Logistics. Kiara can't help but think about the logistics of having another baby. And these logistics are hard to ignore when Kiara is two thirds of the way through her pregnancy. The logistics of where the baby will live, what the baby will need, how Brownie and Henley will react to the baby. Logistics that Kiara was an idiot to not think about when she told JJ that she was ready for another baby. Mentally? Yes, Kiara was ready. Physically? Hell no, Kiara was not ready. And neither was JJ. But JJ likes to just smile and skip around the chateau when the matter is bought up. He doesn't think of what changes need to be made for another baby.
At six months, the logistics haunt Kiara.
So much so that she ends up thinking about talking about moving in with her mother. Kiara cringes when she asks because sure, Anna has become a lot more bearable since Henley; but Kiara is still not sure how Anna Carrera would deal with letting Kiara, Henley, Brownie and JJ move in with her. Because sure, Anna likes to act like the perfect grandparent to Henley and the perfect parent to Kiara but JJ is a different matter. Kiara laughs at the thought of Anna even thinking about letting the Pogue Maybank into her house until they sort another house out.
Maybe it's just her pregnant brain that is trying to find anything to stress over because the actual baby itself isn't stressing Kiara out. Maybe it's the stubborn part of her brain clashing with the recklessness in JJ. Kiara likes to see sense in a situation and the baby can't come into a world that has not been planned at all.
At six months, Kiara finds herself desperate for a plan of attack. Even if that means moving into the Carrera residence purely for more space.
So, it's decided. Kiara practically runs to the chateau to tell JJ the plan after a long day at working at the Wreck. Excitement fills Kiara because it all makes sense. And at the Carrera's house, there would be more people to help to make sure that Kiara doesn't freak again like she did with Henley. JJ wouldn't have to deal with Kiara alone. JJ wouldn't have to live with an emotional Kiara alone.
Kiara runs into the fish shack that over the years has become their home. Kiara doesn't even know what to say, she kind of just hopes the words roll out of her when she sees JJ. But JJ is not in the living area of the chateau. Nor is he in either bedrooms. Nor the kitchen. Not even the bathroom. Kiara looks around confused, knowing that Henley was out with John B and Sarah for the day. But there is no sign of Brownie either.
"JJ?" Kiara calls into the empty chateau, still trying to catch her breath and find words in her jumbled-up mind. Maybe he went for a run with Brownie? Or down to the beach? Kiara scrunches her eyebrows together before walking towards the front door.
For years now, Kiara and JJ have a rule: always tell each other where the other is. And neither of them have ever broken this rule. So, it confuses Kiara when she looks around the chateau to see no JJ, when he said he would be here all day. A bark catches Kiara's attention when she walks to the front door. When she looks out of the door, there they are. JJ and Brownie. Coming back from who knows where. "JJ." Kiara breathes out.
"Hello to you too." JJ smirks before kissing her cheek and opening the chateau's door completely.
"We need to talk."
"Okay. That doesn't sound good." JJ half-jokes, but Kiara can see the concern through his awkward, nervous laugh.
"It's about our plan." Her words only make JJ roll his eyes because JJ has always hated plans. Structure is a swear word to JJ.
"No."
"JJ…"
"We can talk about whatever, lovely plan you have for us later, but right now? Right now, you are following me."
"What?"
"Kiara Carrera, follow me."
Kiara doesn't find any more words before JJ is pushing her into the chateau. Kiara wants to question further or scoff at whatever game he is playing. But no words come out of Kiara as JJ pushes her through their home. No words come out of Kiara, even when he stops suddenly outside the door to the office. Big John's office. The office they haven't really been in since moving into the chateau.
"What's going on, Maybank?" Kiara asks, half intrigued but also half concerned. Has JJ lost his mind? Has he gone crazy all whilst Kiara was worried that it would be herself going crazy?
"I want to show you something." He motions to the door of the office.
"It's Big John's office." Kiara can't help but smile and continue whatever game he is playing with her. "I know what this room is JJ. I mean, we did almost get killed in it."
"Okay but…" JJ rolls his eyes which only makes Kiara laugh. But all laughter dies down when he opens the door. Because it's not an office anymore. It's just a plain, simple room. No furniture. Nothing. "What if it's not an office anymore?"
