I'll Come Running - R.C. - Chapter 28

I'll Come Running - R.C. - Chapter 28

As Jessie was getting ready to leave for the restaurant, Rafe came into the bathroom as she was brushing her hair. Rafe wrapped his arms around Jessie's waist and pulled her in close.

"Where's Charley?" Jessie asked as she looked at Rafe through the mirror.

"She's playing in her room." Rafe answered. Jessie simply nodded and went back to getting ready.

"She called me daddy this morning." Rafe said simply with a small smile on his face. Jessie stopped what she was doing once again and looked back at Rafe with a grin.

"Seriously?!" Jessie asked with wide eyes.

"Seriously." Rafe replied through a slight laugh. "She said it this morning when she woke me up wanting breakfast."

Jessie couldn't help but be filled with tears of joy. This was more confirmation that her and Charley would be just fine following Rafe back to OBX or wherever they needed to be. No matter where they went, Jessie knew she couldn't split up their family again. Jessie couldn't choke out any words, instead she opted to wrap her arms around Rafe's neck.

"I'm so glad baby, you deserve that." She whispered as she buried herself further into Rafe.

"Thank you." Was all Rafe could say as he breathed a sigh of relief. Suddenly they both heard little footsteps coming to the bathroom door.

"What we doing?" Charley asked with knitted eyebrows. She was already ready to go in her yellow sundress and high pigtails. Rafe bent down to be eye level with his daughter as Jessie went back to fixing her hair.

"We are going to find you some shoes to wear." Rafe replied as he pointed at Charley and booped her nose. She giggled and ran away to her room, clearly anxious to pick out a pair of shoes. Rafe simply followed behind her, but not before giving Jessie one last loving look.

- - -

"We ready to go?" Jessie asked as she slipped on her converse and met Rafe with Charley on his hip at the door.

"Yep." Rafe responded as they walked out the door and towards the bar downtown. Living in Manhattan everything was within walking distance, which Jessie loved. It was always a great way for Charley and her to get some fresh air and a little exercise. Plus, it saved on gas. Jessie didn't even have a car until after a year of living there, with the help of Mama and Tom getting her a job and hooked up with a friend selling one for a good price. However, she couldn't part with the small motorcycle she brought with her from OBX. That was all she had besides a few other belongings when she left. She left both her small car and motorcycle parked in the parking garage connected to their building.

The three of them had finally made it down to the small local dive bar. If Rafe would have blinked he would have missed it. He almost did, thankfully Jessie knew where it was and side stepped him just in time. Jessie had a key to the door of course but also told them she was coming and that she was bringing a friend. Considering they were stopping by before they opened she knew they wouldn't mind. They never minded having Charley there either. Many a night has been spent bartending with Mama while young Charley slept in the back room in a cot built just for her under Tom's desk.

"Hey Mama!" Jessie exclaimed enthusiastically as she let Charley down to run to her grandparents.

"Hey darlin!" Mama replied as she bent down to accept the impending bear hug from Charley. Soon after Tom rounded the corner.

"I thought I heard my favorite girls." The bearded burly man said as he came out of his office and around the counter to give Jessie a hug.

"Hey sweetheart." Tom exclaimed as he hugged Jessie and gave her a kiss on the head. Before Tom was done with the motion he eyed Rafe up and down. "Is this the guest you were talking about?" Tom asked with knitted eyebrows. At the same time Mama came walking up behind Tom with Charley in tow.

"Yes! This is Rafe. Rafe, this is Mama and PopPop. But you can call them Maci and Tom if you'd like." Jessie proclaimed as she introduced the two parties. Rafe stuck his hand out nervously with a soft smile towards Tom. Rafe couldn't belive how nervous he was. He had done billion dollar deals with gun wielding maniacs and their goons surrounding him with no nerves and yet this had him shaking.

"Nice to meet you." Rafe blurted out with his hand still extended. Tom looked down at his hand and back up at Jessie, still trying to decide if he was going to shake it or not. Tom saw the plea on Jessie's face and decided to go with it.

"Nice to meet ya Rafe." Tom said simply in his grisly tone he always has. Thankfully, Mama decided to break the very clear tension.

"Well, y'all want something to eat or drink? It's almost lunchtime!" Mama exclaimed as she made her way back behind the counter hoping everyone would follow.

"Chicken nuggets!" Charley quickly demanded as she ran alongside Mama.

"We'll just take whatever you make." Jessie answered as they sat down at the bar, Tom opted to stand alongside it beside Rafe, still unsure of the man he was looking at. For Tom, no man was good enough for Jessie. Jessie was not looking forward to telling Mama and Tom about her and Rafe's history.

"Can I get you anything to drink, baby?" Mama asked Rafe as she got Jessie started with a Moscow mule, remembering it was her all time favorite.

"Oh I'm okay, water's fine." Rafe replied, politely putting a hand up.

"What, you don't drink?" Tom asked with his eyebrows furrowed. This kid was seeming more and more peculiar to him.

"Uh... just not feeling it today, it's only lunch." Rafe joked looking at Tom for any semblance of understanding.

"Oh come on." Tom bantered as he slapped Rafe's arm with a little too much force for Jessie's liking. Thankfully, Rafe wasn't phased, his strong arms could definitely withstand the blow. "Little whiskey won't hurt ya. Put a little hair on your chest. Get him a whiskey and coke, Mama." Tom insisted. Jessie gave Rafe a look as if to silently apologize. Rafe reciprocated with a soft half smile as if to tell her it's okay. Mama gave Tom a look of disapproval but continued to make a drink for Rafe and slide it his way. Jessie tried to brush it off as best she could despite Tom's best efforts to intimidate Rafe.

"Sooooo..." Jessie began as she stretched her hands across the bar and look around bashfully. "There's a reason that I wanted to come and meet with you guys today."

"Uh oh, here we go." Tom joked as he finally took a seat at the barstool beside Rafe. Charley at that point was playing contentedly in the corner but Jessie wondered if she should redirect her to Tom's office.

"So, Rafe is actually... um... Charley's father." Jessie explained as she gripped Rafe's hand over the bar. "And we're... m-back together." Jessie didn't have the heart to tell them they were already married. She thought that would be way too much too soon. She knew eventually they'd get around to that conversation though. Mama and Tom just exchanged looks that neither Rafe nor Jessie could quite interpret. Were they angry? Confused? Surprised? Did they expect it? Probably a combination of all those things.

