Jewel wasn't sure how to react when she was close to reuniting to Blu. She had very mixed feeling. She was mostly sad; he went away to begin with. Sometimes, she blamed herself. Wondering if it was her fault. And then there were when she was mad, he abandoned them. She spent night after sleepless night, waiting for him to come back. Her father used his leaving as proof of how worthless he is. Jewel defended him, even after Blu left. Jewel loved Blu and not even this was going to change her mind.
Tiago was excited. "I can't wait to see him again. How long has it been"?
Bia answered. "Six months, nine days, one hours and nineteen seconds, not including the time difference".
Carla only huffed. "He abandoned us and we flew all the way here to see him why"?
Tiago snorted. "Nobody made you come".
"I came, but not for a hug"!
When Blu disappeared, she and the others assumed he went back to Rio. Jewel was content to make a new life with her old tribe. After a month passed, she decided to go back to Rio to see him. Eduardo tried talking her out of it. Pointing out he abandoned them. She knew what he meant, but her heart won out. Her chicks came with her. She wanted them to stay, but were insistent in coming.
But there was no sign of him. No birds seen him. Jewel wondered if he went back to where he was raised, but figured it would be pointless without Linda. Then Rafael had another theory. This place called Zimbabwe where any bird can go. Jewel doubted Blu would travel to Africa. Especially alone. But no trace of him and Jewel decided to head to Zimbabwe. It was a long flight. Resting on boats and occasionally rocks in the water.
They finally found the place at the waterfall. Landing, they had to check in. Including each giving a feather. When asked how long they were staying, Rafael told them they were only picking someone up.
They found it to be a nice place. Tiago thought it was cooler than the Amazon. Carla saw this place to dye her feathers but Jewel forbid it.
Jewel found this bird and asked questions. The one she was asking happened to be Zoe. "You see a bird. Same species as me. Awkward, afraid, hansom".
Zoe nodded. "Blu"?
Jewel nodded.
"He is at hurricane tryouts".
Jewel blinked. "Hurricane what"?
Rafael answered. "I heard of them. A group of birds who make their goal to protect others. I am surprised my domestic friend volunteered".
"More like he was volunteered by Tendai and nobody says no to him. It is probably over now".
Kai and Blu were currently discussing it at the bar.
"I can't believe I passed".
Kai smirked. "I can. You got potential. You saved birds before from poachers".
"Yeah, but I messed up. I caused Eduardo's and his tribe their main food supply".
Kai patted him on the back. "It was an accident. You can't forget it, but try and live with it".
"You're right. I need to make something of my new life".
"Tyler. Blue. Gunderson".
Blu dropped his drink. That voice. He turned around to see Jewel glaring at him.
Kai quickly put 2 and 2 together. He turned to Blu. "See ya"! He was quickly gone. Zoe gave Jewel a sympathetic look and glared at Blu before flying off to leave the 2.
"Dad"! Bia and Tiago rushed and latched onto a leg each. Blu despite his disbelief, smiled. "Bia, Tiago, I can't believe it. I never thought I'd see you again".
"I bet you didn't".
Blu turned to see Carla glaring at him. Blu offered out a wing, but Carla refused to embrace him. Bia and Tiago each released themselves. Blu looked at Jewel.
Without a word, she ran and kissed him. Taken aback, he embraced it. Once Jewel was done, she slapped him.
"I deserve that".
She slapped him again. "And that".
She went to kick him between the legs.
Blu stopped her. "Hey"! She said nothing so Blu asked. "What are you doing here"?
Jewel was fuming. "What am I doing here? ARE YOU SERIOUS? You left me, your kids. Our kids! And you didn't run back to the city, no you came here! To Africa to hide from us! I spent a lot of sleepless nights, wondering if I would see you again. Your own chicks asking constantly asking when you were coming back, only for me to tell them you likely never would. And seeing how you built a new life here. It looks like I was right".
Blu was unable to look her in the eye.
She continued. "You didn't like the rainforest, but was willing to come all the way here to avoid us". Tears formed. "Why? Why did you leave us"?
"Because I screwed up, not only you and the kids. Everyone. I caused your father and the tribe the nut grove. I wanted to make it better, only to make it worse. It made me wonder, what if my bumbling ended up getting you or the kids killed? I knew Roberto and Eduardo would look out for you and the kids. Something I was unable to do".
Jewel wiped away the tears. She knew Blu had their best interest at heart. But leaving. How could he possibly think leaving them was what was best?
He offered a sad sigh. "You think I spent my days not thinking about you. I did. Everyday. You think it was fun knowing you were better off without me. I know I didn't want to stay with the Spix Macaws. But you did. The kids did. And what possibly could I offer. I'm not a wild bird".
Carla huffed. "So, you're saying it is our fault for wanting to stay"?
"I'm saying your lives were better off without me. It wasn't your fault, but mine for not being able to offer much".
Carla frowned. "You offered us what nobody else could. A dad".
Blu gave a small sigh. "What happens now"?
Jewel already had an answer. You're not leaving me again. If you want to stay here, then I am too".
That night, Blu and his family shared a room. Bia and Tiago cuddled up to him. Jewel awkwardly slept beside him and Carla kept her distance.
It was even more awkward for the others sharing the room. Kai, Zoe and Rafael shared awkward glances. And Kai and Zoe regret not taking the night shift.
Meanwhile, Nigel and Budzo were currently discussing a plan to the other side. Nigel had an idea. It was simple. Take a boat. It doesn't need to be anything fancy, even a small wooden boat. Poor Charlie was ordered to make one by himself. The most Nigel and Budzo did was supervise. Mainly Nigel throwing rocks at the anteater and Budzo subtly threatened him.