Speechless.
Kiara remains speechless whilst she walks into the empty room. Her jaw hangs open as she looks around. Big John's office. The same office that the thugs beat down to try and get to John B and take the compass. The room was cluttered back then. All walls covered in treasure maps and proof to help Big John find the gold. But this is not that room any longer. Same walls in which are no longer cluttered but provide room for a new adventure. A blank canvas for the new future. "JJ." Kiara manages to say, still completely shocked.
"I know. I'm sorry for not running it past you."
"What did you do with the stuff?"
"I gave it to John B. But I can probably get it back if you hate it." Oh boy, JJ can be a pessimist most of the time. "I just thought, it is probably a good idea if baby number two actually gets to have his or her own room." Maybe JJ does think of the logistics after all. "But yeah, I can get it all back. I was just being a bit stupid. Baby number two can stay in our room or with Henley or in the living area or even…"
Without listening to JJ's mumbling, Kiara steps forward and finds a way to stop him talking without saying anything. Kiara grabs his neck and pulls JJ to her, connecting their lips in one movement. And it works. JJ shuts up instantly and gives as much as he is being given by grabbing a hold of Kiara's waist and pulling her so they are flush up against each other. JJ always likes to try to deepen the kiss and Kiara can't help but smile when she feels his tongue graze her lips. Kiara is about to let him continue but is suddenly pushed back unexpectedly.
She looks up to see JJ looking around the empty room. "So, this can stay the office and we will find another place to let baby number two sleep."
"Oh my god JJ. You're an idiot."
"Wow. Just when I thought I was doing something nice." JJ puts plainly, not catching onto Kiara's playfulness. Sometimes, JJ can be a real idiot.
"I like this! Actually, I love this and we're keeping it." Kiara thinks that should do it, that JJ should understand. But JJ scrunches his eyebrows together and waits for Kiara to spell it out for him. "This room will be baby number two's bedroom."
"Oh." A soft smile shines on JJ's face.
"You did great, JJ." Kiara laughs. "I can't believe you thought I'd hate it." Reaching out for JJ, Kiara pushes him back slightly, laughter filling her up completely.
"Did you just push me?" JJ laughs with Kiara, playing along with her game. Kiara just nods and playfully pushes JJ again.
With that, they act like children all over again. With laughter filling the chateau, JJ chases after Kiara through all of the rooms before they circle around and end up back in the newly-emptied room. When JJ catches Kiara, he softly lays her onto the floor and remains at her side until they both find a way to reach their normal breathing patterns again. They lay on the floor in silence, listen to the other catching their breath all over again.
After breathing returns, JJ sits up before moving to Kiara's stomach. He lightly lifts up the material covering the baby bump before leaning in closely. Kiara can feel his warm breath ghosting her, making her have to bite her lip to avoid moaning out his name. She just watches him, teeth focusing on her own bottom lip. "Only three more months to go baby number two. And this is going to be your bedroom. Don't worry. We'll put some furniture in here before you come out of your comfy bedroom that you're in at the moment." His hands flicker over Kiara's baby bump. "Just three months to go."
Just three months.
…
And the three months drag. They even drag for JJ. He can only imagine how badly these three months drag for the girl that is literally carrying a baby in her stomach. Again. Somehow, JJ had actually found a way to get Kiara to want to do all of this again. Sure, it has definitely been easier than when she was pregnant with Henley. JJ has only found himself being kicked out of the main bedroom two or three times in six months.
It definitely helps that they kind of have an idea of what is to come. And Kiara's pregnancy brain made her extremely stubborn and angry the first time she was pregnant. So, JJ likes to think that he knows what is the worst that could happen.
Henley herself has made everything easier. At three years old, Henley is a copy-cat. Copying everything that comes out of JJ or Kiara's mouth. JJ can remember the first time she repeated 'shit' whilst she smiled harmlessly up at Kiara. JJ had laughed at their brunette daughter. Kiara had given JJ death stares. But being the biggest copy-cat that JJ knows, JJ can't help but smile when Henley intensely listens to his stories about the Pogues and then the next day, tells Brownie or Kiara's pregnant belly pretty much the same story. And JJ won't deny, Henley definitely tells the stories better than he does.
