Kal, Male, 38

	- Narrator, disaster survivor and castaway

	- Husband of Kate, Bailey, Keekah, and Amy, father of Katie

	- 6'1, 190lbs, straight, shoulder-length dark-brown hair

Bailey, Female, 15

	- Wife of Kal, mother of Katie

	- 5'5, 130lbs, golden-brown tanned skin, shoulder-length light yellow-brown sun-streaked hair

Hunamu, Male, 14

	- Uhonamonan visiting the island, brother of Kylana, Tika, and Tila

	- 5'10, 150lbs, dark-brown skin, cropped curly black hair

Tika, Female, 13

	- Uhonamonan visiting the island, twin sister of Tila, sister of Kylana and Humanu

	- 5'4, 125lbs, dark-brown skin, wavy dark-brown back-length hair

Tila, Female, 13

	- Uhonamonan visiting the island, twin sister of Tika, sister of Kylana and Humanu

	- 5'4, 125lbs, dark-brown skin, wavy dark-brown back-length hair

Popko, Male, 20

	- Uhonomonan native

	- 5'10, 165lbs, dark-brown skin, short curly black hair

The twins and I went North the following morning to take some supplies to Popko and Hunamu. They had previously volunteered to stay there for a while, allowing Manu to stay close to Keekah for her upcoming birth, as well as to monitor Amy just a few days after Azure was born. I needed to stay around the main camp, as well, in order to assist, as did Bailey, while Nina, Hakee, and Kylana were on their way to retrieve Tok, Gale, and Kunomo. It had been some time since I'd been North, so I was looking forward to the trek and spending part of the day there with Popko, Hunamu, Tila, and Tika.

On the hike North in the early hours after daybreak, the day already warming considerably, I talked to Tika and Tila about their thoughts on their uncle Kunomo coming to live with us. Both girls had improved their English considerably over the months. Tila answered first, shrugging, “It okay. Kylana want him here. She love him.”

Tika added, “He love her, also.”

I stated, “They could not be together in your home village.”

Tika shook her head. “No. This is not okay. There. Here, okay.” She grinned at her sister.

I asked, “Did you two... play together, before you came here?”

The twins giggled, Tila answering, “Play, yes. Also with Hunamu. A little.”

“And,” I replied, “you know it is up to you if you wish to stay with us. It was supposed to be a temporary stay, but... I suspect you wish to remain now.”

Tila turned to me and looked concerned, “You no want us here?”

“What?” I said, uncertain why she thought so, “I do want you here. I want you to know this is your home if you want that.”

Tika jumped in, “It sound like you want send us back.”

“Only if you want to go back. Girls,” I said, stopping us and taking their hands, “I think perhaps there is a misunderstanding. Look at me.” I waited until they did so. “I love having you here. We all want you to stay. It was just, when you first came to stay here, your uncle made it sound like it was temporary, maybe. But you've been here some time, and your only other family member, your uncle, will live here soon, too. If you want to go back to Uhonamona, you may do so and we will honor that, but we hope, I hope, you will stay with us and make this your home forever.”

Tika smiled and her sister, seeing the grin on her twin's face, did the same. “Okay,” Tila replied. “I like this, yes. This home.”

“Home,” Tika repeated.

There wasn't really anywhere for the girls to go, even if we had wanted to send them away, which we absolutely did not. They parents were dead, and their uncle was on his way to live with us. I'd been uncertain about welcoming them when they had arrived with their sister and brother as part of the exchange we made with Kunomo. We'd had no idea the real reason why the man had wanted his nieces and nephews to leave Uhonamona, namely that he had developed an attraction to Kylana, but it seemed fitting that the siblings had taken to their new home on Phoenix and now Kunomo was joining them.

We set off again and made our way along the path which had been marked by the passing of so many feet over the past couple of years.

