Book 1 - Chapters 3 + 4

DIAMOND HEAD (chapter 3)

It is several weeks later. Michael notices that his scheduled days off are not in line with Anuhea's family commitment.

“I'd like to do something special with you this weekend. Can you call in sick from the swap meet this Saturday Nunu'?”

Anuhea' laughs because she figures he's obviously alluding to asking her aunt for dismissal.

“I'd like to take you to Diamond Head Peak. I hear that climbing it is a good challenge.”

Anuhea' wrapped her arms around his waist.

“You sure know how to choose beautiful ways of passing time my love. I adore your spontaneity.”

Diamond Head is a popular mountain trail that attracts thousands of tourists annually. Its peak sits somewhat high above sea level. Oahu found it as profitable as it is an adventurous way to admire Hawaii's open fresh air and tree tops of forestry. As the two arrive at the summit, tourists are standing around anxiously organizing their permits and equipment. They seem to be happily optimistic and as excited as the locals here. It isn't the hike that’s causing the two to tingle with smiley faces, it`s their sheer joy and appreciation for spending time together. There`s a sense of appreciation for being away from familiarity. Anuhea' and Michael are blissfully intertwined and they (though unspoken) understand this. This is a tour obviously poised and ready to assist these young smiles further into each other’s hearts and minds. As everybody assembles into a small group, plenty of energy bars, bottled water and aloha spirit is eager to tag along with so many faces from so many different places.

“When we reach the top; let's carve our names into something. I have a pocket knife on me. We'll scratch deep into something defenseless. Cool?”

“OK! …Sounds good to me.” Anuhea' replies in a neutral tone.

While on the trail, they chat about how long the tour guide will let them perch at the top. They were also chatty about what they might etch into a large stone when they arrive at the top. Half way up the hike, they noticed a crowd of hikers (a part of an earlier group) gathered, resting and applauding as they gazed upwards.

“Wow!” Anuhea' exclaims.

She notices the beautiful waterfall before Michael does. It arched and fell 40ft into a deep body of water. But that isn't the cause for their applause. The applause is for the native cliff jumpers (obviously) designated to put on a fantastic show. Six men are taking turns jumping over the cliff and into the body of water. They're dressed in traditional Polynesian style grassy attire fit for swimming. Someone could make the argument that it`s always impressive to see anything jumping off natural cliffs into natural waters. It`s a rest stop that allows mainland tourists to enjoy this kind of artistry and take pictures. And impressive this viewing is. As they reached the peak; they see a huge boulder that's as big as a small automobile. Half of the group perch on it for a minute for catching their breath.

“It feels good to be resting off our feet. It only took an hour to get here.”

After taking ten minutes to appreciate the 360-degree view being offered at 760 feet above sea level, they decide to scratch a memory in a huge boulder— just like they had planned to.

“Ok, here we go. You wanna' do it Nunu'?”

“No. I want you to do it. Whatever you write will be fine with me.”

As Michael carefully chose a starting point, Anuea' is already laughing inside. She knows how Michael can be about details. She chose to read it aloud as he scratched the rock.

“Anuhea' plus + Michael - Y2K. Awe! It`s beautiful.”

She's noticing how he wrote her name before his own. He's definitely a gentleman. It`s a gesture that's absolutely worthy of the ALOHA winds. They sat taking in the fresh Hawaiian breeze.

“I often fantasize that we're both living on the mainland. Just the three of us. And...”

“The three of us?” Anuhea' interrupts.

“Yes. We'll be a tri-fecta' after we have our baby.”

She constantly dreamed similarly, so she`s only (in reality) asking him to indulge her with the details. After they enjoyed the view, they descend to the starting juncture and head for home. Climbing DIAMOND HEAD has proved to be time well spent and a journey worth stepping into.

AN EPOCH CONCEIVED (chapter 4)

The young lovers are relaxing and experiencing how beautiful of a feeling it is when obligations are fulfilled, the bills are paid and all there is to do is whatever you want to do. Michael and Anuhea' are enjoying each other's company. They’re extra content to be skipping through the dozen channels their television antenna would retrieve. Outside their simple window, the whole face of the moon is shining bright as if it`s raving about impressive the high tide is. They both sipped on a juiced concoction Anuhea' created while sharing a spam/rice dish Michael had made. He isn't much of a cook, but he did know some recipes from the eatery he worked at. His recipes are always simple. It`s his conviction to get the recipes right that often amused his biggest fan. Tonight, would've been like any other evening if Anuhea' hadn't said something earlier that excited Michael. He had explained to Anuhea' earlier how tonight he was going to stare into her eyes before they slept. It would've been a strange proclamation to any other woman, but Anuhea' is used to his shameless over-romanticisms. She usually smiled for her response, but this time she didn`t. Earlier —instead—, she shocks him with an answer we was unprepared for.

“And maybe tonight we can give our love something to remember forever...”

