I'll Come Running - R.C. - Chapter 25

I'll Come Running - R.C. - Chapter 25

Jessie got off the plane, somehow hoping to see Rafe there. She knew it would be impossible. He didn't even know where she lived. She quickly put the thought out of her head.

Jessie hailed a cab and actually felt a new excitement as she thought about seeing her daughter again. It had barely been a week and yet it felt like a lifetime. The texts and calls and pictures from Mama and Tom were great, but nothing compared to being with Charlotte face to face. Jessie couldn't wait to see her.

What felt like hours later and Jessie was finally back at her apartment complex. She figured she better stop at her apartment first and put away her luggage before she grabbed Charlotte. As excited as she was to see her, she knew it'd be easier.

As Jessie turned the key to the ugly wooden door, she couldn't help but wish once again that Rafe would somehow come running down that hall yelling her name. She was beginning to annoy herself with those thoughts, would she ever just let it go? She wasn't so sure this time.

Jessie sighed and shook her head, trying to forget. She turned the key and walked through her door and immediately put her luggage by the door, feeling mentally and physically exhausted. She was about to take the first step to her bedroom upstairs when the sight before her stunned her.

"Rafe?" Jessie whispered with wide eyes and deep confusion. There stood Rafe, clad in a black polo shirt and jeans sitting at her small wooden dining room table playing with the ring she remembered so well. He looked up at her with a calm in his eyes she hadn't seen in years. He looked laser focused, and not out of chaos. He seemed very sober minded. Rafe looked at Jessie dead on with remorse evident in his face. He got up from the table and slowly walked to Jessie, trying to keep himself together. Jessie was doing the same.

"I heard your conversation with JJ the other night. I was going to come talk to you but just ended up listening through the door. It wasn't easy but I found you... it helped that I could legally prove that I was your husband." Rafe chuckled. Jessie couldn't help but return the joke with a slight laugh despite her confusion.

"I already lost you once because I couldn't get my shit together." Rafe hummed as he took Jessie's hands in his and held them gently. "And I swore to myself that if I ever got another chance to be with you... if I ever even saw you again that I would get clean." Rafe sniffled as his lips quivered. Jessie could tell this was hard for Rafe, as his eyes were clearly searching for reassurance. Jessie wiped his tears to show him she was there and she was listening intently... and she believed him.

Rafe looked down to collect his thoughts. "The moment you walked into that house in the Bahamas I didn't touch anymore coke. And even after you left I couldn't bring myself to break that promise. I'll be damned if I let you get away again, Jess." Rafe reiterated through tears.

"I can't lose you again. I love you too much." Rafe finally choked out through sobs. Jessie had tears rolling down her face at this point as well. All she could do was take Rafe's face in her hands with as much tender love and care as she could convey.

"I love you too, Rafe. I never stopped." Jessie replied.

"One of my biggest regrets is that I never got to tell you this before you left but... Jessie, I'm sorry." Rafe said as he played with the skin of his lips. Jessie couldn't control her cries as she brought his face closer to hers.

"I'm sorry too, Rafe."

Rafe and Jessie both stood in each others embrace, sobbing into the other knowing that everything was going to be okay. Rafe finally grabbed Jessie's face and pulled her in for a kiss they had both been longing for, their lips moving in perfect sync. Jessie could feel that this time was different. She couldn't deny her need for Rafe any more. If the last twenty four hours of clear misery wasn't enough, this sure was to convince her she could no longer do this life without Rafe.

Rafe and Jessie stood in a comfortable silence for a few minutes to pull themselves together, whispering sweet nothings to each other and holding each other as if they were afraid the other would disappear.

Jessie finally spoke up. "I need to go get Charley." Jessie whispered, never breaking eye contact with Rafe. "I'll get her myself and bring her to you so I have time to explain some things."

Rafe just smiled. "Charley? I've never heard you call her that."

"Yeah, well, that's what she goes by unless she's in trouble." Jessie joked. Rafe loved the sound of his daughter's name, he couldn't have picked a better one if he tried. She was already so precious to him.

"So who was she staying with this whole time?" Rafe asked, inquisitive about who was worthy enough to take care of his daughter. He secretly hoped they were good people that had kept her safe and sound, but he didn't doubt Jessie's ability to find the best sitter possible.

"Some friends of mine, really they're like family. Their names are Maci and Tom but Charley calls them Mimi and PopPop." Jessie said with a smile as she walked towards the door. "I met them through the Manhattan Mayhem. They're kind of like the cofounders of it."

Rafe just looked puzzled. What was a Manhattan Mayhem? It sounded scary.

Jessie sighed and looked down. "I guess you didn't hear that part of the conversation the other night with JJ?"

Rafe just nodded his head no.

"No, as soon as I heard where you lived I just went back to my room to try and figure out how I was going to beat you back to wherever you were staying. Manhattan isn't exactly Kildare." Rafe chuckled with a half smile trying to lighten the mood.

"Right, well, uh, the Manhattan Mayhem is kind of a... biker group that I'm apart of." Jessie said sheepishly, trying to gauge Rafe's reaction. Rafe just stood there with the wheels turning in his head.

"What like a gang?" Rafe asked seriously.

"Yeah... pretty much." Jessie admitted as she lightly threw her hands up in the air with a guilty smile that Rafe couldn't help but love. Jessie began to walk forward towards Rafe.

"They were really the only people that took me in when I got here. They treated me like family from the moment they met me. They gave me a job, babysitting whenever I needed..." Jessie answered with a much more serious tone in her voice. Rafe met Jessie in the middle of the room and grabbed her shoulder assuredly.

"I'm sure they're great. You're a great judge of character." Rafe assured. He really did believe Jessie's words. He knew she wouldn't leave their child with just anyone. And besides, Jessie was right, she had to find family and friends somehow when she moved, and if that was the group she found then so be it. Rafe was happy Jessie got plugged in to a group so supportive.

As Jessie made her way downstairs her smile only grew bigger. She couldn't believe she was about to have a shot at the family she always dreamed of, it almost brought her to tears.

