Chapter Twelve - Home
Those in Monteverde were certainly in for a surprise - espcially the pirate king himself.
"My king! King Rassouli! My King!" cried a Monteverde guard, rushing around the corner to where King Rassouli stood. "My King! You'll never believe what's been spotted from the tower?"
"What? Invaders?"
"A dragon!"
This Rassouli had to see for himself. So he followed the panicked guard to the lookout tower.
People only ever arrived on his island by ship, but his guard was right, a large creature was definitely soaring through the air towards them, a creature that certainly looked an awful lot like a dragon.
"My God," the king exclaimed.
"Should we attack?" asked the guard.
"No, stand down - it's not attacking us." Yet.
And it didn't attack. Instead, the dragon landed swiftly and peacefully upon the beach by the docks, and only then did it become clear that the creature had been carrying a group on its back.
"Back so soon," Rassouli stated when he saw that it was none other than his his son-in-law climbing down off the dragon's back. Part of him wasn't so surprised.
"Yes." John was beaming.
"You had success then? You seem rather pleased."
"Oh yes, yes, it was a more than successful venture!"
"Good. And where is the ship that I so graciously leant you?"
"Oh, uh, yeah, about that... We lost it..."
"Hmm," Rassouli grumbled. "I suppose it had seen better days, that vessel."
"Yes, indeed. But that's not why we are here-"
"Why are you here then?" the king cut in.
"We're here because we found something on our journey that I think you will be very excited about - someone, rather."
Rassouli was quite confused. The group of animals moved away from where they were huddled together to reveal-
"Papi!"
The fierce pirate king's cold and serious exterior fell away instantly at the sight before him: his daughter, alive and well.
"L-Lilya?"
"Si, Papi! I'm here! I'm here!"
"Oh, my daughter-"
Father and daughter tearfully embraced, speaking rapidly to each other in Spanish. Lily recalled her rescue following the storm and then becoming stranded alone on the island to him, where she had been for the past three years.
Rassouli melted at the sight of his daughter. "Is this really happening?" he asked, turning to John. "Is she really here?"
"I thought I was dreaming as well. But yes, it is real, she's here." He came and wrapped an arm around his beloved wife.
She returned the gesture by wrapping her arm around his waist and leaning into him. "I'm home."
The years passed and the family at the sanctuary continued to grow - grow in terms of both the animals and the humans.
Following their return home to the sanctuary, John reopened the doors to the public. The doctor was in and they were fully back in business!
People from all over came to see the animal sanctuary, meet its inhabitants and of course the famous doctor, praised and supported in his work and efforts by Queen Victoria herself.
DOLITTLE MANOR
Home of Dr. John Dolittle, Lily Dolittle, Apprentice Tommy Stubbins & Family
All Species Welcome
We treat all animals
Walk, hop, and fly-ins accepted
We will also consider far-flung Voyages and Magical Adventures, Inquire Within
The sign was changed once again, as was necessary.
After getting settled in back home, John and Lily decided it was the perfect time to start a family, and soon they had two children. They had a son and a daughter, Jimmy and Daisy, who both adored all the animals that lived with them.
John couldn't have been happier - he was doing what he loved, his passion: helping animals of all kinds, with the help of his loyal and passionate apprentice. And, best of all, he had his family there with him throughout it all. His wife and their two children, and their family of animals.
No, he couldn't have been happier.
Well that's it, that's the end! Thank you so much for reading this story and I hope you enjoyed it! :)
