Henley turns five years old. For Henley, it's just a number meaning that she will be able to do more in her life because she is 'five now and not a baby'. Henley reminds everyone that she is not a baby any longer for the entirety of her fifth birthday. At five years old, Henley is on top of the world because for the next few months, Henley will be three years older than her brother Sawyer. Not two years older like she is for the rest of the year. Henley is three years more mature than Sawyer and Henley likes to tell everyone that. Henley likes being older than she was only a few days ago.
For Kiara, Henley's birthday is just a reminder that she has managed to go five years without breaking down and messing everything up. Five years of being a mother to a girl that smiles so wide that it is impossible to not smile along with her. Five years of seeing how JJ is so much better than Kiara is in every way possible. JJ is the better parent which shocks everyone every day. JJ is the one that always knows what to do and makes it so easy to see how a future can grow with not one child, but two. JJ is the one that keeps everything calm when it comes to Henley, when it comes to Sawyer and most importantly, when it comes to Kiara.
But not even JJ can remain calm and collected forever.
Birthdays are the pinpoints in someone's life showing how age becomes them. How people mature and grow with the times, in ways that may even seem incontrollable. Growing up and learning how to deal with the world is a positive part of life. But growing up is inevitable and there is no way of stopping what is to come.
For Brownie, he has past his eleventh birthday. If Brownie was a human, they would be celebrating the child that has just reached double digits. But Brownie isn't a child. He is eighty-six in dog years. And getting older. Kiara sees how his fur is lightening up with every passing day. Kiara notices how Brownie can no longer run around like that young puppy that skipped around the chateau with a chewed-up toy hanging from his mouth. It makes Kiara hate herself that she is noticing how Brownie is aging whilst JJ just looks at Brownie as if he is still the same puppy that won over their lives eleven years ago.
But Brownie is not that same puppy anymore. Henley likes to ask why Brownie isn't chasing her around the garden or why Brownie isn't allowed on long days down at the beach anymore. And Kiara doesn't know what to say. So, she just tells Henley that Brownie needs his sleep or Brownie didn't sleep well the night before so is making up for lost time. Brownie is just tired. That is all Henley needs to know. For now. The issue is, JJ seems to believe Kiara's words as well. Brownie just needs to sleep. Kiara can't bring herself to tell JJ what she really thinks.
Because what Kiara really thinks will break the only person in the chateau that has been strong throughout Kiara's pregnancy and even longer than that. JJ had found a way to stay strong and Kiara doesn't want for that to all fall apart by the truth that is staring them right in the face.
Life has never been fair. But this is beyond cruel. Because how can Kiara be the person that breaks everything when she used to be the one that had to sew everything together?
"Can I have a boat?" Henley's question interrupts Kiara's thoughts as she looks around the living area to see Henley fussing the sleeping pup whilst fiddling with the toy boat in her hands.
"A what?" Kiara asks, not one hundred percent sure that she heard her daughter.
"I want a boat." It makes Kiara snicker. "I am five years old now and I will have to start going on adventures on my boat with my Pogues just like you and daddy did."
"We were a lot older when we met."
"I can start earlier." Henley has a determination when it comes to adventures. Recklessness? Definitely an attribute from JJ. Henley likes to climb whatever she can just to see what people cannot see from the ground. Henley finds a way to see the world in a different way. A brighter, clearer world that you cannot see from the ground. Henley would go on an adventure to anywhere. It's Henley that makes Kiara see how similar Kiara and JJ are. Because Henley gets her adventurous attributes from both the boy that never plans but just does, and the girl that wants to find a way for life to fair and better for everyone. Adventures mean seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. And adventures come from anywhere.
"You're not getting a boat, Henley." Kiara ends up saying, just for Henley to start the water works and plead to Kiara. But it won't work. Not that they can even afford to buy a boat for a five-year-old anyways.
"Brownie wants a boat." She gets this from JJ- using Brownie to try and get her way. It normally always works.
"Brownie wants a lot of things that he cannot have. And you can't have it either."