Jessie knocked on the door she remembered so well, only to be met by Mama and Tom opening up the door.

"Well hey, doll!" Mama exclaimed as she pulled Jessie in for a hug with a beaming smile on her face. "We are so glad to see your pretty face!"

"Mommy!" Jessie heard the familiar voice scream as she looked past Mama to see Charley running up with Tom following close behind her. Jessie immediately bent down to graciously accept the bear hug she so desperately needed.

"Hi baby!" Jessie said as her eyes brimmed with tears of joy. That hug was long awaited and not long enough for Jessie. She couldn't wait to snuggle with Charley and hear all about her stay with Mama and Tom. She knew Charley always had the best time and they always spoiled her rotten.

"What is all over that face?!" Jessie joked as she pointed at the chocolate mustache Charley was dawning.

"You know PopPop can never say no to come ice cream." Mama answered with a laugh. Jessie couldn't have cared less. The smile on Charley's face was all the confirmation she needed that she was safe and sound, and that's all that mattered to Jessie.

"Thank you so much for keeping her. I know she had a blast." Jessie replied as she stood up with Charley on her hip.

"It's no problem honey, anytime." Mama smiled as she looked up at Tom, who had made his way behind her. Jessie could tell they both wanted to ask questions.

"So..." Tom started, giving Jessie a knowing look as if he was about to open up a can of worms. "Did you get... everything straightened out?" Tom asked. His face was curious, but Jessie knew they only asked questions because they cared about her. She didn't mind at all.

Jessie just giggled. "Yep, I had to go help my little brother get out of trouble. You know how it goes."

Mama and Tom both nodded their heads and laughed. "Oh yes, baby. Duty calls!" Mama responded with a smile.

With luggage packed and hugs exchanged, Jessie and Charley walked out of the door and back to their apartment upstairs.

"Baby, I need to talk to you about something." Jessie stopped in their hallway and stepped down to look at sweet Charlotte in her eyes. Jessie knew Charlotte wouldn't be able to completely understand, which in a way made this easier in the long run. Jessie appreciated the fact that she wouldn't necessarily have to reteach Charley anything, only helping her learn a new dynamic.

"There's a nice man back at our house, his name is... daddy." Jessie paused as she said that sentence, and then it hit her. He wasn't Rafe to Charlotte, he was her father. Charlotte had no clue what a father even was. But then again, Jessie figured that maybe that was a good thing that she had such limited understanding of such a complex concept. After all, it's not like she would've remembered her father even if he was there from the beginning. "He wants to be your friend just like PopPop. He'll play your favorite games, he'll make your favorite food, and he loves mommy very much, and mommy loves him very much."

Charley just nodded with an unknowing smile on her face. Thats all Jessie could ask for, that Charley understand the basics. She knew it wouldn't be easy, but the three of them would adjust. Ah, the three of them... just the thought of that made Jessie giddy. She had dreamed of the three of them for what felt like forever.

Jessie finally stood back up, put Charlotte on her hip and walked down the hall.

The truth is, as nervous as Jessie was for Charley to meet Rafe, it simply failed in comparison to how nervous Rafe was to meet his daughter. He sat on the couch with his head resting on his fists, leg shaking and an intense look of serious thought all over his face. Rafe swore he could physically feel his heart skipping a beat. What if Charley didn't like him? What if he wasn't a good father? What if Jessie didn't like the way he parented? He felt he had so much to prove and so little time to prepare for it. He was finally pulled out of his thoughts when he heard the doorknob turn. Here we go. Rafe took a deep breath and stood up, immediately clearing his throat and fixing his shirt as if he was meeting his prom date for the first time.

Rafe saw the most beautiful little girl come through that door, with eyes like diamonds and beautiful brown hair. Rafe admired how Charley managed to have a perfect mix of both him and Jessie in her... she truly was the most beautiful girl he'd ever seen, aside from Jessie of course.

As Jessie began to walk towards Rafe with Charley in tow she realized Rafe was welling up with tears. Rafe was biting his lip, clearly trying not to sob uncontrollably. Rafe really didn't expect this heavy of emotion to overcome him, but the second he found out about his daughter he longed to be with her, and felt like a part of him was missing. He finally found that missing piece. More than that, seeing his beautiful Jessie holding their daughter made him realize his whole world was right in that living room. No more drugs, no more treasure hunting, no more running.

Rafe in his nerves wasn't quite sure what was acceptable. Did he hold his hands out to invite Charlotte in? Did he say something to her? To Jessie? Luckily, Jessie knew just what to do. She set Charley down on the ground and Rafe took the queue. He followed by kneeling down to the same level and looking at Charley with a smile.

Jessie wasn't sure if she should intervene either, but she sure did melt when she saw Rafe's reaction. He was smitten already. Like any three year old, Charley hid behind her mom because of the strange man in their apartment. She wasn't scared, just unsure.

Jessie and Rafe both laughed as they watched Charley cling to her mother's leg and eye Rafe up and down. She was curious, and that was a good thing. 

"Charley, this is the nice man I just told you about... this is daddy." Jessie explained in a soft tone as she walked closer to Rafe. Jessie once again crouched down with Rafe so Charley would feel more comfortable with the both of them. Rafe waved sheepishly with a smile on his face.

"Hi Charley!" Rafe said simply with an innocent little wave.

Charley looked at the both of them sitting there with smiles on their faces. She looked at her mom, then at her dad, then back at her mom as if she was looking for reassurance. Jessie found it kinda funny, as she could see the wheels turning in her head the same way that Rafe's does.

"She's curious like her mother." Rafe joked with a sniffle.

"But cautious like her father." Jessie joked back.

The banter back and forth was enough to convince Charley at least for a moment that Rafe was safe. Charley took a few steps over to Rafe before giving him a gentle hug and laying her head on his chest.

