"Nine weeks?" JJ questions. A week after finding out that Kiara was pregnant, JJ had insisted on going with her to a doctor's appointment just to find some more clarity on the baby that is literally growing inside of Kiara. "Nine weeks?" He questions more to himself as he keeps walking towards the Wreck side by side with Kiara.
"Yes, JJ. Yes. Nine weeks. Like the doctor told us twenty minutes ago and what I have been telling you ever since." Okay, fair enough JJ has been particularly repetitive today but it's only because Kiara has been particularly stubborn and snappy today.
His repetitive comments only are there to compliment Kiara's stubbornness.
The doctor told them that their baby is nine weeks old. Meaning that the baby was conceived nine weeks ago. Nine weeks. "I'm just trying to think when the baby was made."
"Why does it matter?" Kiara snaps.
"It's just interesting." JJ shrugs before continuing. "I mean, we used protection. But one of my bad boys must have slipped through and I just find it interested in which time it was." All Kiara does as a response is roll her eyes making JJ let his lips move to a smile.
As soon as JJ found out that Kiara was pregnant, he made Pope look through all of the different books about pregnancy before telling JJ in words that JJ would actually be able to understand. Apparently, snappiness is all just a massive part of pregnancy. Pope told JJ that stubbornness is also because of pregnancy. But JJ knows that Kiara has always been stubborn. It is what makes Kiara who she is. JJ remembers when Kiara joined the rag tag team of Pogues. It was the small things about Kiara that JJ liked the most about Kiara. Kiara was a real Pogue due to her instant quips to JJ's jokes where he tried to win but she ended up being victorious. JJ also loved her stubbornness when it came to the safety of her boys. Kiara still has that same persistence about her. JJ remembers the time when Kiara wouldn't wait a second after hearing a sneeze come from Brownie before she forced JJ to rush Brownie to the vets to make sure that he wasn't dying. Brownie had a cold. It only makes sense to JJ that this pregnancy has made Kiara even more stubborn than usual. It wouldn't be Kiara if she didn't snap at JJ almost every hour of every day.
"Nine weeks." JJ breathes out making sure to watch Kiara's reaction. Just like JJ guesses, Kiara lets out a breath of annoyance. Her annoyance just makes him more repetitive. "So, nine weeks ago…"
"JJ." Kiara warns.
"Kiara Carrera, be nice and quiet. I'm trying to do math." JJ quips before smirking at the girl in front of him. Kiara just crosses her arms and keeps walking down the dock to the Wreck with JJ on her footsteps. "Nine weeks ago."
"Nine weeks ago, was your birthday JJ." Kiara breathes out before she turns around angrily to JJ.
"Oh, so you have thought about it!" A laugh escapes JJ when he sees Kiara begin to smirk. Of course, she had thought about it. Kiara may act all strong that nothing phases her but she is just like JJ- curious about everything. "I knew it Kie. I knew it."
"Whatever, JJ." Kiara keeps walking.
"So now, we know that it was during the week of my birthday but we were fucking like bunnies that week…"
"Oh my god JJ! There are people around."
"We used protection the entire time. So, what was different?"
"Nothing! There was nothing different! Condoms only work like 99% of the time meaning that sometimes it just happens."
Everything seems to just happen to JJ. From the first moment his dad hit him and then he told everyone that he tripped down the stairs as if it was just something that just happens to the time where the Pogues just happen to run into the a boat at the bottom of the marsh to start the bullshit hunt for a better life. A better life is the only thing that doesn't seem to just happen to JJ. But maybe this time a baby can be something that just happens to change JJ's life for the better. All at once. Everything that just happens to JJ seems to end in disaster. JJ won't let this all be the same.
Walking to the Wreck, JJ keeps mumbling to himself 'nine weeks' all whilst Kiara gives him evil eyes. But her evil glare only makes JJ smirk as he keeps mumbling. When they eventually reach the Wreck after JJ's one hundredth mumble of 'nine weeks', JJ notices how Kiara's expression has changed. The dagger stare has changed to reveal a hidden, innocent smile in which she probably doesn't think anyone can notice. But JJ can notice. Because that's just how they are. Ever since Kiara joined the Pogues, she often glares at JJ with disgust and annoyance all for the glares to fall apart when JJ lightens her expression with a joke. JJ notices how her expressions alleviate everything when he tells his stupid jokes. Even now when her pregnant brain is probably telling her to hit him, JJ sees that his stupid mumbling forces a smile to appear on her face.
