Oh Oh I Like This

Oh… oh I like this…

Ok so I dont write fanfic but I came up with a really good idea and would love someone to write it. So basically the reader is 9 months pregnant with JJ’s baby. When the pogues go on the plane to save big John the reader has to stay in obx bc of the pregnancy. While they’re gone she goes into labour and the only person she can call is her former best friend Rafe Cameron. Rafe drops what he’s doing in a heart beat to go help her. Time skip where reader finds out that JJ cheated with Kiara and in the end she ends up dating Rafe. Ik that was a lot but this would be such a good read. If anyone would write this lmk!!

I'll Come Running - R.C. - Chapter 32

Charley laid on the bed, still trying to wake up, as Jessie and Rafe got ready in the bathroom connected to Rafe's bedroom. Rafe of course was done getting ready before Jessie was, so he decided to help Charley get ready for the day.

Jessie eventually walked outside the bathroom and over to Rafe's desk to put on her usual dainty necklace and island bracelets. As she was doing so, she noticed Rafe went over to his bedside table and opened the drawer to reveal a pistol. He then stuck it behind his back in his waistband. Charley was in the floor playing on the other side of the room, so thankfully, she didn't see the exchange. Jessie, on the other hand, noticed every move.

"You just have a gun laying around in your night stand?!" Jessie whisper-yelled as she came closer to Rafe. Rafe was a little taken back by Jessie's response, he scrunched his brows together, showing confusion.

"I had a gun there four years ago when we were together and you knew about it then? Why do you care about it now?" Rafe asked, genuinely just curious, not trying to seem defensive. Jessie just exhaled and looked over at their daughter. Words were not needed for Rafe to follow what she was communicating.

Rafe slowly nodded and looked back at Jessie with understanding. He took one step further and grabbed Jessie's hands.

"I know that this probably worries you, with it being so easily accessible, but, baby, you know it's for protection." Rafe whispered with sympathy as he looked in Jessie's eyes.

"But do you really have to have it so close to where our daughter is sleeping?" Jessie asked with just as much sympathy. They both were genuinely trying to understand their differences in that moment, which was something neither one of them would have been mature enough to do four years ago. Rafe sighed and looked at the ground.

"Yes, baby. If it's anywhere else and something happens I'm not gonna be able to get to it in time and protect you and Charley." Rafe explained gently, still holding onto Jessie's hands.

"But couldnt you just, like, put a lock on it or something?" Jessie asked once again, still trying to meet Rafe in the middle.

"Jess... you know that's not any better than putting it out of my reach.  Seconds matter and if I-"

"Okay, okay..." Jessie trailed off, getting slightly annoyed. Rafe sighed and brought Jessie closer.

"Just like you taught Charley not to touch hot or fragile things, we will teach her not to go to the bedside table. But even more than that, she wont be staying in here forever. She will have her own space and not many reasons to come in here eventually." Rafe assured as he hugged Jessie tight. Jessie just exhaled and nodded as she laid her head on Rafe's chest. She had to learn to trust him with these things, especially when it came to his daughter.

"I have her best interest at heart too, baby." Rafe whispered as he kissed Jessie's head. Jessie knew he was right, he couldn't live with himself if Charley ever got hurt, but that was the main reason he kept the gun there in the first place. Jessie decided to let it go.

"Besides, you know I've got too many enemies around here to walk around without something." Rafe joked as he pulled away from Jessie.

"That is not funny." Jessie said completely serious. She did not appreciate mob mentality, even though she knew as Rafe's wife she was more than apart of it now. Who was she kidding, she had been apart of mob mentality long before she even met Rafe, and that didn't change when she was in Manhattan. Rafe just giggled.

"I'm not going to let anything happen to my girls, I promise." Rafe said a little more seriously, but still with a smile in an attempt to lighten the mood. Jessie simply nodded in agreement and smiled as a silent thank you. With that, they were off to breakfast.

The three of them had arrived to a local breakfast spot right on the bay, overlooking the water. They decided against the Island Club, figuring that was still too much of a hot spot for them to be seen given that every wound was still fresh. Ward, Rose, and Wheezie's untimely death, Rafe's disappearance... and reappearance, Sarah's excommunication, oh, and now Jessie was back... with Rafe's kid. Yeah, too many questions for the young family to answer on their second day back home.

Charley loved her pancakes and bacon, and Jessie did too. Rafe enjoyed his breakfast sandwich.

"We need to get groceries after this, like seriously we have nothing in that house." Jessie laughed as she continued to eat her pancakes.

"Alright, we'll go to the store and grab stuff." Rafe agreed through bites of his sandwich. Rafe suddenly caught a glimpse of a man he knew all too well walking into the restaurant. His eyes went dark and his mouth went straight. Jessie noticed. Before she had the chance to ask or even look around, Rafe butted in.

"We have to go." Rafe said immediately standing up to grab his daughter. However, it was too late.