Tila stopped suddenly as we moved along the upper ridge, having just ascended the trickiest part of the climb. We'd made some improvements there over time, the old method of scrambling-up-boulders was difficult in the best of conditions. The new path still had steep climbs but it featured switchbacks and more stable steps, as well as a built-in rope and pulley system for raising and lowering heavy loads. It made transporting crops and supplies up and down the cut much easier and less dangerous.

Tila pushed her jeans down and squatted just off the trail. Since we all wore clothing during our treks through the interior, it wasn't often that one needed to pull pants out of the way to urinate. She did so and soon a strong stream of piss splashed down between her feet. I didn't stare, but I admit it was always an arousing sight to see any of the women on the island peeing, so I peeked a moment at where the urine drained out of her genitals, then looked away, smiling as I waited for her to finish.

I'd never seen the twins take part in the unusual act of cleaning another person after he or she emptied a bladder, and this time was no different. Tika didn't move to lick up the remaining drops of urine between her twin sister's legs. Perhaps this was one of the many cultural differences between the Uhonamonans and the Hahonokoans. As I thought about it, I couldn't recall any of the islanders from Uhonamona practicing that ritual during their first weeks on Phoenix.

Tila's flow stopped, she shook her hips a moment, then she drew her pants back up to her waist, not wiping away what remained. She shouldered the sack she'd set aside, and we were on our way once more.

Hunamu and Popko were not around the North camp when we arrived, so I suspected they were working one of the fields. I sent the twins off to locate them and let the young men know we'd arrived, then I set about to make a hot lunch.

A half-hour later, I had a stew boiling, chunks of potato, fresh peppers, and salted-fish the main body, along with an assortment of herbs which accented the savory meal. The four arrived together soon after it was ready, and together, the five of us ate bowls of steaming deliciousness while I filled Popko and Hunamu in on what had taken place since they'd gone North. Both of the young men were generally in favor of accepting all the newcomers, most especially Popko. He knew all of those who were wishing to come to Phoenix, and he assured me that they were all of sound minds and hearts. I didn't exactly trust his glowing endorsements since Popko's rosy assessment appeared a bit naive, but that put nine of us in favor of allowing the Uhonamonans to join us. Though he'd not been present for the discussion we'd had days before, I knew that Tok was generally in favor, as well, and I suspected Gale felt the same way. I knew we'd need to get started on Amy's idea and put together a list of expectations and rules fairly soon, as well as planning for the long-term support needed to grow our population by almost fifty percent.

Popko and Hunamu had been weeding the corn rows in the Northernmost field, and the twins and I helped out for a couple of hours after lunch. It was clear that Popko's right knee was bothering him as he limped with each step, but he refused offers of rest and went on about his chores as if it is was nothing.

In the mid-afternoon, I suggested that we should knock off for the day so that we could eat an early supper before the twins and I needed to head back to the main camp. We had a few crops to bring with us, but not more than the three of us could manage.

I added to the stew which had been left to simmer all afternoon, and soon, we were again enjoying steaming bowls of fish and potatoes and peppers. I ate lightly, not wanting to be bogged down on the return trip, but Popko and Hunamu ate heartily, the twins only-slightly less so.

I asked, “Still have plenty of painkillers up here?” I was worried about Popko's limp.

Popko nodded. “Yes, I'll take one if I need it. I'm fine for now.”

I replied, “Okay. I keep a few in my travel bag, but I know we keep a good supply of them here, too. Don't be afraid to take a couple of aspirin, or something stronger, if you need it. No reason to let yourself hurt too badly to move about.”

Popko said, “I know. I prefer not to take anything if I can bear it. Who knows when we might be able to trade for more.”

We had a pretty deep supply of both painkillers and pain relievers, but I respected Popko's assessment. The truth was we didn't know when we might next have an opportunity to get more, and even if we did, we had no way of knowing what steep costs such important medicine might demand from us. As it was, even if we had a rash of injuries, we were fine for a year or two, but after that, if we still had a lot of need for them, we'd have to find more. I hoped, of course, that we'd not have worst-case sorts of injuries and our usage would allow us to maintain our supplies much longer. I wondered briefly what sort of shelf-life the various pills might have, and worried that we might reach a point where they were not longer effective, or safe.

