30 HOSPITAL DELIVERY

Lundy, a bit disoriented wanted to know where they were. Vai explained to him their whereabouts and that the ambulance would be here soon and then she turned to Gábor.

"I may go with Ma to the hospital to register Lundy and clean up, but you know," and she leaned her head to the side, turned her eyes up toward the sky to her left, put a finger to her lips as having second thoughts, she proclaimed almost in a whisper, "maybe not. I kind of like how I feel right now," and a mischievous smile spread from her lips to her ears and she winked.

"Are you sure you've had enough sleep? It was only two hours," Gábor asked. Helena must have been like this when she was younger, he thought. Vai shook her hips teasingly and just laughed. Gábor felt a kind of anxiety around Vai and he would have loved to be alone to sort out his feelings for her. Vai was too pleasant of a distraction. He tried to find a way to keep his mind from Leo and then it came to him. Why not make contact with Leo only without linking with Helena or Ivan, tell him what happened, and ask him to relay only that which had nothing to do with last night. Vai interrupted his thoughts.

"It's okay. I can sleep later. But for now, just let's be in the present. It's the only thing that keeps the mind from wandering."

Gábor looked at Vai dumbfounded. Then he suddenly kissed her on the mouth. She looked surprised at him and asked: "And what did I do now?"

"Never mind. I could have come up with that myself."

"Should I call the Ambulance, Ma? Gábor might need the ambulance too," Vai called over her shoulder to her mother and Leilani laughed.

"No. I will call them from the Port Administration, they will come out, and we can do the paperwork at the same time. Gábor will be fine. He won't need the paramedics for a blood blister. He'll survive. Can you get Mr. Lundy ready? Ivan, you want to come?"

"Desperately. Don't you? The last time was only an hour ago," he whispered. Leilani elbowed him in the ribs with a smile. Then they all got off the tender, Gábor and Vai assisting Lundy while Ivan and Leilani walked toward the gate and toward the Port office giggling and laughing as they walked. They entered the port office and the same person was behind the counter when the Fabien's had arrived. He recognized Ivan instantly. His grin was unbearable and the official turned away, looking at Leilani instead.

"Doctor Kealoha. What a pleasure to see you. It has been a long time since I saw you in Papeete. How are Vai and Hinanu? What's happening on that atoll? And what are you doing with that wild man at your side? I've seen him before. He was here with some other people." His English was good and he used it to be polite, seeing a popaa with a local native.

"Henry, this is Ivan and we have an injured man with us," she informed the man. "We found a man on Niau and he needs to go to the hospital. Will you please do the check-in procedures? Here are the man's papers, it's all we have, and there is probably a police investigation coming your way also, regarding a person overboard connected to this man. Contact me when they arrive, please. Here is my number. They can call me directly. I'm the attending physician to Mr. Lundy and I will be in the area for a while. The Gendarmes may already have a report of his accident and they will have more questions. They can reach me at that number, but that is all I can tell them. May I use your phone?"

This was Leilani, straight to the point, doing her duty and leaving nothing out. Henry handed her the phone. She made a call and handed the phone to Henry whose posture changed a bit as he talked with someone on the line. He did more listening than talking and his vocabulary contained mainly one word:

"Oui" and then "Tout de suite" and then he hung up. He exchanged a few words more with Leilani in Maori; she laughed and looked at Ivan, shaking her head. Ivan grinned at Henry, leaving him unsure as to what Ivan found so amusing, he addressed Ivan.

"And will you today be leaving again through the window, Sir?"

"Nah, the wolves are somewhere else now," he said, offering his arm to Leilani and both left through the door like uncivilized Russians, leaving behind a confused native of the Polynesian Islands who knew nothing about Russian customs.

Back on the dock Vai and Gábor had looked at each other when Ivan and Leilani had left, and then packed a few things for Lundy, mainly his clothing and a few other items like toothpaste and brush, soap, and a towel in a bag. Gábor noticed there were a wallet and some keys, blankets, cushions, and some bags containing the two women's wardrobe and personal things and he piled up on the dock, but Vai insisted on his keeping the blankets and cushions. They could use those things wherever they were. Being sure Leilani and Vai would take a taxi, he was surprised when an ambulance van pulled up and two men and a big woman got out and came down to the dock.