Rafe melted into that hug, as if he had been waiting his whole life to feel that amount of pure love and innocence. This was his daughter, the daughter whom he wanted to protect and love forever. Rafe hugged Charley back with just as much enthusiasm. His arms were so long they could've wrapped around Charley twice, she already loved getting lost in his arms. Rafe wouldn't dare break away, letting Charley stay there as long as she wanted.

Rafe extended an arm to pull Jessie in as well, savoring the moment he had to hold his girls.

I'll Come Running - R.C. - Chapter 23

Jessie didn't get much sleep last night, but she knew she would have to get up to make her flight, so she did just that. As she got ready and packed up her stuff she wondered what Rafe was thinking. Would he even say goodbye? Jessie knew better than to get her hopes up on that one. She would just be setting herself up for disappointment.

Jessie texted everyone to let them know that she would be flying home that day. After everyone was updated, she finally made her way out of her room. Although, the fear of impending doom almost kept her from leaving. She felt that Rafe was so mad that night that if she stuck her head out of her door she would see flaming arrows shooting down the hall. Despite the fear, she managed to make her way through the hall and down the long flight of stairs. The stairs felt like it took hours for her to reach the bottom, mainly due to her racing thoughts as she didn't see Rafe waiting for her. She didn't really expect him to be there, and yet it hurt her still.

Jessie stood awkwardly in the entry way, waiting for her cab to arrive. She looked around the beautiful house one last time, wondering if she was making the right decision. Maybe she should stay? After all, she didn't technically have the money yet. When would she be getting that? Is the deal off now that Rafe is pissed? Jessie felt she left too many questions unanswered, but she was suddenly pulled out of her train wreck of thoughts when she heard footsteps.

Rafe stomped in the entry way, two duffel bags in hand and not a trace of a smile or even a glance in his wife's direction. He plopped the heavy bags onto the large entry way table rather carelessly. He clearly seemed annoyed and a little angry. He wiped his nose and cleared his throat as he put his hands on his hips and looked anywhere except for Jessie's eyes.

"200 mil. Cash. Just like you wanted. I've called TSA. They won't have any questions for you when you run those through at the airport." Rafe plainly said. Jessie could tell he wanted to leave the room right after he said that, yet his body didn't seem to move. Rafe felt as if his body was planted right where he stood. Why couldn't he just let go already?

Jessie stood there with shame as she clutched onto her luggage even tighter. She dipped her head down looking at her dirty white converse and then back up at Rafe with guilty eyes.

"Thank you." Was all she could muster. "I-I have something to give you too."

Rafe was confused, what could Jessie possibly have to give him? He watched as Jessie reached in her shorts pocket. She pulled out a beautiful silver ring with a thin band of square diamonds and one large four prong princess cut on the top. Rafe recognized it immediately. It was the ring he gave Jessie a couple weeks after they had gotten married. Where Rafe got it from, Jessie never knew. However, Rafe couldn't forget.

***

"Yeah, come in here I've got something very special." Rafe persuaded a young lady with long blonde hair to come downstairs at a party at Toppers house. Jessie wasn't there of course, she hated kook parties. Rafe took this opportunity to push more product to get more money for himself and Jessie. At least that's what he told himself.

Rafe sat down on the basement couch as he displayed what he had to the potential buyer. The girl seemed oddly flirty with Rafe but he was clearly not interested, despite all the drugs and alcohol in his system, he was very aware that she wasn't his Jessie. He remained professional.

"I don't have any money." The young lady said as she leaned a little closer to Rafe and started rubbing his back. "Think you could spare me? Just this once?" She flirted. Rafe sat there motionless, all of a sudden he noticed the blazing silver rock on her finger.

"That ring looks pretty nice." Rafe smirked. "That should cover it."

The girl scoffed. "As if." She said as she clung to her ring clearly with disgust on her face.

"This is business, sweetheart. Either you want it or you don't." Rafe simply stated with a half smile. He was making too much money off of everyone tonight to care.

After a moment of pause the girl finally made up her mind, slipping the ring off her finger and handing it to Rafe.

"Have as much as you want all night." Rafe replied as he walked off.

"She overpaid." Rafe laughed with Barry as he exited up the stairs.

Rafe was leaving the party as he took the ring out of his pocket, admiring its beauty. As he sat up against his bike he couldn't help but think that Jessie deserved a ring like this. Ah, Jessie! Perfect! Rafe considered trading the ring in to see how much money he would get out of it, but why do that when he could just give it to her tonight? He knew she would love it, as long as she didn't know where he got it from.

With Rafe being so excited to finally put a real ring on Jessie's finger, he drove right over to her house, hoping she would be as excited as he was.

He knocked on Jessie's window like he always did. He really had hopes on spending the night at her house anyways. Jessie appeared shortly after with a smile on her face to let Rafe in.

"Hey!" Rafe said as he planted a kiss on Jessie's lips.

"Hey babe, what's got you so happy?" She asked apprehensively. Rafe just held Jessie in his arms as he looked at her and exhaled.

"I have something for you... it's a present." Rafe said with a childlike innocence.

"Oh yeah?" Jessie played along.

"Yeah... close your eyes." Rafe whispered. Jessie giggled a little, finding it funny and cute that Rafe made a little game out of whatever this was. She fully expected her favorite candy or something, but then she felt Rafe take her left hand and she felt a ring slide on her finger. She knew immediately and instinctively opened her eyes. Jessie looked down and gasped.

"Oh my gosh, Rafe! I-It's beautiful!" Jessie beamed. "H-How did you? Wha-? Did you kill someone for this or?"

Rafe just laughed and held Jessie closer. "Of course not, babe. I promise." Rafe answered as he put his hand over his heart.

"How did you get this?" Jessie couldn't let that question go unanswered. "I mean it's... it's huge!"

"Don't worry about it." Was all Rafe said with a smirk on his face. Jessie's face contorted to a sincere look of concern.

"You really didn't kill someone for this did you?" Jessie asked with a serious tone in her voice.

"No I didn't! I promise baby!" Rafe replied through laughter. Jessie believed him. For the first time in weeks it seemed like Rafe was actually clear headed, not mumbling and not strung out on coke. It felt nice, and Jessie didn't want to ask too many questions. She'd rather just enjoy the moment.