"It's not fair."
"Yeah well, life is not fair." Henley will only see that as a joke, but something in Kiara knows that her words are the truth.
"I'll just ask daddy." Henley shrugs and snarls at Kiara, knowing too well that JJ would try and find a way to keep the smile on Henley's face. Kiara internally rolls her eyes before turning back to the kitchen. It's bad cop, good cop when it comes to Kiara and JJ. Deep down, Kiara likes to think that things will be different for Sawyer- that Kiara will be the good cop and that JJ will have to be the strict parent. But Kiara knows that there is no way that JJ will be able to be strict with anyone without feeling terrible. JJ can be the good cop if it means that the smile doesn't disappear from his face.
And Henley holds onto her words and makes sure to run to JJ as soon as he comes home from work. She hugs him tightly and Kiara almost laughs that Henley's hug is just her manipulative way to try and get what she wants. But Kiara can't be mad at Henley, because she is stubborn. And Kiara is the queen of stubborn. So, Kiara holds back hr tongue to avoid snarking at Henley whilst she is clutching onto JJ, pleading for him to get her a boat. A boat for Henley and Brownie. It doesn't surprise Kiara when she watches JJ pick up Henley and agree to get Henley a boat because JJ would never say no to the five-year-old.
When Henley runs away to play on the floor with Sawyer, JJ turns to Kiara smiling widely probably proud of what he has just done. "You do realise that we can't get a boat, right?" Kiara rolls her eyes playfully at JJ. Because she could never be mad at him when all he is trying to do is provide Henley with a hopeful smile.
"Relax Kie…"
"No, I'm serious JJ."
"I know. And so am I." A smirk appears on JJ's face- a smirk that Kiara doesn't know if she can trust. "And I am getting Henley a boat."
"What?"
"Henley will get a boat, Kie. If it's the last thing that I do." Kiara wants to argue with him. She really wants to understand what JJ is thinking. Because he can't be thinking about stealing a boat for a five-year-old. Not even JJ is that reckless. But Kiara can't find the words as she remains speechless, watching as JJ makes his way to Henley and Sawyer who are busy building a lighthouse out of Lego.
Kiara wants to smile at the three of them. She wants to join in as they build a town that looks a lot like Outer Banks. But her smile disappears when Sawyer picks up the Lego characters and sticks them onto a house that looks just like the chateau. Four characters. The four of them. JJ, Kiara, Henley and Sawyer. A family. Tears appear when Sawyer picks up the fifth character. A dog. Brownie. It makes Kiara looks down at a sleepy Brownie that is lying on the pull-out. Sawyer hugs the mini figurine before placing it with the rest of the family in the Lego chateau.
Guilt fills Kiara because at this moment, she feels like she is keeping a massive secret from the rest of her family. A secret about Brownie that will crash into them too soon to handle.
…
JJ Maybank has a five-year-old. Nobody would have thought that was even possible. But it is. JJ Maybank is a dad to not just a five-year-old but also a two-year-old. People would have laughed if they had heard that about JJ. Past JJ would have told them that they were lying because there is no way that somebody would let him become a dad. But here he is- with a family that will never run away from him.
And it is mostly because of Brownie.
Brownie the Spaniel that jumps around the storms to save the rest of the Pogues. Brownie the pup that doesn't listen when he is asked to and makes a mess when Kiara or JJ are cleaning up. He is the Pogue that they didn't see coming but Brownie still saved their lives and made sure that they stuck together to become a family.
Even the Pogues are obsessed with him. Sure, Brownie didn't have the best start with John B and Sarah. But Brownie only ever growled at John B and Sarah because they were having an argument with Kiara and JJ. And Brownie always sticks up for Kiara and JJ. Brownie has learnt to jump around John B and Sarah's feet until they give in and fuss his belly. And Brownie loves the kisses from their daughter Izabelle. Izabelle is just like Henley and Sawyer. Izabelle hangs off of Brownie's ears whilst she laughs and Brownie just lets her have fun. Pope used to think that Zoey would only go out with him if he bought Brownie along to their dates. That always made JJ laugh because it was as if the most educated Pogue all of a sudden believed in magic- that Brownie was the magic that let Pope win the girl.
