When Jack and Elizabeth's plane landed at the Miami International, they barely had enough time to grab a quick bite, change into non winter clothing and get to their gate.
The last leg of the flight journey was turbulent as all get out. Making it nearly impossible for Elizabeth to even think about eating the salad she'd purchased. Jack on the other hand scarfed down his sandwich and bag of chips with ease.
Finally on solid ground again, Elizabeth felt as though she could breathe.
"No more flying for at least 6 months!" She declared. "That was… ugh. My life flashed before my eyes."
"It was a little bumpy."
"A little? Babe, were we on the same flight just now?"
Jack smiled at her, kissing her nose. "You're adorable when you rant."
"Thanks, I think."
The conveyor belt in baggage claim clanked and banged as it made its way around. Jack kept an eye out for their bags while Elizabeth waited off to the side, enjoying the feel of solid ground.
"Here's the last of it." Jack said, dropping the last two duffles. "Are you feeling okay?"
"Yeah. Just thinking."
"About what?"
"My ring. I miss my engagement ring," Elizabeth looked down at her ring finger.
Walking around impoverished areas with bling like that on her finger made her a potential target for some of the less than honorable characters. Instead, the ring was safe with Charlotte in the states and she now wore a white Groove Life ring that Jack had bought her. It was made out of silicone, not white gold like the one he had made. But still from him. Jack even purchased a dark gray one for himself once they were married.
With their luggage balanced on a rickety cart, they stepped outside to wait for their ride. As soon as the doors opened, they were hit by a strong gust of Haitian air.
"Wow, I'm hot." Elizabeth said with a laugh.
"Yes you are!" Jack said proudly.
"Goodness! Did you really just make that joke?"
"Oh, yeah I did. Get used to it." He kissed her cheek.
"Jack!" An old, beat up jeep pulled up to the curb. "Alo! Akeyi, akeyi!"
"Leo!" Jack waved back and returned the Haitian greeting. "Good to see you, friend!"
Leo parked the jeep and hopped out. With a great big smile the tall Haitian man rushed to embrace the couple.
"Mr. Jack and future Mrs. Jack." Leo kissed Elizabeth on the cheek. "We have dearly missed you."
"We've missed everyone here as well! Thank you for coming to get us," Elizabeth said graciously. She knew the drive from Hopes Landing could be long and tedious depending on the weather.
"My great pleasure. Jack, are you healed?"
"Healed enough for now, yes."
"And your cousin?"
"It's looking very positive. He's making great strides in his recovery."
"Praises to the Lord!" He raised his hands up in the air. "Now come! We should try to get back to the mission before nightfall."
They loaded up the jeep and hurried on their way.
"Leo?" Elizabeth asked from the front seat. "The city here seems to have a different energy today."
"Tensions are high here right now. Political trouble. There's been protests and riots for the past three weeks."
"Has this affected life at Hopes Landing?"
"In some ways, but not really. Things run very differently up there. Pastor Frank is a very good man. He wanted to come with me to retrieve you, but things are busy. Our community is growing fast. Just in the last week we've gained nearly 20 families."
"You're kidding? Where did they come from?"
"A few from the big cities, others from a village a good trek away from us. I guess there's been an increase of violence in their areas. Drug lords and kidnappings. They'd heard that we keep things safe around the mission so they came."
"Wow, what do we need to do to accommodate the new families?" Jack asked.
"Ah, that would be a Pastor Frank question. He's working so hard. It's funny to think about, you know? Two decades ago Hopes Landing was just a tiny farming community on the brink of nothing. Pastor Frank and others came and helped. Not like some people do. They didn't do the work for us. Just helped get everyone on their feet and care for one another. Now we have jobs, the market and more."
"It's certainly a special place," Elizabeth smiled. "I wonder if I'll have more students this term."
"Very possible." Leo continued, "Some of the other village families have been asking if their children can come now too. They want them to know how to read and write so they may have more of a future."