So, JJ keeps mumbling all the way until they reach the door of the Wreck where Kiara eventually turns to him. "You're telling my dad." It's then that the metaphorical rain clouds open to see the world for what it is. She roped JJ into going to the Wreck in a façade that he would get free food. Now, she tells him that JJ is the one that will break the news. JJ has to tell Kiara's dad. Mike Carrera the man that doesn't take news lightly.
"What? He's your dad Kie!" JJ tries to argue.
"And I had to hear my mom tell me that I was pregnant and then had to break it to Sarah and then to my mom and then to you!"
"Okay…"
"I'm not telling my dad as well."
"Low blow, Kie. Even for you. And to think you used the idea of free food- my weakness- against me." JJ jokes as he opens the door, knowing that he will go with whatever Kiara tells him. He opens the door for Kiara to walk in, Kiara smirks gloriously at JJ before walking into the wolf's den.
The Wreck is filled with Tourons. The usual traffic of people eating and pretending that they have more money than usual just because it's the middle of summer in Outer Banks. But JJ doesn't focus on the humming of Tourons mixed with people from the cut. JJ focuses on Mike Carrera himself. The man that is stood behind the till with his eyes glued to JJ. Almost like he already knows what is about to happen.
JJ remembers the first time that he met Kiara's dad. Kiara had told the group her history. How her mother was a Kook and her dad was from the cut. Mike Carrera was apparently like the Pogues themselves. JJ remembers walking up to Mike and seeing someone that was too good for the cut. Mike was protective of his daughter from day one. Particularly when it came to JJ and Kiara. JJ remembers how the first time he met Mike; Mike had pretty much warned him that Mike would kill JJ if he tried something. Mike apparently didn't say the same thing to the other Pogues.
The protective side to Mike Carrera only grew after Kiara returned to the Pogues after her Kook year. Mike wouldn't let the Pogues have Kiara for the entire night nor were they allowed to be left alone anywhere near the Carrera residence. Kiara was daddy's little girl. JJ worries that Mike's protectiveness will only grow when he finds out that JJ got her pregnant. "Dad we have something to tell you." Kiara walks straight to her dad.
Great. No time to run away. Thanks, Kie.
Kiara pulls her dad and JJ into a quiet nook of the restaurant to avoid the ears of the Tourons. Sure, Tourons don't gossip as much as the Kooks. But a lot of the Tourons are good friends with Kooks. This would make a good dinner conversation to win over their Kook friends because gossip about a Maybank kid seems to be all they ever care about. JJ always laughs at the gossip. Because when the gossiping Kooks talk about JJ, it just proves that they are all obsessed with him.
Truth. Truth can't hurt and Mike Carrera has been being nice to JJ as of late. Maybe he won't even care. No. JJ can't even pretend to think that Mike Carrera wouldn't care that a Maybank got his daughter, his only daughter pregnant. Because that will just out that Kiara has been having sex and no dad wants to hear about their daughter's sex life. Especially when it's with JJ Maybank. JJ clears his throat before trying to find the words. "Yeah. Kie's pregnant."
JJ has never been good with words. So much so that he almost cringes with what he just said. Idiot JJ again just outing the biggest secret ever because he's so stupid that he can't find the words to break the news slowly. JJ can't help but wonder if this news will break Mike the most. That Mike may break his calm nature to hit JJ for doing this to his daughter. He probably thinks that JJ has ruined her life. "How?" Mike mumbles whilst keeping his expression unreadable. JJ remains on the edge, worried that any wrong word will make Mike hide Kiara forever.
"You know." JJ can't help but joke. Jokes are JJ's second nature. "When a boy loves a girl, they like showing their love in a way that is concrete. And then that love can last to choosing to have a child." Mumbled words escape JJ before he can even stop himself having the birds and the bees conversation with his fiancée's father.
"I know how but…" Mike finally looks up, his expression still emotionless. "Wait. This was planned?" It's the first time JJ sees emotion in Mike. Shock. Just the same emotion that has been present on everyone's faces every time they find out.
"No. I mean we don't even know what time we made the baby it was a bit of a crazy week." JJ laughs out before he can even stop himself.
"JJ!" Kiara snaps out, catching the attention of some Tourons.
"Sorry."
"Dad. I'm sorry. But it's true. I'm pregnant." Kiara reaches for his dad. Mike taking her affection straight away, soothing the shock on his face. Kiara has always known how to soothe someone's emotions.