Michael immediately recognizes the sincerity in her gaze as well as the “flirt” in her voice. He could sense she`s leading on to something she must've already considered. It’s something she really wants. This has nothing to do with being something she’s thinking he wants. The rest of the day proves to be a mix of anxiousness and jitters between them.

It`s late in the evening and the mood is restlessness. Love is in the air. The two have long been living amidst the anticipation that a moment would present itself such as this. All the touching and teasing they'd been doing amongst themselves have snuck up on them so casually usher in this night. Anuhea' turned to Michael and spoke softly.

“Let's make magic tonight.”

Previously, Michael had occasionally been keeping Anuhea' company on evenings like this, but this time would be different. She repositions her body in a way that would allow her to kiss him on his lips intimately— just like how she'd been practicing.

“I'd love for you to have all of me tonight.” she says, surprisingly easy.

“Are you sure, my love?” Michael answers back surprisingly calmly.

Anuhea' stands to her feet and reaches for his hands. She's got something specially planned for him as she escorts him to the main bedroom. It`s a moonlit night that is even better than that which she had imagined in her mind. It isn't long before the both of them are unfamiliarly completely undressed in each other's presence. As Anuhea' stands still watching him scan her exposed curves, his eyes are saying everything she needs to hear for validation and flattering. Neither had any reason to be insecure about their young, healthy bodies. It`s Anuhea' who lays down first on her back and reaches out her hand encouraging him to mount her. He does.

“We're adults Michael. This is my choice for us both to enjoy. I promised myself I wouldn't be shy when this time came. I'm keeping my word.” she says.

A lit candle burns near the huge rose-colored crystal on the sturdy night stand. The illumination being created by the flame bounced off the pink colored rock to manifest a gorgeous flickering of light. They have begun to kiss on one another and be kissed on more. Michael purposely kisses in the pelvic region of Anuhea'. This teases her and fans the raging fire growing inside her loins. Ultimately, he's also getting himself so excited that he secretly feared his abrupt ending before he ever had his chance to penetrate her. The last thing Michael wants (at this moment) was his climax before her desires have been satisfied. As their sexual principles met for the first time, Michael enters a very eager, warm Anuhea'. In moments they go from amateurs to professionals savoring every sensation of each other. Anuhea' could feel Michael's principle pulsating with the rhythm of his blood pumping through his heart. Their bodies coiled and assembled into one single flow of energy. Every stroke is like pumping blood through a cosmological cardiovascular system. Their separate thoughts become one single awareness. The energy of this moment even seems to be spawning an awareness of its own. This is no longer about two people deepening their bond; no… This is the power of love smelting two beings into one consciousness. As the night grew old, they managed to please the flickering light twice more with each time savored and lasting a bit longer than the previous. Each session surpassing the selfish physicality's of intercourse. This is selfless bestowing no doubt. No form of birth control had been discussed nearly as much as these two flattered each other about being wedded. Anuhea's healthy, fertile body had very little chance of not being impregnated during this night of heated, passion. This night had purpose written in the stars where no marriage certificate was necessary. Michael and Anuhea' are now one. Their spirits are bound by a force only death could deconstruct. It`s the morning after and it seems brighter than any other. Something about it is livelier than any before it. They are content like no other morning before now. [Now] both lay side-by-side attentive to each other through the silence— coexisting in a state of ‘bliss’ that neither of the two had experienced before. None of this was being taken for granted. Michael notices the sun peeking through the window blinds. He kisses Anuhea' on the lips and twists out of bed. His bare feet scant into the small bathroom for a quick hygiene routine. Although Anuhea’ is witnessing his total focus on getting ready for work, she does not take any offense at all. Inwardly, she`s already screaming for the pure joy of excitement. She didn`t know how long she could hold it in so she really preferred that he granted her some time alone. She wants to savor her achievement of womanhood [but] without embarrassing herself. After all; she'd just experienced intercourse for the first time. She had just as much to be jolly for as Michael. Even though time seemed to stand still; the most popular eatery in town still needs its faithful crew members. The night was a success and surpassed both their expectations. Michael hurried to get dressed and ran back bedside where Anuhea' still lay gazing at him.

“I love you Nunu.”

“I love you more.” she responds, looking him in his sincere eyes.

Michael remembers a statement she made yesterday.

“You were right my love. I’ll never forget last night. This feeling… This moment… I love you to pieces.”

Anuhea' appreciates his over-achieved romanticism. After a kiss, he runs off to start the day. There have been no pre-cautions made for preventing pregnancy. Both of them are sharing a feeling (a knowing) that from this day on, they'd be earning money for their baby that's on the way.

