Bora Bora, Chapter 3

Bora Bora
Chapter 3

The island transfer plane was a sea plane, or as Jade's father called them, a "puddle jumper". She had never been on a plane that took off from and landed on water and wasn't sure how she felt about it. The six passengers, pilot and stack of luggage seemed far too much for the little plane to handle, yet the pilot didn't bat an eyelash as he loaded the luggage into the back of the plane. As she climbed into her seat and cinched her seatbelt, she said a silent prayer. Flying was never much fun for her, but she was willing to try new things and have new adventures. This would certainly be an adventure.

There were exactly 8 seats in the plane with a small aisle separating the two columns of single seats along the windows. Everyone had a window seat and the co-pilots seat was full of maps, a thermos and the pilot's jacket. Each couple sat across from each other leaving the handsome stranger next to her. As he stood in the aisle and arranged his backpack, she got a whiff of his cologne. Is that really Calvin Klein's Eternity or am I dreaming? she thought. He looked at her and smiled. She feared she may have said her thoughts aloud, or perhaps it was her unconsciously leaning toward him. She turned suddenly and stared forward, pretending to be interested in the back of the seat in front of her. She had not felt this awkward since, since ever.

The pilot sputtered the engine to life and the plane took off smoothly from it's watery runway. Looking out her window, Jade could see the dots of light on the various islands below her and the sheer blackness of the surrounding ocean. Being a city girl, she had never seen anything so black and vast. It drew her in. The flight was short, just 20 minutes, and the plane slowly veered down for the landing. Jade held her breath and pressed her eyes shut. She hated flying and landings brought the fear of God into her. She knows her fears are irrational and over dramatic, but she can't help it.

The pontoons bounced off the surface of the water and she was jostled in her seat. A tiny scream emanated from deep in her throat, through her pursed lips. Images of fiery crashes, drowning waves and a crushing watery grave flashed through her mind. She reached out with both hands to grab onto anything. Her left hand grabbed the window frame while her right hand clawed at the open air over the aisle. The nothingness she felt created even more fear in her. Her heart pounded. A hand reached out and grabbed hers tightly, sending waves of comfort and safety through her. She gripped this hand with all her might as though it were the only thing keeping her alive at that moment. Her white knuckles and acrylic nails dug into the skin, but she wouldn't relinquish her grip. The pontoons bounced one last time and then smoothly glided the plane to a rolling stop. Jade heard the engine die and dared to open her eyes.

The hand she was holding in her death-grip was his. He had reached out and held her, comforted her, saved her. Their eyes met and she saw genuine concern in his.

"You OK?", he asked sincerely.

His honest desire to protect her stopped her words. She sat still and silent, lost in his eyes. Still holding her hand, he turned his gently over so their palms were facing. He placed his other hand on top and held her, softly stroking the back of her hand.

"We made it. We're here. No more plane rides, not for a while at least. Maybe we'll build up that courage while we're here. Fight off some sharks or something." he said teasingly.

Jade smiled faintly and took a deep breath.

"Thank you." she said. "I don't like flying. Especially landing."

"I noticed. And you're welcome. Anytime I can help a damsel in distress." he smiled sweetly.

The passengers exited the plane and were met by valets who rushed their bags to the front and quickly checked everyone in. The lobby was stunning with soft lighting, bamboo floors and a tasteful seashell chandelier.

"Jade!" she heard from behind her.

Her sister Colleen came flouncing up to her dressed in a yellow bikini top and white wrap skirt.

"I'm so glad you made it. How was the flight?" Colleen asked.

"Fine, until the end where I thought I was going to die."

"Oh, you always say that. I'm so glad you're here. I can't wait for you to meet Steve. Come on."

Colleen pulled Jade by the hand toward the bar where Colleen's fiance' Steve was waiting. Jade has heard all about Steve and had talked with him on the phone a few times, but they had never met in person. Steve was a surgeon at the teaching hospital Colleen worked at as an Orthopaedic Tech. Colleen and Steve met during a surgery to replace a knee joint of a woman in her 50's. The only problem Jade had with people in the medical field is that they always seemed to try to diagnose her. She was careful not to complain about aches and pains around her sister for fear of getting a full blown physical. When Steve saw Colleen his face lit up and he pulled her into his arms as though they'd been apart forever. Jade was sure they had only seen each other 5 minutes ago, but she still felt a tiny twang of jealousy at her sister's good fortune. She wondered if she would ever get married.

"Steve, I would like you to meet my sister Jade. Jade, this is my future husband, Steve."

Steve grabbed Jade in a bear hug and lifted her off the ground. He was a big guy, 6'2" maybe 225.

"I'm so glad we finally got to meet and that you could make it out here to be with us." Steve said appreciatively.

"Of course. I'm excited we finally got to meet. Colleen has told me so much about you. All good, I promise." she said, winking at her sister.
"Thank you for inviting me out here and making all this possible. This is like a dream come true for me to be here."

Steve had paid for her trip and arranged all the travel details. She would not have to spend a dime the whole time here, except on souvenirs and personal things. It was an all expense paid trip, a present from Steve to Colleen to have her sister here. Pretty sweet deal, Jade thought.

"Now I want you to meet my brother Connor." Steve said, turning to the man sitting at the bar who had been watching this whole exchange.

Jade had not seem him sitting there. It was him. The ballcap. The eyes. The smile. The saving hand. It was him. He was Steve's brother?

"Connor, I'd like you to meet your future sister in law, Jade." Steve introduced them.

Connor reached out and took Jade's hand again, a bit more firmly this time but still warm and sweet.

"It's very nice to finally meet you." Connor said, smiling knowingly at Jade.

"N-Nice to meet you too." Jade stuttered. Nice, she thought, real smooth.

He was still holding her hand and watching her as Steve began directing them to the restaurant for dinner. She never wanted him to let go. If he held her hand for the rest of her life, she would die happy.