The Voyager and the Rogue

Chapter 58: Laeli

After Eyarr and I worked on setting up accommodations for my family, with new bedding, especially for Gramma, everything felt comfortable and familiar.

Our first night having dinner with them was something special. Mom expressed pleasant surprise when she saw me helping Eyarr with preparing food.

"He helped me learn how to cook! We both learned to cook from each other." I explained, placing a platter of chicken on the table.

"Your daughter taught herself how to smoke fish. She's damn good at it!" I scoffed, tossing my hair.

"Oh, it's nothing!" I couldn't help but laugh, "he was surprised when I told him I never needed to know how to cook on Motunui."

"Not that we ever really needed to. Guess I never thought other places didn't have that same kind of practice," Aihe remarked matter-of-factly.

"So... what was it like when you were in the wilderness?" Dad inquired, picking at his food slightly.

"It was a unique, challenging experience, to say the least. It was rough at first, we both had the skills to survive, but we quickly realized how different they were. Our first winter together tested us."

"That's an understatement. He had to keep me alive."

"Keep you alive? What happened?" Mom exclaimed, eyes wide with alarm.

"Uh... oh gods. Well... I fell through the ice and almost drowned." I awkwardly explained. Dad's expression didn't change much since I had mentioned that Eyarr saved my life, but I'd left out the details.

"What?" Eyarr asked, confused by their reactions.

"I've faced two near-death experiences in drowning. When I was young, and my home island had an exodus, I was knocked off our boat and nearly drowned to death." Dad then gestured to the massive scar on his back, "The second instance was when Moana and I first met, and we encountered a monster we call a Taniwha. It slammed me into a rock wall, and I almost drowned in its lair. Luckily, Moana saved my life and my shoulder. When the girls and my nieces and nephews were young, I used to freak them out by popping my shoulder out." I shuddered at the memories of it and noticed Aihe had a similar reaction.

"Ugh, it was disgusting!" My sister exclaimed with a nervous laugh.

"You have been through a lot, huh" Eyarr mumbled, confirming the stories I'd told him.

"I wasn't kidding, babe," I affirmed.

"And my daughter almost drowned as well before she left on her journey to Te Fiti," Gramma said, raising an eyebrow at Mom, who cleared her throat and distracted herself by picking at her food.

"What, is this a family trait?" Heilani inquired, glaring at my sister, who held her hands up in defense.

"Hey, don't look at me. I haven't nearly died via water. Ocean wouldn't let that happen."

"Anyway! Eyarr, tell us more about you. I've been eager to get to know you since Laeli first told us." Mom said, redirecting the attention onto my fiancé. I saw him shift slightly with the new focus on him, but I patted his thigh reassuringly. He cracked a smile and straightened up.

"What would you like to know?"

"Well, tell us about your family. Where are you from? That kinda stuff."

"I'll be honest, I didn't have an ideal childhood. I have one older sister and younger twin brothers, I was always belittled and teased for everything I did. Sometimes things were... okay, but it wasn't the best. I finally left when I was about 14 and was alone for years, doing my own thing... getting into trouble... Then I wound up here... and I met your lovely daughter, and it's been a whirlwind since then." He finished with a broader smile.

"I'm glad she's a positive change in your life!" Mom beamed.

"We both are."

"I wish my family weren't as complicated and problematic as they are... otherwise, I'd wish for them to be here, talking with us," Eyarr said, and it pained me to hear the disappointment and frustration in his voice.

"You don't need to worry about the lack of family," Mom spoke up, "I know we won't be here for very long, but you have a family with us now. Nothing will change that." Dad nodded in affirmation, as did Gramma, Aihe, and Heilani.

"And I know you've been accepted and welcomed here," Dad added, "so you both have two families that care."

Eyarr cracked a smile at Mom and Dad's words, "I definitely know that now."