"Country cluuuub! Man, you back from the dead, aint ya? Where ya been?!" Barry, his drug dealer, well, ex drug dealer, came up to the table. In that moment Rafe made a mental note to make sure Charley was always sitting on his side with him from now on. Before Rafe could even spit out a vile answer, Barry realized who Rafe was with. As he looked over at Jessie his eyes became wide and his jaw dropped.

"Woah! Speaking of coming back from the dead?! How you been, darling? Man, haven't seen you since you were stealing your dad's coke."

"That's enough, Barry." Rafe insisted with a deadly scowl. Barry, of course, didn't listen. In fact, Barry didn't even glance Rafe's way after that remark. Instead he kept his eyes on Jessie.

Jessie didn't waver. It was as if something kicked in when she least expected it.

"I've been doing just fine, Barry." Jessie replied with a totally uninterested smile, clearly for show and a little sarcasm. Her and Barry went way back, further than Rafe and Barry did by a long shot.

"Who's this?!" Barry asked as if his face couldn't show more surprise, it certainly did. "Did you run off with some other man? Is that why you left all those years ago?! Man, I really started to miss you pickin up your dad's weed, I hated dealin with that son of a bitch."

"Barry, seriously cut it out." Rafe demanded, his face and voice growing more intense. That finally caught Barry's attention, and he decided to glance over at Rafe.

"What the hell you defending her for, Rafe? You remember how much you hated the bitch once she left, huh? She got you pussy whipped again?" Barry spat, with his hands becoming comfortable on the high top in front of him.

"You're not gonna talk like that in front of my daughter." Rafe said with even more fierceness as he got up out of his seat to tower over Barry. "And I never said that I hated Jessie." Rafe insisted.

"Daughter?!" Barry said a little too loudly for their liking, followed by uncontrollable laughter. "Wow, man! Your girl comes back from the dead to tell you you got a daughter and now all of a sudden you're mister clean cut business man? I'm not believin this!"

That was enough to set Rafe over the edge. He quickly grabbed Barry by his shirt, his fists becoming white and his jaw becoming clenched.

"Jessie, take her outside."

Barry didn't dare say a word, as big and bad as he thought he was, he didn't think it was smart to play in this moment. He knew what Rafe was capable of.

Jessie didn't protest either, immediately scooping up the toddler and going out to the dock to look at the water.

"Daddy!" Charley whined, wondering where they were going without her new best friend. Rafe pretended not to hear her cry. Jessie simply shushed her and walked speedily out to the dock to try and explain to Charley that they were just going for a walk.

"I don't fight around my daughter. But my daughter's not here anymore. So you got something else you wanna say to me?" Rafe threatened, breathing heavily with rage spilling over.

"Man why you playin house? You think you're better than me now? That bitch is using you and you know it. You better get a paternity test. She was worse than you ever were back then and you know it. She's always been cold-"

Rafe shut Barry up with a swift punch to the mouth, causing a cut on his lip. Barry attempted to fight back as he winded up a right hook but Rafe saw it coming from a mile away and dodged it, quickly coming behind Barry to put his other arm behind his back and slam him on the table in front of him.

"You don't talk about my wife like that." Rafe seethed just loud enough for only Barry to hear him. "I'm not your little bitch anymore. I don't need you. Understand?" Rafe let Barry back up off the table and quickly turned him around to face him.

"What do you mean? You not using anymore?" Barry asked with a sly smile through his bloody lips.

"Do I look coked out to you, bitch? No, I'm stone cold sober." Rafe whispered with a dangerous calmness in his voice and a smile that truly unsettled Barry. "So you're gonna leave me and my family alone. Got it?"

Barry stood there in shock, trying to take in all the information he was just given. Wife? Daughter? Sober? He forgot to respond but Rafe reminded him by bringing his hand to his neck and tightening around it slightly.

"G-g-got it. Got it." Barry choked out and threw his hands in the air.

"Good." Rafe replied as he let off of Barry. "And you ruined my girls' breakfast." He said as he pointed towards the mess behind him. With that, Rafe walked out as he fixed the collar of his shirt. He looked at the hostess.

"Our food's on him." Rafe calmly said as he pointed at Barry, not bothering to slow his stride one bit as he walked out of the restaurant. 