After Jessie stopped gawking at the rock on her left hand, she took Rafe's face in her hands and kissed him gently and yet with so much passion. She pulled away and connected her forehead to his.

"Thank you." Jessie whispered sincerely.

Rafe could tell she was truly grateful, and Jessie could tell that Rafe felt fulfilled by doing this for her.

***

Rafe took the ring from Jessie's hand and just admired it.

"Y-you kept it? After all these years... you kept it?" Rafe asked with his eyes brimming with tears.

Jessie just shrugged. "I'm your wife." She said plainly as if it was obvious. That's not the reason Jessie kept the ring, and she knew that. Deep down, she kept the ring because she felt it was her only connection to Rafe all these years.

Rafe wanted to say so much more, starting with the fact that Jessie needed to stop looking at him like that. He couldn't be upset when she looked like she wanted to cry and fall into his arms. It took everything in him to simply nod and walk out of the room, the ring getting lost in his fist.

And with that, Jessie realized that it really was the end. Rafe really wasn't going to fight for Jessie anymore, and she really wasn't going to fight for him. But the mission was complete right? Jessie thought she should be happy considering that's exactly what she came here for. She swore she wouldn't get involved past that... but here she was.

Jessie sighed and walked out of the house, having the concierge help her with her two new bags. She was then whisked away to the airport.

Rafe watched secretly from a kitchen window as the car drove away, a single tear rolling down his numbed face. He couldn't believe it. After years of dreaming of having Jessie back in his grasp, he blew it. No- she blew it. This was her fault. Rafe wondered if she meant what she said about the money. Was she really not taking any of it? Did she really mean it when she said that it turned into something more?

Rafe still wanted to ask many more questions about his daughter. When's her birthday? What did she look like? Does she know anything about her father? Rafe couldn't handle all the unanswered questions in his head. He shook his head as his lips quivered. He then put his hands on his head and began to hit himself repeatedly out of frustration. He couldn't believe he just let her go like that... and his daughter. That idea was still hard for him to wrap his head around, and yet despite the fact that he'd never even met Charlotte— didn't even know what she looked like— he couldn't help but feel like he was abandoning her by letting her mother slip away.

Rafe couldn't handle his own brain, he knew what he would've done in this situation before Jessie entered back into the picture... but Jessie wasn't here anymore.

Rafe rushed straight to his room and to his bedside table for that coveted bag of white powder. He stared at it for a moment, with tear soaked eyes, contemplating if he really wanted to do this or not. Of course he did. He may have promised himself years ago to quit if he ever had a shot at Jessie again, but that ship has sailed, and Jessie was the captain once again.

Rafe began to form a little white line that he was so familiar with. He did this through sobs as he just stared at the cocaine in front of him. He sat there for what felt like hours, playing with his fingers and letting the tears flow. His hands began to shake as he couldn't handle the urge anymore. Just as he was about to give in, he noticed the ring sitting on his desk. It was still in perfect condition, not a scratch, not even a speck of dust or cloudiness on the ring. Jessie must have put it away somewhere safe where nobody could find it... where she wouldn't remember it. Yet she still managed to know exactly where it was and take it to the Bahamas with her. Rafe wondered why? In his heart, he knew why. Jessie said earlier that it was because she was his wife, but that wouldn't have mattered to Jessie if she didn't still love him. God, she still loved him. He knew it too.

Through tears he hit the desk and stood up and cleared it off with one quick angry sweep. His lamp, his book, his coke, the ring, it all went flying as he cried uncontrollably. He couldn't do this. He couldn't go back to the life he once had. He had done life without Jessie before, and he wouldn't able to survive if he tried to do it again. Rafe knew what he had to do.

Oh… oh I like this…

Ok so I dont write fanfic but I came up with a really good idea and would love someone to write it. So basically the reader is 9 months pregnant with JJ’s baby. When the pogues go on the plane to save big John the reader has to stay in obx bc of the pregnancy. While they’re gone she goes into labour and the only person she can call is her former best friend Rafe Cameron. Rafe drops what he’s doing in a heart beat to go help her. Time skip where reader finds out that JJ cheated with Kiara and in the end she ends up dating Rafe. Ik that was a lot but this would be such a good read. If anyone would write this lmk!!

Has anyone ever been able to log into ur tumblr app just fine but has trouble getting in on ur computer? Specifically on ur MacBook?

For some reason I’m still logged into my tumblr on my phone but after clearing history, cookies, tabs, etc, and resetting my password on my computer it still says my email or password is incorrect and won’t let me log in.

Someone pls help!!!

be mindful of why you're on tumblr to read fanfics readers, u see how i don't post hateful comments on other writers' works, cause that's very inconsiderate and not cutesy. instead, if i don't like the fic i simply stop reading it and move on to read another fic that i'll like, very demure, very respectful, very approachable. let's be mindful 🙄

I'll Come Running - R.C. - Chapter 40

There Rafe stood, begging in the closet with Jessie's back still turned away. She hadn't moved a single item in the suitcase since Rafe started pleading with her through tears. He at least appreciated that he had her attention.

Please don't leave me again, Jessie heard Rafe say. She wanted to look at him so badly, wanted to run up to him, hold him in her arms and beg him not to cry anymore. But she was at war with herself, still not allowing herself to forget what happened downstairs just mere minutes ago. Jessie took a deep breath to prepare herself for the sight she was about to behold, she knew behind her was a man desperate to keep what he lost, and although she wanted to capitalize on that fact, she felt that would be more than a little manipulative.

"Rafe..." Jessie whispered with a dejected sigh. She stood up slowly and turned to face Rafe with a sad look on her face. She took a few steps towards him and cupped his face in her hands. The motion should've made Rafe melt, instead it paralyzed him, still knowing that Jessie could be absolutely unpredictable when it came to protecting her peace and safety.