"Once upon a time… Pogues went against the storms. They even fought the waves until the waves gave up and let the Pogues win! The waves used to be villains. But Daddy and Mommy and Uncle Pope and Uncle Johnny and Auntie Sarah made the waves good again. So, we can swim with the waves again. Pogues always win! The end." Henley likes to tell the stories to her teddies whilst Brownie chews at one of her toy bunny's ears, JJ likes to listen in.
It makes JJ laugh when people ask how JJ can understand every word that Henley says. Because sure, her words often all mumble into one syllable. But JJ is strong and can work through the mumbles to understand every word. Just like Kiara does with Henley. Kiara likes to joke that she has to do the same thing whenever JJ talks.
It is three months of Henley getting better at telling the stories that JJ has told her over and over again. All of the stories end in happily ever after. And JJ tries to not think about how he will eventually have to tell Henley all of his stories. Because JJ can't hide from the future, inevitable questions about why Henley only knows her grandparents from Kiara's side. That day will come, but JJ tries to not think about that. He tries not to think about how his past will eventually come to light in stories told to Henley and future baby number two.
The three months are hard for them all. Well, that's not true. The three months are hard for everyone other than Sarah and John B. Because they seem to be living on a cloud that looks like Outer Banks, but sounds nothing like the Outer Banks that the rest of the Pogues are living in. Three long months of Kiara being uncomfortable and counting down the days until the baby that is prodding and poking at her from the inside, will be prodding and poking at her from the outside. Three months of JJ making the office look like a bedroom all whilst keeping Henley and Brownie calm and trying to not let them jump all over Kiara. But the three months seem to be different for Sarah and John B.
Even when it should all be the same.
Kiara is seven months pregnant when Sarah and John B announce their own pregnancy. When the words are said, JJ can't help but laugh as he looks at Kiara who is also smiling. Because finally! Someone to see that pregnancy is not easy. Sarah and John B will go through hell just like Kiara and JJ did with baby number one and may go through again with baby number two.
If only…
If only it worked like that. But because it is Sarah and John B, it looks as if they are made for pregnancy. As soon as Sarah finds out, JJ and Kiara can't help themselves from asking questions. "So, how long have you been throwing up?" Kiara asks, smiling widely at their probable pain.
"Dude, is Sarah getting all emotional and horny as fuck yet?" JJ turns to John B, intrigued to see if it is just Kiara. If JJ is just lucky to have someone like Kiara. Kiara doesn't see the interest in the same way JJ notices when he feels her punch at his side. JJ thinks about joking around with Kiara and asking her if the punching is only because she is horny from her pregnancy, but the look in Kiara's eyes makes JJ know. Kiara is not ready to play around.
If only there was something to joke about when it came to Sarah and John B's pregnancy. But it quickly becomes evident how perfect they are. "I haven't had any pain, and I haven't been throwing up." Sarah rubs at her non-existent bump whilst looking up at John B with such love. JJ remembers clearly when Kiara was first pregnant. JJ remembers vividly that Kiara was more likely to try to tear JJ's head off than look at him like he was the purest thing on earth.
"No throwing up? How did you know you were pregnant?" JJ has to hold back his laughter when he watches Kiara's enjoyment turn dark. Kiara's fake smile remains planted on her face.
"I don't know. We just decided to start trying and I took a test like every other day until it showed up pregnant."
"Well… congratulations." To anyone else, Kiara's words may sound genuine. But JJ knows Kiara. JJ knows that she is mentally rolling her eyes whilst glaring daggers into Sarah.
"And now I can suffer through pregnancy with you." Kiara just scoffs at Sarah's words. Man, JJ knows that Kiara is about to snap. If Kiara wasn't seven months pregnant and best friends with Sarah, JJ knows that she would attack. Because Sarah makes everything look easy, and it's obvious that it annoys Kiara completely.
So it comes to no surprise to JJ that as soon as Sarah and John B leave, Kiara lets her emotions show. "What the fuck!" Kiara's voice echoes around the chateau, both of them hoping that her language doesn't wake up their copy-cat daughter.
"What?" JJ says, sitting down on the pull-out.