"This..." Tom began as he pointed at Rafe. "This is the guy you left home for? And this is the guy you had to protect from Charley?" Tom asked with a dangerous calm in his voice. Rafe couldn't let that slide.

"Hey man you don't even know me." Rafe spat as he immediately stood up from his chair and looked at Tom dead in the eyes, who had also stood up at the same moment to meet them. Despite Tom being slightly shorter, his gaze was just as fierce. Jessie didn't expect that to escalate so quickly, but she thought maybe she should have considering Rafe was never one to accept insults.

"I know enough." Tom answered with just as much vengeance in his voice. "I know that you were the reason Jessie had to leave wherever she came from. I know that you were the reason she felt she and her baby were unsafe. I know you were the reason she came here with no money and nobody to rely on." Tom continued, never breaking his death glare up towards Rafe. At this point their faces were mere inches away from each other. Rafe was trying to prove to Jessie that he had changed, but he still wasn't going to let disrespect slide.

"Yeah well that was the old me, okay?" Rafe replied. Tom just scoffed.

"You may be fooling Jessie with that but you're not fooling me alright I'll be damned if-"

"Stop it! Both of you!" Jessie interrupted, loud enough to get the point across but not loud enough to disturb Charley from across the room.

"Alright, come on now. Your daughter and your granddaughter is in the room right now." Mama spoke up as she went to grab Charley and take her to Tom's office to play with the toys they always kept in there.

"Yeah, and you're lucky she is." Tom retorted, narrowing his eyes at Rafe once more. Rafe was finding it increasingly difficult when a man was judging him so harshly without getting to know him first. Still, he had a point to prove. He remained stolid, not fuming, but he made it clear he was not afraid. Jessie decided to butt in before Rafe had a chance to say what he was really thinking.

"Tom, I promise you nobody is being more cautious about this than I am. I could never forget the reason that I came here, and I could never forget what you and Mama did for me..." Jessie trailed off as she wedged her way in between the two most important men in her life. "... but it's time for me to give Rafe another chance now that he knows about his daughter and is willing to change for us. Okay? Can you just trust me on this?" Jessie said as she looked up at Tom with hopeful eyes. Rafe had softened his look slightly and had un clinched his fist despite him still being angry deep down.

"I guess, sweetheart, whatever you want." Tom sighed as he looked at Jessie lovingly, then back up to Rafe with a hardened glare once again. "But if you step one toe out of line-"

"I'll handle it myself, like I always have, pop." Jessie interrupted with a knowing stare. Tom knew she was right, and so did Rafe. Jessie really hadn't changed that much in four years, she was still that strong, independent, snarky, know it all that was perfectly fine with taking care of herself. Rafe still appreciated that about her... that freedom she always found within herself to live life and not be afraid. Tom sighed in agreement.

"Lets eat you two!" Mama butted in, trying once again to break the tension— and the death glares— between the two men. Jessie moved from her spot back to sit at the bar, the others doing the same as Mama platted everyone's food, including Charley's, who had now re entered the room.

"So is Rafe who you were going to see last week?" Mama asked as she ate over the bar counter in front of them.

"Yeah, actually. I met him in the Bahamas to... tell him about Charley." Jessie answered. Her and Rafe both knew that was a lie, but they couldn't exactly tell the truth. How do you casually mention that you went across the world to take half of what you rightfully own as the wife of a murderer, drug addict and convicted thief of your own brother? Mama and Tom, despite how close they were to Jessie, never truly knew her history, and there was clearly a reason.

Tom put his fork down and swiveled in his chair closer to Rafe. "So what do you do for work son." Tom asked, this time a little friendlier, but not by much.

"Oh, I uh, run my dad's company. He passed away not too long ago so I'm kind of in charge of it now. Cameron Enterprises." Rafe answered, returning the same tone to Tom, friendly, but still not letting his guard down.

"Cameron? Oh! We heard about your dad a couple of weeks ago! Yeah, he was the one who..." Tom began, then realizing what he was about to say.

"Killed himself by blowing up his own boat, yeah." Rafe finished the sentence for him with a calmness in his voice that showed he was oddly un phased. To distract himself from the thought he took a sip of the whiskey and coke in front of him... well, more like a chug.

"Well, we are so sorry, honey." Mama spoke up, putting her hand on Rafe's with a sympathetic look. Jessie knew Rafe never liked pity looks, besides, he never had the best relationship with his father anyways so the loss wasn't as hard as the world may think.

"I appreciate that." Was all Rafe could muster as he pursed his lips together. He really wanted to say it was no big deal, but clearly that would raise some red flags. Instead he opted to grasp the small glass even more firmly. Jessie seemed to be the only one who noticed.

"Yeah, well, that's the main reason I needed to see Rafe. I knew his dad had just passed and as hard as it was to go back and see him, I felt it was only right that Rafe finally know what happened to me and that he had a daughter." Jessie took the moment to capitalize on her story. Truth is, as hard as it was to lie, she knew that Mama and Tom would probably never know the full story, that's just the way it goes when you're tied up with treasure hunts and ruthless tycoons like Ward Cameron.

"And I'm glad she did... she really pulled me out of the pit there." Rafe half smiled as he placed a hand on Jessie's thigh. That was the truth.

"Aw, well we're glad you two have found each other again." Mama simply stated and Tom nodded half heartedly in agreement. It was clear Tom was still fishing for information and looking for something to be wrong. Jessie didn't blame him, it was in Tom's nature just like it was in hers.

"Yeah, about that..." Jessie sighed as she grabbed Rafe's hand, she couldn't tell if it was for his support or hers. Regardless, Rafe squeezed her hand back. "I'm... well, we're... moving back home... to be with Rafe." Jessie finished, almost wincing not wanting to see the look on their faces in response.

Mama and Tom just paused in thought and looked at each other. Tom was quicker to speak than Mama of course.

"What do you mean? You can't be serious. You're gonna go back with the man who you ran away from four years ago just like that? Come on, Jessie, you know better."

