Kili stumbled at Trevor’s words, and Tessa caught her.
“You okay?”
Kili nodded then shook her head. “Yeah, no. It’s…” She brushed a tear from her cheek. “This should get easier, but…” Kili whooshed out a breath, and it was Isi that came to her rescue. All the Stone Society mates along with Kai’s brothers’ mates were gathered around.
“Kili and Hirini have tried to have children, but the gods, for whatever reason, haven’t seen fit to allow it. Kili has lost three babies.”
Kili pasted a smile to her face. “Instead of trying for one of our own, we’ve decided to adopt. It’s another reason we’re excited about moving. We figured there’d be more children in the States who need loving parents ready to give them a good home. So, two bedrooms sounds perfect. Now, let’s get changed. I can’t wait to see the males dance.”
“If you’re all here, who’s doing the cooking?” Sophia asked.
“The males,” Tamah answered. “It’s tradition. For everyday cooking, we take turns, but for the fiafia the females get to sit back and enjoy it.”
They spent the next couple hours laughing and talking. Fetu had called it when he said his mate would latch onto Trevor. Tamah kept Trevor talking, and the both of them laughed as they shared a little of their lives with each other. It didn’t take that long to get changed out of their clothes and into the gorgeous sarongs, but as Kili requested, they told her about New Atlanta and other cities in the States. Kai’s family listened intently, and Kili wasn’t the only one with questions. Josie tried to imagine living on the small island for hundreds of years without seeing tall buildings and streets crowded with cars at all hours. When Kili mentioned she would need to learn how to drive, Tessa offered to teach her. Katherine offered to help her fix up whatever house she and Henry bought, and Willow and Marley promised to spend time with her, showing her around the city.
When Kili learned that some of their homes had been destroyed, she cried for them, then she offered to help find Drago and kick his ass. Isa was worried about her son and his mate heading into a war, but she knew if anyone could help find Drago, it was Henry. Josie glanced around at everyone, admiring how they each looked dressed alike yet different. When she realized all the lavalava were bright colors except for hers, she asked, “Not that I’m complaining because promise I’m not, but is there a reason my lavalava is different?” While the others were bright pink, orange, turquois, yellow, and green floral, hers was dark red with golden flames.
Tamah stepped up to Josie and placed her hands on Josie’s bare arms. “Tonight is a celebration. Manaia has claimed his mate, so the fiafia is a special one. It’s a ceremony to welcome you to our family. Like the tartans of the Scottish, our Clan has our own family color, and you are wearing it.”
Josie was honored. In the span of a week, she’d gone from having no one other than her mother who cared for her to having two large families.
Lani joined them, and the room got quiet. Kai’s mama was wearing the same red as Josie, but where Josie’s wrap was imprinted with golden flames, Lani’s had dark green leaves. Lani’s long, dark hair was hidden by a headpiece, which Josie assumed was her crown. In Lani’s hand was a smaller headpiece.
“If I may?” Lani asked Josie.
Isa motioned to the chair Josie had sat in while the female had worked Josie’s hair into a gorgeous updo. Now she understood why. Lani stepped behind Josie and placed the headpiece atop Josie’s curls. When Lani was satisfied with the way it fit, Josie stared at herself in the mirror.
“Oh, my goodness,” she muttered. She looked like an island princess. Josie caught Lani’s eyes in the mirror. Eyes wet with tears. “Thank you.”
“No, thank you, Josie. Now, before Manaia comes storming in wondering why his mate is crying, it’s time.”
“Uh, not to ruin the mood or anything, but where’s the rest of my lavalava?” Trevor asked, looking down at his bare chest. If Josie was self-conscious of her curves, Trevor had to feel the same about his pale skin. The younger man was cute and funny. He had some muscle mass but nothing like that of the Gargoyles.
Tessa threw an arm across his shoulder. “I have a feeling all eyes will be elsewhere tonight, but just so you know, you look great. As a matter of fact” — Tessa handed him her phone — “don’t take my word for it.”
Trevor’s cheeks turned cherry red at whatever was on her phone. “I can’t believe you sent a picture to Jasper. Well, yes, I can. He, uh…” Trevor cleared his throat when he realized how many women were grinning at him. “Never mind. Is there drink at this function? Because I need one. Or seven.”
“If you will all follow me?” Lani took Josie’s hand and led the group down a pathway through the trees. Night had fallen, but torches had been lit to illuminate their way. When the pathway opened, Josie gasped at the sight before her. They were on a beach. More torches had been placed all around. A buffet was waiting off to the side, but it was the line of males standing in front of her that Josie couldn’t look away from. Seven gorgeous Samoan Gargoyles stood still. Six were dressed in solid red lavalava. They had some type of green leaves wrapped around their necks with the same greenery circling their legs just below their knees. But it was Kai Josie’s eyes came back to. His cloth matched hers, but where his brothers wore greenery, Kai was adorned in golden leaves.
Lani led Josie to be seated front and center with