"I'm not gonna leave you." Jessie whispered with a tenderness in her eyes and voice. "But I am allowed to be upset with you over what happened. I am allowed to be confused about what happened down there. I'm not gonna lie and tell you that you didn't break some of the trust that I had in you." Jessie choked out, still holding onto Rafe's face, at this point both of them tears rolling down their face. Through sniffles Rafe simply nodded in understanding, not having the courage to utter any words even though he really wanted to.

"It just seems like one step forwards, three steps back with us sometimes." Jessie trailed off as she kept the eye contact with Rafe. At that Rafe had to look down at the carpet underneath them, not being able to withstand the weight of the words. Rafe slowly nodded his head up and down and tried his hardest to choke back a sob. He knew Jessie was right. It seemed their whole relationship was always a series of unfortunate events, half of them most certainly being Rafe's fault. He knew she was right in being a little less trusting of him now, still the allegation killed him inside, and he could've sworn he felt his heart tighten and flutter.

"Have you been using again?" Jessie asked still barely above a whisper with sad knitted brows. Rafe shot his head up with surprise.

"What? No, Jess, I-I promise." Rafe sniffled. Jessie didn't believe him and that showed on her face, a look of doubt evident. Jessie knew Rafe inside and out. More importantly in this moment, she knew the mind of any drug addict inside and out, seeing the patterns of her dad, her husband, and even herself. With Rafe having to kill his own father and dealing with all the amenities of having to cover it up, deal with the business, and everything in between, it would be the perfect storm for a newly clean drug addict to relapse. She had seen her dad, herself, and even Rafe relapse over much smaller matters.

***

Tonight was a night that Jessie had grown to see more consistently. It was a typical Friday night in Kildare and the secret husband and wife decided to dawn the doors of a party on the beach. Much like the first night they met just months ago, everyone would be there.

Rafe had just gotten back from a business trip with his father, undoubtedly contributing to his very visible stress. Between being away from his Jessie and dealing with Ward's demands and opinions, it was another perfect excuse for Rafe to get high once again. Jessie never cared about getting high or drunk, clearly she enjoyed the act a little too much herself at times. The problem was now that Rafe continuously let it get out of hand, and he had become a different man because of it, one that she couldn't predict or trust completely.

Jessie knew Rafe would be particularly on edge tonight given the past week being less than an ideal use of his time in his mind. She already had her guard up before the party even started, making sure to be on time and ready to go when Rafe pulled up into her driveway to pick her up.

Jessie walked out on her porch dawning a black and white checkered string bikini, only coverage being some jean shorts over the top of her bottoms. Rafe's favorite.

"Rafe's going to be here in a second, just a heads up." Jessie said nonchalantly looking at her father, who was smoking a cigarette and tinkering with whatever motor was seated in front of him at the moment.

"You think I give a shit where you're going or who you're going with?" Luke growled, not bothering to look up from his work, simply blowing a cloud of smoke between his lips.

"Well I felt it was only fair to let you know considering he beat the shit out of you a couple weeks ago." Jessie sassed back with sharp eyes that her father still had failed to meet. However, that comment was exactly what pulled his gaze to his daughter.

"Oh yeah? And who's fault was that?" Luke retorted, clearly unamused. Jessie didn't want to start an argument, especially not considering Rafe was about to be there, so instead of telling her father off like she was so naturally inclined to do, she simply de escalated the discussion.

"Whatever, Luke, just forget I said anything." Jessie responded as she walked off the porch, seeing Rafe pull in.

"Hey." Luke whistled, trying to get his daughter's attention. Jessie looked back as if to implore him to go on. "If you're gonna dress like a slut at least make sure you get paid to do it. I know that boy's got money."

Jessie wasn't even shocked by the comment, instead she just scoffed and walked off, really wanting to give her father the middle finger, but deciding against it given that, again, she was not in the mood to start anything.

Rafe had his truck window rolled down and his arm hanging out the window with a displeased look on his face. Jessie wondered what had happened already for him to look so pissed. Her smile quickly faded as she noticed and hesitantly walked around to the passenger side, opening her door and sliding in.

"Hey baby." Jessie said enthusiastically, trying to gauge what his face was for. Rafe didn't falter, not saying a word, only looking at Jessie with pursed lips. "What?" she asked, now with annoyance, not exactly the greeting she had hopes for after a long week of not seeing him.

"You didn't tell me that prick was gonna be here." Rafe snapped, still not moving from his spot in the driveway. Jessie just looked back at the porch confused.

"Uh.. I didn't think it was big deal considering you were just picking me up."

Rafe just scoffed. "You do realize I still wanna beat the shit out of him right?"

"You already did, and I'm pretty sure that's why he hasn't come over here telling you to get out of his yard yet." Jessie joked. Rafe just shook his head, not in the joking mood.

"I wish he would." Rafe challenged with a look towards Luke that could kill. He eventually looked back at his wife. "He hasn't put his hands on you since then has he?"

Jessie only nodded her head no slowly as she looked at Rafe with loving eyes, suddenly appreciative that he cared so much.

"Let's get out of here." Jessie said playfully as she looked at Rafe with lust, trying anything at this point to get him to calm down and enjoy the night. Rafe understood and returned her words with a smirk and the shift of his truck.

The two of them finally rolled up to the party, making sure to bring their own alcohol for the coolers. Before Rafe got out of the truck, Jessie put her hand on his thigh to stop him. He looked back at her confused. Jessie leaned in to trace her fingers along his jawline.

"I missed you." Jessie whispered looking at Rafe's lips and then back up at him. Rafe melted at her touch, suddenly feeling more of the stress from the past week slowly melting away as their lips finally connected. Jessie eventually tangled her fingers in Rafe's hair as much as she could considering she was working against the black backwards hat he was wearing.

"I missed you too." Rafe mumbled against Jessie's lips, pulling her in closer with his own hand around her neck. As they finally untangled themselves from each other, Jessie noticed something in Rafe's eyes.

"Have you used today?" Jessie asked, already knowing the answers due to the bloodshot and watery eyes of her husband. He also already smelled like alcohol.

