Emerson

The scent of salt air and apple blossoms fills my nostrils and releases memories of home as I steer the sailboat I rented at the harbor towards the large island off the coast.

“It’s so beautiful here.” Tia is beside me, her head resting on my arm, the wind and sun giving her cheeks a hint of color that has been absent for a while now. “I’m so excited to finally meet your mom in person.”

“Not as excited as she is to meet you.”

“Did you tell her about the babies yet?”

“She knows you’re pregnant, but...”

“You don’t want to scare her with the truth.”

I give a small nod, emotion tightening my throat. I don’t want to think about that right now.

“They wouldn’t understand the hope we have in Banks’ research.” But there’s also another reason I’m bringing her here. One that I believe may help her. If she can trust me as much as she trusts Banks.

“I get it.” Tia looks ahead at the approaching harbor in front of us. “Somedays I wonder if even I understand it.”

“You’re going to be all right.” I place an arm over her shoulder. “You and our babies.”

She gives a small smile, then kisses my cheek. “You’re amazing, you know that?”

“How so?”

“You just always see the best in everything.”

“It’s called faith.” I wink at her. “And I have it because of you.”

She chuckles. “Now that’s the first time I think I’ve ever heard you tell a lie. Because I know that your faith comes from something a lot deeper than me.”

I shrug, knowing in a way she’s right. I grew up surrounded by goodness, by family. But she’s wrong about one thing, it’s not the first time I’ve lied to her.

Well, maybe I’ve never outright lied. But omission is the same thing. And there’s still a lot about me she doesn’t know about me. That no one but my family does.

A shiver races down my spine, wondering how she would feel about me if she knew the truth.

I’ve thought about telling her, but it’s not just my secret.

Still, I think she’ll learn the truth before we head back home to the compound. She deserves it. And I hate keeping anything from her. I just hope she’ll forgive me.

I kiss the top of her head before releasing her. Her hair smells like strawberries and I smile, remembering the way I first described her to my parents. I’m so anxious for the family to meet her, to finally know the woman who has captured my heart and soul.

My mom is over the moon that I’m bringing my wife home. And part of me feels bad for taking so long to bring her here. Sure, the boat ride to the island is only a few hours long, but I didn’t think taking her away from her other husbands during our first few months of marriage was fair.

And truth be told, it’s taken until now for us husbands to finally begin to feel settled with one another. Six men in one compound, all loving the same woman, is hard enough in theory. In practice, it’s challenging as hell. So many personalities, different tastes, and preferences. It’s been a steep learning curve that’s for damn sure.

But now, pulling the boat into the small inlet that lies just below my family’s house, the issues in the compound seem a million miles away.

It’s just Tia and me. A sigh of contentment escapes my lips as I take her hand in mine, squeezing tight.

Before I even have us roped off, people are bounding down the pathway, hoots and hollers echoing from the hill.

“I should probably warn you,” I tell her. “My family is loud and full of energy.”

She chuckles as I help her onto the dock and she is instantly scooped up in a bear hug between my brothers, Will and Jack.

“Gently,” I warn, but the two of them don’t seem to understand the word.

My father is the next to approach, and then my mother. There are more hugs and a few tears as introductions are made. Mom looks so pleased, her hands on Tia’s cheeks as she welcomes her home. My chest tightens as I take it all in, everyone is so happy we’re here. It makes me feel bad for being away so long. Of course, I practically died at sea not too long ago, which makes my mom even more emotional.

To say this year has been rocky is an understatement.

Mason is the last to approach. Shy turquoise eyes grin up at me before turning to Tia. He turned ten last month, but he’s almost up to my shoulder, all gangly with dark blonde hair that hangs over his forehead. Handsome in his own right, and finally filling out a little. For years he was all skin and bones, but now he seems to fit his skin. Mom must be making him plenty of nourishing meals.

“And who’s this?” Tia asks, smiling at the boy.