"How is this fair that Sarah gets everything? She gets the fucking easy pregnancy. That shit isn't real and she acts like she is from a fucking fairytale."
"Henley's in the other room Kie."
"Well I'm too pissed off to think about that right now, JJ." JJ holds back a snicker from her snap. Because this is just like Sarah and Kiara. Best friends that bicker like kids. It's as if they are those kids from Kiara's Kook year, stupidly arguing over a party. "I mean, she is pretending that her pregnancy is just another day in her little Kook life. Whilst I keep feeling the real pain of pregnancy."
"Maybe it just hasn't come to her yet." JJ shrugs whilst watching Kiara burst into angered laughter.
"Yeah right. She is Sarah Cameron. Queen of the Kooks and perfect in every single way. Her nightmares are that she is forced to spend almost five years in the Bahamas. The world will never let their precious Sarah Cameron suffer."
"Kie…"
"No. I am right here! Sarah Cameron gets given everything on a fucking silver plate!"
"I'm not sure about that." JJ is also not sure if this is just Pregnant Kiara, or it is something deeper in Kiara coming to the light.
"Well, I am sure." Kiara snaps.
"She's still your best friend, Kie." Kiara Carrera has always been the hardest to break down when it came to her angered side. But JJ likes to believe that he can sometimes find a way through.
"Yeah, she is. But that doesn't mean that she isn't a bitch."
Kiara Carrera versus Sarah Cameron. An epic fight that comes and goes. Last time, they trapped them on the boat to make them sort out their differences. But JJ knows that trapping two pregnant, fierce girls in a room will only end in tears and maybe even a bit of blood.
…
Sarah Cameron. Queen of Pregnancy. It's not fucking fair. Especially when Kiara receives message after message from Sarah asking if they want to go to pregnant Pilates together or if they want to shop for clothes for their little future babies together. It comes to no surprise that Sarah makes a big deal about the gender of her baby. Even to this day, Kiara doesn't understand why people make such a big deal over a baby's gender. Because a baby is a baby. Different genders but they still do all the same stuff. They cry. They shit. They sleep. They eat. And then eventually they also bite and laugh and throw tantrums. But it doesn't have anything to do with their gender.
But Kiara just smiles through, fighting away Pregnant Kiara to keep all of her thoughts in her own mind. But it's hard. It's extremely hard when Sarah throws a party that is even bigger than Sarah and John B's wedding just for a baby that isn't even born yet. And it's all just to find out if they will be buying their future baby the stereotypical blue for a boy or pink for a girl.
It doesn't surprise Kiara when Sarah finds out that she is having a girl. Kiara finds it really hard to imagine Sarah having a boy. A girl fits perfectly into their perfect life. Their fucking perfect lives. But Sarah still has the decency to try her quip at laughter by dryly joking 'I thought you said pregnancy was hard?'
Bitch. A fucking, perfect bitch that doesn't get it. Doesn't get what life really is like.
Maybe it is Kiara's own pregnancy that makes her judgemental when it comes to Sarah. Kiara is eight months pregnant and is over this feeling. Pregnancy has been a bitch to Kiara so it is inevitable that Kiara will be jealous that Sarah seems to be taking everything so well. Without a worry in the world.
But everything seems to change when Kiara receives multiple texts from Sarah.
Sarah: Kie. Can you come over?
Sent at 11:00am.
Sarah: Kie. Please I am literally freaking out.
Sent at 11:15am.
Sarah: Please John B isn't home and I don't know who else to ask!
Sent at 11:25am.
Texts flood Kiara's phone. Texts that only get more stressed as another comes through. Texts that Kiara cannot ignore for long. So, Kiara finds herself running over to Sarah and John B's apartment to see what is stressing Sarah out this time.
Kiara finds Sarah on the floor of her bedroom, crying her eyes out. Shit. What if something really bad happened? Maybe Kiara is the bitch after all. "Sarah. Oh my god, what happened?" Kiara breathes out, predicting the worst. But when Sarah turns around, Kiara thinks about storming over to the crying girl and slapping her on the face. Because in front of Sarah lays two different dresses for her baby. Two dresses that literally look the same but obviously mean the world to Sarah.