"Baby, I've used every day since I went to the mainland with my dad." Rafe joked with a charming smile as if it was no big deal. Jessie didn't say anything, only looking down from Rafe with a disappointed look.

"I thought you said you were gonna cut back once we got back from Charlotte. Rafe, you know it's getting out of hand." Jessie scolded.

"Jess, it's been really stressful this week, you know that. You know how it is." Rafe whispered, still not wanting to kill the mood between them. "Please don't start this." He said a little more annoyed. Jessie decided to let it go like she had a few times before, allowing her face to change showing a half hearted smile. Rafe knew it was fake, but he still decided to capitalize on it.

"You look good." Rafe smirked, trying to go in a different direction with the conversation. He slowly creeped his hand up Jessie's torso. "You mad at me?" Rafe asked with a seductive pause. "Take it out on me." He teased with a sly smile. It was hard for Jessie to hold back considering how cocky Rafe was being, and she definitely missed his body while he was gone. She quite enjoyed his attitude knowing that it was a stark difference from the clean cut kid she first got involved with, but she couldn't get carried away just yet.

"Later." Jessie scoffed as she leaned back over to open her door.

"I'm counting on that." Rafe joked as he got out as well.

"I'm sure you are." Jessie rolled her eyes as she walked to the tailgate to open it so Rafe could get their cooler. It was filled to the brim with their drinks of choice. Jessie had no doubt that Rafe had some extra special stuff in his short pockets. That was most certainly the trend for a while now.

A couple hours had passed and the sun had finally gone down. The air became crisp and the breeze felt nice. Rafe was now sitting on their cooler around the bonfire, and Jessie was sitting on Rafe's lap. There was a perfectly good seat beside Rafe, but Jessie knew he was particularly handsy tonight given how he had been without her for a whole week. Rafe kept his hands on Jessie in some form the entire night, not out of possession, but out of obsession.

"JJ, hand me some of that." Jessie said across the fire with an extended hand hinting at the joint he had in his hand.

"Get your own, sis." JJ sassed, clearly not meaning anything by it.

"Alright, fine, give me one of the ones in your pocket." Jessie sassed right back, knowing better than to think that was the only one JJ had. JJ rolled his eyes and walked over to his sister and dug one out of his front pocket. Jessie stuck it between her lips as JJ lit the joint for her. Jessie handed the joint to Rafe, knowing he was waiting on it as well. Sure enough, he took a drag in satisfaction and blew the smoke the other direction.

"Hey, dude, if you're gonna smoke my weed you could at least take your hand out of my sister's ass. I know you've missed her and shit this week but you got her propped on you like a puppet." JJ remarked as he went to go sit back down. A slew of "oohs" and "burns" could be heard around the fire followed by laughs, even a chuckle from Rafe. Jessie knew he was relaxed now.

"Don't worry, man. We were just about to leave." Rafe mumbled with a smirk, everyone knowing what that meant. Rafe gave Jessie a love tap to signal to her to get up, to which she did. More whoops and hollers could be heard around the fire as well. JJ just looked disgusted.

"You better get it all out before I get home. I don't wanna hear that shit again."

"If you wait too long we might do it in your bed." Jessie joked with a sly smile. Everyone laughed.

"You better not!" JJ demanded as he pointed at the two of them.

"Relax, man... we're not even gonna make it back to your house." Rafe laughed.

"Yeah, okay, you two can go now." JJ said as he physically tried to shake the images out of his head, taking another big chug of his beer. Jessie and Rafe laughed as they walked hand in hand down the beach. Rafe was definitely drunk, which was the only reason he was able to joke so openly with JJ about railing his sister. Jessie was just glad that Rafe hadn't picked a fight with anyone tonight, as that was becoming his routine when he got strung out enough.

The two teenagers walked hand in hand with a content silence between the two of them, both of them at least tipsy and a little stoned. They didn't get very far before a familiar voice was heard behind them, someone was clearly flagging Rafe down.

"Hey man, hey, over here!" Kelce whistled, another friend that Jessie wasn't fond of, but he was most certainly a step up from Topper. Rafe and Jessie both whipped around, Rafe's goofy girn a little bigger than Jessie's of course. Jessie was clearly hoping to get some alone time with Rafe, but Rafe seemed easily distracted at the moment.

"Yeah, man, what's up?" Rafe asked, still managing to hold onto Jessie's hand with a beer in the other.

"You got any more lines? Night's still young ya know." Kelce hinted as he playfully tapped Rafe on the shoulder and wiggled his eyebrows.

"Hell, yeah man! I've got some more in the truck." Rafe replied as he began walking back towards the party, he stopped quickly once he noticed the displeased look on Jessie's face, and that she had dropped her hand and stood in the same place. Rafe said something to Kelce that she couldn't hear and with that Kelce was off back to the party and Rafe came back to Jessie with a confused look.

"What's wrong?" Rafe questioned.

"What's wrong? What's wrong?" Jessie scoffed. "I haven't seen you all week and you're just gonna be pissy, on edge, and now get strung out with your friend the second you get back?"

"Hey look, baby, I told you it's been a rough week... I need this." Rafe whispered as he tried to grab Jessie's arm with a sincere look on his face. Jessie pulled away.

"Yeah, well maybe I need you? Maybe I haven't seen you all week and we're still playing this stupid game of being married under wraps and now you're still using just as much as you were before. You have a problem, Rafe. You say you're gonna cut back and then you relapse over the dumbest shit and I-"

"Hey," Rafe tried to soothe. "It's gonna be okay, I promise, alright? I just need this tonight, and we'll be husband and wife to the rest of the world soon enough. So come with me?" Rafe asked as he extended his hand with a hopeful look.

"I'm staying right here. You go have fun." Jessie said clearly sarcastically as she sat down on the sand and smoked her joint, not daring to look back at Rafe.

"Jessie, I-"

"You better go. You're gonna wanna be high when you come back to get me."

