At all costs (The Legend of Tarzan)

A day at Greystoke

4 years later

John and Jane were sitting on the porch at the back of their house, drinking their afternoon tea, watching over their son and daughter running around the yard. By his feet, a German shepherd lay on the ground, carefully watching the children as they ran around the garden. Inside, upstairs, in their bedroom, their new born son was sleeping safe and sound. Only a week old, most people didn't know yet of their new born child, and they kind of enjoyed it that way. After they had returned back to England, they were soon surrounded by people, asking about their time in the Congo, and congratulating them with their beautiful children. There was barely any silence in the house for nearly 2 weeks. Now, only a week after Anthony had been born, still no one was aware of the child, and the couple had received their well-deserved rests.

'Good morning, my friends!' George chuckled as he walked out onto the porch.

'George!' John got up and embraced his friend. 'It's so good to see you again. Please, sit down, join us for tea.'

'Gladly.' He moved over and bent down to hug Jane. 'Hello Jane. How are you feeling? I am sure your little boy is as healthy as can be.'

Jane giggled. 'I am fine, George. As is our dear Anthony. He is sleeping inside.' She smiled, closing her eyes. 'And the silence and tranquillity we received for not telling anyone about him, it is so lovely.'

'I can imagine.' He said, as he sat down on one of the chairs. 'I saw the circus around here when you just returned from Africa for years ago. Everyone wanted to see the returned Lord and Lady Greystoke, and their African born children.' He laughed.

John joined his friend in laughter. 'You make it sound as if they actually expected our children to be dark skinned, just because they were born in Africa.'

'Actually, I think some of them did. Many people think that something born in Africa is immediately wild and dangerous, or primitive and dark skinned. They just forget logic every once in a while.'

'It seems so.' John answered. 'How was your trip to America?'

'A harsh reunion with reality, I'm afraid. Over there even less people care about my intellect, most of them only see the colour of my skin. Civil war is long over but most people don't see anything in me other than a second class citizen only fit to serve the rich white men.' He let out a long sigh.

'Well, my friend, rest assured, knowing that you will always be appreciated here, and will always have a place at Greystoke.'

George smiled. 'And for that, I am thankful, my friend.'

Suddenly, out of nowhere, the German Shepherd at John's feet bolted up and started barking.

'Zeus? What is it, boy?' Jane asked, worried.

'Father!' A voice yelled from the back of the garden. John looked up and saw Christopher come running up towards the porch. He bolted up from his chair, a worried expression on his face. 'Christopher, what's wrong? Where is Lizzie?' he asked as soon as his son reached the edge of the porch.

'She slipped and fell into the stream!'

Within a second John bolted up, running towards the small stream, which ran through the back of the garden, Zeus close on his feet. He reached the stream in only seconds. His eyes scanned the water thoroughly, and quickly he saw the deep red colour of Elizabeth's dress.

'Lizzie!' John yelled as he ran towards her and lifted her out of the water. He was holding her in his arms, shaking her slightly when Jane, Christopher and George reached them.

'George, please help her!' John begged desperately.

George kneeled down beside John and took Elizabeth into his arms. 'She's got water in her lungs.' He stated as he carefully lay her down onto the grass, and started chest compressions. Soon, Elizabeth was coughing up water and gasped for air again.

John let out a grand sigh of relief, while Jane let out a breath she didn't know she was holding.

'Daddy?' Elizabeth said as she moved to sit up and reached out for her father.

John quickly pulled her onto his lap and held her close and kissed her head. His face a mixture of relief about the tragedy they avoided, but worry for what could have happened. His hand rested on her head as he held her close. His eyes closed, trying to hold back the tears. He didn't cry easily, he certainly wasn't the first to shy away from danger. But he felt like his heart stopped, each time Jane or one of his children was even in the slightest bit danger. 'You terrified me, love. Please don't play that close to the water, again my dear. Promise me?'

'I promise, daddy.'

'Good girl.' He kissed her forehead. 'I love you, Lizzie.'

'Ilove you to daddy.'