It was suddenly very obvious that Popko and Hunamu were more comfortable displaying affection for each other around me and the twins. The two shared a long kiss, Popko's hand sliding down to caress Hunamu's penis which had been slipped through the front of the dirty jeans he wore, the teen's brown length growing with each stroke. There was no sign of shame from them as there had been in earlier moments I'd witnessed. I liked that we'd made them feel welcome to be themselves, to be open and honest about what they enjoyed, and to not feel as if they needed to hide from us their desires for each other.

Tila and Tika had always tended to keep to themselves. While they'd shared some light experiences with others, the twins usually were content to be together, and this time was no different. Even though we were heading out soon, there was no immediate rush, and as Popko and Hunamu exchanged hand jobs and kisses, the sisters shed clothing and were soon fingering each other beside the fire.

It was an odd moment for me. Never that I could recall had I been a fifth wheel on the island. Whatever sexual intimacy had been going on around me, I always had been welcomed to take part, to join in, whether as an active participant or as a helpful hand. This time, though I was certainly not made to feel unwelcome, I wasn't included in the touches and kisses and sexual intimacy being shared in the camp.

That alone did make me a little uncomfortable. I admit I'd have loved toslide over to Tila and Tika and help to bring each to orgasm, even if just by caressing small breasts, or slipping my fingers into tight young holes. But they did not invite me in, and I respected that. I had no sexual interest in joining the young men, but they, too, did not suggest I join them.

So I sat a moment just watching. I considered pulling out my hard dick and masturbating, but the moment was wrong. Instead, I slipped away from camp and made my way to the East to where the lake ran close to the edge of the upper ridge. Through sparse trees and low grass, I crept near the waterline until I came to the opening where I could look out over the narrow, low North end beach and trees and beyond to the sparkling blue Pacific waters which surrounded my home.

I sat on the smooth stone and let my mind wander as my eyes cast slowly about. A few stray clouds had crept in from the West, a cool, light breeze reminded me that Summer was still officially a few weeks off, and that Spring was not done providing moderate temperatures. I loved the cool evenings and nights on the island. They felt peaceful to me, and they made cuddling with my loved ones that much more enjoyable.

Birds chirped all around me, almost drowning out the spare crickets and other critters which made up the island's soundscape. It was easy to miss they were there after so long on the isolated patch of land in the middle of deep and wide waters. The sounds often got lost, ignored, and I closed my eyes a moment, taking long, deep breaths, letting the gentle cacophony fill my ears.

I felt stray thoughts try to break into my meditation, but they eased away from awareness with a little effort from me. It felt good to unplug from things for a short time. Life had been fairly stressful, I was coming to understand. Pregnancies and newcomers, resources and the War, responsibilities and decisions. I'd let all of the weight fall on my shoulders whenever I could, hoping to take those burdens so that others might not feel them. Perhaps it was selfish, a desire for control. I hadn't consciously opted to do so for that reason, but I'd come to see that maybe, deep down, that was at least somewhat true. Looking forward, we were reaching a point where I'd probably take a more formal responsibility for those on the island, and I had mixed emotions about that. I'd do it, of course. I cared for those I called family, and I'd do anything to make their lives better.

But it meant politics had fully arrived, and I dreaded what that meant for all of us. A Council of Elders suggested a small group would formally take charge and direct things while the will of the people kept it in check. It meant we were growing large enough to no longer be able to make decisions as a whole body. It meant alliances and opponents, ulterior motives and behind-doors agreements. I hated the idea of that after the years spent living without the need for such machinations.

For a while, though, those concerns stayed away. That stress slipped from me and I continued to breathe deeply and hold back the fears as time passed in the background.

