Chapter 1774

Morning came, quiet as usual.

Debra slept till noon. She snuggled against Marion, unwilling to get out of bed.

"Lunch is ready, sleepyhead," he said, ruffling her hair.

She clung tighter. "I want to sleep more."

For the first few days on the island, she had been on it, up at eight, chilling with Marion by the sea, bingeing shows, cuddling, hitting the villa gym, gaming, and cooking.

Then their clocks went haywire. Nights got wild, with no other activities.

Marion couldn't keep his hands off her. Now they slept in hard.

But it was chill. Every day felt full.

Ori padded in with his bowl, frustration flowing in his big eyes.

Meals kept sliding later. He had ditched breakfast, syncing with their noon routine.

Debra dragged herself up. "You didn't feed him?"

"He likes Mom doing it," Marion said, shaking his head.

It was not like Ori didn't like Marion, but Debra was his favorite.

"Boy, it's chow time," Debra cooed, grabbing kibble and treats.

Ori's tail went nuts.

She hit the bathroom where toothpaste and stuff waited.

She brushed, washed, did a quick cleanse, and slapped on a mask.

Downstairs, food smells hit. TV shows were queued up.

They had been there for four months now.

"Erica called yesterday," Debra said. "Her due date is soon. She asked if we'd come early for it." For more chapters visit Find[ɴ]ovel.net

She paused and continued, "Might be good to be there."

"Oh?"

"You know, I can learn the ropes. Plus, she'll need us around."

"You mean a normal pregnant lady," he said, pouring her juice. "Not Erica. Randy says she's going natural with no painkillers."

Debra's fork hit the floor. Silence hung.

"That's Erica we know, but why?"

"Well, she wants to feel that legendary level-13 pain."

"Randy's take?"

"He's against it. Why suffer when you don't have to?"

"And?"

"He compromised."