Mike Carrera is everything that JJ's dad never was. Mike would protect Kiara every step of the way. Mike would make sure that no one gave Kiara a bad name. Mike would never push Kiara away. He would never make Kiara feel like everything is her fault. That's why when Mike pulls Kiara in for a hug, all JJ can do is watch and wonder what that must be like. Sure, Big John was like a dad for JJ. But it's something else to have that dad there for everything. Mike Carrera will always be there for his daughter.
"So, when's the wedding?" JJ and Kiara both burst into laughter with this question. Because sure, JJ proposed to Kiara. But they had never expected that Kiara would get pregnant only a few weeks later. A wedding hasn't even been spoken about since the announcement of the baby.
"Oh my god." Kiara laughs out.
"Serious question, Kiara." Mike puts plainly.
"Yeah. And I have just found out that I'm pregnant. We're getting married somewhen and that's the only thing that is important." And Kiara is right. JJ and Kiara are together. A wedding can happen at any time. They don't need to be officially married to know that they love each other and that they are in this together.
"Well, your mother will be planning something big." Oh, they know. Anna Carrera loves a party.
"And I've already told her that I hate parties." Kiara shrugs.
Two stubborn Carrera girls fight where there will only ever be one champion.
Staying quiet contradicts JJ's normal persona. But JJ finds it more interesting here in the Wreck to just watch how Mike Carrera makes everything sound positive. How the man that used to be just like JJ himself from the cut makes everything out to be positive, reassuring them that everything is going to be okay. JJ keeps quiet as well to make sure that his idiocy doesn't break through the father daughter moment. JJ has never been good with words. He finds himself putting everything so bluntly that the other person in the conversation feels too awkward to respond. JJ has to find a joke in every conversation to make sure that he doesn't blurt something out that is negative or reckless.
JJ is used to having to fill the silence with a joke when it comes to his past with his family. But watching Kiara and Mike Carrera, the need to make a joke is not a necessity.
…
Sarah doesn't react negatively when she finds out that Kiara is pregnant.
The Pogues don't react negatively when they find out that Kiara is pregnant.
Her dad doesn't react negatively.
The boy that has been abused time and time again by his own father doesn't even react negatively.
Nor does the mother that judges every move that Kiara makes.
They all act as if everything is going to be okay. It confuses Kiara. Kiara is normally the one that has to remind everyone that nothing bad is going to happen. That there is always light at the end of the tunnel even if it is a long journey through darkness. But the news of the pregnancy makes that tunnel seem so dark indeed. Maybe it's just the pure confusion that everyone else sees the bright side. Maybe it's the fact that Kiara isn't the one that has to bring the positive twist to the situation for the first time in her life.
What confuses Kiara more is how open the Pogues are to the idea of a future mini Pogue. Sure, Kiara always knew that John B and Pope wanted children eventually. But Kiara and JJ cared less about the idea. Yet here they are, pregnant and watching how the other Pogues act.
A couple of weeks after JJ and Kiara tell her dad, they come home one day that the chateau has been transformed. The puppy proof of the chateau has been transformed to be both dog proof as well as baby proof. When they walk to the bedrooms, John B's bedroom door is wide open presenting Kiara and JJ a nursery. Everything is made from wood. From the new cradle to the miniature horse toys on a nicely decorated bookshelf. It doesn't take Kiara and JJ long to realise what has happened. Sarah.
They find John B and Sarah on the porch wearing giant grins looking pretty proud of everything that they have accomplished. "What's going on guys?" JJ hesitantly asks first.
"We're getting out of your hair." John B answers.
"And John B's room is the nursery for the baby Pogue." Sarah grins at the couple in front of them. It makes Kiara skip a beat. Because this is all real. JJ and Kiara have been living together for years. But it's as if everything has become real all of a sudden. Kiara realises that not only are they having a baby, but they also need to grow up. And they only have nine months to get all their shit together before the baby gets here and makes everything real all over again.
"Well, John B's bedroom has always been a bit of a baby's room anyways. No real changes were needed I guess." JJ jokes.
It's times like these that Kiara is thankful for JJ. JJ is always there to spin a joke to fill the silence where Kiara can start to see how much her future has changed already. JJ's jokes remind Kiara that even if their future is extremely different to the one that she had first pictured, they are still the same people. Kiara is always going to be the sensible girl Pogue that tries to keep her boys out of trouble. JJ is always going to be the reckless, laughing boy Pogue that will always need saving from trouble. Maybe a baby and their unknown future won't change because JJ won't change. And Kiara doesn't want him to.
