Walking into Dakota's room Topper looked around for his sister. Checking both the balcony and the bathroom he narrowed his eyes looking out her bedroom door to the door across the hall. Marching out of her room he thought about barging in but decided against it when he knew the noise might attract his father. Quietly opening the door he slipped inside to find his sister wrapped around JJ sleeping. Approaching the bed Topper thanked God that Dakota was laying more on her stomach with her head pillowed on one of JJ's arms with her very naked back exposed to him and not the other way around. Shaking her shoulder he called her name.
Groaning Dakota opened her eyes to JJ's sleeping face, "Shit," she mumbled knowing if she was caught in his room they'd be in serious trouble. Turning over she gasped at the sight of her brother standing over her, "What the fuck, Topper?" she questioned, snatching the blanket to cover herself. "Well that was more of my sister I needed to see," Topper grumbled, "You're lucky dad sent me to get you and he didn't come looking for you himself," he told her as JJ was rubbing the sleep out of his eyes. "I think you fell asleep, Princess," JJ mumbled, yawning. Snorting Topper rolled his eyes, "You think?" he responded sarcastically, "You two are needed downstairs for your statement against Rafe. I already gave mine and I told them he showed up with a guy I didn't know since you gave your word to Barry," he told them. Clutching the blanket to her chest Dakota sat up, "Alright we'll be down in a few minutes," she told him.
After dressing quickly JJ and Dakota walked into the living room to find her brother, father, and Deputy Plumb waiting for them. "So basically we need a recording of your statement and a written one as well. I'll take the pictures of the marks around your neck to add to the report too," Plumb told Dakota pulling out a small digital camera. Once several pictures had been taken the deputy pulled out a small recorder, "So I just need you to say what occurred," she said, hitting record on the device.
"Umm….okay so JJ and I were at the warehouse hitching his dad's boat to my jeep. We heard a dirt bike and assumed it was our friends coming to meet us however Rafe walked into the warehouse instead along with one of his friends," Dakota began. "Did you know the friend?" Plumb asked. Shaking her head Dakota told her she didn't know who it was, "He grabbed JJ though, while Rafe picked me up and carried me away from them so I couldn't help JJ. Rafe and I started yelling at each other. I told him I knew what his vile father had done to Sheriff Peterkin and he told me I shouldn't have said that. He said some other things and then he started choking me. I was slapping at him trying to get him to let go and then Topper was there pulling him off of me," Dakota finished, looking at Plumb. Nodding the deputy tucked the recorder away before pulling out a legal pad and pen. Handing them to Dakota she told her to write her statement down too.
Once Dakota was finished writing the statement her father walked the deputy to the front door leaving JJ, Topper, and Dakota in the living room. "Is it wrong that I left out the fact that I slapped him first?" Dakota whispered. "Not in my eyes," JJ told her. "Don't say a word. They could get you for assault first," Topper reminded her. "I know, but," Dakota started to say before Topper cut her off, "No, even if you did hit first I'd say it was self defense, even if the law doesn't. Don't say a word, Dakota," Topper told her.
Nodding Dakota curled up next to JJ on the couch as her father walked back into the room, "Now that that's finished we need to have a family meeting," Preston announced, seating himself on one of the recliners. "Oh, uh, I'll just get out of here then," JJ said as he stood from the couch. "Sit down Mr. Maybank. You're living here now and I'm not stupid enough to think my daughter isn't just going to tell you anyway. May as well save her breath and hear it from me," Preston told him. Clearing his throat JJ nodded as he sat back down, "Okay, but could you just call me JJ," he requested, "The whole Mr. Maybank thing is weirding me out." Smiling at the boy Preston told him he could do that.
"So your mother and I have decided to divorce," Preston announced. Blinking Dakota was aware of JJ taking a hold of her hand. Glancing at Topper she could see he was just as shocked, "Which one of you had the piece of ass on the side?" Dakota asked harshly. "That's neither here nor there. And I'd watch your mouth, young lady," Preston warned her, "Now you're mother has no interest in this house and will be moving permanently to the house on the mainland. I've taken some time out of the office to deal with this whole mess here and my realtor is finding me an apartment on the mainland," Preston told them.
"Are you making us move off island?" Topper questioned after glancing at his sister who looked like she was ready to combust. "No, you two are old enough to choose to stay in this house if you want. You've practically raised yourselves the last few years. I will be on the mainland once this whole thing is cleared up Sunday evening till Thursday evening and will be back here for the weekend," Preston explained, "Anna has agreed to add Tuesday to her Monday, Wednesday, Friday. She will make sure there are dinners ready for you," he told them.