But maybe Brownie is magic. He is able to put out the flames of a fight before they spiral out of control and burn down the entire chateau. Brownie finds the magic that can calm everything and keep JJ strong when everyone else seems to be falling apart.
Just looking at Brownie makes everything feel better. Like right now, after Henley asks JJ if she can have a boat and JJ doesn't want to break her by telling her the annoying truth that they can't afford a boat and they will probably never be able to afford a boat. But looking at Brownie, the boy that has been so sleepy as of late, JJ knows that he will find a way because everything will be alright. If Brownie is magic, that magic will find a way through to help Henley out.
"When I get my boat, me and my Pogues are going to find an island and we are going to find gold on the island and live happily ever after just like you and mommy. The boat will take us on our adventure and Brownie will be there to find the island with us." Henley mumbles on as JJ tucks her into her bed.
"Well, you're going to need to name the boat." JJ goes along with her adventurous stories.
"Okay. I will daddy. I will name the boat." Henley nods to herself as she lays down onto her bed. "I'll find the best name ever."
"Good." JJ laughs before taking for her door.
"Where's Brownie?" Henley frantically looks around the floor of her room. Brownie normally likes to stay by Henley or Sawyer's side. But he is not in the room. Strange.
"I don't know." JJ shrugs at her.
"He's just really sleepy, Henley." JJ turns to the door to see Kiara smiling into the room. Brownie really has been sleeping a lot lately.
They walk out of Henley's bedroom to see Brownie lying by the door, looking out onto the porch. JJ only laughs at how peaceful he looks. The normally hyperactive pup has found a corner to be peaceful in their hectic lives. Brownie is just as relaxed as the rest of the family, knowing that they have made it. They have been through the storm and made it out the other side alive. "We can't get her a boat, JJ."
"Yes. I will find a way." JJ turns to Kiara, knowing that he will have to make her see his way of looking at things.
"How?" Kiara puts her hands onto her hips, stubborn as ever.
"Maybe we could save up for her sixth birthday?" JJ just shrugs at her because he knows that he will need to find a way.
"Boats are expensive."
"I know but I can save the money up. I can do that for her. And we're not saving up for anything else at the moment."
"Are you sure about that?" Kiara looks past JJ, making JJ turn around to see that she is looking straight at the pup that is staring back, eyes half closed. "He's going to be expensive."
"What?" JJ asks, completely confused. Brownie could never be more expensive than he is already.
"JJ. Look at Brownie." JJ does. All he sees is the pup, relaxed and sleepy. "Vet bills are expensive." It's then that JJ catches onto her words.
"Brownie doesn't need a vet." JJ shakes his head frantically.
"JJ…"
"No Kie. Brownie doesn't need a vet." Brownie is fine. Brownie has always been fine.
Brownie will always be fine.
…
It's hard being the bad guy. Kiara hates it. But when it comes to JJ, Henley and Sawyer, she has no choice but be the bad guy. So, she has to see the reality of their family. The reality that is Brownie. But Kiara doesn't want to break them yet. So, she just goes on with the rest of the family when it comes to the naivety of the future. She decides to look the other way when Brownie falls asleep in the garden or when Brownie stiffly walks into the living area after his nap on the porch. Kiara ignores the signs of aging due to the fear of breaking the truth to the world.
But the truth remains evident. Because it only gets worse in the next few months. It gets to the point that Kiara doesn't know how to keep it together in front of everyone else.
"Brownie is just sleepy."
"Brownie can't come out to play together, he has a headache."
"Brownie wants to sleep in this room today because it is so comfortable."
Kiara feels herself rear closer to breaking point when it comes to finding ways to keep the truth from the never-ending questions from Henley and the 'why?' questions from the learning Sawyer. It gets harder and harder to keep herself from shouting out the truth and facing the reality of having a pet.