Kiara is twelve weeks pregnant when that unknown future changes all over again. Rafe Cameron finds out his sentence. Rafe Cameron has a life sentence. And for once in the Pogues' lives, the kids from the cut are not living in a world where the Kooks win over everyone. Justice is finally served.
The chateau is venue for all the Pogues to celebrate the night of good news. Laughter, dancing, storytelling and future guessing find themselves into conversations. Kiara listens to them all as they get to know Zoey a bit more. A medical intern at the hospital? She is literally the girl version to Pope. Kiara can't help but smile when Zoey tells the group her story all whilst Pope stares at her dreamily. His smile brightens his entire face all whilst he hears stories from Zoey. Zoey is something new to the Pogues. Something different all whilst bringing more to the Pogues that was already there. But Pope deserves happiness. Zoey seems to be happiness.
"I wonder what happened to the gold." Pope questions the Pogues later that night. The group of Pogues are all lying around on different hammocks. Kiara, JJ and Brownie in one. Pope, Zoey, John B and Sarah all in the other. "I mean. Ward and Rafe are in jail. They can't have the gold so, where is it?"
"Rafe probably used it all to get high before the cops came for him." JJ spits out. It has always been JJ versus Rafe. Kiara knew Rafe pretty well back in her Kook year. Rafe was the boy that was always getting high because his dad never cared about him. Kiara can't help but see some resemblance between JJ and Rafe. But whilst Rafe uses his carelessness for selfish needs, JJ only was reckless for his friends. JJ's life is no comparison to Rafe's life but Rafe liked to make sure everyone thought that he was the victim in everything. JJ never told his secret until he was forced to, thinking he was protecting his friends or even his sorry excuse for a dad.
"The gold must be somewhere." Pope repeats himself.
"Well, it's not in the Bahamas." Sarah sits slightly in the hammock which catches Kiara's attention. Kiara had a hard time believing that they spent their time in the Bahamas looking for the gold. "Or at least it wasn't in the Bahamas by the time we looked for it."
"Maybe it never was in the Bahamas in the first place. Maybe it's been here in Outer Banks this entire time." John B's bold statement makes all heads turn to him. John B remains emotionless as he stares at the stars. "Maybe it never left. It could be right under our noses."
The gold has always been more than a fantasy than a reality for Kiara. The gold hunt was more of a thing that the group needed to do for John B. Something to get their minds off of Big John and the mysteries behind that man. Kiara never thought that they would ever find it. When they did, Kiara remained confused how a group of teenagers found four hundred million dollars after a hunt that took place because they had randomly come across a shipwreck in the marsh. It just seemed to happen. The whirlwind that led to nightmares and heartache all started with finding the fantasy of a beginning to a treasure hunt.
Finding the gold would change all of their lives. But she can't think of starting that treasure hunt all over again because John B has a hunch. Too much heartache and nightmares came from that storm. "You guys can't seriously be thinking about going after that gold again?" Kiara asks, scared of what her boys will answer. Because her boys have always had bright dreams of going full Kook even if it is not everything it is made out to be.
"No. No that would be stupid." JJ chokes out, confusing Kiara completely. JJ pushed for the treasure hunt the first time. "It was stupid when we got involved in it the first time."
"We were shot at." Pope adds, agreeing with JJ.
"And we got mixed into a murder investigation." Kiara says whilst frantically nodding. Maybe they all have grown up more than Kiara had thought.
"It's all just a dream now." JJ smiles at Kiara before continuing. "Fuck. It's a good dream just thinking about what I'd do as a man with money."
"You'd waste it." John B jokes out, making the rest of the Pogues laugh along.
"Oh yeah, for sure. But it's just a dream so I can dream whatever the fuck I want."
Kiara can imagine a future for herself with money because her family have already lived that lifestyle. Money doesn't mean anything. The paper that determines everything doesn't mean anything in life itself. Rich people fill their lives with consumerism whilst they argue with their other rich friends about who owns the biggest boat or the best car or the biggest house. But money can burn. Money burns people and can turn people sinister merely due to the power that the world has created. The instant need of power is given through the materialistic paper. But when money catches fire, all they are left with is the ashes of who they are that can slip through their fingers. Kiara doesn't need to think about a future with money because she doesn't want to become one of those gossiping Kooks. She doesn't want to be controlled by wealth.
