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"She looks beautiful, mate," Alfie said from beside him. Jerome smiled, nodding. Mara walked down the aisle in a beautiful white gown, her hair was crimped slightly, eyes shining brightly.

"I know," he choked out.

…

"Is there anyone here, who believes these two shall not be wed?"

There was silence in the large room.

"Well the-"

"I do!" everyone turned at the voice, and there stood…Ralph "I love you Mara, and I know you love me too."

Everyone gasped, Jerome turned to look at Mara, shocked

"Mara?"

"I….I…."

20 YEARS LATER

"Ralph passed away one year ago today," she whispered to the man she hadn't seen in 20 years. Jerome nodded, hands clasped behind his back

"I'm sorry for your loss, Mrs Parton."

"My name is Mara and I know you are. And I'm sorry for…Everything,"

Jerome said nothing, reading the tomb stone.

Ralph Parton

Beloved Husband, who will be dearly missed

"You really loved him didn't you?" Jerome turned to her, and it didn't help that the years had been kind to her. She was every bit as beautiful as he remembered.

"I still do. Jerome, you forgive me for everything, don't you?" she seemed genuinely worried

"I do. I just don-don't understand. We were so happy." Mara reached forward and placed a reassuring hand on his arm

"I know, but this was meant to be,"

"Meant to be?"

"Jerome?" Mara knocked on his door "Jerome! Wake up! We have morning classes!"

Jerome turned uncomfortably in his bed. Mara walked in and he sat upright, covered in a light sheen of sweat

"Are you okay?" Mara asked, cocking her head to the side slightly

"I'm fine," Jerome breathed "Bad dream,"

"Oh," Mara went to sit beside him on the bed "Wanna talk about?"

"Absolutely not."

"Okay, are you going to morning classes today, or are you 'ill'?"

"I'm coming," she smiled, kissing him lightly on the cheek. He watched her walk out, remembering the dream with a grim feeling. "Just a dream," he reminded himself "Just. A. Dream."

Line Break

"And therefore, we can achieve the answer, everyone understand?" the teacher asked. Everyone in the class nodded. Jerome turned to look at Mara; she was nodding at the board, furiously scribbling notes down. He watched her jaw line, following it down to her neck, then lower.

She was so beautiful.

"Jerome, are you okay?" she turned to him, eyes still focused on the work

"Never better," he smiled at her, turning away, only to meet Ralph's eyes.

"You okay man?" Ralph asked, smiling, placing a hand on Jerome's shoulder. Jerome resisted the urge to shake it off.

"Fine." Jerome answered shortly. Ralph was beginning to take a turn for the worse in his mind. First the gun, now the dream. Okay, fine, dreams didn't mean anything. But-

Jerome felt his phone vibrate in his pocket. He slid it out and answered, sliding beneath the desk. Mara turned to look at him, then rolled her eyes. It was a Jerome thing.

"Hello?" he answered quietly

"Jerome, are you busy?" Eddie's voice ran loudly in his ears

"No, what's up?"

"The holiday is in one week. You all ready?"

"Yeah, why are you calling?"

"Patricia wouldn't," he answered as if it were obvious

"Yeah, but Nina's here-"

"Go to go,"

The phone went dead. Jerome peered at it curiously for a second. Before sliding back into his seat

"Mara," Jerome whispered in a low voice

"What?"

"I don't want you anywhere near Ralph."

"Why?" Mara turned to him, genuinely confused now

"Just…please," he looked into her eyes. Mara nodded

"Sure,"

Line Break

"Kiss me," Mara whispered, sat on her bed, Jerome sat in front of her, on his knees. He leaned forward, kissing her once, lightly on the lips. "Your lips taste of…marsh mellows," she smiled. Her eyes were closed. Jerome kissed her again

"Mara, are we going to get married?"

"Yes, I love you,"

Jerome licked his lips once "Do you know Ralph?"

Mara's eyes fluttered open "The one you told me to stay away from?" Jerome nodded "Not really, why?"

"I think he knows you,"

"Knows me?"

"Yeah. His names is Ralph Parton,"

"Ralph Parton," she whispered to herself, frowning "It's…familiar."

"Yeah?"

"Yeah…He.." she stopped, eyes widening "Wait." She got her laptop out and searched his name. "Ralph Parton," she read "I thought so,"

"What?" Jerome asked eagerly

"Ralph Parton was arrested in 2009 for killing his step father. Apparently his step father was abusive and Ralph served 3 years."

"He was a killer?"

"Self defence,"

Jerome and Mara met each other's nervous eyes "You know…" Mara began "Rumour has it he carries a gun,"

"I heard that too." Jerome said quickly

"You're his friend."

"I can't believe this," Jerome stood, heading for the door

"Don't make him angry!" Mara jumped up, standing in front of the door "You can't make him angry!"

"Why not?" Jerome asked stupidly

"Because he could shoot you!" Mara exclaimed "You can't ju-"

"I have a gun." Jerome answered. Mara stared at him wide eyed

"You what?" she asked angrily. Jerome looked at her

"I have a gun," he picked her up and moved her easily out of the way walking into his room. Mara followed, standing in the door way as he lifted a shoe box out from his locked cupboard draw and took out a silver gun.

"Oh my god." Mara couldn't move, she was frozen.

"What?" Jerome turned towards her, gun in hand. He saw her fear "Mara, a-are you scared of me with this?" he waved it in his hands slightly

"Put it down." Mara said in the low voice, stepping back slightly

"It's just gun,"

"I said put it down!" she nearly screamed. Jerome watched her unsure, stepping closer, gun still in hand "Jerome!" she cried, eyes tearing up "I said put it down!"

"It's just a gun," he explained softly, so confused

"Normal people don't carry guns around!"

"It's for protection-"

"I don't care!" she shook her head, tears now falling. Jerome threw the gun on the bed, hands up in surrender

"There!" he asked, confusion obvious on his face "What's the big deal?"

"Oh my god," Mara said again, staring at him in horror "H-have you ever used that?"

"What? No, Mara I swear," he came towards her again, but she stepped back

"Then why do you have it?" she cried

"I just…"

"Oh, you just?" Mara cried, her look was one of disgust, and Jerome's heart fell.

"No, Mara…don't," he whispered brokenly, torn.

"I…I have to find Fabian," she lied, turning, Jerome leaned forward quickly, grasping her hand "Don't touch me!" she hissed, pulling her hand away as if it had been burned

"I don't understand." He studied her carefully, it was just a gun. Just an object. How could she care so much?

"You are your father's son, aren't you?" she whispered harshly. But it was the fear talking not her. Jerome's eyes widened

"You think I'm a killer?" he spat out. Mara turned and left. Jerome stared after her.

And Ralph smiled from outside the window.

Hey I know, a little depressing, but I'm JARA all the way!

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