It must have been an hour or so later when I heard footsteps and let my eyes open to see the sun had slipped further to the West than I'd expected. I turned to see Popko limping in my direction. He smiled and said, “May I join you?”

“Of course,” I replied, waving towards the stone next to me. He'd wore the same loose jeans and faded t-shirt, barefoot but didn't appear to notice the light chill spreading over the ground as the sun's influence waned in the early evening.

Popko sat next to me and stared off towards the horizon. More clouds had moved in from the West, mostly the small, puffy kinds. Over the years on Phoenix, I'd gotten pretty good at differentiating the different types of clouds and what they tended to signify. These, which looked innocuous at first, were often followed by banks of darker, denser clouds which tended to bring cool Spring rain. By morning, I expected, we'd have showers over the island.

“Are you uncomfortable with us?” Popko's voice broke into my thoughts.

“Hmm?” I replied, slowly turning to watch his face.

“Hunamu and I,” Popko explained, “you walked off when we became intimate...”

“Oh, no. No, not at all. I just needed to clear my head a bit,” I said, offering a smile. “No, I'm not uncomfortable when you two are intimate. I just... it wasn't for me to join in. With anyone, this time.”

“Ah,” he responded, frowning slightly. “You are welcome to join us... I would very much like that...”

I rested my hand on Popko's shoulder and said, “Thank you. I do appreciate that, Popko. Really, I do. But... in the same way that you can't will yourself to not enjoy the company of men... I cannot will myself to desire it. As much as I am thankful that you wish me to join you that way, I am unable to accept your invitation.”

“I understand.” Popko's eyes returned to the waters. “It is like the sea, yes? It cannot be made to flow except as it will. No man could unmake the waves which wash onto the beach below, and no man could make himself desire the company of other men if he does not flow that way.” He put his hand on my shoulder. “I appreciate your honesty. If your mind ever changes, I will welcome you, of course.”

“Thank you, my friend.” I eyed the sinking sun. “I'm afraid I must head back. Are Tika and Tila ready to go?”

“Yes. They have everything set for your return. They await you at the camp.”

I stood, took one last long look at the water to the North. The calm deep-blue was deceptive. The distance masked the small ripples which surely rushed on the surface. I recognized the metaphor, of course, and accepted that it was time to let go the peaceful avoidance, rising to my feet and letting my mind return once more to the responsibilities and concerns which demanded my attention.

- - -

I'd felt a bit drained after the walk back to the South, and after a quick supper, I washed up and slid into bed by myself. I closed my eyes and let the weariness in my body soak out of me into the mattress. My dreams were tense and unnerving. I'd long ignored the stress I felt as my responsibility to others grew and my fears of making bad decisions bubbled just below the surface. I knew, in reality, this was not my burden alone, but it had become more and more personal as our small family, our unique ways, might be challenged by bringing in many new people. It worried me to the point where my stomach was in knots from time to time. I didn't tell anyone else, and I largely ignored it myself, but it was there, and it was becoming harder to hide.

There was one person who saw through my facade. I woke to the sensation of movement beside me, and I felt Bailey's warm body slide next to mine, pushing her naked butt against my groin as I was sleeping on my side. “Hey,” she said in a quiet voice when I stirred, “you feeling okay?”

I wrapped an arm around her breasts and held her against me. “Yeah, uh,” I whispered, “just... stressed out, I think.”

“Yeah,” Bailey replied, “I've noticed. A lot of change coming, isn't there...”

“I think so,” I said quietly, “I hope this doesn't destroy what we have here.”

“I know. Me too.” Bailey turned over and pressed her lips to mine, then nestled my head against her chest. “But... I'm hopeful. I think we'll be okay...”

“What gives you that hope?”