Rafe knew Jessie now needed time to herself, as she always got really defensive when someone-he- made her upset. Against his better judgement, he decided to go and give her some time to cool down. Rafe managed to slip past the party virtually undetected and back to his truck to meet Kelce for a line.

Jessie sat on the beach smoking her joint all alone, like she had done so many times past. In an odd way, she missed it. But she'd still rather be with Rafe. She knew first hand how hard it was to struggle with addiction, but Rafe always managed to take it way farther than Jessie ever did, allowing the drugs to take over his whole life, shape his personality, corrupt his character, and give him a lame ass excuse for doing so. She hated who he's become, yet she felt responsible for creating it.

Jessie heard footsteps, but when she looked up she noticed that they were not Rafe's. In fact, it was none other than an old flame of hers, one she regretted ever hooking up with long before Rafe entered the picture.

"What do you want, Dylan?" Jessie asked, clearly annoyed and not daring to spare him another glance. She took another hit of the weed in her hand, knowing she would need it to get through this conversation. Dylan was nothing more than a drunk hookup to her, but he never could seem to get that through his thick skull and always managed to show up at just the wrong time.

"Just thought I'd come check on you..." Dylan said with a concerned voice that Jessie knew was fake.

"What you spying on me now?" Jessie seethed as she looked up at the brown haired boy with a red solo cup in his hand. He was from Jessie's side of the island.

"Nah, really just spyin on Rafe, that kook needs an attitude adjustment." Dylan joked as he made himself comfortable beside Jessie. "But you were always good at that."

"Look, Dyl, I don't need your help here, alright?" Jessie couldn't help but call the kid by his nickname, even though she clearly wasn't interested, they had always been civil.

"Come on Jess, what does that dude have on you? There's no way you'd be dating a kook for this long without something being in it for you." Dylan hinted as he tried to look into Jessie's eyes despite her turning her head out towards the water.

"You don't know anything about me." Jessie said with a slight laugh as she blew another cloud of smoke.

"I know that you don't commit. That's why it never worked between us... so what the hell does he have that I don't?"

"Dylan, you knew from the very beginning you were nothing more than a fling, so why did you get so attached in the first place?" Jessie asked with sarcasm laced in her tone. Dylan always loved that she was consistently a cocky little shit. Before he could answer, they both were interrupted.

"What the hell is going on here?" Rafe asked barreling towards the two with a new beer bottle in hand and furrowed brows. Surprisingly, neither one of them looked concerned. Jessie just rolled her eyes as the two of them both got up.

"Well I was coming to check on your girl after you left her for god knows what reason." Dylan spat, now taking a few steps towards Rafe.

"Oh, yeah? My girl can handle herself." Rafe sassed back as he took a few strides towards the pogue in return.

"Yeah, clearly she can because she's out here on this beach all alone smoking a joint like you don't exist!" Dylan laughed. "I don't even know why you're here. Hell, I bet she doesn't even need you in the bedroom-"

That comment was enough to set Rafe over the edge, shoving his drink in Jessie's chest before she could say a word. Rafe lunged for the pogue and shoved him, causing him to take a couple steps back.

"You don't know what the hell you're talking about man." Rafe mumbled as he took fist fulls of Dylan's shirt and began to back him up towards the water.

"Oh don't I? I bet I kept her way more satisfied than you ever di-"

Rafe didn't allow anymore words to come out of his mouth before he landed a solid punch to Dylan's jaw, the two of them now in a full on brawl.

"Both of you cut it out right now!" Jessie screamed over the top of them. Thankfully, the party wasn't too far away, so when Jessie realized she most certainly wasn't going to be able to break up the fight happening, she ran back to the top of the beach and yelled for JJ and a few others to help.

By the time Jessie came back with reinforcements, Dylan was found being held under the waves by Rafe, gasping for air whenever the waves subsided just enough. Rafe had a look on his face that showed not a sliver of remorse, only determination.

"Dude! Get off of him!" JJ demanded with John B and Pope in tow. The blonde managed to knock Rafe off his feet as he leaned into him with all his strength. Rafe and JJ both fell into the water, Rafe foaming at the mouth at this point. Before Rafe could get back on his feet, Dylan had managed to get up on all fours and cough the water out of his lungs, still hazed and gasping for air. Rafe finally regained his balance and was going back for round two when JJ, John B, and Pope all stood in front of him to push him back.

"Rafe, stop!" Jessie demanded as she stood in between the two feuding men, one of them still on the ground regaining consciousness.

"He deserves it Jessie, you know it!" Rafe yelled between the three Pogues holding him back. Jessie didn't respond, she simply looked over at her old flame and bent down to his level.

"You need to get out of here." Jessie whispered, although it sounded more like a plea. Dylan simply looked up with watery eyes and heavy breaths, giving her a look that showed he had more to say. Rather than risk being put to sleep by Rafe, he simply dragged himself to his feet and waded through the water back to the party.

"Hey you better be glad my girl just saved your ass!" Rafe yelled loud enough for the party to hear. Dylan simply shook his head, not even looking back, and gave Rafe a middle finger. Dylan knew he had just proved an even bigger point, whether he was successful in hooking up with Jessie again or not.

"Rafe! Shut it!" Jessie screamed as she looked at her husband with judgement and a hint of annoyance.

"Jess are you okay?" JJ asked breathless, still trying to regain his composure.

"What happened?" Pope asked.

"That pogue was trying to get with Jessie!" Rafe answered. The three pogues just glanced at Rafe with a look that said we didn't ask you.

Jessie sighed. "Rafe left me... for a second.. and Dylan popped up outta nowhere..."

"Like he always does." John B finished the sentence with a knowing look and hands on his hips.

"I'm fine." Jessie said, clearly playing with a short fuse. All she could do was stare at Rafe with fire behind her eyes and clinched fists. The boys could tell that comment was not meant to soothe them, it was meant to prove a point to Rafe.

"Alright well... we're gonna go." JJ said awkwardly as he pointed back up to the beach.

"What the hell is wrong with you Rafe? I had that shit under control!"

