It's been a while coming, but they are finally on their way to Michigan, to Greenfield Village. I hope you enjoy their journey there as much as they do.
Thursday Morning,
Between 3 – 6a.m.
"Kids," I call in a normal tone as not to wake our human family. Once everyone is in the living room I ask them to please go and get their luggage and bring it down to the hall.
"Papa I know Leah and Seth have their bags done and near their doors, would you like to me go and get them to?" Jasper asks.
"That would be very nice, but please try to not wake them," I answer.
"I'll get Uncle Billy's and Dog Boy's," Rose added.
"Rosalie Cullen," I hear Esme call warningly before I say anything.
"Sorry Mom, Jacob's luggage," Rose corrects herself.
As the kids begin to head up I get a text message from Eleazar that he is doing the same at his house. Before I realize it all the luggage is sitting in the front hall near the door. I go to tag everyone's when I realize I have an extra case.
"Does anyone know if this is Charlotte's suitcase?" I ask.
"No Daddy, it's… ah…" Alice tries.
"Alice? What was our rule for this trip?" I start apparently a little too harshly.
"Only one suitcase, but Daddy we need it," Alice insists in a shaky voice.
"Why may I ask?" Wondering what excuse my fashion focused daughter could come up with for her needing a second, very large, suitcase.
"I thought instead of us trying to shove our souvenirs into our bags we could all put them into this larger one. It's empty; I'm sorry Daddy I should have asked first, I'll take it back up." My pixie says with a now truly devastated and heartbroken look.
I quickly stop her, "no wait Ali Cat. We will mark this one our family treasures, I think it was a wonderful idea," I finish saying kissing her on the top of her head. "Why don't you kids go get your cousins and go on a quick hunt? I know everyone hunted recently, however, I would like you well fed. I know it's only about three and half to four and a half hour flight, but we will be in close quarters with several of our human family members."
As the kids leave Esme and I finish marking the bags, we also get our special gift for Jasper and bring it down.
"Are you sure he will like this? I just don't want to see anything happen to his real one," Esme frets.
"I am sure he will love it, you worry too much love," I assure her. As I am saying this Eleazar and Carmen come in and see it.
"Oh Esme!" Carmen starts.
"I must say that is one very lucky young man, Esme I would swear that was his original uniform," Eleazar adds.
We both check the inner coast seam where Esme added 'JLWHC' in gold thread to tell them apart.
6:30 a.m.
"Billy time to wake up," Esme tells him, "I'm sorry it's so early, Carlisle will have the kids stay quiet and you can rest on the plane."
"Good morning Esme, and nonsense, today I am happy getting up early. It's not every day I get a chance to watch my nephew getting to do what he is truly famous for," Billy insists waving off her concern
.
I hear Esme continue to go room to room and waking the others up before coming down to start their breakfast.
8:00 a.m.
My phone rings and I answer it quickly, "Cullen residence, Dr. Cullen speaking."
"Hi Uncle Carlisle," Sam's voice comes through on the other end of the phone.
"Sam, good morning, is everything okay?" I ask him.
"Yes, I just wanted to tell you I have everyone getting on the bus and we should be heading to the airport shortly," he tells me.
"Wonderful, did Jerry send you the directions where to park?" I check.
"Yes Sir, we will… sorry Emily was wondering if you need us to stop and pick up anything on our way there," he offers.
"Tell her thank you, but we are all good. We will see everyone soon," I answer. We exchange our goodbyes before I put the phone down once Sam has hung up. Checking the time I see it's almost time to go, "everyone five minute warning," I call. "Please come and get into the vans, we need to get the Denali's on our way to the airport."
"Uncle Billy can we help you?" Emmett asks.
"Yes, Thank you Emmett," Billy responds.
Within a couple minutes we all in the vans and shortly after are picking up Eleazar and his family then on our way to the airport. Once we arrive we park alongside Sam and make sure everyone is present and accounted for.
"Carlisle, Esme, friends welcome. What do you think?" Jerry greets everyone.
"Jerry it's…" Carmen starts.
"Beyond words," Eleazar finishes.
"Thank you; now wait until you see inside," Aryanna adds smiling almost mischievously.
As we begin to board we all stop and look, the carpet is a rustic red color, and seats are divided into three on each side done in a turquoise and deep ocean blue. Tray tables in a redwood. "We thought we would try to incorporate some of the colors of the Native American People into our design," Jerry explains once we have taken it all in.
As the boys help Billy in I see them stop, tears beginning to fall down Billy's face. "Billy… Billy are you okay?" I ask concerned.
"Yes, I am, I'm sorry it's just this is more than I could ever have dreamed of. I was surprised when Jerry incorporated a symbol representing our people in the design on the plane, honored when he found a way to incorporate my grandfather in the plane number, but to include the colors of our people here. There are no words strong enough to say Thank You," he confesses emotionally.
We finish boarding and take our assigned seats when the first flight announcement begins. "Ladies and gentlemen, welcome aboard Cullen Flight 1936 with services from Seattle to Detroit. We are currently second in line to take off and are expected to be in the air in approximately ten minutes time. We ask that you please fasten your seatbelts at this time and have all your baggage secured underneath your seat or in the overhead compartments. We also ask that your seats and table trays are in the upright positions for take-off. Please turn off all personal electronic devices at this time, including laptops and cell phones. Smoking is prohibited for the duration of flight. Thank you for choosing Cullen Airlines. Enjoy your flight," Jerry's voice is heard over the speaker system.
