The Way We Were

The Way We Meet Kuria

Marcy sat on her knees on her blanket then stood Riley on her feet so she could make the baby dance to the music Mike was playing on his phone.

The rest of her siblings spread out their own blankets to sit down. It was a hot and humid day down at the beach but the water was clear and beautifully blue/green.

Mercedes started singing along with her sisters chiming in when needed.

Jude laid back with his limbs crossed and sunglasses on, very hot (he was Canadian after all) but enjoying being less clothed. "Is she here?"

"I don't know." Marcy set Riley on her bottom then swiped up her phone as the baby started crying. "What's wrong, sweetcheeks?"

Riley reached for her, tears streaming down her face.

Mal reached for her and set her on his chest. She threw herself so she'd be splayed across him and sobbed. He rubbed her back. "Want num-num?"

Her mouth puckered.

He grabbed an ice cold teething ring from the massive bag Marcy had packed for the kids and stuffed part of it in his daughter's tiny mouth.

Her tears slowed until she fell asleep.

"Aww!" Laura, Mercedes and Quinn cooed at his fathering skills.

Marcy poked his cheek as she spoke on the phone. He grinned and winked at her. She hung up. "She's here, J."

Jude smiled to himself. "Do you mind if we disappear?"

"Don't get pregnant."

He chuckled with a blush as he sat up. "Brah..."

"Who's getting pregnant?!" Quinn wanted to know.

"Mind yo own business!" Marcy snapped.

"It's Jude so it's probably P." Marc grinned, not even opening his eyes.

Laura clapped. "You're so cute together! And we really want you in the family!"

Jude ducked his head. "Thanks, brah."

"You and Paris will have the cutest kids!" Mercedes could see it now. "They'll have pretty eyes and light brown hair. They'll be light except one. Ugh! Get pregnant!"

Marcy giggled. "You heard Mercy! Ruin your life!"

Yuria pressed a finger onto her best friend's knee. "Did your children ruin your life?"

"I got Mal. He'd have to deal with P."

Marc, Mike and Mal roared with laughter, Quinn and Maddie right behind them.

Laura tried not to join them. "Marcy!"

"What?!" Marcy sat on her bottom and slid her sunglasses on. Mally climbed into her lap, happy as a lark.

"Be good, demon."

Marcy stuck her tongue out as voices called out, "Hey!"

The siblings turned and waved. "Hey!"

China and her husband, Luc; London and her boyfriend, Jean; Natalia and her boyfriend, Leonardo; Paris and Karou came over. They spread out blankets and sat down near their cousins.

"Guys." Marcy threw her thick fishtail braid over her shoulder. "This is Yuria. Yuri, this is China and her husband, Luc and two of her sisters, London and Paris. This is Lond's current squeeze, Jean and P and Jude have a thang goin on. This is Natalia and her man, Leonardo and this is my twin, Karou."

Yuria smiled at each of them until she clapped eyes on Karou. It was like lightning and thunder. A typhoon swept her off her feet and she felt like she was being thrown willynilly.

Karou felt everything in her still and ease, like relaxing in a warm bath or dancing in the rain. She felt like pieces of her was coming together for the first time in her life and it felt good.

"Dammit!" Marcy swore.