"Bonjour Mademoiselle Kealoha et Monsieur. Common allez vous ? Est que le patience Lundy?"

«Oui. Mama est là-bas. C'est sont notre bagages.»

The three escorted Lundy to the van and started to move the luggage into it. Vai turned to Gábor and with a low voice, almost a whisper, she asked: "Will you stay with us today?"

"No. I will see my family. Helena and I have some talking to do. It was very much a pleasure last night and I will never forget you, but you must understand that I can't make decisions without Helena being involved. I'll talk with her and I'll explain what happened and how I feel about you, and if she is okay with you and me seeing each other, we'll meet again. If not, know that I love you and I mean it, but my first duties are to my family. You will have no problem finding a good man if we're not able to be together. Helena and I have a child together and I love you as much as I love her, but I will never leave her. She must know what has happened between you and me in order to make a choice whether to allow our connection to continue, or to break it off and move on. We still can be friends. In any case, you've made me think about a lot of things."

His eyes were wet with his tears. Vai listened to him and clearly noticed his pain and felt compassion for his situation. As young as she was in years, in the past she had listened and followed the path of the heart and it has never been wrong. On occasions when she ignored it, she got into trouble. The same voice now told her that his worries were unnecessary. She wasn't worried about Helena as much as he was. Helena probably knew that he had made love with her and would at least tolerate it.

"Gábor what imprisons you are your concepts.  I'm not asking you to leave her for me. I think secure women are much less rigid than men are in this regard. I love you with all my heart and I would never imprison you, and I believe neither would Helena. I'm sure she loves you. Love does not have prisoners. Talk with her and see what she thinks. I know deep down, we'll see each other again. I will not say adieu because this is not the end. I know it. Love never dies. Women understand that better than men."

She embraced him, kissed him softly on his mouth, and walked up the ramp to the van. Leilani was coming with Ivan across the street toward him, and when they arrived, Leilani looked at Gábor questioningly.

"You look like someone who's lost something," then her eyes went to Vai and back to Gábor and with a woman's intuition, she saw the love between them. Did something happen while she and Ivan were sleeping? When Vai roused them, she looked very frisky and happy, and then after her stunt in the water, she slept about two hours as if she was dead. She looked at Ivan and spoke softly. "We will take Lundy to the hospital and stay there for a day if necessary and then I want to visit Hinanu and see if it's okay to arrange temporary accommodation with her for us. Gábor needs to have a physical address so the gendarmes will be able to contact him. Would that be okay with you two, or do you prefer a hotel?" Her eyes went fore and back between Ivan and Gábor. Vai sat in the ambulance van watching them while talking with the EMT's.

 "No. I want to see my family first. You want to see your daughter. I can go alone to see Helena if Ivan wants to stay with you here, but I need to go. Thanks for the offer. I can get a satellite phone and if the gendarmes want to contact me, they can use that," Gábor answered. Vai had left the van to see what held her mother back and heard the last sentence.

"It would be better if they would go through us, Gábor," she said. "We speak the language and we know how they work. Let us help you. I have a cell phone and so does Hinanu. It works here and would make things much easier for all. You don't need a satellite phone. If they call us, they can talk to you."

"And how would you contact me when I'm not here?"

Leilani thought for a few seconds. Gábor was right. Wherever he was, it was imperative to stay in touch somehow. Most of the islands had microwave towers, but not all. Depending on where they were, they may or may not be able to connect. Ivan thought about that problem for a minute and had an idea.

 "I'll get a satellite phone and stay with Gábor. That way you can get in touch with us. And when I'm not with him, he can have the phone. That way we can stay in touch at all times."

"I'll pay for the phone," said Gábor.

"We'll talk about that paying part later," said Ivan and turned to Leilani. "How do we stay in touch when you're in the hospital? Can I call you there?"