Everything boils over one day when JJ decides to tell Henley the secret recipe for Brownie's brownies. Henley and JJ spend hours in the kitchen mixing the ingredients together and working to make sure that they don't burn the house down. But Kiara doesn't want to get involved. Kiara sits in the next room and listens into their hard-work. Kiara hears the directions JJ gives Henley and how every time, Henley just replies "Check daddy!" Kiara listens to Henley mumbling a song whilst JJ hums along with her. Two people with the same mannerisms. She hears Sawyer's laughter as he laughs along with whatever funny adventure they are going on in the kitchen. But Kiara can't laugh with them. Because her eyes are glued to the old dog that is struggling to walk over to his water bowl.
It's not fair on any of them.
Brownie makes a mess as he slobbers all over the floor as he drinks up the water whilst sitting down to drink. Kiara can't take her eyes off of him, worried that he may fall down at any time. But he doesn't. Brownie just drinks his water before moving back to his spot on the pull-out and falling asleep painfully. The truth needs to come out. Kiara knows that it has to come out before it hurts Brownie too much.
The laughter from the kitchen contrasts the storm that is swirling in Kiara's head. Because it's not fair that she is the only one that sees what is going on with Brownie. It almost makes Kiara tear up at the sight of Brownie. Just a few months ago, Brownie would have been jumping around JJ's feet as he made the doggy brownies that Brownie has fallen in love with. Now, Brownie only stays in the living area, not really even understanding what is happening in the kitchen. Everything has changed for Brownie in the last few months and it seems that Kiara is the only one that notices.
And Kiara remains the only one that notices when Henley skips out of the kitchen holding one of the famous doggy brownies. "Brownie! I made you a brownie." Henley sings into the room. Brownie doesn't even look up to his name. "Here you go." Henley leans onto the pull-out and presses the brownie into the dog's nose. But Brownie still doesn't respond. When JJ joins them in the living area, Kiara just looks at him to see if he is finally seeing what she sees. But JJ just smiles at Henley and Brownie whilst holding Sawyer. That pure smile that Kiara is going to have to break. "He's not eating the brownie!" Henley cries out. Kiara thinks about waiting for JJ to say something, but he doesn't.
"Maybe Brownie isn't hungry." Kiara fills in.
"But he loves brownies."
"And maybe he's just waiting to eat it later."
"Yeah. Maybe." Henley scrunches her eyebrows together as she watches Brownie's slow blinking. It is as if Brownie is having a hard time even keeping his eyes open.
Kiara tries to remain positive. Because everyone else seems to find it easy. Positivity when it comes to Brownie. Kiara can do that. "Maybe he just needs to sleep it off." Kiara tries to make herself believe her own words. "We should go to the beach and let Brownie sleep it off, okay?" Sleep and alone time. Maybe that is all Brownie needs. Maybe he just needs a break from being Henley and Sawyer's play thing.
The beach is Kiara's way of ignoring the daunting future. Because if she is the only one that sees it, maybe it's just her own imagination. Kiara's imagination always has gone in directions that differ from the expected. Maybe that is all this is. Kiara's imagination taking flight and coming up with a way to try and reason for why Brownie is so tired. If there was anything seriously wrong with Brownie, she wouldn't be the only one to notice. So, she ignores her own mind and runs down the beach with Henley whilst JJ runs alongside her whilst holding Sawyer on his back. Family is key and Kiara won't break that apart with her irrational fears.
Henley spends the early evening running back and forth in the small waves. Because of course she is going to, she is going to be the best surfer in Outer Banks when she is older. Kiara is sure of that. Kiara watches as Sawyer plays in the sand with his eyes glued on his sister, laughing at her as Henley over-exaggerates falling into the water. "Man. We finally did it." JJ breathes out, plopping down to Kiara's position.
"What?" Kiara smiles at him.
"We finally made it." JJ motions over to their perfect children.
"They're the best."
"Of course, they are. They're ours." JJ laughs out.
"Yeah. Definitely." Kiara joins into his laughter, leaning into his touches.