"I don't know what dress to pick." Sarah whimpers through the tears.
"What?"
"I… I don't know why I'm crying. I just… I didn't know what dress to pick out and then all of a sudden, I found myself crying over the dresses."
"Over dresses?" Kiara mentally rolls her eyes.
"Oh my god, Kie. Yes. Dresses." Sarah snaps out at Kiara. "Now, sit down next to me and help me out."
She wants to laugh. Or to scoff. Or to fight the other pregnant girl in the room. But Kiara finds herself sitting down next to her best friend anyways. Because something deep in Kiara knows what this is all about, and it definitely has nothing to do with dresses. Sarah hiccups through her tears whilst Kiara just watches. "This isn't about dresses, Sarah." Kiara breaks the silence eventually.
"What?" Sarah pretty much snaps out.
"This is the pregnancy. It's making you cry uncontrollably."
"Over fucking dresses?"
"Definitely."
"So, I'm not just overreacting?"
"I mean, yes. But it's not just that. It's also that baby in your stomach is pushing your buttons and controlling your emotions." Since when is Kiara apparently the pro at pregnancy? Since now, apparently.
"Oh." Sarah keeps crying.
Sarah's tears only make Kiara smile. Because it proves that Kiara isn't terrible at this pregnancy thing. Everything is fine if everything falls apart. So, Kiara just stays silence as she fiddles with the material of the dresses in front of her whilst listening to Sarah's sobs. This is what Kiara wanted. Someone that has also seen what it means to be out of control whilst pregnant.
"I can't believe you're actually crying."
"Thanks, Kie. Kick me whilst I'm down. I'm sorry I'm weak." Kiara watches as Sarah rolls her eyes.
"No. I mean, it's just nice to see that you don't keep it together all the time."
"Well, this is hard."
"Yeah. But through everything, you somehow don't fall apart and I've never understood it." How can someone keep strong through everything? Kiara has always felt weak when she is around Sarah. Up until this moment, that is. "I mean, how have you kept it together for an entire month of being pregnant? How have you not fallen apart when thinking about what is to come?"
"You think I've kept it together?"
"Yeah. You're Sarah Cameron after all."
"Exactly." This only confuses Kiara. "I'm a Cameron. Daughter of a mother that lives in New York and doesn't care about her family. Daughter of a literal murderer. Sister of a murderer as well. And let's not forget Rose. That bitch definitely found some of the gold and is living her best, materialistic life." They both laugh at this. "Of course, I have worried that there is something in my genetics that will make my children materialistic monsters in the future. But I ignore my doubt by remembering how I will have control over my own future. And I will not let their reputation ruin my child's life. But don't think for a moment that this pregnancy hasn't made me doubt everything."
Kiara knows it's the truth. That Sarah has been struggling a hell lot more than Kiara could ever have expected. Sarah is in the same boat as Kiara entirely. Kiara bursts into laughter, remembering her conversation with JJ from the other day. Man, Kiara is a bitch just by calling Sarah a bitch without knowing the truth. "Why are you laughing?" Sarah wipes away her tears, obviously finding it deep inside herself to fight away the emotions.
"I bitched about you to JJ the other day." Kiara laughs out.
"What?"
"Well, I called you a bitch for not falling apart. And here you are." Kiara motions to the dresses, laughing even louder. "Falling apart over dresses." It works, Kiara's laughter spurs Sarah into hysterics.
"Oh my god. I literally just cried over dresses."
"It's these baby hormones, Sarah." They are both laughing, rolling around the floor as much as they can without getting uncomfortable from their bumps.
"I'm so done with these hormones! And it's even worse that the boys don't get it!"
"Literally. I can't even count how many times JJ has asked me if sleeping with a baby bump is uncomfortable."
"Oh god." Sarah laughs. "Well at least you don't have John B asking if pregnancy hurts!"
"No. JJ asked me that when I was pregnant with Henley."
"Fucking boys."
"They have no clue."
"Nope."
Maybe Kiara could get used to this. Maybe being pregnant whilst Sarah is also pregnant is not the worst thing in the world. And maybe they both are bitches. Only now, Sarah and Kiara can bitch about their boys instead of each other.