Bailey said nothing a moment, the sounds of the surf down the beach providing a soft backdrop for her breathing. Then she responded. “Everything we've been through. We could have easily died here, Kal. You know... we got really lucky. And... there were moments when you were nearly killed, when you were taken and I thought you were dead... Those were the hardest for me. Bringing in new people,” my wife said evenly, “that doesn't feel like it should be as hard. If we can get through everything we have survived here... I'm pretty sure we can handle this.”

I recalled the time I spent isolated in Papeete, days where I questioned my own memories, my own sanity. The raw, painful loss of Bailey and the bitter, helpless anguish I'd felt while fearing for her pregnancy. I shivered. I'd tried hard to push away those months. I'd buried them well, but it was in moments like this that they best served to be remembered.

I let go those horrors in my past and smiled against Bailey's chest, lightly kissing the warm flesh above her swollen breasts. “I love you so much, Bailey... and you're right. This isn't nearly as hard as all that. Thank you. I think I needed to hear that.”

I kissed Bailey's chest again and felt her arms wrap tighter around me. I still couldn't believe how mature my young wife could be. She'd washed up on the island as a frightened young girl, and now she was a leader, a partner, my rock when I needed her. She was a mother, as well, and perhaps that had made her even more capable of handling the stresses and difficulties of each day. Every moment, she was worrying about how to protect Katie from the world, and it made her that much stronger.

Her knee pressed up against my groin and she purred as my cock twitched at the contact. “There's something else I can handle,” she said, a grin clear in her words.

“Mmm... That you can,” I replied, moving my head lower to take a nipple between my lips. Bailey's breasts no longer leaked milk freely as they had before, but she was still full and swollen, and the warm, thin liquid slid easily onto my tongue as I suckled against her.

Bailey pushed me onto my back and rose over me, sliding one knee over my body and settling down onto my groin. My hard dick was held snuggly in the cleft between her labia, and, kissing my lips, my wife slid her hips slowly up and down, causing her slick folds to warm and tease my length. With smooth motion, her pubic hairs tickling my flesh, she nestled the tip of my penis against her vagina and pushed down, the hot wetness inside her body engulfing me and making me strain upwards to sink deep inside.

Her hair falling loosely over her shoulders, Bailey began riding me slowly, no urgency in her movements. Her lips pressed against mine again as I wrapped my arms around her body and held her tight to me as we moved together as one.

In many ways, making love with Bailey was like those moments in the North where I'd lost track of time and forgotten the fears which bubbled always in my head. I let those go while we copulated gently, her young body still holding some of her pregnancy weight, her hips and breasts more full and round than before my seed had found her egg. I felt her shudder as she slowly ground her clit against my pubic mound, her hands cradling my head as we kissed.

Bailey came easily, moving up and down my length, the heat inside her vagina as she climaxed burning along my flesh. I loved to feel her weight on me, not holding me down but instead making me feel more free than ever. It told me, in no words at all, that she needed me, that I could do anything with her strength feeding my own. She trusted me, and she wanted me to be the one who gave her this pleasure, this power, this incredible validation of her place in the world. Her body trembled as she came, moaning into my mouth, wetness trickling down from her vagina and over my testicles.

I ran my hands down her back and caressed her ass, pressing my body up against her as her orgasm slowed. Bailey's eyes flickered open and she swept strands of light-brown hair from her face. She wanted to watch me as we fucked, and I sank into her eyes and into her vagina, letting my lover wash away my concerns as her body willed me to fill her with semen.

I let go and flooded Bailey's pussy in long, slow spurts. She joined our lips as I unloaded my seed inside her, my moans of pleasure meeting her own in a duet of longing and need and love. I squeezed the last drops of cum into her body and she slowed her movements, resting on me, letting her weight settle so wonderfully on mine.

Long moments passed before either of us moved. I could feel her heart beating as she rested her head on my shoulder, her breath hot on my neck. I kissed the flesh below her ear and nibbled on a lobe gently, then whispered, “You are the best, Bailey. I love you so much.”

She purred her contentment and wrapped her arms tighter around me before we both drifted off to sleep.