"Pop... he's changed. He's not who he used to be. We're going to just try it out. What happened was four years ago. If I can see past it surely you can." Jessie insisted, this time with a hint of annoyance. Tom looked down at his plate and sighed. He finally nodded in agreement, knowing that at the end of the day it just mattered what Jessie wanted and what she felt was right for her and Charley.

"I think we're just... shocked is all. It was like one day you were perfectly fine with the life you had and now..." Mama explained.

"It's all changing. Yeah, I get it." Jessie sympathized. "And I know it's going to be hard and I know there are a lot of things we haven't thought about yet but we're just going to try. We're gonna start by visiting Outer Banks as a family... that's where I used to live." Jessie answered with a soft tone in her voice.

"You used to live steps from the beach and yet you chose to come here?" Mama joked. Jessie and Rafe just laughed.

"Yeah, this was the place I knew I could disappear. You know that, Mama."

"Yeah, I remember darling. I'm just glad you guys are getting another shot at being a family. Pop and I always wanted that for you, but we weren't quite sure it was ever going to happen." Mama ended her sentence with a giggle looking over at Tom. Tom chuckled as well.

"Of course we want the best for you, and hope everything works out, but you better come back and see us!" Tom exclaimed.

"Of course we will! I couldn't imagine a life without you guys." Jessie reassured as she went to give Tom a hug. Rafe sat there with a content smile on his face, silently thanking them for understanding.

"I promise we'll come back to visit as often as we can, and you guys are more than welcome to come see us anytime, my treat." Rafe said as Jessie went to hug Mama also.

"Oh, Tom wouldn't a vacation sound so fun?! Maybe one day we might even be invited to a wedding!" Mama hinted with excitement as she held Jessie's shoulders. Jessie just giggled nervously while looking at Rafe. Rafe smiled and hung his head down as if to prepare for the news they were both about to break.

"Hehe, yeah... about that..." Jessie started as she looked around at Mama and Tom with a clear nervous look. Mama and Tom looked confused as they narrowed their eyebrows.

"We're already married." Rafe chuckled as he threw his hands out awkwardly and slowly nodded his head.

"You got married to this man while you were gone? Thats what you were doing?!" Tom asked as he looked back at Jessie with judgement written all over his face. Oh great, this was about to be the cherry on top.

"Um, no.... We got married four years ago... before things went sour and I left." Jessie replied sheepishly, her posture showing she wanted to physically retreat into whatever shell she could find. There was an awkward pause as everyone tried to collect their thoughts, thankfully Charley was still eating her chicken nuggets happily in the corner and completely oblivious. Finally Tom slowly turned his head back to Rafe with a clear look of anger.

"You let your pregnant wife leave you and you didn't even think to go after her and make this work four years ago?!" Tom exclaimed a little louder than he should have.

"Tom!" Mama whisper-shouted, signally that he needed to keep his voice down. Tom breathed out heavily in frustration but understood.

"I didn't know she was pregnant. Jessie didn't tell me. But either way don't act like you know me, okay? You don't think I tried to find Jessie in every corner of this earth? You don't think I loved her enough to try and find her? Don't insult me like that ever again! You don't know the sleep I lost and worry I couldn't get away from when she left. Hell, that never went away! I never stopped looking for Jessie. There was never a moment when I didn't want to find her." Rafe spat as he got out of his seat and hovered over Tom with a look in his eyes that could kill. Tom didn't take that sitting down- literally- he stood up to meet Rafe with just as much fierceness.

"Well clearly you didn't look hard enough!" Tom retorted, still a little too loudly.

"It's not like I made myself easy to find, Pop! I changed my number, changed where I lived, and everything in between! I knew Rafe wouldn't have let me go that easily, that's the very reason I didn't tell him I was pregnant. I would've stayed and we wouldn't have grown up! But we're adults now and we can handle this! Rafe isn't to blame for all this. I left! This is the last time I'm going to let you fault Rafe over something that happened years ago!" Jessie demanded. Despite all that Rafe had done to Jessie and to many others, Jessie always saw something in Rafe that nobody else did. Rafe was always her Achilles heal, and that's exactly why she left years ago.

"Tom, she's right. You need to settle down." Mama said with a much more serious tone in her voice. Tom took the hint and sighed as he sat back down.

"I'm sorry, Jess, I just-"

"Don't be sorry Pop." Jessie said as she went around the counter to give Tom a hug. "You're like a father to me, you know that. I appreciate that you care so much... but you've gotta trust me on this one." Jessie assured. Tom nodded in agreement and quickly tried to change the subject to something more hopeful.

"So, when you leaving?"

I’ll Come Running - R.C. - Chapter 22

"So I guess you finally got your answer." Jessie whispered. Rafe had now moved to sit on the edge of the bed facing away from Jessie with his head in his hands. "That's why I left all those years ago, Rafe. It wasn't because I wasn't willing to stick it out with you, I knew what I had gotten myself into, and I knew I was strong enough to take whatever I had coming to me... but, our child? I could never forgive myself."

In a strange sense, Rafe did understand why she did it.

"But that doesn't change the fact that you kept my daughter from me for four years." Rafe finally spoke up as he looked up with a stolid anger. His eyes were wide, his jaw was clenched. "I can't believe you really think that you could just not tell me about her. I deserve to know her, don't I?" Rafe asked with more conviction as he stood up from the bed to look at Jessie.

Jessie paused, but finally spoke up. "No, I don't think so Rafe. Because up until that point you had given me no reason to trust that you would change at all." Jessie spoke with no remorse in her voice. Of course she wanted to be a big happy family with Rafe, but he proved her wrong on that matter a long time ago.

Rafe had so much more he wanted to say, instead, he shut down, as much as it pained him to close Jessie off like he never had before, he did it. Rafe put his hands on his hips, looked away, and thought of his next words carefully. He cleared his throat.

"Yeah, well, you can take your money and leave. I don't give a shit anymore." Rafe dismissed her as he lied through his teeth. He wanted nothing more in this world than to be a family with Jessie, but how could he trust her after the four year stunt that she's just pulled, and what she's been conspiring with the pogues.