Almost everything feels right in this moment. Almost. Because there is something missing that Kiara cannot ignore no matter how hard she tries. Because for the last eleven years, Brownie has been strong as he stands by Kiara as she watches the waves grow. And the feeling of guilt returns because what if Brownie never gets to come to the beach again? What if Kiara is right about Brownie? And, most importantly, what if she is hurting Brownie by keeping his secret from the world?
"We should probably talk about Brownie." Kiara breathes into JJ's neck.
"It's fine Kie. He just didn't feel like eating my brownies today. I don't hate him for that, you know?" JJ laughs. But this is not a joking matter. Kiara needs to make him see.
"It's not just the brownies though JJ."
"Brownie is just as determined as you are Kie. When he wants something, he will make sure to make us know it." JJ just shrugs, obviously trying to ignore this conversation. "Brownie will eventually want my brownies and I will not throw them away."
"Can you seriously not see it?" Kiara almost snaps, getting annoyed that she is the only one facing the reality. But JJ just looks at her, confusion filling his face. He doesn't get it. And he is forcing Kiara to tell him straight. "He's getting older JJ. He's not eating his food, he's sleeping all hours of the day, he's aching and not running around like he usually does. I can't be the only one seeing this."
Her words only make JJ shuffle away from her as his eyes remain glued on the waves. But Kiara can't stop now. "He's old, JJ. And I don't know what to do if you keep acting like everything is fine with him." JJ only shuffles further away, before standing to his feet entirely. He stutters up, avoiding Kiara's eyes completely.
"I'm going to see if Sawyer's okay." JJ stutters out, making Kiara roll her eyes.
"Did you not hear what I just said?"
"I just… I just need to see if Sawyer's okay." Kiara can't get another word in as she watches JJ run down the beach towards their two children.
Hours go by but Kiara finds herself playing with the kids or laughing along to JJ's idiocies instead of diving into her own brain to see what is the other side. Kiara doesn't bring up Brownie again. She doesn't bring him up out of fear of how JJ will react. Maybe JJ isn't as oblivious as Kiara believes. Maybe JJ really does see everything that Kiara sees but will not believe the words. Because the words hurt too much for them to be said aloud. And Kiara is okay with JJ ignoring the words. The words are painful and they are words that can wait a little longer before being said to the world.
Henley and Sawyer are fast asleep when they decide to go back to the chateau. JJ carries their daughter whilst Kiara has the easier job of carrying Sawyer. But saying that, Sawyer still remains squirmy as he sleeps in her arms. JJ and Kiara hush each other as they smile down at their heavy sleepers when they walk into the chateau.
Only a few months ago, JJ and Kiara would come home to Brownie running to their feet to greet his parents at the door. But on this night, Brownie remains sat down, drinking from his water bowl. It's then that Kiara is sure that Brownie doesn't even hear them. Brownie doesn't hear them as JJ whispers his name into the room. Brownie just keeps drinking from his bowl. "Shit." JJ whispers a little in front of Kiara. Kiara just cringes as she looks down at Sawyer to make sure that the boy in his arms is still asleep. Thankfully, Sawyer remains asleep.
"What is it?" Kiara whispers after JJ.
"Mind where you're stepping, it's wet here."
Brownie.
Kiara walks around the puddle and has to hold back the sudden need to cry because it's just another sign for Kiara. Another sign of Brownie getting older. It's something that they cannot avoid. But now, Brownie can't even control himself to make sure that he goes outside. Brownie has no control over himself at all.
And it's not fair on Brownie. Because if there is a problem, waiting it out will only cause more pain for the pup. Kiara has to face her fears in order to make sure that she is not hurting him further. Kiara and JJ make Brownie move into the garden to try and get him to go to the toilet outside. But all Brownie wants to do is sit down and ignore Kiara and JJ. It's nearly time. And it's time for JJ to stop ignoring the inevitable. "JJ."
"He already went to the toilet inside Kie, he probably doesn't need to go now." JJ murmurs into the hot summer sky.