Next Aryanna goes to the front of the plane to start the safety announcement: "Ladies and gentlemen, on behalf of the crew I ask that you please direct your attention to the front of the plane as I will review the emergency procedures. There are six emergency exits on this aircraft. Take a minute to locate the exit closest to you. Note that the nearest exit may be behind you. Count the number of rows to the exit. Should the cabin experience sudden pressure loss, stay calm and listen for instructions from the cabin crew. Oxygen masks will drop down from above your seat. Place the mask over your mouth and nose, like this. Pull the strap to tighten it. If you are traveling with children, make sure that your own mask is on first before helping your children. In the unlikely event of an emergency landing and evacuation, leave your carry-on items behind. Life rafts are located below your seats and emergency lighting will lead your way to the closest exit and slide. We ask that you make sure that all carry-on luggage is stowed away safely during the flight. While we wait for take-off, please take a moment to review the safety data card in the seat pocket in front of you."
After a few more minutes we hear the overhead coming back on, everyone stopped chatting to listen.
A few minutes after the announcement
"Ladies and gentlemen, the Captain has turned off the Fasten Seat Belt sign, and you may now move around the cabin freely. However we always recommend keeping your seat belt fastened while you're seated. Thank you for your cooperation," Aryanna announces.
The flight is going very smoothly, several members of the family have taken turns going into the cockpit with Jerry. Rose even mentioned after her turn that she may be interested in studying aviation and getting her pilot license, Aryanna has been snapping pictures of everyone as they went in, to add to our memory book for this trip. While they were waiting their turns and after some played cards and various travel games we brought, others read or watched movies, some took the time to visit with each other.
Claire and Quil were coming out of the cockpit when Claire ran to everyone showing her pilot wings. "Uncle Cawlisle, Auntie Esme look I'm a pilot," Claire announces excitedly.
"Yes you are sweetheart, and is Quil your Co-Pilot?" Esme asks getting a giggle and a nod out of Claire before she shoots off.
Claire continues down the aisle showing everyone.
A short time later Jerry comes on the speaker with a brief announcement; "Ladies and Gentlemen this is your Captain; we are approximately forty-five minutes outside Detroit Metro Airport. Shortly Aryanna will start making her way around to collect trays and garbage. I ask you please start getting ready for our landing. Thank you."
"Everyone," I call out, waiting until I have everyone's attention before continuing. "Thank you, I want to ask you please head back to your assigned seats now. I am very proud of all your behavior on this flight. Once we are seated those who eat regular food please mark your choice cards and I will collect them as we disembark off the plane. Eleazar, Sam and I will stop and pick up the food on the way to the hotel. After we are all checked in and had our dinner there should be time to go down to the pool. Rules will be discussed there, remember we have little children with us." I finish.
Claire pipes up with, "I big girl Quil!"
"Yes my princess you are," Quil assures her with a smile and kiss on her head.
The rest of us just smile, when we hear Aryanna getting ready to start her final announcements. "Ladies and gentlemen, as we get ready to start our descent, please make sure your seat backs and tray tables are in their full upright position. Make sure your seatbelt is securely fastened and all carry-on luggage is stowed underneath the seat in front of you or in the overheard bins. Thank you."
Next,
"Ladies and gentlemen this is your Captain. We have just been cleared to land in Detroit Metropolitan Airport. Please make sure one last time your seatbelt is securely fastened. Aryanna is currently walking around the cabin to make a final compliance check and pick up any remaining cups, glasses and trash. Thank you," Jerry informs us.
Shortly after she finishes her check we hear her announce: "Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Detroit Metropolitan Airport. Local time is five forty-five pm and the temperature is sixty-five degrees, under mostly cloudy skies. For your safety and comfort, please remain seated with your seatbelt fastened until the Captain turns off the Fasten Seat Belt Sign. This will indicate that we have parked at the gate and that it is safe for you to move about. You may then also turn you electronics back on. Please check around your seat for any personal belongings you may have brought on board with you and please use caution when opening the overhead bins as heavy articles may have shifted around during the flight. If you require any assistance deplaning, please remain in your seat until all other passengers have deplaned. One of our crew will then be available and happy to assist you. On behalf of Cullen Airlines and the entire crew, I'd like to thank you for joining us on this trip and we are looking forward to seeing you on board again in the near future. Have a nice time visiting Metro Detroit, Greenfield Village, and Major Whitlock on behalf of Cullen Airlines we wish you best wishes for a great experience."
After a short drive we arrive at our hotel, Eleazar, Billy and I go in to check our family in.
"Dr. Cullen, Mr. Denali, Mr. Black welcome, we have ten rooms for your group. We understand you are requesting two keys per room, and swim passes for everyone…"
We were given all our rooms near each other, six on one side of the hall and 4 across from them. We head back out to the vans where everyone is waiting. "I would like everyone to wait forty-five minutes before heading down to the pool. Also remember we are not the only guests here, stay quiet and be respectful of the other guests. If an accident happens please just tell one of us immediately so we can take care of it. Absolutely no rough-housing ,especially by the pool," the last sentence I directly mostly to my sons. "We want everyone to have a great time on this trip, so please listen," I finish before we passed out the keys. The family then begins taking their luggage to unpack while Esme and I do the same.
40 minutes later:
Esme and I finally change and head down to the pool. Some of the family are just getting their towels set on a table, while others are just coming in. We spend the next hours just watching, and playing with everyone in the pool. Everyone seems to be enjoying the pool even taking Claire and Skylar into the deeper ends once their life jackets are on. Something I insisted on so they could safely play in the water with us too. Billy even joins us in the fun with the help of the boys. As I look at my beautiful wife, our family all laughing and smiling, I think to myself 'what a wonderful way to start our trip.'