"Rafe..." Jessie whispered as she looked down at the bed. "... for what it's worth, I do want you to know that I wasn't coming here to take the money for myself. I told the pogues and your sister that I didn't want any cut of this. I still don't. I just was doing my brother-- who I hadn't heard from in years-- a favor. These past two days have been the best I've had in a long time, in about four years to be exact. And at first, this was an act... but after we got back to who we used to be... a small part of me genuinely wanted this to work out. I saw the old Rafe, and I felt like the old Jessie. But if that's how you feel... I'll go. But if you ever do want to see your daughter, just say the word, and I'll come running." Jessie said sincerely.

Rafe stayed silent, just pondering what all had happened. Jessie finally eased her way off the bed and made her way back to her wing only to be met by a call from-- oh great-- JJ.

"What do you want, JJ?" Jessie sighed as her voice cracked, clearly holding back tears.  She knew exactly what JJ wanted, she knew he and all the others heard their entire conversation. She grew to hate that little trick Pope had rigged her phone with.

"You... you were pregnant?" JJ said barely above a whisper. Jessie could tell he was just as confused as Rafe was, but he was trying to be gentle for Jessie's sake.

"Yes. That's why I left." Jessie said as she breathed heavily, almost seeming like a sigh of relief. After all, Jessie had been keeping this secret for a long time, and she dreamed of coming back to OBX one day and letting JJ meet his niece, but she hated that this is how he found out.

***

"What do you mean you're leaving, Jessie? It's the middle of the night! Stop, tell me what's wrong." JJ demanded as he stopped Jessie from packing. Jessie had just gotten back from her... conversation, with Rafe and knew she had to leave immediately. Every second that she was there was another second for him to calculate his next move, how he was going to manipulate her into staying. She knew Rafe wouldn't take what just happened lying down, and she had to get out of dodge. But how would she tell JJ? No, she couldn't. She knew if she did he definitely wouldn't let her leave then. Even worse, he'd make it his mission to kill Rafe Cameron, and that was a far worse destiny than never seeing his sister again. Jessie didn't want blood on JJ's hands and a vendetta in his heart for the rest of his life.

Jessie didn't tell JJ what had happened for a host of reasons, but the most important reason was safety. She knew if JJ knew then Rafe would come after him. Well, Rafe would probably come after him regardless, but at least then he wouldn't have any reason to believe that JJ helped Jessie leave.

"I have to leave, JJ. I'm in trouble, and I can't tell you what it is but one day I will, I promise. I'll be okay as soon as I leave OBX." Jessie explained frantically as she turned away from JJ and continued packing.

"Th-this is insane, Jess. How much trouble are you in? It can't be that bad can it? I mean, I'm sure I've done way worse." JJ answered. Jessie still ignored his requests as she threw all the clothes she could into what little luggage she had. Her family didn't exactly go on a bunch of family vacations.

"Look, whatever it is, I'm sure Peterkin will vouche for you, she always does and besides Rafe-"

"I don't need Rafe. Rafe can't fix this." Jessie said sternly as she stopped packing and turned to JJ. JJ just tried to read her, what was she trying to say?

"Did Rafe do something?" JJ asked through gritted teeth. "I swear if he hurt you I'll kill that son of a bitch, I knew-"

"JJ." Jessie interrupted as she put her hands on JJ shoulders to try and ground him and get him to focus. "I'm only going to say this once so listen good. What I am doing is my own choice and for my own benefit, okay?" Jessie assured. JJ didn't completely buy it, he knew Rafe was struggling with addiction, and he bet that Rafe had something to do with the current situation.

Jessie zipped up her duffel bag and made her way through the house. "I put some extra money in the coffee can in the kitchen cabinet. You know how to handle dad if he comes back around. There's also a stash of weed under my bed and in my desk drawer if you want that and-"

"Woah woah woah, Jessie... you can't be serious." JJ almost laughs, thinking that this really is some sick joke. Jessie doesn't laugh.

"This isn't a joke, J. I'm leaving." Jessie responds, as tears brim her eyes. She quickly walks out of the door and towards her bike.

"Jess, come on, please talk to me." JJ pleads as he realizes his sister really is about to leave. "Don't leave me."

That sentence stops Jessie in her tracks. She could sense the clear worry and sadness in his voice.

"At least tell me where you're going." JJ begs with a soft tone.

"I don't know, Jayj." Jessie answers, not being able to look back, only gripping further into the strap on her shoulder looking for any sense of stability.

"Well when are you coming back?"

"I don't know that either."

"So... that's it? You're just gonna leave your little brother in the middle of the night with his piece of shit abusive father and just be okay with that?" JJ asks through tears, his voice starting to crack. JJ sounded scared, and Jessie picked up on that, only breaking her heart more.

"JJ," Jessie starts as she turns back around. She walks over to JJ and and engulfs him in a hug. "I will never be okay with this. I will never forgive myself for this. But please trust me when I say this is my only option for right now." Jessie breaks from the hug to look at JJ.

"I'll mail you my new number when I get one."

A silence existed between the two of them, neither one not knowing what to say next.

"Jessie, please, we can figure it out, we can do it together!" JJ insisted once more through tears.

"JJ, I wish we could, but I have to do this on my own for now. You're strong, you can do this!" Jessie said through sobs as she took JJ's tear stained face in her hands and wiped his eyes.

They both embraced in a hug that they wanted to last a lifetime, both sobbing into the other. Neither one of them knew if this would be their last hug to exchange.

"If you need me, anytime, anywhere, you say the word, and I'll come running. I promise." Jessie said she she held JJ close. JJ was too heartbroken for words, he simply nodded and after a few minutes, let his sister go.

***

"I get it now." JJ simply said. "I can't imagine what you were thinking. God, Jessie how did you do it?" JJ asked.

Jessie just sort of laughed through her tears. "We're Maybanks, it's what we do, Jayj." Jessie joked. Although she said it as she a joke, they both knew it to be true. Jessie and JJ had been making things work their entire life, it's what made them who they are today. It's what always gave them the strength to cut ties when they needed to, even when they didn't want to. It's what gave them the instincts to follow their head, and not their heart. Jessie was tired of following her head. Her heart wanted Rafe, her heart wanted to fight for him with everything she had. But her head told her that she had a daughter that deserved a much better life than one that was plagued by a drug addicted father. Jessie couldn't let her heart win that battle.

