We step off the plane, and I get my first glimpse of how beautiful Hawaii truly is.
"You like?" Rafe says, smiling and enjoying my awestruck expression.
"I love. It is so amazingly beautiful," I say, "Where to first?"
"I'm going to see if anyone is in the hanger, and then see my captain. Then I figured we could go to the hospital and you could meet Evelyn and the others," Rafe says, looking at me.
"Fine with me. First off, I need to freshen up. I'll meet you in the hanger." Rafe points out where he will be, and then someone points me in the direction of the bathroom. I change into my light pink sundress and find my sunglasses. Then I fix my makeup and take down my ponytail and brush my wavy hair, making sure it doesn't frizz up. Then I walk to the hanger, where I can see Rafe immediately, although his back is to me.
"Who is that gorgeous woman who just wanted in?" I hear one of the pilots saying, while another one whistles. I smile at the men, while walking towards Rafe and two other men.
"She-she-she's coming this way," says the man with the red hair standing by Rafe. Rafe turns around and smiles when he sees me.
"Hey darlin'," he says, "Feeling better?"
"Very much so. Nice to be back on America soil," I say, coming to stand beside him.
"Hello beautiful. How about ditchin' Rafe, here, and coming with me?" says the man with the darker hair.
"Sorry, lieutenant. She's with me," Rafe says, putting a possessive arm around my shoulders. I lower my sunglasses and little and give me a look. He just gives me that cute, little boy smile. I sigh, grinning at the same time.
"Since I don't think Lt. McCawley has any intention on introducing us, I will take it up myself. I am Lt. Anthony R. Fusco. This is Red," the darker haired pilot says, motioning to himself and then his friend, "And who might you be, gorgeous?"
"Pilot, please, cease and desist," I say, taking off my sunglasses, "I'm Lt. Amanda Evans, nurse. I was stationed in Britain, but then I got stuck in France after the occupation. Two of my friends saved Rafe's life and brought him to me to take care of. Been with the man for about five months." I then shake hands with both men.
"Rafe, man, I am so thankful you are alive. We should have a get together tonight. Funky Oahu Bar at 9:00?" Anthony asks.
Rafe glances at me and I nod. "We'll be there," Rafe says, smiling,
"By the way, where is Danny? I really want Mandy to meet him." Red and Anthony share a quick glance that Rafe misses, but I don't. I can tell that something's up, and if they don't tell Rafe then it must have to do with Danny and Evelyn.
"No! Danny and EVELYN?" I mouth to Anthony, and he's nods slightly. "Let's just see Evelyn first, since we know she's at the hospital," I tell Rafe, hoping that we don't see either.
"Okay, first I need to see Cap. Doolittle, though," Rafe says, smiling, "you coming?"
"Yeah, let's go," I say, smiling. I can't wait to see Rafe's expression when he realizes I know Doolittle.
"By the way, Red, bring Betty. You're still seeing her, right?" Rafe says, as we walk away.
"We're engaged," he says, only slightly stuttering.
"Congratulations," Rafe and I say at the same time.
"By the way, invite everyone," Rafe says over his shoulder. We head to Doolittle's office and knock on the door.
"Come in," he says.
"Hello, captain," Rafe says, walking in, "Did you miss me?"
"Welcome home, lieutenant. Welcome home," Doolittle says, standing up to hug his protégé.
"By the way, sir," Rafe says, after the hug, "I'd like you to meet the woman who saved my life."
"Mandy?" Doolittle asks in complete surprise.
"Hi Uncle Jimmy," I say, giving him a hug.
"Thank God you are alive," he says, hugging me back.
"You know each other?" Rafe asks, still really confused.
"Rafe, he's my mom's brother. I knew the name was familiar, and it clicked a few minutes ago. Thought it'd be fun to surprise you," I say, smiling at him. Meanwhile, my uncle is looking at us with a grin on his face.
"What is it?" Rafe asks, seeing my uncle's face.
"Nothing, so Mandy, what are you doing in Pearl Harbor?" Doolittle asks.
"Well, I wanted a warmer climate after France," I say, laughing, "Seriously, Rafe said it was so beautiful and I should come with him when he made it back. So here I am."
"I'm very happy to see you; but have you seen your mom and dad?" he asks.
"Been there, and done that," I say, "they're thrilled, but they didn't want me to come here. Daddy understood, but Mama couldn't grasp it."
"The fight," Rafe says, smiling, "It's in your blood."
"That it is," Uncle Jimmy says, smiling at me also.
"Anyway, sir, with your permission I was planning on heading to the hospital to get Mandy situated and see Evelyn," Rafe says.
"Go ahead, lieutenant. Mandy, could you wait outside while I speak to Lt. McCawley for a second.
"Sure," I say, hugging my uncle, "I will see you later. We're staying at Mona Luna Motel." (AN: I made it up because I can't remember the real name) I go outside, meanwhile inside.
"Lieutenant, I am going to speak frankly. You obvious care for my niece a great deal. Please be careful with her," Doolittle says.
"I would never hurt her, intentionally. She is such an amazing person. She's beautiful, smart, funny, caring, everything a guy could want. I'll treat her the way she deserves. She's my best friend," Rafe says.
"That's all I ask, you may go," Doolittle says.
"Thank you, sir," Rafe says, exiting.
"Ready?" I ask. "As I'll ever be," he says.
"Let's go, then," I say, knowing what may await us when we get to the hospital.