"JJ you know what this is!" Kiara doesn't mean to yell. But she needs to get through to him. She needs this because Brownie deserves this. "We need to do what is right for Brownie."
"Brownie is fine, Kie."
"No, he's not, JJ! Oh my god, open your eyes and fucking look at him. Brownie is not fine anymore." JJ knits his eyebrows together and keeps watching Brownie.
"It's not his time yet." He just shakes his head frantically.
"JJ…"
"He's just having an off day. And we all deserve an off day." A harsh laugh escapes JJ as Kiara notices his eyes begin to glass over.
"Please JJ. I can't play the bad guy any longer." Kiara tries to step forward to show JJ that they are in this together.
"He's not ready to go yet!" JJ screeches out, a tear falling down JJ's cheek as he looks up to see Kiara. "No. No. Brownie will be jumping around the room all over again tomorrow. Just you wait and see."
"He's in pain."
It's then that Brownie painfully moves towards Kiara and JJ, almost as if he senses his own name. But JJ keeps shaking his head, looking anywhere to try and fight back the tears. Brownie brushes up against them, making them move to stroke his head. "He's got to be okay." JJ breathes out, uncontrollably crying into the silence. "He's got to be okay because we all are going to be okay."
"We are all going to be okay, JJ. But Brownie is dying." There it is. The truth that Kiara has been avoiding saying. The truth that Kiara can't ignore forever because Brownie doesn't have forever. Kiara hears JJ hiccup through his tears and she knows she is getting to him. Probably breaking him down completely. But it has to be done.
"No! He's not dying. He can't be dying. He can't be going. He… he… he can't." JJ struggles to speak past his tears. It makes Kiara wrap her arms around him tightly and let him cry into her hair. His tears only set her own off. She tries to cry silently- to remain the strong one for the first time in eleven years. But neither of them can hold it back. "He can't be dying." JJ squeaks out against her shoulder.
"I know. I know." Kiara runs her hand through his head, making him pull her closer as if she is the only thing keeping him from falling over. She needs to be strong for JJ. "But."
"Stop saying it Kie!" JJ pushes her back slightly before leaning down to give his full attention to Brownie. "Just… it… it's not time yet. It's not Brownie's time yet!" JJ hugs the pup in front of him and cries into his fur. And for the first time, Brownie can't find the light for JJ and Kiara. Because they are going to have to face this battle without him. Kiara goes to their level and hugs the pup as well. It's just JJ and Kiara in this now and they are going to have to find a way to deal with this together.
It's a night filled with tears as Kiara and JJ just lay on their bed with Brownie in the middle. Kiara listens to JJ's tears but doesn't say anything further. Kiara tries to soothe JJ by fluttering her hand up and down his arm but his hiccups keep coming. JJ hugs Brownie for the entire night and Kiara just watches him until sleep finally takes them both.
…
Brownie is the light at the end of the tunnel. Sure, Kiara was the one that had found him during the storm four months after John B and Sarah disappeared, but Brownie made JJ see that the world isn't still filled with darkness. That JJ's life matters and that he did have the ability to not fuck everything up. Brownie made JJ strong.
It's why Kiara's words open JJ's emotions completely. Because of course JJ has noticed that Brownie has gotten slower- that Brownie no longer jumps around like the puppy he used to be. But the reality is that JJ doesn't know how handle losing Brownie. Because how can JJ handle losing one of the only things that keeps him strong? So, JJ ignores his thoughts and tries to quickly change the conversation when Brownie comes up. Because JJ cannot face the truth. Not when the truth is too painful to think about.
But the truth does come out and JJ finds it even harder to ignore. He cries when the words come out of Kiara's mouth. He just cries louder than he has ever cried before. And Kiara just lets him cry. JJ doesn't stop crying that night.
