Chapter 88: Party
Pablo and Susan returned to their home with their children Blu and Jewel, whom they decided to look after until they picked them up. It was their wedding day, so hey! Someone had to let them play and it just so happened that they wanted to be left alone for a while rather than playing in a crowd of birds with a combination of people in the area, they both had a trust deposit for them, so they preferred to stay in their cosy flat where nothing threatened them. Nigel was no longer a danger. Once he had been introduced to the Tulia clinic and locked in a cage, it would be very doubtful that he would be able to fly again and attack. Mauro with his squad of marmosets had, since the plane crash in which Nigel was injured, ceased to fear him and did not interfere further in his affairs and those of Spix Macaw. Fortunately for them they could finally (or at least for a while) take care of themselves and their children, that was probably the most important thing. Pablo and Susan didn't really have much to do with the chicks, they were immersed in sleep all the time so they talked to each other while watching what was going on around them making sure they weren't in any danger.
Meanwhile, in Rio, the party was in full swing. Loud music, lots of lights and, above all, guests made it a truly brilliant party! Everyone had a good time, Nico and Pedro really did their best with the organisation of the party, as everything was, to say the least, brilliantly planned. The well-chosen company ensured that the sounds and rhythm of the samba carried most of the guests onto the dance floor having fun with the sounds. Blu occasionally wondered how the time was passing and how Linda's party was going. He also cared that she was having a good time, that she didn't even know about the kidnapping of the chicks, he didn't want to ruin her fun and he guessed that she was having a really good time! It was strongly doubtful that their party was going as well as theirs, but he expected there was plenty of fun to be had there too. Taking the opportunity that Jewel was just busy dancing with Raphael, he made his way over to Linda, who must have just finished dancing because she looked tired and was vigorously pawing at her cup. Blu landed on her shoulder, which surprised her a little, but this surprise quickly turned into a smile and joy for the woman.
"Oh Blu! Where have you been? I thought you had run off somewhere!" said an amused Linda. Blu shrugged his shoulders without giving an exact answer, he didn't want to give too much away about what was going on while she was playing.
"Oh, but never mind. The important thing is that you are! I hope you're having fun too!" Replied Linda to which Blu nodded emphatically with a shake of his head.
"Oh, I don't see you two having fun anywhere though..." Replied Linda to which Blu pointed with his wing at the statue of Jesus on the hill. Their party was at the Jesus Christ statue, there was a little way between the beach where Linda and Tulio were playing and Blu and Jewel, but in a straight line in flight it really wasn't much. Even looking at it, it felt like it was quite close.
"Oh, there you are! Then have fun, and fly Blu! After all, you know it's only one night like this in your life!" Linda said. There was something in that. Blu knew that such a second opportunity would never happen, so he decided to heed her advice and took to the air, returning to the party in his honour.
When Blu returned to his bridal party Jewel flew up to him, looking a little worried.
"Blu! Where have you been?" Asked Jewel immediately. Blu turned towards the beach where Linda and Tulia's party was, Jewel quickly realised where her husband was.
"Ah...you were at Linda's to see her having fun right?" Jewel asked.
"Yes..." Replied Blu uncertainly. Jewel laughed a little at Blu's embarrassment which made him slightly uncomfortable.
"Ah Blu...it's so sweet that you care about everyone...however, remember it's your night" replied Jewel.
"I've heard that before" thought Blu.
"Don't just stand there! It's time to hit the dance floor!" Cried Rafael from behind them, pushing them into the middle of the dancefloor pushing their way through the other partygoers. Just as Blu and Jewel were about to start partying suddenly the music stopped and it went dark, startling all the guests.
"What happened?" Blu asked.
"You got a chance to finish what you didn't finish in the club" said the toucan in his ear. Blu was perplexed by what he heard. What could he have been referring to?
"Attention everyone! There are a lot of our visitors from our club, and we thank you for coming! You probably remember Blu and Jewel, the couple celebrating today, who were guests at our club?" Asked Nico, to which everyone unanimously replied with a chorus of "Yes!"
"So it's time to let go of the piece that brought them together and made them together now! " added Pedro. After their words, the lights were turned towards Blu and Jewel, on the dancing stage the lights were mainly focused on them and in the background the music started to fly, making them feel what Rio was all about.
"Party in Ipanema, baby!
I want to party
I want to samba
I want to party
I want to samba
I want to party
And live my life (live my life)
I want to party (party)
And fly..."
The music they all knew and remembered so well, a smile instantly appeared on Jewel's face and a slight blush made Blu blush too.