I'll Come Running - R.C. - Chapter 24

Jessie couldn't believe that was the end of her and Rafe once more. She rode to the airport thinking Rafe would call her or stop her somehow, but he didn't. She walked to the gate thinking that she would hear Rafe's voice call out to her as he ran to catch her, but she didn't. She thought maybe she would touch down in OBX and see Rafe already there, but that didn't happen either. Rafe never came. Jessie wondered if that was how Rafe felt four years ago when he realized he would never see Jessie again. How many days or weeks or months did it take him to no longer have hope that she would come running back to him? Jessie could never forget the endless calls and texts she got from Rafe when she first left, but she could never bring herself to block him. It didn't take long for her to get to Manhattan before she got a new phone, only giving JJ the number through the mail. Jessie wondered how many times Rafe called and texted the old number before he eventually gave up... did he give up? Jessie finally got a taste of her own medicine, and she couldn't help but feel even worse for Rafe. She was pulled out of her thoughts when her cab had arrived back at the Chateau, all the pogues running out and yelling things out of excitement. Unfortunately, their beaming smiles weren't enough to coax Jessie out of her sadness, but, as she always does, she put on a semblance of a smile. 

JJ was the first to get to the cab, as he opened Jessie's door, he immediately pulled her into a hug.

"Hey sis." JJ exclaimed as he breathed a sigh of relief. JJ was so happy to see that Jessie had made it back and that she was okay. Well, at least physically. Jessie tried to fake a smile and act like she was overjoyed to be back with the pogues, yet her heart longed to be in two different places: either with Rafe in the Bahamas or with her daughter back in Manhattan. She couldn't make up her mind which she wanted more in that moment. She managed a half smile to JJ and the rest of the pogues as she greeted them.

"Is this what I think it is." JJ said in disbelief as he pulled the two large duffel bags out of the cab's trunk.

Jessie turned around and nodded her head with a smile. She couldn't say exactly what was in it, obviously, the cab driver was still there and had no idea. But as soon as the pogues watched the driver pull away, Jessie began to speak.

"200 million. Cash money." Jessie said, not even looking at JJ as she kept her eyes on the taxi driver.

"Is he far enough away yet for us to celebrate?" John B asked nonchalantly.

"Nooot quuuuuite." JJ replied as they all waited for the driver to make the turn out of the driveway.

"Alright, he's gone." JJ said as he started running around the yard of the chateau like a chicken with its head cut off. All the pogues screamed and celebrated like they had found the gold all over again. They were elated, Jessie had never seen so much excitement. Jessie only giggled at the pogues, not truly being able to celebrate with them. Her mind and her heart were else where. As she watched the pogues celebrate she zoned out into her own world, thinking of Rafe and Charlotte. She didn't care about the money, she wanted the both of them, preferably together.

"Jess? You listening?" JJ asked loud enough to interrupt Jessie's racing mind.

"Huh?" Jessie replied as she shook her head, trying to focus back in.

"I was saying, you've gotta take some of this. You deserve it. You need this... for you and Charlotte." JJ answered as his voice got quieter. The pogues had reigned themselves back in as well, silently agreeing with nods. The pogues clearly wanted her to take her cut, but Jessie couldn't bring herself to do it. She may have gained a fortune, but she lost everything... again. It felt like blood money. She could never take it because she would be reminded of the painful memories of what it took to get it.

"No, really, I can't. I told you guys from the beginning I didn't want a penny and I still don't." Jess insisted. The pogues all tried to continue to convince her but Jessie only shook her head in defiance. "Seriously, guys. I can't, and I won't. Take it... enjoy it." Jessie said with a sincere smile on her face. Jessie genuinely wasn't jealous of this fortune the pogues now had, she was truly happy JJ had what he needed to get him through, that's all she ever wanted for him.

Sarah finally came forward, looking at Jessie with pity and curiosity.

"So... do I really... have a niece?" Sarah asked with hope in her voice. Sarah had been thinking about what this meant for her too. She was beyond excited.

Jessie only laughed and nodded her head yes. "Yeah... you all do." Jessie replied as she looked at all the pogues. They all began to tear up as they realized what this meant. Not only did they have their older sister back, the one that always believed in them and took care of them, but now they had a niece to spoil and love on forever. Now they all had a bond that could never be broken again. They all gathered around each other, forming one big hug and uttered words of love among each other. They were proud of what they had accomplished, and yet Jessie couldn't feel like a worse person. Despite her joy of finding an old family in the pogues once more, her heart was still missing something. She knew what it was, but she couldn't tell the pogues.

That night the pogues spent the evening still acting like nothing had changed. Despite being multi-millionaires, they partied like pogues, drinking beer, chilling in the hot tub, and just joking around like they were as poor as they came. They didn't know what tomorrow held, but for tonight, they were pogues.

"For the record..." Sarah began to speak as she sat beside Jessie on the porch. "I don't think Rafe's going to let his daughter go now that he knows." She said as she took a drink from her aluminum can.

Jessie just sighed and adjusted herself in her seat. "Yeah, I don't think so either. That's what I'm afraid of." Jessie admitted.

"Look, I get that Rafe's not perfect. And I completely understand why you left and didn't tell anyone. But Rafe never let you go. He still hasn't. He's tried to fill that void for years and has never been successful. I'm telling you, he can't let it go, Jess. And I don't think you should be afraid of that. I think this is an opportunity to get back what was lost years ago." Sarah stated.

