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Josiah had been wise to get an evening flight. Most of the trip would be spent sleeping, making it much easier on the children.
Aziel snuggled his Lambie, eyes struggling to keep awake as they soared above the clouds. He sat beside the window, his oldest cousin, Joshua, on his left.
"I saw your picture in the Resistance," Jaira mentioned, thinking of something they might have in common. Besides, she already knew Josiah and his family.
A muscle clenched in Josiah's jaw. It was still a sensitive topic, but Jaira had no way of knowing that and didn't notice his reaction.
"How did Lachlan get a job writing for them? Did he tell you? I'd love to do something like that," she sighed, "The pen is mightier than the sword."
Arlana looked at Josiah. He had been secretive about his involvement with the newspaper - she didn't feel it was her place to reveal his secret.
"Lachlan would be the best to speak to about this. He can give you tips."
"That'd be great. Are you still going to be working as a photographer?"
Another punch in Josiah's heart.
"No, not for a while," Josiah answered for his wife, "Arlana needs to prepare for the birth now."
Oh yes, how could she have forgotten that...
Jaira sat with her arm around Amber's shoulders avoiding looking at Arlana and when she did, it was only to glare. She had done the mental math - Arlana had been pregnant at the funeral and hadn't told anyone - well, not her anyway. Jaira didn't know what hurt more - being kept in the dark or because Arlana got pregnant so quickly, unwittingly flaunting her fertility in Jaira's face.
Jaira was a married woman, yet could not give her husband a baby. She wouldn't tell anyone her greatest doubt; why God opened the wombs of women living in sin, but after over ten years of marriage, hers was not only barred shut, but it seemed as though God had thrown out the key.
Jaira comforted herself with the knowledge that society was getting worse; a baby shouldn't grow up in this evil world. She was actually doing her unborn children a huge favour. Besides, when the Antichrist and his soldiers came looking for Christians, Arlana would be caught first as it would be impossible to silence a baby's cry. Jealous, okay yes, but she wouldn't want to be in Arlana's shoes when the time came. She glanced out the small window. This was going to be a very long flight.
Arlana instinctively laid her hand on her extended womb, wishing to change the topic. How much had their mother shared with the family? She knew from past letters how desperate her sister was to have a baby and didn't wish to rub her fertility in Jaira's face. The moment was more than awkward.
Josiah glanced at Arlana wanting to take the pressure off her, "We should be arriving just after 11am and my brother will meet us at the airport. He has arranged the accommodations. he glanced at his wife's sister, her expression dark and brooding, "I'm sure you will enjoy exploring Israel's rich heritage and seeing where Yeshua walked."
Jaira nodded, "Yes, there are a few things I'd like to see while I'm here."
She looked forward to taking some pictures and using them on her blog. She'd message them to Terrell too. He might not have been able to come, but she could always imagine he was there with her.
"It is very important to dress modestly when entering the ultra-Orthodox areas, so tomorrow, Mother will take you shopping," Josiah discreetly pointed out the fact Sheila and Barb's attire would cause difficulty. "Arlana and I must meet with Shaul, my brother after we arrive to finalize some matters. Aziel will stay with us."
Sheila nodded in agreement. They'd be tired and jet-lagged after their trip. Focusing on wedding arrangements was ideal, giving them time to rest before they began touring.
Adelaide stroked Isabella's hair, soothing her youngest child who wasn't enjoying flying.
One by one, they all fell asleep or focused on their cell phones, it was too dark to look out the small windows.
****
THE AIRPORT IN TEL Aviv was more crowded than Arlana had expected.
Josiah kept an eye on the large family group while scanning the crowd for his brother who'd promised to be there.
Granny clutched the handles of her walker, eyeing the IDF soldiers milling around the airport, rifles slung over their shoulders. They were clearly wary and ready to defend Israel from her enemies.
"You'll get used to it after a while," Josiah noticed Adelaide's alarm.
They weren't in Canada anymore.
Shaul stepped out of the crowd, welcoming Arlana and her family to the Holy Land.
"Come this way," he motioned for them to follow.
They walked to the waiting cars, piling their luggage into cramped trunks.
Shaul was aware that Arlana's family hadn't been told of her decision and disagreed with his brother.
"The ceremony should still be held with her family in attendance. They should know the moment Arlana and her children become Jews," Shaul spoke quietly in Hebrew.
Josiah nodded, deciding for Arlana.
"I don't think her family will ever soften their stance on our people. They are very antisemitic," Josiah replied in their native language, then turned to Arlana sitting behind the driver's seat. "Are you ashamed my Ahuva?"
Arlana wasn't sure what he was referring to as they drove through narrow streets.
Seeing her questioning look, he explained, "I believe your family should be present," his eyes revealing his meaning. Her family should witness her rejection of her past and faith, and her joining the Jewish people."
Arlana nodded slowly. If they didn't find out now they would later and it would be much more difficult to explain than if they observed the transformation for themselves.
****
THEY DROVE OVER AN hour and a half until they reached Shaul's home in Jerusalem. Upon arrival, they entered a humble home, sharing a simple breakfast together before making plans for the day, deciding to go to the market after their meal. A few last-minute supplies were needed for the ceremony and it would give Arlana's family a chance to experience daily life in the Holy Land.
It was very much like a farmer's market but with clothing and exotic spices as well. The women walked around the other tourists, hands laden with bags while the children observed with wide eyes. Men and women milled together, soldiers waking amid the most religious.
They picked food for the reception dishes before looking at wedding garments. The children were easiest, the girls would wear matching burgundy dresses; Daniel and Paul black dress pants with burgundy shirts. The men chose deep wine coloured shirts in their respective sizes trying on black suit jackets.
Josiah paid for the clothes in cash, slipping Rivkah money before he and the men turned to the right of the canopied merchant stalls.
A merchant with a neatly trimmed goatee stood with his wares of gold and silver and other precious stones. Josiah held a diamond ring up for inspection, waiting till now to buy Arlana her wedding bands as he wanted their design to be Judaic, while his male companions looked through the offered wares, picking out items for their wives and treats for the children.
There was no time to have Arlana's wedding gown custom made and she couldn't fit into any of the ready-made wedding dresses.
Rivkah pursed her lips, "We will have to try maternity clothes."
She led the way through various stalls until they found what they were looking for. They looked through the formal dresses until Adelaide found a beautiful, satin, white dress that cupped her breasts, flaring out just below. The dress was brilliant white with crimson roses dusting the hemline. The neckline was modest, the sleeves reaching just below her elbows, pearl buttons trailing up her spine. At another booth, they purchased a long, white veil.
Carrying their packages, they met up with the men.
"Did you find anything?" Josiah eyed the bags the women carried.
It appeared they had a successful shopping excursion.
He turned to the others, "We need to head home to prepare for tonight's ceremony, then get some rest."