"Ivan, you still owe me a dinner here and in Horseshoe Bay. I tend to hold you to your word. Call me anytime." Turning to Gábor she addressed him. "Are you going to introduce us in the near future to your wife and Leo, Gábor? I admit I'm dying to meet them." Before he could answer Leilani, Ivan tapped his head and Gábor understood; mind-link. Ivan hooked into Leilani's arm.

"First let's take care of your patient and then breakfast. What would you two beauty contestants have for breakfast? We had a long night on a small craft with nothing to eat. You must be famished. Introductions can wait." Ivan took over and changed the topic to sidetrack Leilani and Vai. Guarding his thoughts and pretending to look out at sea Gábor linked in with a greeting. Leo's presence washed over his mind and the strong image of him and Helena filled his mental vision. Gábor focused his mind.

"Hi, guys. We arrived in Papeete with Lundy and he is in the hands of the doctors. We are coming to Mehetia as soon as we wrap things up here. What is happening there? Are you settled in?"

Vai watched Gábor and noticed a far-away look on his face that she had noticed before on Niau. What was he doing? Did he zone out like it happens frequently to her? Did he have visions or what did he do?

"I miss you Honey and want you back as soon as you can make it, but we have visitors here, and they just came this morning. They look as if they will stay for today. They set up a picnic. It might be better if you stay there for the night. I'm sure you can clear up the problem with the police plus you guys have two good-looking women to keep you company and we are busy moving supplies. I think you will love what we've done to this place. Everything from the cache is now at the grotto and we've built a shelter. We're a bit exhausted, but okay." Feeling Helena's state and knowing how hard she worked when she had a project, he fought not to relay his feelings of guilt for having had a pleasant time with Vai. He covered up with thoughts of sympathy for her.

"Yeah, Mom went crazy, Dad," Leo injected. "She made me work my tail off, really. I'll tell you later. We also practiced mind control and Mom is becoming an expert. I think she could become a telepath herself. It seems you're getting better too. You're not ‘shouting' anymore."

"You want me to stay until the visitors are gone? I want to see you."

Straining to guard his thought he focused on the sight around the harbour.

"I want to see you too, Honey. I get lonely with only this tiger around here and visitors I don't care for. I also would like to meet your new friends in person. I'll let you know when the coast is clear and we'll take some quality time for ourselves then, deal?"

"I love that. I miss you, Lena," he projected his mind and made an effort to stay in the present. He had to see her face to face when he talked to her about Vai and wanted to keep Leo out of the intimate details.

"Enjoy your company. I'll see you when you get here. I love you."

They terminated the link and Gábor heard the words of Ivan.

"I think we will come back the day after tomorrow to get some supplies and then you can meet with his family."

Gábor cut in. He realized that Leo didn't link Ivan in and therefore he didn't know about the visitors.

"It's okay Ivan; we can stay for a day or two. Helena and Leo have enough for a few days still," he said without thinking.

Vai wrinkled her forehead and scrutinized Gábor with a peculiar look.

"Ah, great. Then we can spend the day together. Let's have breakfast then. A man has to eat if he is in love. Old Russian wisdom." Suddenly Ivan took the initiative. They had not eaten since they have left Niau and not in a hurry to return to Mehetia, breakfast sounded like the perfect idea. Together they walked to the waiting ambulance and Leilani told them to take Lundy and the luggage to the hospital. When they were finished with breakfast, they would go there to get the medical history taken care of. Vai looked happy and hooking her arm into Gábor's cheerily announced.

"Ma, you have a man on your arm; it is only fair that I have one too."

"He is a Westerner and a married man, Vai. He may object." Gábor exchanged a glance with Vai.

"I can't refuse a lovely young woman like this. She makes me feel like I'm thirty again and not all Europeans bite."

He thought if he put it on thick, he might be able to disperse any suspicion that something passed between them last night right next to them A bright smile beautified Vai's face and her mother lost her stiffness, but not her concern for Vai. Vai was too happy and Leilani's intuition was keen. Vai behaved like a woman who had spent a night with a man with a happy ending.