"I don't know, Sarah." Jessie hesitated as she took a drink. 24 hours ago, she might have agreed with Sarah. But seeing how Rafe dismissed Jessie just hours ago, as if she was scum on the bottom of his shoe, really showed her that maybe he really hadn't changed.

"Well, I do. But maybe it's just some food for thought." Sarah said plainly.

Jessie definitely thought about Sarah's words that night as she lay in bed. Maybe Rafe really wasn't over her. But how long would it take for him to realize that and do something about it? Maybe she was the one that needed to make a move? After all, she was the one that left him, twice. But she had every reason to, both times! Jessie couldn't think about it any longer, it was making her head hurt. She opted to try and go to sleep.

- - -

"You sure I can't got with you, Jess?" JJ pleaded once more as he loaded Jessie's luggage into the cab. Jessie just laughed, thinking how sweet it was that JJ was so ready to meet his niece. He had been bugging Jessie all morning about it.

"I'm sure, JJ. I need some time with her, to explain some things that she deserves to know. I know she's only three but I need to prepare her with what she can handle. But I promise, as soon as I get settled back in, you'll be the first person I call to come and see her." Jessie assured. JJ understood, and with that, they said their goodbyes. This goodbye was much different— much better— than the first. This time there was a promise to see each other again, and to stay in contact. That's all JJ could ask for. Jessie said her goodbyes to the pogues as well.

"You let me know if there's anything I can do for you." Sarah said as she gave Jessie a warm hug. "And don't be afraid to reach out to Rafe, no matter how much you think he doesn't want to hear from you, I promise he does." Sarah said once more. She couldn't let that hope go, but that's mainly because she's seen how much Rafe loved— loves— Jessie, and she knows deep down without even talking to him, how much he still wants her. There were a lot of things about Rafe Cameron that Sarah could never quite figure out, but his love for Jessie despite years of heartbreak and distance, was one of the only things she was sure of. Jessie just tried to shrug it off and politely take Sarah's advice.

Jessie finally made it to the airport gate, once again repeating the same thoughts. Maybe Rafe would come running through that gate trying to stop Jessie from making the biggest mistake of her life. After this there was no going back. As she looked back one last time, she realized she was out of time. And with that, she stepped on the plane back to Manhattan.

be mindful of why you're on tumblr to read fanfics readers, u see how i don't post hateful comments on other writers' works, cause that's very inconsiderate and not cutesy. instead, if i don't like the fic i simply stop reading it and move on to read another fic that i'll like, very demure, very respectful, very approachable. let's be mindful 🙄

I'll Come Running - R.C. - Chapter 30

That night is exactly why this hurt JJ so much. With Jessie still standing between the two men who meant the most to her, JJ finally breathed out and looked at Jessie with tears in his eyes.

"I knew..." JJ sniffled. "I knew... I shouldn't have called you. I remember that night you left like it was yesterday, and I knew what he did to you, and I knew you got away from him because if you ever saw him again you would take him back. I knew I shouldn't have called you, Jess, I knew it!" JJ said now through sobs as he slowly backed away and put his hands in his hair, tugging slightly at the golden locks.

Jessie just looked down at the ground. Deep down she knew it too. She knew the second she made the decision to see Rafe again, all bets would be off. She would always come running back to him. For one simple reason: true love. No matter what Rafe had done to her or anyone else in the past, she saw more potential in him than anyone could ever imagine. She was the only one who understood, and not even she could get JJ to grasp that. Some would call their love toxic, they would call it unconditional.

"Jayj-"

"No, just don't! Okay?! I did this! Now just leave me alone!" JJ cried as he stormed back into the Chateau. Jessie tried following after him but was met by a warm hand to her chest, John B.

"You know he needs time to cool down, Jess." John B simply stated through truly sympathetic eyes. "He'll come around, he just has to see you prove it." John B said looking over at Rafe, who was still standing there feeling even worse by the minute. Rafe finally spoke up.

"I expected it... I deserved it." Rafe exclaimed knowingly. He put Charley down to explore the grass. Everyone stood in silence for what seemed like days, but was really just seconds.

"You've changed." Sarah finally spoke up, coming up from behind the pogues with eyes on Rafe. Rafe just looked at Sarah and nodded through tears. Rafe wanted to say so much more, but he couldn't get the words out. Instead, Sarah and Rafe embraced in a long awaited hug, both of them crying.

"I see it, Rafe. I believe you." Sarah said through sobs as her hands wrapped around her brothers neck. Sarah and Rafe were on their own separate journey to healing. Rafe had to forgive and forget that Sarah was always thought of before him, and Sarah had to forgive the way Rafe treated her because of it.

"Thank you, thank you, Sarah." Rafe simply pleaded through small sobs as well. Sarah and Rafe finally broke away and Sarah turned back to look at Jessie.