…
Pregnancy is long. Especially when there is a three-year-old that likes asking questions and always being around Kiara and when Brownie the pup likes laying near Kiara, almost making sure that she is okay. But pregnancy also is quick. Nine months are not that long when Kiara has JJ by her side, making sure that she is okay every step of the way. Pregnancy is short when it is just the countdown to another change in their hopeful future.
The second pregnancy for Kiara is a lot smoother than the first. From her hormones to the last month of her pregnancy going to plan. She doesn't collapse when it's time. She just lets it happen and remains hopeful for everything.
Because with her family, how can Kiara not be hopeful anymore?
Sixteen hours of waiting. But time is only a concept and those hours are just the countdown to her pregnancy finally being over. JJ stays by her side. Henley, Brownie and her parents facetime. Sarah sits by her side as well, telling Kiara that her future daughter Izabelle is going to be best friends with Kiara's son or daughter. Everything remains hopeful. And even the couple of times in those sixteen hours where Kiara starts to breathe out of time or when her hand clenches onto JJ's hand, JJ just whispers 'Count with me, Kie.' And they count. And everything is okay. Everything is always okay.
And everything is okay for all the steps along the way.
Sixteen hours.
The longest countdown that Kiara counts every second for.
But it's worth it. Because on the seventeenth hour, baby number two is ready. Baby number two is born. The baby that comes out screaming, telling the world that they are there. That they are ready for whatever life has to offer. All of those people that say that pregnancy hurts but is bearable can go to hell. Because Kiara is sure that she screams louder than any baby in the entire world. Kiara finds herself shocked that she even is able to do it- that her emotions don't freak her out and tell her that she can't do this.
Pregnancy is hard. But the award is worth it. Baby number two is worth it. No, her baby boy is worth it. A son and a daughter? Kiara can't help but cringe at how cliché It is. Because, a boy and a girl seem to be what happens in every story. So, maybe Sarah is right after all. Maybe their story is just one big story.
Henley and Sawyer Maybank. The new story of Pogues.
…
Sawyer Maybank. The boy of the family. The boisterous boy of the family. Something that Kiara and JJ never knew about before Sawyer. Because early on in the first year of Sawyer's life, Kiara quickly notices that Sawyer likes to throw things. At Kiara. At Brownie. At Henley. Even at Izabelle when Sarah brings her over. A definite mini JJ in the flesh.
Sawyer also likes to cry when he is not getting his way. Sure, Henley liked to cry as a baby but Sawyer is on another level. His tears are endless and Kiara thinks that she may drown in them every day that she tries to stop them. Maybe a bit of Kiara? Sure, Sawyer gets his emotions from Kiara.
But Kiara knows that Sawyer is almost all JJ. And the one-year-old is already flirting. His smile lights up every time a girl is near him. JJ jokes "Sawyer is going to be a player"
"No, Sawyer is going to be Izabelle's soulmate." Sarah smiles. "Opposites attract and I will put money on Sawyer marrying Izabelle one day." Sarah Cameron. The only girl in Outer Banks that plans her new romance story when their children are only one years old.
When Sawyer likes to scream the chateau down, he does so through the night as well. The only thing that ever seems to get Sawyer to sleep is when Brownie sits at the side of his cot whilst JJ whispers the stories to the sleepy boy. JJ Maybank yet again is just a dream. Someone that Kiara will never understand fully. JJ is perfect.
After they get Sawyer to sleep, JJ and Kiara just watch his chest move up and down as he sleeps soundly. Soundly sleeping as if he hasn't been a monster throughout the day. It makes Kiara laugh. Because they have been through much and JJ and Kiara are still succeeding with whatever life has to throw at them. "I didn't tell you but… when you made this room a bedroom, I had planned on telling you that we were moving in with my parents until we found enough room." Kiara whispers, watching as JJ playfully opens his jaw in shock.
"Are you telling me that I could have had the chance to live in the Carrera residence?"
"No. I think my mom would have probably kicked you out in the first week." Kiara jokes, smiling up at him.
"Probably." JJ laughs back. Brownie moves slightly before laying down at the end of the crib. Kiara can't deny it. Brownie is getting slower. "It would have been just me and Brownie." JJ smiles at the pup, obviously not seeing what Kiara is seeing.