"I'll help as many as I can!" She looked back at Jack. He was smiling lovingly at her willingness to serve. Without a sound, she mouthed to him, "I love you." He mouthed the endearment back to her with a wink.
The journey up the mountains was slow and tedious, as expected. A surprise heavy rain the night before had left the dirt roads with a thick layer of mud. At a couple places, Jack and Leo had to get out, and while Elizabeth manned the wheel, they pushed the Jeep out of deep, muddy trenches. It reminded Elizabeth of her drive up the mountain months before. Before she knew Jack, or what it was like to feel his immense love.
Just as the sun began making its descent on the horizon, they drove through a clearing in the forest and the first of the farms before the village came into view.
"We're back," Elizabeth whispered. A joy filled her heart.
Many villagers waved and yelled "Alo" to them as they drove through the busy village. Jack and Elizabeth had both become well known during their time there. Jack had taught many of the young men the craftsmanship of carpentry that he'd learned from his father. He'd also been on the roof of a number of those homes, fixing leaks or gaping holes after wind storms. A few of the new Safe T homes he had also assisted with.
Elizabeth was a familiar face of many of the families with school age children after spending many afternoons walking the market and home streets meeting them and inviting them to school or school events.
By the time Leo pulled into the mission campus, the Jeep had a parade of children trailing behind, waving and calling out for their attention. More children, mostly from the orphanage joined them once the Jeep came to a stop.
"Ah!" Jack stretched his body as he hopped out of the vehicle. "It's good to be home!"
Faith rushed over from the clinic veranda with a loud squeal. "You're back!"
"We are!" Elizabeth embraced her best friend. "Where's Carson?"
"In the clinic. I need to head back too. We're swamped today." Jack and Elizabeth looked past Faith to the clinic. There was a long line around the veranda and off. "They're all new to us. I guess the clinic in Boucan was raided a week ago or something. It's closed for the time being and the people didn't know where else to go."
"Need a hand?" Jack asked.
"Yes please! That would be great."
Jack grabbed a stethoscope and a few other items from the medical duffle in the back of the Jeep.
"See you in a bit?" he asked Elizabeth, kissing her cheek.
"Sounds good. I'll get our bags taken care of and see about some food for dinner later."
"I'll help you, Miss Beth," Leo said brightly.
With one last kiss, Jack hurried after Faith towards the clinic.
Leo took Jack's bags to his room, while Elizabeth took her bags to the room she shared with Faith.
A quiet laugh escaped her as she unpacked her clothes. This small dorm-like room with its cracked walls was a far cry from Jack's city apartment. It didn't bother her and it clearly never phased Jack.
Once her clothes were in the dresser and her books, journal and other personal items were all in their proper place, Elizabeth refreshed her braided ponytail and headed out to the center of Hope's Landing. In her heart, she knew she was right where she was supposed to be.
….
The first hour and half back was quite busy for Jack. From the moment he arrived at the clinic he was moving around seeing patients and helping out where he could. Never had he been so grateful for his EMT training.
Lynn, the older woman who'd lost her husband years before was also back from her holiday and thrilled to see Jack. In between patients she peppered him with questions about the wedding and their plans for the future.
After the last patient was tended to, Jack cleaned up around the veranda. He was just about finished when he heard a chorus of giggles not far from the clinic. It was Elizabeth.
Elizabeth had just exited the mess hall and was quickly surrounded by nearly a dozen children, all fighting for her attention. Many had heard that she was marrying Jack and had lots of questions.
He leaned against the veranda railing and watched from a distance. She was breathtaking. Completely in her element. The light from the moon and the few ambient lights of the nearby buildings casted a warm light, almost making her glow. He watched as she reached down and lifted one of the small children on her hip. Two girls, about six years old, began pleading with her about something and all the others soon joined in. She nodded, said something to them in french then laughed as a small group of the children hurried off.
"Hey bro." A very tired Carson stepped out onto the veranda and leaned against the wall opposite Jack. "Thanks for the assist today. We needed it."
