As soon as they stepped off the plane they were met by Reddington's contact. He was a rather tall, slim man; probably no older than 45. Red and the man embraced and appeared to pick up a conversation they were having twenty plus years ago.
"Sorry, we're being rude." The man says as he turns away from Raymond and extends his had to Liz. "You must be Elizabeth. My name is Alex Briggs. You're husband here has told me quite a bit about you." He had a very charming smile and firm handshake.
"It's nice to meet you Mr. Briggs."
"Please, call me Alex." Liz smiled and nodded her head.
"Careful there Alex, she's got a nasty bite." Red said as he threw an arm around her.
"Well she'd have to, especially to put up with a vulture such as yourself." Red laughed.
"Ah, Alex. You're too kind." He chuckled.
"Well enough chitchat. You guys probably want to see your new home."
They had an armed escort to the house; a multi-car convoy- it was impressive. The house was on the other side of the island, completely secluded from the rest of the world. The driveway coming in had to be half a mile long. All around them were palm trees and banana leaves and island flowers. Everything looked to be missed with water; it was gorgeous. As they finally reach the end of the drive way, the convoy came to a halt outside of a truly magnificent structure. It appeared to be constructed completely of polished bamboo wood. It had glass walls and a ceramic shingle roof, a two car garage extended out from the bottom floor, and a balcony/deck sat overlooking the ocean. Liz's jaw dropped. Pinch me I must be dreaming.
"Oh my heavens." Red said as he came to Liz's side as she stared up at the home. Mr. Kaplan came to Elizabeth and handed her Lawrence, as Dembe brought over Sam.
"Look at your new home!" Liz said as she faced Lawrence to the house. "Isn't it beautiful?" Liz walked off to have a look around the house when Alex came up to Red.
"Is everything prepared the way I've asked?" Raymond asked.
"Yes sir. Security cameras have been installed in every location and a surveillance room has been set up where you can monitor the feeds at all times." Red nodded his head.
"And the patrols?"
"Round the clock and at your disposal." He assured him.
"Wonderful." Liz started walking back to them.
"I just have a few quick questions." Liz says to Alex. Red smirked off to the side. That's my girl
"Of course." He nodded and waited for her to continue.
"How far is nearest hospital?"
"Four miles."
"Police station?"
"Six."
"When was the last time island erupted?"
"1960."
"What's the crime rate around here look like?"
"Some guy had an unlicensed Parrot; he got busted last week."
"What about hurricanes?"
"The house is fully equipped with storm shutters, a built in flood wall, and herculite glass." Liz pursed her lips and nodded. Impressive. She quickly looks to Red. "Well he's got me sold." Alex laughs and so does Red.
"It's already bought sweetheart, but I'm glad you like it" Red laughs.
"Well then, if that will be all I suppose I'll leave you to it." Alex says. "If there's a problem or you need anything, I left my number on the counter."
"Thank you Alex." Red says shaking his hand.
"Anytime Ray."
Mr. Kaplan and Dembe helped bring in all their bags and helped them get settled in before they left. The house was two stories. The main story; the one that you were in as soon as you entered the home, consisted of the living room, kitchen, a bathroom, and three bedrooms. The floor below that was made up of a den/lounge room, two more bedrooms, a second bathroom and the surveillance room. This floor was also connected to the garage. While Liz got Sam and Lawrence's rooms set up, Red was unpacking his and her things in their bedroom. All three of the bedrooms were no more than a few steps from each other and they both found that more than comforting. Of course though, Lawrence would sleep in their bedroom until she was bigger.
Once everything was in relatively in place and they were settled in, Red and Liz brought the kids out into the living room to relax. Red sat with Sam on the floor and built structures out of colorful wooden blocks while Liz sat on the couch holding Lawrence. Liz looked at her little nose and he tiny marble blue eyes, then she looked up at Red and San playing with the blocks on the floor. In that moment she had never felt so in love. Everything she could have ever dreamed of; wished for, was right there, and she could reach out and touch it.
After a while Liz fell asleep with Lawrence lying on her chest; she was also sound asleep. Sam was becoming quite irritable and sleepy so Red picked him up and tucked him in for bed. When he came back in he gently removed Lawrence from her chest and carried her off to her crib as well. He kissed her forehead and then left her be. He shut their bedroom door behind him as he left; he didn't want to wake Elizabeth so he left her to rest and he went downstairs to review the security camera footage. There ended up being nothing on any of the tapes so he felt like he could finally relax. They were finally safe
As he was walking up the stairs from the basement he heard a strange noise. He climbed the rest of the stairs and came into the living room, and saw that strange noise was coming from Elizabeth. She was awake, sitting on the couch reading a book and she was crying. She was so immersed into the book, living and feeling every aspect of the story that she had brought herself to tears. Even though it was only a book that had made her upset, she was upset nonetheless and he felt he had to do something. He slowly walked over to her on the couch and offered out his hand as he stood in front of her. She looked up from the book, tears streaming down her red cheeks. "Dance with me..." He whispered. She gently rested her hand in his and smiled. He motioned with his head to come with him and she closed her book with her other hand and allowed him to lead her away from the couch. He held out their hands in the air as he led her out onto the balcony. There was a soft warm breeze blowing through the air and only the sound of the waves in the background. He slowly spun her around and then into his arms. When he caught her he slowly released her hand and brought his thumb to her cheek and brushed away the tears.
"Look at me, I'm a mess; crying over a book." She laughed at herself; embarrassed.
"It's not just a book," he said "not to you." She looked at him. She was in awe of him, of how he saw everything. He saw the world through such a wide lens and he understood the tight bonds people can establish for things such as book; stories. He understood that to somebody that book very well may be just a book; but to someone else, that book may be their entire world. He once again took her hand and she rested her head against his chest. He began to hum a song and she could feel his voice rumble against her chest. She could feel his heart beat; she could hear it. And little did he know, as they danced around in small circles, it was the beat of his heart that she was dancing to.
"So is this it?" She asked "No more running?"
"No more running." He confirmed. "It's safe here. Nobody is going to hurt you, Lizzie. Not while I'm still breathing." She smiled
"So this is it, then. This is where it all ends." She said "And let me guess, then something new will begin." She smiled
"What, is that something I'd say?" He chuckled.
"Actually, it's something you did say." She laughed and he remembered.
"I believe all things must come to an end eventually." She turned to him and pressed her lips against his. "Okay, perhaps there's one exception." He smiled and she laughed as she crawled into his lap. Red clapped his hands and the room fell into darkness, leaving them nothing but reflections against the glass walls.