"He's getting slower, JJ."
"So? I'm getting slower as well. But we can still take on the world."
"JJ, I'm serious." It's then that JJ looks at her, confusion spread on his face. "Brownie is getting slower, JJ. And in a few more years, we're going to see him get so slow that he can't move any longer."
It's the reality of having a dog. The unfair reality of the world itself. She notices a tear flutter down his cheek as if Kiara has just broken him entirely. Shit. She's a bitch. But she knows it's true. Kiara looks to the pup to see how the brown of his fur is mixed with the grey of time.
"Then I guess we'll just need to make these years count." JJ says more to himself than to Kiara. Hope even in the darkness itself.
…
The next years can be told through a list of birthdays. Because birthdays don't seem to go to plan when it comes to JJ and the rest of his family. Hell seems to happen on birthdays.
It all starts on Sawyer's first birthday when Sawyer cries the entire day away. It's after Brownie or Henley or Izabelle (to be honest, JJ has no clue who) steals his toy and he keeps crying even when he gets the toy back. Sawyer can't fight the tears away even when he is playing on his own with his toy car that he got so emotional over only a few moments ago. They had planned on having a nice day at the beach and then a nice afternoon in the chateau. Kiara even made this beautiful cake. But Sawyer is in a mood. Henley also is snappy. And then to top everything off, Brownie jumps at the cake that Kiara made- eating the cake before anyone can even sing happy birthday.
JJ laughs it off. Kiara does not.
Someone always seems to be sick on a birthday. Henley is sick on her fourth birthday. Kiara is sick on JJ's birthday. Brownie is sick on Kiara's birthday. It is a never-ending journey of terrible birthdays.
That is why JJ is determined on Henley's fifth birthday. Because no one is sick for the first year. Henley even seems to be smiling and Sawyer seems to be in a loving mood, hugging up to Kiara especially. So, JJ is determined to break the curse of the birthdays for the Maybanks. And it all starts with waffles. Waffles that JJ is determined to not burn.
Henley is an early riser just like JJ so it doesn't surprise JJ to see Henley sitting at the table, fussing Brownie whilst he finishes with the waffles. JJ keeps his concentration on the waffles, because he cannot start the morning with burnt waffles. JJ does however listen to Henley talking to Brownie about her new friends and her birthday and the excitement for the day ahead of her. Excitement always makes Henley bright and smiley and so unlike the negativism that used to come from JJ. It makes JJ smile. Smile wider than ever before.
And whilst he listens to the excitement from the birthday girl, JJ keeps his promise to himself of not burning the waffles. Hey, maybe people should start calling him the head chef from now on.
So far, so good. And that is all that matters.
And everything should be good. That is, until Henley, JJ and Kiara are sat around the table eating the perfect waffles when Henley sparks up, in the middle of a massive bite of pancake. "Can people haunt you?"
"Yes." JJ answers, plainly.
"What? No!" Kiara snaps at JJ before turning back to Henley. This confuses JJ. Because JJ has always believed in being haunted, what was the problem? "You don't need to be scared Henley." Kiara turns soft for their daughter.
"Then why did daddy say that haunting is real?"
"Because…" JJ smirks at Kiara's loss of words.
"Because you can get haunted but you don't have to always be afraid of it." JJ speaks before Kiara can stop him again. "The monsters in the shadows are only there when you are scared of them. Nothing can haunt you if you learn to not be afraid of those shadows."
It took JJ years to learn from his shadows, he doesn't want Henley to have to be afraid for as long as he was. Henley can be stronger than JJ was. Henley will be stronger.
The morning goes on without a bump in the road. For once. Henley opens her presents with that smile that never really seems to leave her face whilst Sawyer clings onto either JJ or Kiara or Brownie because Sawyer really is the loving kid. By the time the afternoon swings around, the chateau is filled with kids running around indoors and outdoors whilst Sarah and John B watch over their daughter Izabelle playing with Sawyer on the porch.