"Happy to help. It was nice putting more of my training to good use. I'm not as skilled as you of course, but I can help."
"You sure can. So you're good being back? No regrets?"
"None at all. It was weird, something happened in me back home. I think I found contentment in my purpose. I don't feel torn between Hopes Landing and Seattle right now."
"That's awesome. I'm happy for you. And, I'm even more happy for you and Elizabeth. Long distance is one thing when you're in the same country, but this would have been a lot."
"Too much, I bet."
Jack looked back over towards where Elizabeth had been. She was sitting on the ground with her back leaning against a tree trunk. The lights from a mess hall as well as the moon casted enough light on the book she was currently reading. The dozen or so kids were sitting listening intently to every word.
"See you a little later?" Jack asked Carson.
"Yeah, yeah, go be with your girl. I'm gonna see if I can persuade Faith to take a walk or something."
"Beautiful night for it," Jack grinned, then hurried off towards the little group.
Trying not to disturb, Jack sat on the ground behind the students and listened as Elizabeth read. She read both in English and French. She knew these children well.
One little boy, a three year old named Emmanuel, saw Jack and moved to sit right in his lap. There was just something about having the warmth of a child that feels safe enough to relax in your arms. Jack wrapped his arms around the boy and held him close. Whenever Elizabeth read something cute, or spoke in a funny voice, Emmanuel would let out a laugh, causing his little body to shake a bit against his. Jack was in heaven.
Elizabeth had just enough time to read three books to the children before Sophia, the main caregiver at the orphanage, came to get them and walk them home. Elizabeth and Jack walked with her. Jack had Emanuel on his shoulders while holding the hand of another little one. Elizabeth had a little girl on each side as she walked. They were telling her how tomorrow, they would do her hair like they did theirs. Tightly braided in little braids. Sophia had taught them and they were excited to share.
Finally alone, after wishing the children goodnight, Jack and Elizabeth walked hand in hand on the trails around Hopes Landing.
"I love watching you with the kids," he said to her. "Makes me almost anxious to see you as a mom."
"I'm looking forward to that day. You will make a great father. Those boys just love you. Sophia was telling me how being at the orphanage, their main caregivers are her and the other two women that live there. Of course Frank helps too, but he's got a lot on his plate as it is."
"I should see if there's a way to build a program like Big Brothers. You know, some sort of mentoring relationship so these boys feel like they have more people in their corner. We should include the girls too. Sophia, Farrah and Leaha are fantastic, not trying to say otherwise. I guess I just feel that a kid can never have too many people in their corner, you know?"
"I agree! Maybe we can talk to Frank and get his input."
"I'll add it to my list. I also need to talk to him about our big day, where we're gonna stay after, you know, fun stuff."
She pulled him closer. "Where do you think we'll stay?"
"I'm not sure. Maybe a one room bungalow somewhere. There's some near the back of the mission boundaries."
"As long as I get to be curled up next to you, I'll be happy. I'll even stay in a tent at our spot."
"There's an idea," he laughed. "A little privacy and maybe a little of this…" Taking a quick look around and seeing no one, Jack pulled her close. Kissing her slow and passionately.
"Yes," Elizabeth flirted. "Lots of that." Their kiss continued until…
"Ahem."
The couple, startled, jumped feet apart at the interruption.
"Frank!" Jack coughed. "I um, we…"
"Practicing for your wedding?" Frank teased. "Don't worry. No shame. We'll get you married soon enough. Welcome back by the way."
"Thank you," they said together, both blushing madly.
"Sorry I wasn't around when you arrived. I spent the day away from the mission and stayed in the village. Trying to see where we can be the most helpful. It's been a busy couple of weeks."
"We understand," Elizabeth assured.
"Now that we're all in the same spot, let me personally congratulate you on your upcoming marriage! I'm very honored that you asked me to perform the ceremony here at the mission."
"We're so grateful you are willing."