"I don't want anything to control my future." Kiara plainly states after a moment to think. She hesitates to look at the rest of the Pogues. But when she does, they are just nod and smile at her. It's what makes the Pogues forever better than the Kooks. Whilst money is the domineering benefactor of life, the Pogues have little of the wealth that Kooks brag about. Kooks brag about what they have all whilst groaning about how they could still have more. Pogues know that wealth is nothing but a fantasy. Because in reality, wealth is the overarching villain to everybody's stories. "I like how my future is unpredictable." Kiara jokes before moving one hand over Brownie all whilst her other hand ghosts past her own stomach where a baby bump will be present in the matter of weeks.
"Ditto." JJ jokes before grinning at Kiara.
Life should always be unpredictable, where anything is possible. And things just seem to happen.
Conversation leads to how life has already been so unpredictable for the Pogues. Nothing ever seems to be planned when it comes to the Pogues. And if there is a plan (like that treasure hunt) it seems to just blow up in their faces anyways. "Speaking about impulsive decisions, I have plans for your wedding Kie." Sarah sits up before turning completely to face Kiara. Kiara has worried when Sarah would start planning a massive wedding even when Kiara only wants it to be small.
"Sarah." Kiara sits up, trying to fight her pregnancy brain from yelling at the fantasy dreams of Sarah Cameron.
"I know the perfect dress for you Kie and I will win you over with it." Sarah quips before searching through her phone because of course, Sarah goes into detail about everything.
Sarah is a dreamer. She likes to think about everything being perfect and easy. Kiara knows that life is not easy. "You won't be able to wear a wedding dress for much longer if you're getting married whilst pregnant." Zoey the medical intern informs the dreamer in Sarah.
"Why?" Sarah half asks, still looking through her phone.
"Well, the baby begins to show when women are anywhere between twelve and sixteen weeks in most cases."
"Twelve to sixteen weeks?" This news throws Kiara. She never thought it could be so soon. "I'm twelve weeks."
"Babies grow, Kie." Pope adds into the conversation.
"And the bigger you get, the bigger the baby." John B jokes, making Kiara roll her eyes.
"You'll be a balloon, Kie." The two boys keep laughing when Sarah joins in. "And in only a few weeks."
"Guys…" JJ tries to warn but the laughter from the rest of the Pogues cut through.
"And in less than a year, Brownie will be a big brother." Laughter gets louder as John B and Pope lean over to fuss the pup on JJ's lap.
Pregnancy hormones. That is all it is. The hammering feeling of punching them in the face is just her emotions being fucked up because she is pregnant. It must be just the bubbling of her pregnancy anger that is boiling to almost explode. Unless it's not. Maybe the feeling is there because John B and Pope and JJ are fucking boys. They will never have to go through this. They will never have to be fucking balloons for nine months just for a baby. Tears bubble through Kiara and not even the soothing touches of JJ stroking up and down her arm can stop her heart beating faster whilst her pregnancy emotions build up. They have no idea. No idea what Kiara is going to have to go through.
A fucking balloon.
In the matter of weeks.
When Kiara's heart rate confuses Kiara too much, she is quick to storm into the chateau, ignoring the calls after her from the rest of the Pogues. Her heart rate doesn't find control until Kiara lays her head down on the pillow of her bed and counts herself to sleep.
…
Kiara doesn't wake up until she hears a small breathy 'fuck' as something falls from the other side of the bedroom. When she opens her eyes, she sees JJ on the floor after obviously falling over a sleeping Brownie. "Brownie really won't leave your side." JJ jokes when his eyes meet Kiara's. The sun is barely shining through the window. Still early enough to be called night.
"Maybe I'm finally his favourite." Kiara pregnancy snaps out before falling back against the bed. This fucking pregnancy hormones control everything. Even how Kiara even speaks.
"Kie." The bed moves slightly as JJ sits down. When Kiara sits up, she sees the seriousness in JJ's eyes confusing her more. Maybe her pregnancy tendencies have finally gotten to him. "They were only messing around."
"I know." Her snap this time makes her internally scream. She doesn't even know why she is snapping. JJ just looks to his hands and nods, almost deflated completely. "Shit. JJ I'm sorry. I know I've been a fucking mess but… but I don't know how to control it." She shuffles to the end of the bed before sitting next to JJ. Snapping at JJ is the last thing that Kiara wants to do. "I don't mean to snap your head off every second of the day. I don't…" Kiara's helpless mumbling is cut off when JJ connects his lips. A small, sweet kiss that Kiara recognises as the 'shut up, Kie' kiss.