"You got that right, sis." JJ laughed. "I'm proud of you."

Jessie had never heard those words before, especially not since she became a mother. She's been on her own, with nobody to support her like JJ always did. Jessie melted immediately, just silently bawling through the phone. She needed to hear that more than JJ knew in the moment. Someone was proud of her for what she did, for making the difficult decision to put her daughter first. That meant the world to Jessie, and gave her the strength to leave the following morning.

"Thank you, JJ." Was all Jessie could say as she finally collected herself enough to utter words.

"You're welcome. Charlotte's a beautiful name... can I meet her?" JJ asked gently, not wanting to overstep.

Jessie laughed through her tears. "I would love nothing more, JJ. Come back with me to Manhattan, please."

"Ohhhh, so it's Manhattan huh?" JJ finally connected that dot as well. Jessie knew the jig was up long before then, so she didn't mind telling JJ where she lived.

"Yeah, I love it there. I mean, don't get me wrong, it's not OBX but I've got great friends there. That's where Charlotte's at right now, she's with some friends of mine." Jessie began to laugh. "They're uh, actually friends that I met through a biker gang."

"Woah! You mean to tell me you hang out with big city bikers all day? That's badass!" JJ exclaimed with a newfound excitement in his voice. He was mainly just ecstatic to hear Jessie sounding better. She had a joy about her when she talked about her daughter, and JJ couldn't help but notice.

"I don't just hang out with them... I am them." Jessie giggled.

"You're in a biker gang?!" JJ asked, sounding like he was jumping up and down on the other end. "I can't wait to tell the pogues man, they're gonna lose their shit. But then again, of all of us to join one of those it definitely would've been you." JJ rambled. Jessie didn't mind, she actually kind of enjoyed talking about this with JJ. She always knew JJ would love to hear about it, and she dreamed of telling him one day. She never thought it would be like this.

"Haha, yeah, I guess." Jessie agreed with a smile on her face.

"Well, hey, I know you've had a long couple of days and you're tired, so I'll let you get some rest."

"Thanks, Jayj." Jessie replied.

"And hey, Jess... just know that the money doesn't matter anymore. Whether you get it or not doesn't matter. We all just want you home." JJ assured Jessie. That was another sentence that warmed her heart so much she felt like she could cry, if she had anymore tears in her she probably would have.

"Thank you so much, JJ." Jessie whispered.

"And hey, Jessie..."

"Yeah?"

"I love you."

There were definitely still more tears to cry. Jessie didn't realize she had it in her, but here they were.

"I love you too, JJ."

With that, they hung up the phone. Jessie crawled into bed feeling a flood of different emotions. Sad that things ended the way they did with Rafe. Grateful for the time she had to spend with him. Excited to see the pogues and eventually her daughter. She couldn't decide which one was the primary one. With that, she went to bed, and would figure out the rest in the morning.

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!!

Has anyone ever been able to log into ur tumblr app just fine but has trouble getting in on ur computer? Specifically on ur MacBook?

For some reason I’m still logged into my tumblr on my phone but after clearing history, cookies, tabs, etc, and resetting my password on my computer it still says my email or password is incorrect and won’t let me log in.

Someone pls help!!!

I'll Come Running - R.C. - Chapter 34

The small party had been going on for hours, filled with lots of laughs, stories, and just overall a good time with the Pogues. Eventually the party moved from the pool over to the fire pit, with everyone crowded around it making s'mores.

"Be careful doll, hold the stick away from you. Take a step back." JJ suggested as he scooted his niece back a few inches to keep her from getting burned when trying to roast a marshmallow. "And whatever you do... do NOT eat the marshmallow right off the stick. Your uncle JJ has tried to do that too many times and it never ends well."

Charley just giggled in response. Rafe and Jessie were content sitting around the fire watching the Pogues take over watching the toddler. They were definitely more than enough company to keep her occupied and eventually tuckered out for the night.

When Charley started getting fussy is when Jessie decided it was time to say goodnight. She made sure Charley had given everyone hugs and kisses, last but certainly not least, her daddy. The goodbye from Rafe was the hardest for her, as she clung to her father with all her might.

"Charley, it's really time to go to bed. I mean it. Come on, honey." Jessie tried to sooth her daughter, but still with a tone that clearly meant business. It was hard for Rafe not to cling to Charley just as tight as she whined and pressed herself further into his chest. Despite the protests, Jessie scooped up the three year old bridal style and much to her dismay, brought her inside and upstairs to get her changed and tucked in.

"Man, she's really wrapped around your finger isn't she?" JJ asked Rafe as they all watched Jessie walk towards the house.

"Yeah, I'd say so... I don't know why... I definitely don't deserve it." Rafe replied almost appearing a little sunken from the reality that just hit him. He looked down at his beer and sloshed it around.

"Don't say that Rafe. You deserve love too." Sarah consoled.

"Yeah, but... I just think sometimes... if only she knew what her daddy has done." Rafe responded with dejection as he looked down at the ground. For a moment the pogues were let into a different side of Rafe, one that appeared to be remorseful over his past actions. One that they might say was forced to act not out of selfish ambition, but out of being a victim of circumstance, and now only Rafe was left to pick up the pieces shattered in his heart and make sense of the puzzle. Nobody could really do that for him, not even Charley. Ever since Jessie walked back into his life and Ward walked out Rafe had been forced to figure out why he's done the things he has. There was a hush over the fire.

"Yes, but, maybe she's exactly what you need. She thinks you hang the moon, Rafe. And now you have the chance to keep proving that to her for the rest of her life." Sarah said with a smile, feeling like for the first time in years there was truly some hope for her brother.

Rafe only nodded and smiled. If he wasn't around the pogues he probably would have gotten much more emotional. He didn't even feel like he was worth a redemption story, not from Charley, the pogues, and certainly not Jessie, but here they all were.

Once Jessie finally got Charley soothed and sleeping, she went over to the closet that housed the few belongings that she brought with her. She grabbed the photo albums she insisted on taking.

