[The Beach, Long House]

[December 20, 2022]

The world came back into focus. There was something odd. Perhaps it was because I was now staring up into the blue sky. The last thing I remember was Kori’s fierce look and then the world blurred.

The other girls were giggling. Which resonated with the grainy headache, creating something greater and so much worse.

“Are you alright, friend Johnny?” Kori as her hands came up and rubbed the side of my head. It was a soothing touch, and I leaned into her touch.

“Yeah…” I replied as I squinted at the sunny skies. It was clear and fluffy clouds hung in the sky.

Kori’s arms shifted and hugged me. I blinked as I realized that my lawn chair was far softer and warmer than it should be. My new chair was mostly orange, but with a white bikini.

I turned my head and my eyes met Candice’s. She was beaming, then her eyes met Kara before the two dissolved into giggles. I was missing something again.

“What happened?” I asked and the two burst into deeper laughter.

“Sorry,” Kori said as she gave me a squeeze. “It was my mistakes that caused this.”

“Your badass CQC ability showed us who’s the boss!” Candice laughed out as she held her stomach and leaned back.

I… right… I was doing training with the girls… I stared at Kara. Her flushed face looked at me, and a grin almost split her face in half.

“How bad was it?” I asked, and I feared that I already knew the answer.

“You got close, swung once, and she jabbed you in the chin,” Kara bit down on her finger. It didn’t help, so she looked away to maintain her composure. My hurt look reminded her of puppies.

Now that I was fine and awake, it was hilarious. I had talked up a big game and then got immediately knocked out. My recent training to get back into shape did not translate into a great infighter.

“Fear not Johnny!” Kori said as she leaned in and rubbed her face against mine. “It is, as they say, you are still the adorable!”

“Hey! I…” My reflex was to defend myself. My pride! I wasn’t an invalid wuss!

Then I considered it. The girl hugging me could knock around Iron Man without gizmos.

“I am Super Adorable!” I finished and embraced this truth. Even with Sue’s next-generation armor in the works, I doubt I could take on either Kara or Kori.

Kori giggled and hugged me harder. It was very nice. This was one comforting defeat. Though it was odd that Kori could rest her head on top of me now.

My eyes glanced up to the sharp-looking moon. Val Verde was improving. Each day of peace was another day for the metamorphoses into a better tomorrow.

All with the support of the various people here.

I smiled at Candice and Kara. The two were chatting at the picnic table underneath an enormous umbrella. Clara and her small army of maids were keeping everyone refreshed.

Sue and her ever-present assistant, Maya, were napping. The two represented the greatest changing force in the country. It was not an exaggeration to say they were the force of change.

Further down was Harley and Pamela. One was bathing in the sun and the other reading a book in the shade. Harley noticed my stare and waved at me before returning to her book.

The AI Friday was currently integrating with the server. Checking the system to ensure stability. Though it was not connected to any network until everything was ready.

Harley had cleared her, and the two were content to stay on the island. The lack of deforestation efforts here was calming to the eco-centrist couple. For the first time in a long time, Pamela found herself able to relax.

The newest girl was also reading from a tablet. She was chatting with Harley about whatever changes had occurred since WW2. Zinda was soaking up information.

Her attempts to contacting the modern Blackhawks were impossible. So she was content to be a good girl. A lack of Nazi invasion and time displacement had her on the back foot.

Though not for long. Especially since I will allow her to train with our air force. They were not the newest jets, but they were a far cry from what she used to pilot.

Her current reading material was about modern vehicles and firearms. The new power armor had her drooling and sang to her as a siren did to dehydrated sailors. She wanted a set of power armor.

Last, but not least, was my most loyal supporter that was not Candice. Kori was humming as she used her left hand to comb my hair. She absently groomed me as I zoned out.

I raised Kori’s right hand. It was on the back of my right hand, her fingers lacing through mine. The hand was warm. Kori was always warm. A byproduct of her Tamaranean heritage.

“Never change Kori,” I said I gave that hand a kiss. I sighed as a cool breeze passed through the pergola.

The clink of ice shifting caught my attention. My margarita beckoned, and Kori reached over to grab it for me. Her long limbs reaching without issues.

She held it before me as if I was a child.

I obediently finished the drink. Slurping at the bottom as I stirred around the ice. Kori eventually put the glass back, and I closed my eyes.

Kori hummed a song, and I nodded off. It had been a while since I felt so warm and safe.

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Chapter 47: Humble Days