"Of course! I may suggest we meet and do some premarital counseling. Not that I have any concerns about the two of you, but it may still be beneficial."
Elizabeth nodded to Jack who replied, "We're up for that. We want a strong foundation for our marriage. We're in this forever."
"Wonderful," Frank hugged them both. "You know, I've been doing some thinking ever since I heard your news. If you're planning on making a home for yourself here through next year, you'll need more than those little dorm rooms."
"We're not too picky," Elizabeth said.
"Good," Frank laughed. "There's nothing in the way of condos and cute little town homes here, but I think I have a great idea for you. It will just take some elbow grease. Care to see?"
They followed Frank back through Hope's Landing and up a hilly path to a flat clearing, facing the beautiful ocean below and mountains behind.
"Wow!" Elizabeth gasped. "What a view!"
"Yes, I love this spot. See those little bungalow type homes over there? They're kind of hidden in the darkness."
"I see them!"
"They're very well used. Do you remember how the clinic was once the main plantation house? Well, many, many years ago these little buildings housed the plantation workers and their families."
"And since then?" Jack asked as they got close enough to get a better look.
"They were used off and on for a while to house people who served here. The earthquakes and hurricanes that have passed through over the years left their marks however and they haven't been used since the dorm and office building was built. Though as you'll see in the daylight, many pieces have been scavenged for shelters in the village outside Hope's Landing."
"What's your vision for them now?" Jack asked, stomping on the floor inside one of the dwellings, then laughing as his foot made a hole.
"Fix them, of course," Frank laughed. "Then maybe use them as residence for people like you guys. Lynn has shared that she'd like to make this place her home. I'd like her to not have to stay in the dorms. Leave those more for our short-term guests."
"I'd have to come up tomorrow in the daylight, but I think we can do this. Thatch roofing again, just reinforced somehow to help with the wind and rain. New floors and a little paint."
"And much more, I'm sure!" Frank laughed again. "But if it's doable, you can have your pick."
"Is that…" Elizabeth pointed to two small buildings set off in a cluster of trees.
"Oh yeah! Those are the outhouses."
"I'm sorry, what did you say?"
Jack did his best to hide his amusement at his fiance's response.
"Like the ones in the village?" Frank nodded. "Are there spiders in there?"
"Sometimes." Frank said with a shrug. "Since no one's hardly ever up here, any number of creatures could be there."
"Oh… adventurous."
"Yeah, not as posh as the common bathrooms at the dorms but it works."
"This is so cool!" Jack said excitedly. "I want to finish the school and church building, but then I'll make this a priority!"
….
It was almost midnight when Elizabeth and Faith returned to their rooms. The friends had a lot to catch up on. They spent most the evening sitting around a firepit with Carson and Jack playing dueling guitars. When the men weren't playing music, Jack was telling Carson all about his plans for the little homes up on the hill. Faith just listened, but had a lot of questions for her best friend.
"An outhouse?"
"Yup."
"Like a tiny hut with a hole that you… you know in."
"Faith, you know what an outhouse is," she teased. "I know you've used one often since we've been here."
"I know but at least here we have a bathroom down the hall with actual plumbing. You won't have that when you move. Wow."
"Yeah," she laughed. "But I'll be with my husband."
"Husband…" Faith repeated. "Wow!"
"Yeah," she rested her head back against her pillow. "I can't wait."
"Hey can I ask you a personal question?"
"Of course. We have no secrets."
"Okay! So… you and Jack," Faith said coyly. "You guys spent almost all of our home break together. Sleeping in the same bed?"
"Yeah…" She blushed.
"Did you… do anything?"
Elizabeth laughed. "If you're alluding to what I think you are alluding to, the answer is no."
"Seriously?"
"Yes! I mean, it wasn't always easy, but no, we weren't together like that."
"So I'm betting you REALLY want to be married soon then," Faith teased.
"VERY!"
They laughed and talked about the future like young girls at a sleepover till nearly 2AM. Coffee would be an essential part of their breakfast that morning.