"What about visitation with mother?" Dakota asked quietly. Knowing the relationship his daughter and soon to be ex wife had, Preston sighed, "It's up to you. I'm fully aware of the tension between the two of you." Scoffing Dakota rolled her eyes, "And how is that since we haven't seen you since Christmas?" she interrupted. "Your mother has told me about your difference of opinion about how you want to live your life and how she wants you to live your life," Preston told her. "And what's your opinion?" she questioned. "Honey, I've seen first hand with your Aunt Liana what happens when a parent pushes their ideas onto their children. My goal is to have you happy with whatever life you choose in the hopes that you'll be willing to share it with us. It's taken close to ten years for Liana and your grandparents to speak again. I don't want that for us," he answered. "So hypothetically if I want to skip college, move into the Chateau with JJ, and have like a dozen kids you'd be okay with that?" Dakota asked, smiling. "Christ almighty," JJ muttered, rubbing his forehead. Glaring at his daughter Preston sighed, "It's your life darling."
After discussing the divorce Preston asked Topper to give them a few minutes as he wanted to speak to JJ and Dakota, alone. "Alright so I want to have a conversation about my expectations of JJ staying here and what happens after the emancipation goes through," Preston told them, "First, you will go to school. I've checked into your record and it's a bit spotty, but your state wide test scores are above average, which means you've got a brain in there. I expect you to use it. Second, you owe me restitution for that boat stunt. My restitution comes in the form of you taking your SAT's and having a clear path by next summer of what you want to do with your future. I'm giving you a chance don't waste it. Third, I will arrange once your father has been served with the paperwork for a deputy to escort you to pack your stuff to move. Do not go back to that house until then. And fourth, there will be no more sneaking around. It goes against everything in me to allow you two to share a bed under my roof, but I'd rather you did it in the open then sneak around at 3 a.m.," Preston said, glaring at the two teens, "Any questions?"
Bewildered, the two teens shook their heads. "Okay. Well I need to get to Anna's to take Miss Cameron and Mr. Routledges statements. I'll see you two for dinner," he told the pair before standing and walking out of the room. "Did that just happen?" JJ questioned. Clearing her throat Dakota nodded, "I think it did." she answered.
It took nearly two months for the group to get the gold returned and traded into cash. By the time their junior year started each of them had mighty hefty bank accounts. Ward and Rafe Cameron were both sitting in jail awaiting trial on the mainland. Preston was adamant to have them moved off island in order to avoid jury favoritism. With her father in jail and step mother refusing to speak to her due to her involvement Sarah was taken in permanently by the Thorntons and was residing in the room across from Dakota's.
JJ and John B's emancipation became final the month before and they had moved into the Chateau together. John B was making money down at the boatyard taking care of the boats while JJ was still working his busboy job and giving surfing lessons on the side. Dakota had finished the two paintings she'd been commissioned to do and had quickly found more work through Amy and her website. She currently had four customers asking for paintings specific to their needs.
"How was your day, Princess?" JJ asked, wrapping his arms around Dakota from behind and kissing her neck. "Hmmmm, good and yours?" she answered, turning her head and kissing his mouth. "Good. I'm gonna grab a shower and then Anna said something about chicken on my way up," he told her before heading for Dakota's bathroom. "I'm just finishing up here," Dakota said, throwing her paintbrush into the cup next to her, "I think I need a shower before dinner too," she laughed, following him into the bathroom.
"So I know your dad gave me till next summer to figure out my shit but I think I know what I want to do," JJ told her as they sat together at the kitchen island eating Anna's roast chicken and potatoes. Raising her eyebrows Dakota asked him what he wanted to do. "I want to have a surf shop close to Nags head. The closest shop is like an hour away in Corolla. I can sell them and offer surf lessons too. Maybe eventually move into renting and boating," JJ told her, shrugging.
Placing her fork down Dakota smiled widely, "That literally sounds perfect for you," she told him. Glancing at her JJ bit the inside of his cheek, "I don't know. I know surfing but what the fuck do I know about running a business?" he questioned. "Well I guess that's what you need me for," she answered, shrugging, "I'll take classes and I'm sure my father will help us."
Narrowing his eyes JJ shook his head, "No, you're going to school for your art," he told her. "I can do both, JJ. Major in business and minor in art. I may do online classes and just stay right here with you," she told him, "We could do online classes together," she suggested. "Dakota, I don't want you changing your plans for me," JJ told her. "I'm not. I'm making plans with you," she told him before a realization came to her, "Unless you don't want me to."
Sighing JJ rolled his eyes, "Sometimes you say the dumbest shit, Dakota. If we could I'd marry you tomorrow, but I also don't want you to miss out on anything," he assured her. "I've told you before that I don't care about anything but you. You're my future JJ and anything else that happens is an added benefit. So if that was a marriage proposal I'll meet you at the altar the day I turn 18," she promised him. Glancing at the clock JJ judged the time before standing up and pulling her out of the kitchen, "What are you doing?" she exclaimed. "We're sealing that deal before your father gets home," he told her as he picked her up bridal style and carried her upstairs to her room.
A/N: I've ended this here for now. I'm thinking about a sequel but I can't concentrate right now. I'm already starting another story to try and deal with some things that happened 2 weeks ago and once I get that out I'll return to this world. Thank you to everyone who read and commented. Your reviews made my day!