Jessie walked back outside to see everyone still around the fire, drinking and making casual conversation. Rafe seemed ironically in his element. Jessie had never seen Rafe this comfortable at any of the ragers they used to attend back in the day. Once his coke addiction got really bad, eventually those parties just turned into more opportunities for Rafe to fight someone or give Jessie a hard time for being such a "goodie two shoes" for simply not wanting Rafe to get violent. Jessie was by no means a rule follower, but compared to the road Rafe was headed down at the time, she was a saint. He always had a tendency to be volatile and unpredictable when he was drunk and high. But tonight, he was surprisingly subdued. Jessie figured maybe he was restraining his alcohol on purpose nowadays. She didn't mind.

Jessie made her way over to an empty chair beside JJ, who was in the middle of debating John B about the best way to catch crawfish. Not wanting to interrupt, Jessie made eye contact with Rafe from across the fire, to see his perfectly lit face giving her a soft smile as if to say I see you. Finally Jessie decided to politely butt in by tapping JJ on the shoulder, to which her brother whipped his head around with knitted eyebrows.

"I brought some photo albums of Charley from back home... would you like to see?"

Before Jessie could even finish her question JJ immediately paid much more attention to his sister, seemingly about to jump out of his chair with excitement.

"Yes, yes!" JJ replied as he gripped onto the chair for stability. Everyone laughed at how giddy JJ became at the mention of seeing old memories of Charley. Soon enough all the pogues gathered around the siblings to admire the sweet moments as well. Rafe watched contently as he sipped his beer knowing he had already has his moment with Jessie to see the pictures.

"Oh my gosh. Rafe! She looked just like you even as a baby!" Sarah commented as she flipped through photos of Charley's first birthday party.

"Yeah, and I'm digging the biker theme." Pope joked, hinting at the theme of said birthday party. Charley was adorned in her first biker jacket, one that was custom made for the Manhattan Mayhem, their youngest member to date no doubt. In the picture Charley could be seen playing with a toy motor cycle in between Jessie's legs who was smiling down at her daughter.

"Mama and Tom insisted. We actually had her birthday party at an underground bar in downtown Manhattan before we opened that day." Jessie said followed by a chuckle. "I think they actually want to come up here and spend some time with us now that they know we're moving up here."

"Aren't they like... actual gang members?" Kiara asked, trying to not seem judgmental but failing miserably. Jessie only looked down and laughed, eventually making eye contact with Kie.

"Yeah." Jessie simply stated as she furrowed her eyebrows waiting for a response from the pogues.

"So they've like, knocked some heads and shit?" JJ asked as he took a sip of his beer, still very interested.

"Yeah, I've heard some stories." Jessie replied with another giggle.

"Well do tell." John B piped up as he sat his chin on his hand and wiggled his eyebrows.

"You do realize that I'm technically in the same gang they are, so I took an oath. Snitches get stitches." Jessie responded as she put her hand to her heart and then held it up in the air as if she were swearing on the Bible.

"Dude, seriously? I knew you were hard, but, I never thought you would actually join a gang." JJ laughed, not seeming too disappointed at the idea.

"Yeah, well, what have we all learned here tonight?" Jessie asked with a lighthearted smile as she looked around the fire.

"My wife's an outlaw." Rafe responded with a smirk and another sip of his beer.

"Always has been." JJ joked back, looking at Rafe.

"Okay, but, like, how did that work with Charley? I mean you were in a gang and had a kid." Sarah asked, seeming genuinely curious.

"Well, honestly, I joined the gang in the first place because I felt that with me about to have Charley in this brand new big city, I would need some sort of community, especially one that could protect us. And when I moved into the apartment building that inevitably housed over half of MM and Tom and Maci hired me to work for them, it all just kind of clicked." Jessie said with a shrug of her shoulders as if it was nothing. The look on the pogues faces said otherwise.

"So like, were you... initiated? What'd you have to do? Isn't that stuff like pretty brutal?" Pope asked. Jessie just took a big deep breath and pursed her lips.

"I took an oath. Can't say." Was all Jessie said as she raised her hand up again.

"Man, she's got this shit locked air tight." JJ replied almost with a hint of annoyance. Everyone, including Rafe, just giggled.

"Well, it's been fun but we all better head back to the Chat before I get too drunk to drive." John B joked as he got up from his chair.

"Are you sure you guys don't want to stay here tonight? You're more than welcome to crash." Jessie offered with kind eyes.

"No offense... but I'm never sleeping in that house again if I can help it." Sarah joked as she got up from her chair as well.

"I do not blame you for that one." Jessie laughed as she got up to exchange hugs with her sister in law. The rest followed suit.

Rafe and Jessie waved the pogues goodbye from the fire pit as they held each other close and swayed, trying to catch just a few silent minutes to themselves.

"Why did you not just show them your MM tattoo? You know they're probably thinking you were hazed and shit for your initiation." Rafe joked as he looked down at Jessie, who had her arms wrapped around his torso looking up at him just the same.

"One, because of street cred. Two, because they'll see it eventually when we go to the beach or something. And three, because technically you weren't even supposed to know the circumstances under which I got that tattoo." Jessie sassed.

"Yeah, well it's really hard to hide from your significant other. And by the way, your initation was lame." Rafe replied with sass evident on his face.

"I was pregnant with your child." Jessie scoffed. "Would you rather me have taken a beating or gotten alcohol poisoning like I was in some frat?" She joked. They both laughed in contentment, eventually falling to a comfortable silence. Jessie still managed to keep her true initiation a secret from Rafe, and she always would. Truth is, despite Rafe knowing her better than anyone else, she still felt the need to protect him from that mental image of what Tom made her do when she first agreed to be apart of MM. The tattoo was just the tip of the iceberg when it came to all the ruthless things she carried out as a respected gang member. Jessie could see that suddenly Rafe looked deep in thought.

"I would rather you have stayed here with me where I could've protected you instead of someone else." Rafe said in a regretful, hushed tone. Jessie could see the sadness in his eyes.

"Rafe... you know you wouldn't have been in a headspace to protect me. That's why I-"

"I know." Rafe whispered, clearly not angry, just hurt. Hurt mostly at the sting of realizing that Jessie was right. He played stupid games, and he won a stupid prize.

