SIN and HONEY: Seven Years of Longing

Chapter 34: Rachel

"They were tired of living in fear of you taking away their food rations and giving them poor quality supplies. You have always kept the best of everything for yourself, but now with this drought, they have had enough. These people want a simple, happy life, and I am the man to give it to them."

"You fool. My men can't be bought," Laban spat on the ground, nodding to the crowd next to him. "Seize them."

But none of the men moved. Then, slowly, one by one, they turned to face Laban—and drew their blades on him.

"What is the meaning of this?" Laban cried out, his face slipping from triumph to fear.

Jacob stepped forward. "I would die—and take you with me—before I let you harm either of your daughters. They have suffered long enough, Laban. They—and this camp—are in our care now. As long as you don't interfere, we will let you live in our camp. Eat our food. Drink our wine."

Laban took a labored breath. "You think you can support these people better than I can?"

"He can," Levi interrupted. "Because we've taken the merchants, too. They have long suspected you of using two sets of weights, Laban, one to buy and another to sell. From now on, they will only purchase honey that I make for them and trade other goods with Jacob. If you were to have me leave, say, in the back of a slave master's cage—then they will no longer trade with your camp. Your people will go without wine, olive oil, bronze, and all the other niceties you have grown so used to having."

"And you'll free the slaves," Leah said from behind Laban, stepping forward to take Levi's hand, a clear signal to their father. "All who wish to stay here are welcome and will be given lodgings for their labor, but there will be no more abuse of women here."

Seeing that he was trapped, Laban dropped his bronze blade to the ground.

"Take him back to his tent," Jacob instructed one of the men, who took Laban by the wrist and began pulling him back.

"Wait!" Rachel cried, running to her father. He looked at her as though his eyes were begging for the mercy his lips could not request. She felt her mother would have wanted her to be kind.

"I cannot forgive you for Ummī," she said, and he hung his head, "just as I know, deep down inside, you do not forgive yourself." He nodded, and even in the dark she saw his tears.

"But, as you are the only parent I have left, I would like your blessing on my marriage."

A few moments passed as he stared at the ground. Then, he touched her cheek.

"May the Gods be kinder to you than they were to me," he whispered before his betrayers carried him away down the hill.

Then, there was silence. Rachel turned back to Jacob—to her new family, the one she chose.

"I'm ready now," she said, stepping back to them.

The old man opened his mouth to begin.

"I almost forgot!" Jacob exclaimed, reaching into the pouch hanging from the belt and pulling out a ring. Rachel gasped. "I had enough money left over for a few luxuries."

"It's beautiful," Rachel said breathily, admiring the purple stone set in glistening bronze as he set it on her finger.

"Look, Rachel." Leah stepped beside her and held up her hand. She was wearing a ring as well, in the same design as hers, but Leah's stone glowed red.

"I have one, too," Levi said, showing her a plain bronze ring.

Rachel smiled. All four of them were connected now. It may not have been what she planned, but she finally had the family she dreamed of. She threw her arms around Leah and Jacob, giggling with delight.

"I've longed for this moment," Leah whispered into her ear.

"Me, too," Rachel said, pressing their cheeks together in one last squeeze.

Then, she turned to Jacob, who was waiting patiently for what was rightfully his.

The kiss that would bind them together, seven years in the making.

                                                                              ****

So close to the end now! Just 2 chapters left. :) 

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