"I want to meet my niece." She said through a soft smile. Jessie laughed a little as she took a hold of Charley's hand and brought her over to Sarah, the pogues circling in on the action as well as they looked at the little girl lovingly. The truth is, the pogues all still had their reservations, but they knew they couldn't stop Jessie or Rafe from being with each other. They never have, and they never will.

The pogues all exchanged hellos and loving glances and hugs with Charley one by one. The only one clearly missing was JJ, and his absence was felt, still, everyone pushed on. Everyone eventually moved to the fire pit as the sun set, each with their preferred beverage in hand as they played with Charley, who was loving the attention. Rafe was sitting in a patio chair around the fire, and Jessie was sitting in his lap. Rafe could tell Jessie's mind was elsewhere.

"Go talk to him. Just you and him." Rafe whispered in Jessie's ear as he rubbed her back. Jessie turned to look at Rafe.

"I don't know if he's ready yet."

"He may not be, but at least he'll know that you've tried." Rafe replied as he kissed Jessie's cheek for reassurance and gave her a love tap.

Jessie got up to make her way inside, the crowd went quiet as they realized what she was doing.

"Mama..." Charley began to whine with her arms stretched out. Charley was loving all the new people, but she still wasn't totally comfortable. Jessie looked back and found Charley clinging to her leg and whimpering.

"Stay with daddy, baby, okay? Daddy will take care of you." Jessie reassured her daughter as she patted her back.

"Come here, Charley. Come sit with daddy and we'll make some s'mores." Rafe said with enthusiasm. Jessie could tell the pogues still weren't used to this idea of seeing Rafe in this new light. They didn't think it was bad at all, just very odd. Charley was still hesitant but she obliged, running back to her father. Rafe stood up to meet her half way, picked her up and began to throw her in the air to distract her from her mother going inside. As the fits of giggles began to fade into the distance, Jessie opened the door. She was met with that all too familiar stench: weed. And boy, that was fresh too. Sure enough, she found JJ sitting in the living room. Jessie figured he must've been watching from a distance all night.

"One of cousin Ricky's specials, huh? I know it when I smell it." Jessie joked as she sat on the coffee table in front of the couch JJ was plopped on. JJ just blew a cloud of smoke, only giving Jessie a half glance before looking back at the scene outside, undoubtedly watching Rafe expertly make his daughter a s'more.

"Jayj... I really don't know what to say to make this better." Jessie sighed as she rubbed her hands together.

"There's nothing you can say. I knew this was going to happen." JJ replied, not taking his eyes away from the window.

"Than why'd you call me?" Jessie asked with caution.

"The same reason you said yes."

Jessie just looked down at the floor. They both knew why they did it.

"I missed you." They both said in unison. That was enough for both of them to start tearing up.

"I don't even give a shit about the gold anymore, Jess. It wasn't worth it if it meant you got back together with Rafe, especially not after bringing a child into this world."

"His child, JJ. Rafe deserves-"

"Rafe doesn't deserve shit, Jessie!" JJ interrupted as he finally kicked his feet of the couch to be face to face with his sister. "He needs to earn whatever it is that he wants."

"And he is. You really think I'm stupid enough to give into him all at one time? It's like you forgot who I was, JJ. I left because I knew Rafe couldn't handle it. I didn't even tell Rafe about Charley until I thought he could handle it. And as terrible as it is to say, I had no plans of telling Rafe about Charley when I went to the Bahamas... but he proved me wrong. And I'm hoping he'll prove you wrong too."

JJ just laughed as he looked away and took another drag. "You really think he's changed? You don't know the Rafe that we've known the past four years, Jessie."

"And you don't know the Rafe that I've always known. The Rafe that I know even now is still there." Jessie pleaded.

"You know where we come from, Jess. We don't get happy endings. You need to put the true love bullshit to rest and do what's best for your daughter." JJ spit.

"I don't need a reality check, JJ. I've been living reality for a lot longer than you realize, having to do things the hard way in order to put my daughter first, okay? So you're going to forgive me for wanting to do something for myself for a change." Jessie spit right back, growing annoyed but still trying to see JJ's point of view.

"You're immune to him, Jessie. You don't even realize it." JJ simply stated.

"If I was immune to him would I have left all those years ago?" Jessie asked.

JJ just smirked as he puffed out another cloud of smoke. "You left physically because you knew you could never leave mentally." That was it, Jessie had had it.

"So what if I can never leave him mentally?! He's the love of my life, my husband, the father to my child, and he clearly is trying to be better for us! Gosh, can't you see that?! No, no, you can't see that because you refuse to. Well, you know what? That's fine, because like I've done so many times before, I will take my family and we will go somewhere else and we won't care about who doesn't support us." Jessie wanted to leave right then and there, but she didn't... she couldn't. She secretly begged that JJ would come around in that moment. JJ paused, looking up at Jessie with angry eyes.