They sit there for a moment, JJ kissing her sweetly all whilst his hand caresses her cheek. Kiara kisses back when her pregnancy hormones run out of snapping power. A different pregnancy hormone begins to want power. When JJ leans their foreheads together and disconnects their lips, Kiara has to force her emotions to stay still and not pull JJ back in. "I know it's just pregnant Kiara, Kie."
"Pregnant Kiara has a mind of her own." Kiara laughs out.
"It's a good thing that I have a thing for both of you then." She watches as his tongue leave his mouth to lick his lips. Pregnant Kiara wants. Kiara smirks knowing that he will go along with anything, especially when they are connected as one.
Kiara leans forward and reconnects them. Her lips move against his with need. Want for more and need for him. Maybe it's pregnant Kiara taking charge. But Kiara can't help but wonder if it is just them. He has a way about him that just draws Kiara in. It's how they got in this mess in the first place. "I think… pregnant Kiara wants you." Kiara whispers between kisses.
"Just pregnant Kiara?" JJ smirks all whilst moving his lips to her neck.
"Maybe a bit of the real me as well." Kiara can't help but moan when JJ works her neck in the way he knows makes her want more.
They quickly move up the bed before pulling at each other frantically. Maybe Kiara could get to like this type of pregnancy hormone. Maybe she should try and find a way to force the snappy Kiara away by bringing forward this Kiara. JJ skilfully moves Kiara to lay her below himself without landing her. But when Kiara begins to fiddle with JJ's belt, JJ swiftly moves away. "Shit." JJ breathes out, looking around the room frantically.
"Dude. Don't worry about protection." Kiara breathes impatiently. Wow. Pregnant Kiara is needy.
"I…" The ever-talkative JJ remains still in front of Kiara. "Is this okay? Like are we even allowed to have sex when your pregnant." This makes Kiara smile. Because of course JJ remains oblivious to everything that comes with pregnancy.
"I thought you said that you read up about this stuff." Kiara jokes before pulling JJ back on top of her.
"No. I got Pope to read and then he told me in words I understood." Kiara hates when JJ thinks he's too dumb for life itself. "And I wasn't about to ask Pope if I could have sex with you. That would be weird, Kie. Pope used to think he loved you." To stop his rambling, Kiara kisses him.
"Can we stop talking about Pope?" Kiara smiles before pulling at JJ's t-shirt. She needs him. His hands move back to the naked skin of her waist but still remains hesitant.
"Yeah. But…"
"Oh my god JJ! We can still have sex!" Kiara snaps out uncontrollably.
"Okay, okay Kie. No need to be needy." Of course, he is joking around. Of course. Because it's JJ. Kiara just lets out a slight laugh before running out of patience and connecting them completely.
Pregnant Kiara seems to like being in charge.
And JJ doesn't seem to be complaining.
…
When pregnant Kiara stops being needy for JJ, her brain instinctively goes back to the pregnancy at hand. Balloon. Sarah's words revolve around Kiara's head. Because of course, Kiara knows that she will get bigger because she is literally growing a human being in her body. But she never thought it could happen so fast. A balloon. Kiara can't be a fucking balloon when questions keep circulating about her future.
That is why as soon as Kiara and JJ catch their breaths, Kiara throws on JJ's sweatshirt and begins pacing in front of the sitting boy. "We should just get married." Kiara blurts out without even thinking. JJ just looks at her, confusion evident on his face.
"And that's why I proposed to you, Kie." A nervous laugh escapes his lips. "Pregnancy brain really making you forget things now, Kie?"
"I mean today." Kiara puts confidently. If Kiara is about to balloon, she can't let it ruin their future. "Come on JJ. Neither of us care for that fucking massive wedding. Why can't we just get married at the beach with Pope or John B officiating and then I won't be a balloon bride!" Her choice of words just makes JJ laugh.
"You're not going to be a balloon, Kie."
"Yes, I will be JJ because I'm pregnant. And that isn't going to change for nine months."
Pregnancy brain. Maybe Kiara can blame her words on her hormones. But that wouldn't be fair. Kiara will never want that fantasy wedding that Sarah loves the idea of. "So, will you marry me today or what?" Her direct tone only makes JJ smile. Kiara knows that he will prefer this anyways. Kiara's parents can't get involved and make it a Kook fest and Sarah can't make it something big that they both hate. Today would be perfect.
"Okay." JJ smirks which only makes Kiara laugh back.
Because this is JJ and Kiara. Just going with whatever feels perfect. They don't need a big party. They only need today.
Today will be perfect.