24 - Getting Ready

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***ARI POV***

I walked into Waltons office with him at the embassy in Khartoum. This was the meeting I needed to have, this was the meeting I was going to need to get us home. We have 400 refugees at the resort that we needed to get our but we needed to get them out fast. The military had been to the resort about every other day. I sat down across from Walton and sighed.

"So I called this meeting because I have to tell you Ethan and Jordan are doing everything that can to get you and the team out." Walton said and I gave a small laugh.

"They are just wanting to get us out Walton." I said and he nodded. "The boats aren't safe anymore." I said and he nodded.

"I know which is what I'm looking into for you. Jordan suggested...well actually more like demanded a cargo plane." Walton said. I huffed a laugh.

"Yeah, she can be pretty persuasive." I said and Walton nodded.

"How long have you been here now Ari?" Walton asked and I sighed.

"About a year, maybe a little more." I said.

"And how long without Jordan?" Walton asked and I glared wondering why he was getting so personal.

"6 or 7 months." I said and he half nodded.

"How many do you have to get out right now?" Walton asked.

"400, they are in hiding at the resort since they army has been showing up checking up on us constantly." I said and he sighed.

"Even if I could help you Ari, I don't have that kind of pull. Honestly, the best I can do is talk to my bosses." Walton said.

"Then let's do that..." Ari said, and Walton picked up the phone and started calling people.

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After Walton made all the calls we just stood around and waited for an answer once the bosses could get together and talk. I knew it would take time, but this was a waste of time as well. I needed to get to the resort and make sure everyone as safe. I promised to get everyone home and damnit I was going to.

The phone on Walton's desk started ringing and we just looked at each other. Walton went to answer it and I rushed over putting my hand on the receiver.

"Wait, wait, wait." I said and Walton just looked at me. "I don't know what this person's gonna tell you. They may tell you to throw me out of the building, or even the country, but I promise you, what you do right now will be your legacy. When you look back on this moment it will either fill you with great pride or great shame." I said and Walton just looked at me as the phone continued to ring.

"Well let's find out, shall we?" Walton said and I removed my hand from the phone, and he answered.

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A few days later things were all set between Walton and I and I knew where to go and where to get the refugees. This was going to work, this had to work. We were loading the refugees in the trucks when Max came walking up to me.

"We got a problem. There's no way we're going to get them all to fit into two trucks. There're too many people." I said.

"Fuck..." I grumbled. I started looking around at the options and then noticed the tour bus. I looked at Max and Jake and smiled.

"Are you serious? A Sudanese tour bus?" Jake asked in shock, and I smiled.

"Yeah, start loading them up. I gotta grab something. I'll be right back." I said and rushed inside the resort. I went to the front desk and to grabbed the guest serviced sign. It had a number on it but not the guest from the resort but the refugees we saved. This will always be important to me.

I then rushed to mine and Jo's bedroom, yes, I still considered it our room even though she hadn't been in the bed beside me in months. I still felt her sometimes and I couldn't wait to hold her in my arms again. I had a notebook on the bedside table, little notes I would write to her since she was gone, letting her know what was going on so she would feel like she was here. I then grabbed a polaroid picture of Jo and me. One of the guests took it. It was a candid shot of us just sitting on the beach with her sitting between my legs, leaning back into me. I smiled at the picture.

"I'm on my way home love." I said quietly. I packed everything in my satchel and headed to the bus. Rachel was driving and I sat up front. Rachel pulled away from the resort and I turned to look back at it. A lot happened here over the past year. I knew we would never be back here again but maybe someday I would be able to look back and smile at everything that happened here.

"You ready to get home?" Rachel asked me in a small voice, and I looked at her.

"I am. It's been over a year. It's time to go home." I said and Rachel agreed.

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