"You know who I haven't heard from yet? Rafe. I really would be inclined to know what he has to say to me about this. He needs to prove it to me, not you." JJ demanded with fierce eyes.

"Jessie, go back outside." Rafe butted in with angry eyes and a clinched jaw. He had his hands in a his pockets, a sure sign he was holding back his rage. There's no telling how long Rafe had been there listening but Jessie couldn't afford to care in that moment. She looked back at JJ, silently begging him to hear Rafe out, and with that she made her way to the doorway her husband was standing in. As she stopped at the doorway she gave Rafe a reassuring look, knowing how hard and frustrating this conversation was about to be, but she knew it needed to happen.

Rafe collected his thoughts in the time it took him to walk over to JJ and sit on the coffee table in front of him.

"Want some?" JJ asked seriously as he held the joint out in front of Rafe. He knew exactly what he was doing, and Rafe didn't fall for it.

"Very funny." Rafe simply replied with an annoyed look on his face.

"Hey man, trust me, this isn't funny at all. You really expect me to belive that all of a sudden you're not a lying, stealing, psycho, murdering ass cheat?" JJ questioned with his eyes narrowed. The blunt started looking better and better to Rafe, but he wasn't going back on his promise. Rafe just sighed and looked at the ground as he rubbed his hands together trying to formulate the correct response.

"Look man, I'm not proud of the punches that I've thrown. But all that was someone I no longer know. That was someone who had lost his everything. That was someone who didn't know he had a daughter in this world. Trust me, things have changed now."

Oddly enough, JJ did see something different in Rafe today. He was definitely still calloused and guarded, but he seemed... genuine in his apology.

"Like I said you don't have to forgive me today, tomorrow, or even ever. But it's no secret that I never stopped loving your sister even after she left."

"Oh yeah that's why you threw yourself at more girls, more parties, and more coke right? That's why you slowly slipped into a psychotic rage, forcing you to believe that you had to kill, Peterkin, right?" JJ so painfully reminded Rafe.

"JJ..." Rafe sighed hopelessly as he looked JJ in the eyes. "Don't act like you didn't have your vices to help you cope with Jessie being gone. You and I both had our own ways of numbing the pain, and frankly, they weren't too far off from each other. We both have more in common than you think. We'd both die for her." Rafe explained. JJ never had thought of it that way. Jessie left a gaping hole in both of their hearts in two totally different ways, yet they both felt the weight equally, driving them to places they never thought they'd find themselves. Rafe turned to more drugs, more girls, and trying to satisfy his father, JJ just turned inward to himself, becoming a shell of a person that made it clear to everyone he would never be hurt like that again. After the long pause to think, JJ finally nodded. Rafe didn't know if it was in agreement or not.

"I still don't understand why you've done some of the things that you did... but, I'll respect Jessie enough to not get in the way. But I want to make it very clear I don't trust you yet, but I'll try." JJ whispered with a raspiness indicating he was holding back emotion.

"Thanks, man." Rafe answered genuinely as he patted JJ on the shoulder and stood up.

"This is not for you. This is for Jessie... and Charley." JJ said coldly . Rafe simply nodded and pursed his lips, knowing his statement was totally fair. JJ followed after Rafe as they were about to exit the house.

"Oh and hey, I'm still serious about the gold... you can have the rest of it. I really don't want it anymore." Rafe exclaimed as he turned to look at JJ. JJ just smiled and nodded, that was the first genuine smile Rafe had seen from JJ... probably ever.

JJ was still very unsure about everything, but he decided to put on a brave face so he could finally do what he's been dreaming of.

"Where's my niece?!" JJ screamed as he walked through the yard towards the fire pit with Rafe.

All the pogues whooped and hollered as they saw JJ come towards them with a smile on his face. Rafe knew it was fake, that was between him and JJ though.

Jessie walked toward the two men with a grin as wide as the east is from the west, assuming they had come to some sort of a truce... or at least a stalemate. She had Charley holding onto her hand as she walked over and bent down in front of JJ. JJ followed suit to be eye level with Charley. Rafe was standing over and watching with a smile, definitely feeling like he shouldn't intrude.

"Charley, this is Uncle JJ. He's my brother." Jessie said in a slow tone that her daughter could comprehend. Charley really didn't know the concept of brother, sister, aunt, uncle, etc, but she would learn through exchanges just like this.

"Hi, Charley!" JJ said with excitement as he softly waved at his niece. His heart was already filled with so much love and tenderness, he wanted to pick her up and spin her around and squeeze her right then and there, but he knew that wouldn't be getting things started on the right foot.

"Hi!" Charley stated back with curiosity in her big diamond eyes. Charley wasn't afraid, and Rafe loved that about her, but that also terrified him. He knew she would be a trailblazer one day.