"Go ahead Blu!" Said the toucan again into his ear pushing him towards Jewel. Blu didn't quite know what to do in such a situation yet, but luckily Jewel quickly got into the rhythm of the music which brought them so close that they were now at this point neither other. She quickly began to dance inviting Blu in at the same time, who moments later also felt that primal, same instinct that compelled him to dance in the club.
"I want to party (party)
I want to samba (party)
I want to party (party)
I want to samba (party)
I want to party (party)
And live my life (live my life)
I want to party
And fly
Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey"
Just like in the club, this music made them both come together as one cohesive unit, their bodies were perfectly coordinated with each other, their wing movements were the same, they anticipated each other's movements.
"This is the moment Blu, let it go" Instinct was telling Blu what he should do with Jewel, who seemed to be having more fun than she did in the club to this song! All the while she was laughing and smiling towards Blu, who shyly reciprocated her advances. Soon there was a moment when Blu released Jewel from his embrace allowing her to sing her part while floating gently in the air just as she did in the club.
"Laya
Laya
Laya
Laya
Hey
Laya
Laya
Laya
Laya
Laya
Laya
Laya
Laya"
Blu stared at his wife now with the same childlike shock as he did during the dance at the club. She looked so incredibly beautiful! Until it was impossible that someone beautiful like her was with him! It was so surreal, but yet real! Jewel briefly glanced at Blu, who was staring at her with his beak gently open which made Jewel laugh then landed next to him. This was the moment everyone had been waiting for. Jewel and Blu could finally do what they couldn't in the club. They brought their beaks closer together, almost touching.
"I love you Jewel" said Blu quietly.
"I love you more Blu" replied Jewel after which they shared a luscious and rather long kiss. Everyone started cheering at the sight and some were still counting down how many seconds the kiss lasted! Soon after 12 seconds they broke the kiss, running out of air in their lungs. A storm of applause for them followed, making them blush once more. Blu paid particular attention to Rafael's gaze, as if with that gaze he wanted to convey to him: 'Well done Blu, I'm proud of you'. Toucan from the very beginning was a character who wanted to bring them together , it looked like he had succeeded.
As Jewel and Blu relaxed a bit talking to each other on the side of the stage so as not to disturb for the others in the dance Rafaela approached them tapping Blu for a wing.
"Can Blu speak to him for a moment?" Asked Rafael tugging Blu gently by the wing.
"What are you Blu so carried away with today?" Asked Jewel ironically laughing.
"I'd like to know too," replied Blu uncertainly.
"Don't be afraid Jewel, I will return it intact" replied Tukan. The two headed up the sculpture, Blu wasn't sure why Rafael was taking him out of the party but decided to trust him. Moments later they landed on the shoulder of the statue of Jesus Christ, several metres above the entire party. It was a little quieter and quieter here, providing opportunities for quiet conversation.
"I saw that you gave it a go, overcame your weaknesses and have now done what you couldn't in the club," said Rafael.
"After all, Jewel is my wife isn't she" laughed Blu.
"Nevertheless, I wanted to tell Blu that I am proud of you. When you came here and I first saw you I knew that out of that that Blu would come out Blu, who feels life with his heart " said Rafael. Blu didn't quite understand his message, after all it was still him, but he thanked him pretending to know what his friend meant.
"Ekhm...thanks"
"You're welcome...tell me How is it?"
"What do you mean?"
"What's it like to live all your life in Minnesota, where it's cold and you don't have contact with birds and suddenly you fly to Rio, fall in love with someone and already have children? Ba, you even get married!" The toucan asked. Blu did not answer immediately. He himself often thought about it. His life was completely different. His lifestyle, his climate, his surroundings, everything had changed! The fact that he had changed was also true. Looking back on it and what he encountered it was a very amazing experience.
"I feel...really happy...now that I think about it I feel like it was only Rio that showed me what life is really like," Blu replied.
"Yes, it must be a good feeling. Just tell me, do you sometimes think back to Minnesota?" Asked the toucan.
"Ekhm..sometimes yes, you know, after all I've spent most of my life there and sometimes it's fun to think about what it's like to live there. But if you ask me, I don't regret being here," replied Blu.
"I understand. I congratulate you on that and wish you and Jewel everything you need to have a good life...now why don't we go back what? The groom can't disappear all the time!" Tukan replied. Blu nodded after which they both flew downstairs where Jewel was waiting for Blu expecting another dance. The party was slowly starting to come to an end - it was getting sunrise.