Henley runs around with her friends and seems happy in an instant. Everyone seems happy in an instant. Even Kiara's mother isn't trying to run as far away from the chateau as she possibly can. The cake that Kiara makes for Henley isn't destroyed by Brownie. But that is only because Brownie is sleeping by the hammocks outside. It's a different type of party that the chateau is used to. A kegger is swapped out for a popcorn machine and beer bottles are swapped for capri-suns. JJ won't admit it, but capri-suns are just as addictive as beer. It's a party that JJ never expected happening in the chateau. But it's just the proof that the chateau has finally been made into a home.
Home is where they live. Happily. Excited for the future. Hopeful.
Even Kiara finds it in herself to not stress about the small parts of the party. JJ watches as Kiara talks to everyone at the party before moving to where JJ is stood in the kitchen. "Five years old."
"And we're both still here." JJ jokes. Of course, they will always be here.
"Always and forever."
"Definitely."
It's moments like these that JJ is reminded that they are still those young kids that fell in love whilst looking after a puppy together. Sure, they have come a long way but deep down, they're still young at heart. When Kiara's eyes lock with his eyes, JJ is sure that he is burning inside. Just the sight of Kiara's eyes makes JJ fall into the palms of her hands. And Kiara must feel it as well because it doesn't take much for Kiara to be pulling JJ into the direction of their deserted bedroom.
JJ still laughs when Kiara pins him against the wall, lust filling her quickly. Because it's the same lust that has always been there in between JJ and Kiara. JJ can't help but wonder if that same lust will still be around when they are eighty years old and weak to their knees. "Kie. What are we doing?" JJ breathes against her lips when he feels her hands on the button of his shirt.
"What does it look like, JJ?" Kiara's lips move to his neck and JJ really does wonder if he will be able to resist.
"We're at Henley's fifth birthday party." JJ tries.
"Yeah. And you've made it amazing so it's time for us to have fun."
"There are kids around." He really does try.
"Henley is running around with her friends whilst Sarah looks after Sawyer. They won't notice anything." Her eyes are dark and filled with desire. Desire for him. It still makes JJ's heart jump at that thought.
And he can't help himself. He really can't. His smirk fills his face before he pulls Kiara in for a searing kiss until they fight for dominance. Clawing at each other until they eventually realise that they are still in the hallway in the open. So, JJ just shuffles them closer to their bedroom whispering "I love you" before shutting the door on the party to have his own party with Kiara.
…
Henley likes telling everyone that she is a Pogue. Pogue through and through, Henley likes to believe. Just like her mommy and daddy. Because Pogues are the best people in Outer Banks. No. The best people in the world. Henley doesn't need to be told that. So, she just tells everyone else that she is a Pogue and if she is a Pogue, her best friends need to be Pogues as well.
Brownie is her best friend, of course. But then she likes to believe that she has a close group of friends in Josh, Trey and Quinn. They are the four Pogues that will live up to be just like her parents. She is sure of that. So, that's why the stories come out especially here on her birthday.
"We're the Pogues and we need to get in out Pogue-mobile and drive through the waves to save Sawyer and Izzy from the storm!" Henley shouts to her group of Pogues before running around the garden towards Sawyer and Izabelle. Just like good Pogues, her best friends listen to her. They fight through the waves of Uncle Johnny and Auntie Sarah until they save Sawyer and Izabelle from leaving them.
They win! Because Pogues always win!
But the story doesn't end there. Henley shouts out to her Pogues "Oh no! One of the waves took Brownie! Look! We need to save Brownie!" Henley points to where the sleepy dog is laying. Without even looking at the rest of the Pogues, Henley runs straight for Brownie, hugging him as soon as she reaches her pup. "We saved you, Brownie! We did it!" Henley hugs Brownie tightly and lets Brownie lick her face. Because they're best friends and Henley doesn't know what she would do without him. "Okay Brownie. Let's go." Henley stands up and waits for Brownie to move.
Brownie stiffly stands up and Henley smiles down at him. Brownie is the fifth Pogue to her group and he is the most important Pogue. He saved Henley's mommy and daddy, now Henley must save Brownie.
"Okay, Pogues! Let's go on another adventure!" Henley shouts at her friends before running around again. Josh, Trey and Quinn laugh and run around with her. But Brownie just lays back down. But it's okay. Brownie likes to sleep at the moment.