I'm still really sleepy."

"Then sleep, Kuuipo." Hawaii said, kissing him on the forehead. "You're going to need your rest to adjust to this."

"Siki... Can I sleep on you? Please?"

Sikaiana looked at Hawaii, then at American Samoa, and then smiled. "Sure, Sammy. I would love to."

She climbed on the bed, and let American Samoa hug her around the waist, and using his wings as a blanket. It was such an adorable sight that Hawaii had to get out the camera and snap a quick photo. Siki made a pouting face at the camera, but relented to getting her photo taken.

American Samoa's breaths slowed and then evened out, as he slept on his big sister, who happened to be smaller than him.

"I think I love my baby brother." Sikaiana whispered, running her hands through his hair as he hugged her tighter around the waist. "I'm glad, sweetheart. I love you both."