Music blared on the speaker system providing the party with a lively upbeat vibe. Palm trees swayed in the evening sun and waves gently crashed on the beach only a short walk away.

  GM sprawled out on a white reclining lawn chair near where Gil was barbecuing steaks. “Gil, could you pass me another beer?”

  “I think you may need to slow down a little, GM. You’re half shit-faced,” he said with a chuckle.

  “Cmon Gil, I’m still all crippled and shit,” he said, pulling up his Hawaiian shirt to reveal bandages wrapped around his stomach line.

  “You probably shouldn’t even be drinking on all those meds you're taking.”

  “Fine, this is my last one for today,” said GM. “You’re probably right, as usual. Are those steaks about done though?”

  “Yeah, Gil. I’m starving!” said Sora, walking up next to them.

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  “It takes time to do it right. Have patience you two. What do I look like, your maid or your boss?”

  “Ughh,” said Sora, rolling her eyes and plopping down in a chair next to GM.

  “Where’s Emi? Isn’t she hungry?” asked Gil.

  Emi, seeming to have heard her name, slid open the screen door and slowly walked out into the grassy area where everyone else was.

  “There she is. How did you want yours cooked again?”

  “Medium rare, please,” she said sitting upright at a picnic table, near Gil.

  “Oh yes, that’s right. You’re looking much better today, by the way.”

  “I’m getting there,” she said. I still think it was too early to come out on a trip like this, but MC and Aiko insisted on bringing all of us all the way out here as soon as we could.”

  “That smile on your face, tells me that you’re complaining for the sake of complaining. Enjoy yourself! This is a joyous celebration!”

  Emi’s blushed and her smile intensified.