“Mason,” he says, stretching a hand out to her, which she takes.

“My youngest brother,” I add, my chest constricting as I utter the words.

“I can see the resemblance,” Tia says.

Her statement is met with awkward silence, and she frowns at me when I cough and start to usher her towards the house.

I say stoically, “Tia needs to rest.”

“Of course,” my mom says, before giving out orders for my brothers to gather our things from the boat, and taking Tia’s arm, leading her up the path.

I watch them go, staying behind to help my brothers and father with the boat and luggage.

“She’s a pretty girl. Sweeter than I’d think from some of the stories you’ve told us,” my father says, smacking my back. He knows about Tia’s escape. Her secrets. I am honest with my family, and in turn, they are always the same with me. “You seem happy.”

“I am. Never been happier.” Or more terrified. “And Tia is more than pretty and sweet. She’s brave too. ”

“And still something’s bothering you.” My father meets my gaze. “You’re worried about the pregnancy?”

He could always read me.

I nod.

He gives me a sympathetic look as we stand on the dock, catching up before we head inside where a big family meal is surely waiting for us.

“I know it’s scary, son. The whole island is gonna have to relocate soon if we don’t start having more young people born or willing to move to the middle of nowhere.”

“That bad?” I ask frowning.

Dad shrugs. “Schools have closed, families are moving to the mainland. Any young women of marriageable age have gone into the lottery. People without children are scared of getting old without anyone to watch over them.”

“Well, I guess you and Mom are lucky to have a bunch of healthy boys to make sure you don’t get sent to a center for old people.” I joke, giving him a warm smile, and hoping it might take some of the edge off.

Truth is, eventually this farm is going to have to be self-sufficient if no one else lives on the island. My brothers will have to leave one day if they ever have hope to marry.

The idea of my parents living out here all alone is scary. Even if a cure comes soon, there are several generations still affected by the population crises.

Dad smiles, clapping me on the back. “Tia should stay here as long as possible. Your mom can help take care of her. It would be nice for everyone.”

“I agree, but I doubt that would go over well with the other husbands. I had a hard enough time bringing her here for a few days.” Plus, she’ll need to be closer to the medical facility the further along she is.

He sighs. “Well, you know our home is always open to you. To all of them. They're part of our family now.”

“Banks might be the hardest to convince of that. But thank you. It would be nice for all the men to meet my family. I know most of Tia’s husbands aren’t as lucky as me, to have their families so near.”

There’s a loud splash beside us, and I turn just in time to see Mason’s head emerge from the water, and my other two brothers laughing from the boat, obviously the cause of the boy’s current predicament.

“Help him out,” my father orders, shaking his head. “They torture the poor lad. But it’s all done in good humor.”

I frown as I watch Will and Jack pull Mason from the water, then push him back in.

There’s a large age difference between me and them. My parents lost two children after me. Will was born when I was eight, and Jack a year and a half later. And Mason... he was born the summer I turned fifteen.

The boy shakes himself off as he mounts the dock, and grins up at me. “Don’t worry, I’ll get them back later.”

“You’ll behave,” my father warns. “No shenanigans while Tia is here.”

As Mason runs off I have no doubt that he has every intention of disobeying the man.

“He’s so much like you were at that age,” My father says with a sigh before his lips form a thin line. “Have you told her?”

“Tia?” I ask, even though I know she’s who he meant. “No.”

“Good.”

It’s not like my father to want to keep secrets. But I know he’s only trying to protect the kid. To protect me.

“You old men just going to stand around talking all day?” Will asks, tossing a bag at me.

I grab it, then sling it over my shoulder, double thinking tossing my brother over the dock like he had Mason. But he’s carrying Tia’s bags like a shield as if reading my thoughts.

A shadow falls over my happy mood as I walk up towards the house. Because while I know my dad is right in wanting to keep some secrets hidden, I hate that I have to hide anything from my wife. Especially when there’s a part of my past that might be able to save our future.