It`s been two months and a typical journey of new, young lovers. They’ve been treating each other's bodies like toy’s to be played with and explored. These two are no exception to the EXCITED ABOUT SEX phase. Anuhea' is almost certain she`s been given a gift. It would make perfect since if she were pregnant. Oh, the excitement at the thought of a love-child to nurture and burp. By now the baby-onboard theory has been confirmed. A baby is on the way. Both, Michaels' and Anuhea's families are all equally excited about the bulge growing on his beloved. News spread fast through the community about the young couple expecting their first baby. The consensus [long ago] was that they both deserved a beautiful family— more than any other young couple in the area. No one had any reason to be unsupportive. The young respectable adults are in love. They're bonded by their souls, engaged and enjoying every bit of it. It`s unsurprising that Anuhea' didn`t have to change her diet much to accommodate the baby sharing her nutritional needs. Nothing really changed because the two expecting love birds had already been with each other most of the time. They aren’t purposely neglecting their families and comrades during the pregnancy. Everyone understands this willingly and are ecstatically convinced that Anuhea' and Michael seemed meant for each other. ‘They know where to find us if they need us’ became the community's general consensus.

Anuhea's pregnancy is being appreciated by everybody for how standard it`s coming along (in this community). It`s been {All systems go}, healthy and undoubted for its' healthy delivery. It`s been months now and Michael had promised himself that he'd join the American armed forces when the baby was around six months old. He desires time to enjoy the baby and help mom get use to her new routine before he finds himself being shipped to the mainland for basic training. Anuhea' is four months into her pregnancy and has been approved for maternity leave from her job as a hostess. As soon as her petite frame could no longer discreetly hide her belly, the gorgeously expecting pancake server elected that one source of income is all they really needed. Michael's income isn't large, but it does well for paying the bills. Up until now they'd been spending excessive amounts of money on furnishing the apartment they decide to share. It has a full-size bed dressed in a luxurious comforter set and many pillows of all sizes that usually ends up on the large area-rug by morning. Huge pictures hang on their bedroom walls that reject any metallic embellishments. They’re framed with organic woods and are big enough to act as decorative wallpaper. Empty corners gave way to tall potted indoor trees. A single emerald couch and color television sits in the front room surrounded by two end tables and a generous coffee table. Since neither of them drank coffee, they opts to call it a “popcorn table”. Eating is their favorite excuse to look directly in each other’s' eyes, so anything and everything that had to do with cooking or dinning spared no expense. In the kitchenette a fancier tall dinner table that seated four is decorated meticulously to accommodate (only) two of the dinnerware settings. The unused table space had candles on each side that created an “alley” for clear line-of-sight of each other. That had been Michael's idea. The two unused seats had been stacked and stowed away in a small porch closet. That had been an idea of Anuhea's. She had recently debated how it amount to more space by limiting chairs. It was a point being well proven.

“Any place decorated with space to spare is indicative of a mind with room for learning.”

“You are as wise as you are beautiful to my eyes baby.”

The only fixtures familiar from when Anuhea' originally moved in (a year earlier) was that pink colored rock crystal that seemed to be smiling. …That and a juicer in the small kitchen. It`s partnered with a toaster; a celebrity endorsed tabletop grill and a dish rack full of fancy dinnerware. The only money they realistically needed to pay their simple bills is already being acquired through one of their incomes. No pagers; cell phones, cable or internet bills have ever been on their list of must haves. Playing dominoes and/or card games have always been a better option than watching the TV. However, they have invested in a nice television with a better antenna. The original was never meant to satisfy anyone other than Anuhea'. Most this happy couple did to entertain their friends was host board game parties or frequent the beach. It`s several days before the baby is due to arrive and Anuhea' was told about a popular local option to have a home birth. She's informed how it gave mothers greater freedom during their labor to move, eat and bathe. It would also offer her the comfort of giving birth in a familiar place-- surrounded by people she loved. In this community, there`s plenty well-practiced midwife's. Most charge payments that are exceptionally reasonable for their services. The decision is proudly agreed upon and a recommended midwife shows up a short time later to the residence. As they both sit smiling and talking (with the woman they'd come to call “Nurse”). Her presence has a way of making the young lovers realize how close it is for this experience to unfold. Momma Nurse stays and takes her time to reassure Anuhea' as she starts expressing her opinion on natural birthing.

“Women have been giving birth naturally for centuries and I know you`re going to do just fine. You'll get into a zone, your active labor will begin and before you realize it, it'll all be a memory— a process I call the *quick quick.”

Anuhea' is too rooted in her own concentration. Her mind is focused on things past the thought of any pain that might escort the new life into this world. The midwife continues to explain.

“It`s not like; Oh, my God! It`s a pain! I'm dying; I'm dying! No. It will be more of a gradual thing. So gradual, that you just kind of get through it. You'll be in a zone I spoke earlier about, and I'll help you focus on helping this child see this world.”

Anuhea' listened attentively. At the same time, Michael is preparing a green juice and coconut water recipe that's' been helping to keep his fiancé hydrated. It isn't long before Anuhea's midwife informed her that the newborn baby would be making an official debut soon.

“I suggest we utilize the tub method for this delivery. It`s better for the baby to be born in the water. It'd be ‘from the water, into the water’. When baby' is born, there`s still the umbilical cord. Until I clip the cord the baby can still breathe through it. There`s nothing to worry about.”

The midwife finally convinces Anuhea' how this particular method has proven to be more comfortable during delivery—especially for first-time mothers.