"But..." Jessie said as she moved her arms from Rafe's torso up to around his neck. "... the important thing is now that you're ready for us to be a family. So that's what we're doing. And I'm proud of you. Thank you." Jessie said in a tone that conveyed genuine thanks. No words were said, yet they both conveyed looks of love and adoration for the other. Rafe simply leaned down to plant a gentle but passionate kiss on Jessie.

"Let's go inside." Rafe whispered as he broke away and took Jessie's hand in his. Jessie wrapped her arm around Rafe's and laid her head on his arm as they walked the short distance back up to the house. Rafe unlocked the door and gestured for Jessie to come inside, eventually closing the door behind her, only to be met with the most terrifying and unexpected sight they'd ever seen. A sight that instantly made Rafe's world crash and burn like it once did before.

"Hello, Rafe."

I'll Come Running - R.C. - Chapter 26

Jessie decided to get started on dinner, which was proving to be difficult considering she hadn't been to the store in a while. Regardless, she made it work with some staple items she always had on hand. She knew Charley would always be okay with eating some form of pasta.

Jessie watched as Rafe played with Charley in the living room, still not believing her eyes. Rafe already did so well with her, it was as if it was instinct for him. Charley of course loved the attention, and Rafe grew on her pretty quickly.

"I'm gonna get you!" Rafe challenged as he chased Charley on his hands and knees through the apartment. Charley ran from Rafe and giggled uncontrollably, eventually running to hide behind Jessie in the kitchen.

Jessie looked down and asked Charley "Are you running away from daddy?" In a playful tone. Jessie was going to try and start reiterating to Charley who Rafe was to her, hoping that eventually she would pick up on it. She was good with words, but this was a word she was unfamiliar with.

Jessie just laughed as she stood over the stove and watched Rafe turn the corner, still on all fours. Rafe looked up at Jessie with a cheeky grin and got up to meet Jessie at the stove.

"Do you need help?" Rafe asked as he rubbed Jessie's back.

"No I'm okay, it's almost done." Jessie smiled. Rafe went in for a quick kiss, he couldn't keep his hands off of Jessie. Jessie couldn't say no to Rafe either. What started off as a quick innocent kiss soon turned into something more as Jesie turned to face Rafe and grab his face, deepening the kiss. Rafe heard the message loud and clear as he pulled Jessie in closer and wrapped his arms around her as their lips moved in perfect harmony. Jessie quickly remembered she still had a small child standing behind her, not to mention something cooking and she put her hands on Rafe's chest trying to push him away. Rafe wouldn't hear of it as he groaned and tried grabbing Jessie again. Jessie just giggled and finally pushed Rafe off of her.

"It's almost ready so can you maybe get Charley ready to eat?" Jessie asked with her hands still laying contently on Rafe's broad chest.

Rafe sighed. "Sure... but can we continue that later." Rafe flirted as he went in for another kiss.

Jessie quickly put her finger up to Rafe's lips "Yes... much later." Jessie flirted back. Rafe understood the assignment and grabbed Charley. As he began to look around the kitchen he realized he didn't actually know what was needed to get a three year old ready to eat. Rafe just kind of stood awkwardly for a second with Charley on his hip. Eventually Jessie looked over and realized why Rafe was standing there dumbfounded.

"Oh, right, you've never done this before." Jessie laughed. "Her bibs and forks are in that drawer to your left. High chair is in the closet. And her special plates are up above that drawer." Jessie answered as she pointed everything out. Rafe felt a bit of shame for a second, as if he should know these things, but he tried to give himself grace.

By the time Rafe had gotten Charley settled, Jessie had made her way to the table with all of their food. As they ate, they sat in comfortable silence, Rafe and Jessie exchanging subtle glances of contentment at each other as if to say "we made it." Charley, of course, made a mess of herself, which only made the two of them laugh.

"I'm noticing that only half the food you give her makes it to her mouth." Rafe joked as he tried to help Charley eat, considering they were both done long before she was. "Will you let daddy help you?" Rafe asked as he picked up a piece of pasta for Charley to eat. She gladly took the pasta in her hands and ate it... kind of.

"Can you say thank you?" Jessie asked, trying to show Rafe his daughter's skills.

"Tank you!" Charley replied enthusiastically. Rafe beamed when he heard her talk. He could hear that sweet voice forever.

"Are you done eating?" Jessie asked once more.

"Yeth." Charley replied. "Clean up!" Jessie knew what that meant, Charley and her had a great routine going.

"She's used to getting a bath after dinner. You wanna help me bathe her and then we can put her to bed? Then after that we can clean up the kitchen and..." Jessie flirted as she drew shapes on Rafe's chest, looking at him with lustful eyes. Rafe knew exactly where this was going and he was more than happy to take Jessie up on the offer.

"Bring it on." Rafe whispered as he brought Jessie's face close to his for a passionate kiss.

The three of them went upstairs for bath time. Rafe started running the water as Jessie undressed Charley.

"The towels are in the hall closet. She will need two because she's a splasher." Jessie joked. Rafe laughed and went to the hall to grab the towels.

"Get the duck!" Charley demanded in her own special way of speaking. Rafe laughed but looked at Jessie confused.

"There's a yellow duck towel in the closet, it's got a hood on it, it's her favorite." Jessie explained as she put bubbles in the bath. Rafe nodded and disappeared to the hall. As he was opening up the closet he caught a glimpse of the room right next to it. With the small bed and island girl theme, Rafe knew it had to belong to Charley. He walked slowly towards it and peaked his head in, taking notice of all the toys strung out everywhere and the baskets overflowing with pillows and blankets. Rafe could tell Jessie intentionally made the room an island theme, maybe to give Charley a semblance of where she came from, or maybe just to make Jessie feel close to home.

Rafe noticed the books on the shelves and the pictures on the wall. He then noticed a document that was framed, once he got closer he realized it was Charley's birth certificate. In small letters he saw a name written at the bottom.

Charlotte Renee Cameron.

Cameron. The sight of the name made Rafe tear up. Despite the hell he'd put Jessie through, she still had the strength to give his daughter that name. He was overwhelmed, and felt truly unworthy. He was pulled from his thoughts when he heard Jessie's sweet voice.

"Rafe? You find it?" She yelled from the bathroom. Rafe quickly left the room and grabbed the towels.

