A/N: A LITTLE TRIP TO WISCONSIN, ANYONE? WELL THAT'S WHERE WE'RE HEADED IN THIS CHAPTER. I DON'T HAVE ANY RIGHTS TO THE CROSSING JORDAN CHARACTERS OR THE TOWN OF KEWAUNEE, WIS, (IF ANY OF THE INFORMATION IS WRONG, I APOLOGIZE IN ADVANCE). HOPE YOU LIKE IT!
CHAPTER 11: SWEET HOME KEWAUNEE
Cal and Dolly waited anxiously at the Austin-Straubel airport for Woody and Jordan's flight to land. They finally spotted Jordan pushing the luggage, with poor Woody buried underneath. Dolly ran up and hugged Jordan while Cal unloaded Woody's lap. The couple looked great, they both had beautiful tans, which was a huge improvement to the paleness of Woody's skin from spending all of last summer in the hospital and rehab. He had even managed to gain a few much needed pounds. And Jordan, well she always looked wonderful, but there was something different about her. This trip, it seemed, had washed away all of the stress and worry from the passed year. She was so relaxed, so happy, giddy even.
The drive to the Hoyt farm was filled with talk of their honeymoon adventures; the sights, the food, the fun. Jordan couldn't help herself, she was so happy from the week in Hawaii but also, so excited to be back with family and to get the chance to see where Woody grew up, that she rambled non-stop for half of the ride. Dolly didn't seem to mind one bit, and Cal kept her going by asking question after question. Dolly was pointing out some interesting sites of Kewaunee, "This is the Marquette historical district, and over there is our families favorite resturant.", she stated happily. She was just about to tell Jordan about the quaint little shops, when Cal called from the drivers seat, "Hey Jordan, look.", he chuckled and nodded to a snoring Woody in the passenger seat next to him. "Your brother can sleep just about anywhere. I've never seen anything like it.", Jordan laughed. "Hey Woods, we're almost there.", Cal called, giving his brothers shoulder a slight nudge. "Huh? Oh yeah. Hey, that's the Kewaunee marina.", Woody stated, still groggy, as he looked out the window. "That's where Dad and Uncle Charlie brought us to fish.", he happily remembered.
Before they knew it, the group had arrived. Jordan jumped out of the car and went around back to get Woody his chair. Dolly and Cal took the bags into the house, while Jordan was soaking in the beauty of her surroundings. Everything looked so pristine and perfect, like a painting, like paradise. No wait, I was just in paradise. But if Hawaii is paradise, then Kewaunee must be heaven., she thought to herself. "Uh Jordan?", Woody called from the car, interrupting her from her reverie. "Oh I'm sorry.", she called back, bringing him his chair. "It's just…..this place is so amazing Woody. It's so beautiful.", she exclaimed, squeezing his shoulders. He looked up at her and grabbed her hand, "Yeah I guess it is.", he agreed with a nod.
After a delicious lunch, in the main house, Woody and Jordan made their way to the small guest house Aunt Betty had prepared just for them. It was a small, one floor cottage with two bedrooms, a living room and kitchenette, perfect for the newlyweds. Woody explained that it was used for the farmhands that helped his great-grandfather run the farm. But whenthey were younger,Woody, Cal and Dolly used it as a clubhouse. Jordan saw Cal's handy work as she noticed the bathroom was made accessible and only the lower half of the kitchen cabinets were stocked. They went into the bedroom and started unpacking the suitcases. She had just finished unpacking the last of the luggage when she twirled around to look at her husband, "I'm in heaven Woody.", she stated with a smile. "Really?", he asked, playfully knocking her down on the bed. Woody then pushed himself onto the bed and nearly on top of Jordan. "Yes really.", she panted breathlessly, consumed in his kisses.
They spent the rest of the afternoon and some of the evening wrapped up in each others arms. That was until Dolly came by to let them know dinner was ready. They rushed to get ready as Dolly waited patiently outside for them. Aunt Betty came out, and Jordan walked ahead with her. Dolly came behind Woody and put her hand on his shoulder, "After all that traveling, you must have been exhausted. Looks like that 'nap' did you a world of good.", Dolly exclaimed with a smile. "Huh?", Woody inquired, glancing, a bit confused, over his shoulder. "Just what the doctor ordered?", Dolly asked innocently, with a laugh. " Yeah, something like that.", he replied, blushing.
The next day was Aunt Betty and Uncle Charlie's 30th anniversary party. The entire Hoyt clan was there, which was surprisingly large, consisting of mostly third and fourth cousins. Aunt Betty had her family there, the Mitchell's, a sweet and even larger bunch. Jordan was helping to pass out the cake when she noticed Woody sitting alone, paging through a photo album. She came over with two pieces of cake and a large glass of milk to share. "That's a beautiful picture.", she commented, handing him his cake. He nodded, accepting the cake and handing Jordan the album. The picture was of his family at Betty and Charlie's wedding. There was Woody's father standing behind his seated wife who was holding two-year old ring-bearer Woody on one leg, and baby Cal on the other. "It's the only family portrait we ever took, my mom got sick a few months later.", Woody whispered, running his hand over the picture. "She loved you Woody, so do I.", Jordan stated, putting her arm around her husband and kissing his head.
A few days later was the fourth of July. The day started with a parade, then a trip to the cemetery to visit Woody's parents gravesite, and finally a huge barbeque with way too much food for just the six of them. Woody and Dolly were deep in conversation by the big oak tree while Jordan and Aunt Betty set the picnic table. Dolly had been very quiet lately and Jordan could see something was bothering her, hopefully talking to Woody would help. They were halfway through dinner, Cal, Woody and Uncle Charlie were discussing the fishing trip they had planned for tomorrow, and Aunt Betty, Dolly and Jordan were planning a shopping trip. Dolly suddenly looked up from her coleslaw and blurted, "I want to move to Boston." All eyes darted toward her as she continued. "When I was there last week I looked at the schools, teachers make so much more money out there. Cal said I could stay with him until I find a place of my own." Cal lowered his head nervously.She looked over to her parents, "You know I love you guys, but I need to grow up. I'm going to be twenty-six and I think its time for a change. I realy love it there.", she explained, tears forming in her eyes. "Boston's not that far, and your cousins are there.", Uncle Charlie stated, trying to hide his emotions. All Aunt Betty could do was scoop her little girl in her arms and hold her.
Woody and Jordan spent that night sprawled out on a blanket under the oak tree watching the fabulous fireworks Cal and Uncle Charlie were setting off. He leaned against the trunk, holding his wife tightly in his arms. They were silently watching the sky when Woody let out a sigh. "You okay?", Jordan asked, turning to look at him. "Fine. I'm just worried about Dolly. I hope she's making the right decision", he said nodding to his cousin and aunt sitting on the front porch. "Well Boston was the right decision for you. Wasn't it?", Jordan joked, nudging him and planting a kiss on his lips. "The best I ever made.", he replied, shifting a little to get more comfortable. Jordan smiled and helped him lay down as she curled up next to him, underneath the magical Wisconsin sky.