"You wanna give Uncle JJ a hug? He would love that!" Jessie gave Charley the option, but made it very clear it wasn't required. Jessie knew Charley wouldn't be opposed though. As expected, Charley waddled over to JJ and flung herself onto his chest with her short arms wrapping around as much of his shoulders as she could. JJ melted, immediately clinging his arms around her and resting his head against hers, which was now in the crook of his neck. JJ started to tear up, and so did Jessie, as they stood there looking at each other, brother and sister, both thinking the same thing.

They made it.

I'll Come Running - R.C. - Chapter 35

Rafe immediately pulled his gun at the same moment that he pulled Jessie behind him.

"Jessie..." Rafe whispered with labored breaths with his gun pointed right at his father, who was standing in the living room in front of them. "Grab the gun that is in that vase behind you to the right of the door. Go get Charley, and come right back down here to me." Rafe said sternly, never once taking his eyes off of Ward. Rafe wasn't completely sure he wasn't hallucinating, but he wasn't willing to take any chances. He didn't figure he was considering he could feel his wife trembling and holding onto his arm for dear life behind him. Jessie broke away and did exactly as she was told, finding the hidden Glock 43 conveniently in the large flower vase by the door.

Out of the corner of Rafe's eye he saw Jessie run up the stairs with the gun in her hands to grab their daughter. He didn't dare peel his eyes away from the man standing right in front of him, for fear of Ward taking advantage of even the slightest vulnerable moment. Ward appeared with an empathetic look on his face, the look of a master manipulator.

"Get your hands out of your pockets." Rafe snapped with anger behind his eyes as he kept the gun pointed straight out. Ward slowly pulled his hands out of his perfectly ironed khakis. Rafe noticed that Ward looked particularly cleaned up. Aside from the fact that he was even alive, it was even more shocking to see him as pristine as ever, like death had never touched him. Ward slowly raised his hands up as if to silently surrender to his son.

"Don't say a word." Rafe spat as they sat in silence waiting for Jessie to come down with Charley. As hard as it was to contain himself, Rafe refused to let anything happen with his wife and daughter in the house. After a few more moments of silence and looks that could kill, Rafe finally saw Jessie come down the stairs with Charley, clearly sleepy and disheveled from being jolted awake by her mother. Rafe figured it was a miracle she wasn't crying, she never did like being woken up. Jessie, who now had the gun in the waistband of her shorts and her child on the other hip wrapped in a blanket, stood behind Rafe waiting for further instruction.

"Jessie, I want you to grab the keys to my truck, and I want you to drive to JJ's. Before you ever step outside I want you to have JJ on the phone, and I want him to stay on the phone with you until you get there. Got it?" Rafe explained, still looking at his father with a concentration like none other.

"Got it." Was all Jessie could say. Of course, she wanted Rafe to go with them, but she completely understood that now was not the time to insist. She simply went to the kitchen, grabbed the keys while speed dialing JJ.

"What's up, buttercup?" JJ happily answered the phone, still sounding like they were in the Twinkie.

"I'm coming to the Chat right now. Charley and I are in danger and that's all I can say but Rafe is handling it and he's told me to keep you on the phone while I drive to you." Jessie simple stated as she walked back to the entry way, only to see her husband still with his arm out straight with the gun cocked at Ward.

"We're on our way back to you. Give us five minutes." Jessie heard JJ say with an attitude shift that was hard to go unnoticed. Jessie could've sworn she heard the tires squeal in the background. Still, she walked outside, but not before putting the truck keys in the chest pocket of Rafe's shirt, her only form of a goodbye to him. She assumed Rafe heard JJ, and he was too wrapped up in the sight in front of him to protest.

"You've got five minutes to tell me why you're here. The second my wife and daughter leave, all bets are off." Rafe said in a deathly hushed tone after the door closed behind him.

"Son... I-"

"Don't call me that." Rafe corrected Ward. He knew he couldn't view Ward as anything more than an intruder in his home- and his life- despite the fact that he once took the blame for his own gigantic mistake of murdering Sheriff Peterkin. He knew it would be just like Ward to try and pull the father son card to get Rafe to comply with whatever he was trying to coerce him into. Rafe was done being coerced. He was done feeling like he always had to please his father. That was what led to the second downfall of Rafe Cameron, the first being when Jessie left, of course.

"Rafe... I... came back to help." Ward whispered, with a glint in his eye and shakiness in his hands. Rafe noticed Ward was afraid of him, he liked that... he missed that. There was only a few moments in his life where he felt Ward was truly afraid of him, and right now that's exactly what he needed. "You need my help-"

"I thought you were dead." Rafe said plainly as he struggled to control his breathing, almost feeling as if he was about to cry. No wait, he was about to cry. How could he not? Despite everything, his father, whom he thought he'd never see again, was standing right in front of him. He never got the chance to thank him for taking the blame for his massive mess up. Despite the immense pressure Ward put on him from such a young age, he couldn't help but still feel grateful for what Ward had done for him, but he couldn't forget what Ward did to him with all those years of fighting for his love through various accomplishments. Conflicted was an understatement in that very moment.