"I know just the place; Tahiti Noe-Noe. I've been there twice and it is the right place for the right price. If you're staying a night or two, we could stay there with you as well. It's clean and not far from the airport, you'll like it," Leilani announced, and told them more about the place as they walked toward De Gaulle Boulevard, looking for a car rental agency.

Vai held Gábor close, her hip touched his, and as they walked, he felt her physical closeness that brought on a permanent state of arousal, and he had to focus on the surroundings to get his mind onto something other than Vai. It wasn't easy. Thoughts about Helena didn't make it easier.

Of course, Vai noticed and smiled inwardly. Whereas Gábor were worrying about the next few days, she felt a joyful anticipation at the prospect of being with him another time and she hoped for an opportunity to do just that. A pleasant ache that she felt in her genitals reminded her of the passionate embrace she shared with him and was determined to feel it again as soon as possible. Deep inside she felt to be on the right path. Her intuition shone like a bright guiding light, calling her home. Her mother had mixed feeling about them but admitted they looked well together. Vai seemed to fit as if she was meant to be on his side and Leilani wondered how Helena looked.

Ivan spotted a car rental place and they rented a car. Leilani chose the car for economic reasons and because she wanted to have her own transportation if she was to stay for a day or two at the hotel. When finished with the paperwork, they got into the car and Leilani drove, Ivan beside her; Gábor and Vai were in the back looking around. Leilani and Vai pointed out places of interest as her mother drove the car.

The Pearl Museum, the Botanical Garden near the Gauguin Museum, and other touristy attractions were close together. Shortly after they arrived at their destination, parked the car, then entered the hotel. Built in traditional fashion, it overlooked the lagoon. Several shades of turquoise and aquamarine indicated the depth of the water and the air pregnant with the scent of flowers intoxicated their senses.  Many plants and flowers decorated the foyer and the reception desk was unobtrusive.

Three young women were behind it and greeted them, and after Leilani informed them of their intentions, one of the girls accompanied them to the dining area. A waitress took their order and the two couples leaned back in their seats and enjoyed the view. There were about twenty people having breakfast nearby, their eyes were on the two women, and Gábor thought he heard something about David Carradine from one of the tables and smiled inwardly. Ivan could easily be mistaken for the main actor in the movie "Kung Fu" or Pat Morita as Mr. Miyagi in "Karate Kid".

Ivan wondered if they could stay at the hotel for the night and asked Leilani if she would like to, she replied she wanted to see her daughter first before deciding. She dug out her phone and dialled a number. Ivan heard a female voice answering and then happy laughter coming from the phone and a million words per minute from the tiny speaker. Leilani held it with outstretched arms and a happy grimace sat on her face. For a while, she just listened and then interrupted the flood of words with a command: "Ecoutéz!"

The words ceased and Leilani had a chance to talk to her for a minute in Maori and she then hung up the phone with a sigh.

"She has diarrhoea of the mouth. She'll be here shortly."

"Does she speak English too?"

"Yes, Maori, French, German, Italian and Spanish as well. She is very good with languages and is teaching at the high school. Vai speaks German too and wants to learn Japanese in the future."

"Sounds like a genius family," Gábor said. "It seems all your children are very gifted. I had noticed Vai has a very deep understanding of philosophy. Where did she learn that?"

Ivan was also interested hearing about that and looked at Leilani.

"Nobody taught her as far as I know. She often surprised me with some of the things she said when she was only seven or eight. She is a deep thinker and always was. "She looked with love at Vai and added. "I hope she will find a good partner, but she has some strange views many men would find hard to live with, but I'm sure she could meet some good men in Europe. They are a bit more open-minded than the men here."

Leilani's words hit Gábor unexpected. Instantaneously he recognized that his emotions for Vai were deeper than he refused to acknowledge to himself. The thought, that Vai would find someone somehow, didn't please Gábor. For the reason of having been intimate with her, he thought of her as belonging to him and struggled to see it any other way, but had to watch what he said. He had Helena, she was his wife, and his love had not lessened for her. The problem was that he had fallen in love with Vai as well, so much was clear.