"Yeah!" He said as he frantically shuffled back to the bathroom, where he saw Charlotte already in the bathtub and Jessie washing her brown hair.

"You get lost?" Jessie joked as she looked up at Rafe. Rafe sat down on the toilet and watched as Jessie bathed Charley.

"No." Rafe laughed shyly as he dipped his head.

"Can you get her toothbrush ready? It's on the sink right beside you." Jessie asked as she was now on the rinse cycle. As Rafe turned around to do that for Jessie he felt a significant splash of water hit the back of his legs. It was a small bathroom so even little Charley could fling the water across the room. Rafe turned around and looked at the back of his jeans and then looked at Charley, who was dawning a mischievous look that looked just like Jessie.

"Did you just splash daddy?" Rafe asked as he turned and crouched down by the tub.

"Yeah!" Charley laughed happily and splashed even harder out of excitement. Rafe couldn't be mad at Charley, she was perfect to him. Jessie on the other hand was happy to intervene.

"Alright now, cool it." Jessie demanded with a smile as she covered Charley's arms with her hands to indicate that she meant business. Rafe didn't dare overrule Jessie, despite him having so much fun at the moment. He stood back up to get Charley's toothbrush ready.

Jessie wrapped Charley in her favorite towel and brought her over to the sink to brush her teeth.

"Ducky!" Charley exclaimed as she clapped her hands in excitement. Rafe realized then how much she loved that towel. Rafe took a step back and propped himself on the door, admiring his... wife brushing his daughter's teeth. Rafe just realized that they technically were still married. He knew it would be hard for them to go from no contact in fours years back to this family dynamic, but it was nothing they couldn't handle. Still, the idea of calling Jessie his wife in public did fill him with a little bit of shock. This was the first time he didn't have to hide it.

Rafe noticed how good Jessie was with Charley, he wished he would've been able to be there for Jessie through it all. He began to think about all that he missed, Jessie finding out she was pregnant, her probably freaking out thinking how they were going to do it, Jessie moving away, going through nine months of pregnancy alone, having the baby alone, raising a newborn, working to provide for Charley, and everything in between. He missed Charley's first steps, first words, first hair cut, first everything... he couldn't help but tear up. Nonetheless, he admired Jessie's determination to give Charley better than what she had. He knew it couldn't have been easy for her, and yet here she was, still doing it all with a smile on her face and always with her daughter in mind.

"What're you thinking about?" Jessie asked as she finally noticed Rafe standing there with a thoughtful look on his face and wet eyes. She finished brushing Charley's teeth and grabbed the hair brush.

"What? Oh nothing." Rafe answered as he tried to play it off as if he wasn't just blown away by the sight in front of him.

"Sure... you want to brush her hair?" Jessie asked, extending the hair brush towards Rafe. Rafe looked at the hairbrush and back up at Jessie in disbelief that he had already been invited into something like this. Still, he took the brush with a smile and a hint of nerves on his face. Jessie just smiled back, knowing that Rafe probably was looking for some reassurance.

"Daddy's gonna brush your hair okay?" Jessie told Charley as she stepped out of the way, Charley still planted in the sink.

"Yaaaaaay!" Charley replied with enthusiasm. Jessie and Rafe laughed and she began to instruct him on the best way to do it.

"So it's usually better if you start brushing from the bottom up, that way you get more tangles out and it doesn't hurt as much."

"W-well I don't want to hurt her." Rafe said hesitantly. He was terrified of the very thought. Jessie didn't waver.

"Oh you'll be fine. She never gets hurt anyways and she's not gonna break, Rafe." Jessie assured as she patted his back moving closer.

"Yeah, I a big girl!" Charley butted in as she threw her hands in the air with a smile. That was all the assurance Rafe needed before he began to brush ever so slightly on the short brown hair. Jessie stepped back and propped herself on the door just like Rafe did minutes ago. She crossed her arms and admired the sight before her, wishing it would play in slow motion on repeat forever. Rafe's smile was one Jessie hadn't seen in so long, as he looked in the mirror at his beautiful daughter, who shared the same grin.

As much as Jessie wanted to just live in that moment forever, she couldn't help but remember that it wouldn't last. She dreaded the conversation she would have to have with Rafe about how they were going to do life together now that they were together again. How do you stay married and raise a child with stability when both of your lives are in different states- physically and mentally. Jessie had the promise that Rafe was done with drugs, but was he done with treasure hunting? After all, he is Ward's son and he does have an empire at his fingertips now that his father is dead. Jessie physically shook the racing thoughts away as she brought herself back to the reality in front of her. She just needed a day of this... her dream... and then she could ask the tough questions.

"All done?" Rafe asked as he looked at Charley in the mirror.

"All done!" Charley agreed as she held her arms up indicating she wanted to be picked up. Rafe understood and put Charley on his hip.

"What do we do now?" Rafe asked Charley with enthusiasm as he walked towards Jessie.

"Pick out pjs!" Charley mumbled as she pointed to the door. Rafe nodded and walked over to her room, helping her pick out a white pj set with Disney princesses on them, apparently one of her favorites Rafe was told by Charley.

Jessie and Rafe crawled into Charley's kid sized bed, a difficult task considering Rafe was quadruple the size of Charley. Although, they managed to make it work, with Charley between Jessie's legs and Jessie between Rafe's as they read the book of Charley's choosing: Llama Llama Mad at Mama of all choices. Jessie just laughed as she began to read.

As Jessie read she felt Rafe begin to play with her hair, something he used to do while she fell asleep years ago. He remembered. The intentionality behind the act made her get butterflies in her stomach, but also made her a little sleepy. She kicked her head back on Rafe's chest as she read the rest of the story.

Rafe was in heaven watching his two girls, having his whole world in his arms. He was convinced that this was all he needed for the rest of his life.

Once Jessie was done reading, they all shuffled around to get Charley comfortable in bed, with Rafe on one side of the bed and Jessie on the other, they both hugged and kissed their daughter goodnight and turned to walk out the door.

Before Rafe turned out the lights he looked back at Charley.

"If you need anything, just yell for daddy, and I'll come running, okay?" Rafe assured. Charley snuggled further into her stuffed animal and widened her smile.

"Okayyyyy" she mumbled with gladness as she drifted off to sleep.