For the next couple of days, JJ ignores Kiara's words- trying to find any light that shows that it is not time for Brownie. Brownie cannot be dying when life has finally started to make sense for JJ and Kiara. They have their family and they can't lose Brownie now. So, JJ ignores every hint that Brownie is there. JJ has to remain the optimist in this situation and just shrug for the times that Henley asks why Brownie is getting slower. Being strong never used to come easy to JJ. That is, until Brownie. Brownie made it obvious to JJ that if he remained strong, the world will somehow make sense.
Maybe it has been Brownie all along. Maybe JJ has only been able to not get scared because Brownie shows him that life is important. Maybe Brownie is the one that showed JJ what it meant to have a family- what it meant to belong to someone and make a home that is safe and secure.
Not even JJ can ignore the truth forever.
JJ is at work when the truth comes smashing into reality. JJ is at work when Kiara calls him, her frantic voice breaking through him. And JJ cannot control himself. JJ wonders if he is about to fall to the ground and not be able to move. JJ wonders if he will ever be able to be strong again. Because Kiara's words are not expected. Even if JJ has started to understand the truth. "Brownie is missing." Kiara cries through the phone.
He runs back to the chateau that day, completely forgetting about his job. Completely forgetting about everything other than his family. His family is more important than any job and Brownie is also his family. And he is missing. As soon as he sees Kiara, she launches herself into his arms. Her tears wet through his t-shirt but JJ doesn't care. Because Brownie is missing. "I was… I was at the… the beach with Sarah and the kids and then… and then I came back but Brownie wasn't here. Brownie's not here." Kiara hiccups out. She holds him tight and cries into him all whilst JJ tries to work things out.
Brownie has never disappeared before. Never. Kiara keeps crying whilst JJ looks around the grass to see if Brownie has just gone to lay down nearby. But no success. "Where is Sawyer and Henley?" JJ whispers to Kiara, trying to keep his calm for Kiara.
"With Sarah."
"Okay. We'll find him." Optimism. That is all JJ needs.
The sun is scorching down as Kiara sniffles around the grass whilst JJ looks around, still trying to work out what is going on. Because Brownie doesn't run away. And then all of a sudden, he is gone with no reason other than he is getting older. Both JJ and Kiara call his name into the emptiness of the outdoors. But Brownie doesn't listen. Thoughts fills JJ's mind, thoughts that he wants to keep away. What if Brownie never comes back? What if he is gone forever? What will Henley and Sawyer think? No. JJ needs to stay positive.
JJ keeps looking around the porch and onto the garden, calling Brownie's name frantically. Because he needs to be here somewhere. He needs to still be at the chateau. "Brownie!" JJ shouts out, willing himself to keep looking and not give up. JJ cannot give up today. JJ walks to the stairs of the porch before feeling his eyes begin to sting, tears inevitably appearing.
A small whimper makes JJ jump. It makes him look around the porch before hearing the whimper again. This time, JJ is quick to realise where the whimpering is coming from. JJ leans down to look under the stairs of the porch. And there he is. Brownie lays under the stairs, scrunched into a ball with his head against the wall. Brownie's eyes flicker whilst JJ's tears create a river down his cheeks. "Kie!" JJ calls out to a frantic Kiara. Kiara quickly runs over and kneels down next to JJ.
"Is he stuck?" Kiara breathes out.
"I don't know." He clears his throat before stretching his hand out to try and motion for Brownie to come closer. "Come here, Brownie." But Brownie doesn't move closer. Brownie just moves to lay completely down, leaning his head onto the floor. "I don't think he's stuck, Kie."
"No." JJ hears Kiara take a deep breath before moving even closer, assessing the pup in front of them. "What do we do, JJ?" Kiara cries out.
"He's in pain." The truth comes out of JJ's mouth, making his tears flood his eyes. Because it's unfair on Brownie. JJ needs to see the truth and stay strong for Brownie this time. "It's time isn't it?" JJ turns to look at Kiara's glassed eyes.
"It's time." Kiara leans her hand against his cheek, drying the tears away.
With that, Brownie moves out of his hiding spot and lays at their feet. His eyes are soft as they keep flickering. They have to do what is best for Brownie. And the truth is daunting.
It's time for them to face reality.