"I... I staged my death... Rose and Wheezie's too."

"They're alive?" Rafe asked as he licked his lips and furrowed hushed brows, trying to remain focused and not show any sign of weakness."

"Yes, son."

"Don't call me that!" Rafe corrected, much louder this time as he jolted the gun in his hand, suddenly holding it tighter. Neither one of them realized that was possible. Nonetheless, Ward placed his hands higher as if to show even more surrender to the situation.

"I'm sorry, Rafe, I just..." Ward began as he took a sharp breath in, "I... staged my death and couldn't tell you because I needed to keep this all air tight. I needed you to run the company as if I really was gone, that way there would be no suspicion from the FBI and they would truly lay this thing to rest... for you." Ward whispered with the same sympathetic eyes that neither Rafe nor Sarah believed anymore.

Rafe sniffled and let out a sharp breath he didn't realize he was holding in. He felt old habits start to arise as he instinctually contorted his lips and nose in a way to show he was thinking about his next move- and simply trying to contain his anger.

"Why'd you come back?" Rafe asked through a shaky tone as one single tear rolled down his face. He then bit his tongue as if to tell himself to get it together.

"I was hoping to come back under different circumstances... but I came back because... I heard you were back with Jessie." Ward hushed as he slowly put his hands down, assuming he was now in Rafe's head enough to do so.

Rafe just shook his head in disbelief.

"That's what this is about?" Rafe choked out, now even more upset. "God, Ward, why can you not just let her go? She's the mother-"

"She's using you, Rafe. She always has been." Ward said a little bit louder, showing once again some gained confidence in the exchange.

"Bullshit. You don't know shit about her, or me, or us!" Rafe seethed as he walked closer to Ward with the gun still pointed straight out. It wasn't clear whether his strong arms or his pure adrenaline was keeping it extended for such a long time.

Rafe finally heard the Twinkie drive off into the distance, allowing him to confidently make his move. With that he finally took steps closer to Ward, this time connecting the cold metal straight to his father's chest. Ward didn't flinch, not even in the face. It's almost as if he expected the violence.

"You do realize I have the advantage here?" Rafe slightly chuckled as he flashed a maniacal smile. "To the world, you're dead. I could kill you right now and nobody would suspect a thing. What makes you think I won't?"

"Nothing, Rafe." Ward simply stated. "But I want to give you a proposition." He finished as he lightly pushed Rafe's gun clad hand away from his chest. Rafe surprised himself by obliging, still not backing away and still not letting his finger off the trigger.

"I don't want whatever you're offering. I've got something much better now." Rafe whispered with an oddly content smile on his face as he looked at Ward's chest, imagining where he could so easily put the bullet that would end this conversation. Ward gave a subtle chuckle in agreement.

"Children will do that to you, Rafe." Ward whispered. "But think about your daughter." He said with furrowed brows looking into Rafe's eyes. "You could give her a better life." 

"Your children did nothing for you! You were still the same heartless business man through and through, and you expected the exact same from me... and you won't get it! Not anymore!" Rafe yelled this time, with fire behind his eyes and venom in his voice. Ward still remained motionless at the chastisement.

"Rafe... I want you to continue Cameron enterprises, but I want you to cut me back in to work in Barbados. That's where Rose and Wheezie and I have been staying waiting for things to blow over. It's low key there, and we can start a new life and you don't even have to leave here-"

"Absolutely not. You're not getting one cent from me and my family." Rafe insisted through a clenched jaw as his pointer finger connected with his father's chest.

"Rafe... you don't have a choice. I could come back from the dead and tell Kildare County Sheriff's Department about all that went down on that tarmac, and Sarah and John B could testify. You have to take this deal." Ward simply stated.

"I don't have to take shit."Rafe snapped as he cocked his head with a new found confidence.

"Then your only option is to kill me... right here... right now... because that's the only way you get out of this scotch free with your own business." Ward replied as he slowly began to lift his arms up by his sides as if to say come and get me.

"What happened to not letting me go down for something I did for you?" Rafe asked, now clearly showing confusion and hurt in his words. There was a slight pause.

"That was before you went rogue, Rafe. That was before you decided to run off with Jessie Maybank and mess up your life... again. I tried to stop you from doing that once, and now you're falling back into the same patterns, and I know there's nothing I can do to stop it, so I'm protecting my family from when you crash and burn again." Ward whispered, this time with a tinge of sadness in his voice. It's almost as if he truly believed his son needed saving from this girl yet again.

"Jessie Cameron." Rafe corrected coldly with a straight face as he pulled the gun on Ward once again and took a step back. "Her name is Jessie Cameron."

With that, Rafe pulled the trigger, sending Ward out of this world once and for all with the realization that he had lost his son in more ways than one.