"No you didn't! You know what game he was playing! And what the hell was he talking about him being better than me in bed and shit, huh?"

"He was a random ass hookup before you that meant nothing! He was trying to get back into my pants tonight like he always does but I had it under control!"

Rafe didn't say anything, instead he looked at Jessie with a perfect mix of confusion, anger, and hurt. Jessie just shook her head.

"No... no, okay, you don't get to look at me like that."

"Like what?" Rafe asked through gritted teeth and knotted up fists.

"Like I'm some sort of slut that shouldn't have had a life before you! You knew what you got yourself into! Besides, you don't get to be mad at me for how tonight has turned out. None of this was my fault!" Jessie snapped back with just as much vengeance.

"So once again it's all my fault, huh?" Rafe laughed as he put his hands on his hips and shook his head. "God, this is so typical of you, Jess. Always blaming anyone but yourself like you weren't the one that hooked up with him in the first place. You should've told him to go to hell the second you saw him. You wanted him didn't you?"

"You're ridiculous! Do you hear yourself right now?" Jessie scoffed. "You act like we're not m-" Jessie had to stop her sentence right there, knowing they weren't exactly in private and everyone at the party could've heard them. Jessie sighed. "Let's just go home." Jessie said defeated.

"We'll finish this in the truck." Rafe pointed with determination as he walked past his wife, both of them still chomping at the bit to fire more words.

Rafe and Jessie both stomped back up to the beach, ignoring the party going on around them. Despite the looks of concern and pity, Rafe grabbed the cooler and walked back to his truck, Jessie not far behind.

The two both drove away in silence, neither of them quite sure where they were heading considering they hadn't discussed whose bed they'd be sleeping in tonight. At this point, Jessie wouldn't be surprised if Rafe dropped her off at her house without one more word.

To her surprise, Rafe pulled over into a random gravel road where they couldn't be seen, throwing the truck in park and looking at the wheel with words in his mind playing against his lips.

Jessie, being just as stubborn as Rafe, didn't feel the need to look at him either, instead opting for the dash in front of her that suddenly seemed so interesting. Jessie didn't feel like she had to say anything else, mainly because she didn't think she had done anything wrong. Then again, Rafe didn't think he had done anything wrong either.

Rafe finally decided to scrap his speech and opted to quickly flip the center console up above his head to reveal the middle seat. He grabbed Jessie's face before she even knew what was happening, let alone protest. Rafe crashed his lips onto hers violently and with so much passion Jessie couldn't pull away no matter how much she wanted to. She wanted to fix this, or at least prove her point, but all bets were off as soon as Rafe pushed Jessie up against the passenger side window and began to pepper her neck with hard kisses.

As much as Jessie didn't want to admit it, this is exactly what she needed to take the attitude right out of her, and Rafe knew it. They both had been without each other for too long to ignore the desire.

"Rafe..." Jessie begged as she tried to hold her hands under her so she wouldn't give into touching him like he was touching her.

"Shh" Rafe replied, never letting his hands stop roaming her body. "You still mad at me?" Rafe asked barely above a tantalizing whisper. Jessie just whimpered, clearly at a loss for words. Luckily, Rafe didn't need words, he knew Jessie was still mad at him, and make up sex was his favorite kind to have, a kind that had been a recent trend for the couple. "Take it out on me." Rafe said in a hushed tone in Jessie's ear as he went back to her neck, finding his way lower and lower to her bikini clad chest.

Jessie couldn't take it anymore. She needed him as bad as Rafe needed her in that moment, and she'd be lying if she said she hadn't been thinking about that all week long. Rafe's last words was the last push she needed to forget what had just happened at the beach.

Jessie finally freed her hands from underneath her and pushed Rafe back over to the driver side, not out of anger, but out of pure lust. Rafe could tell she was hungry for it, and he smirked as he watched Jessie meet him on the drivers side and straddle him. He returned the favor by taking her face in his hands and kissing her roughly, holding her back careful not to lay her directly on the truck horn. They had learned that lesson the hard way. Through kisses, Jessie had managed to take Rafe's hat and shirt off.

"You looked so good tonight." Rafe mumbled against Jessie's lips, his fingers finding the strings on her bikini top. He played with them in between his fingers, knowing that the slow movement really got Jessie going. Jessie didn't say anything, she only moaned into the kiss. "You made it really hard to wait for this." Rafe said as he pulled the string loose around Jessie's neck, causing her halter to fall down slightly. He then began to play with the string wrapped around her ribs.

"So stop waiting." Jessie simply stated between kisses, her hands now just as wild as his. That was all the confirmation Rafe needed before he slammed her down on the seat beside him.

That night was not the first time they took their frustrations out on each other, their pure adrenaline and desire for each other having the power to melt away any doubt or anger, and it most certainly wouldn't be the last.

***

"Jessie, I promise." Rafe said with much more ferver in his voice, finding some newfound confidence in his words. "Of course I've thought about it but... no, I haven't been using. I promised myself that if I ever got you back I would stop. The second you walked in my door I didn't touch that stuff, and still haven't." Rafe replied as he stuck his hand up in the air beside him as if to swear on the Bible. Jessie was convinced he would've testified in a courtroom if he had the chance. She believed him, thinking that maybe the bloodshot eyes and the volatile emotions and actions were really just a side effect of the most traumatizing twenty four hours of her husband's life.

"Okay," Jessie whispered as she nodded her head. "But I'm still allowed to feel differently towards you after what happened." Jessie said a little more sternly.

"Absolutely, I.... I just hate that I ever gave you a reason not to trust me." Rafe responded, once again trying to choke back tears. He couldn't help but feel like this would also damage his relationship with Charley, or at least what Jessie thought of him as a father. "I hope this won't effect how you let me see Charley."

"Right now I would just stay focused on how I view you." Jessie snapped back with a hint of sass but still mostly sadness.

"Right. I'm sorry, Jessie."

"You're going to have to earn some of my trust back... but I know you can. I've seen you do it before. I forgive you." Jessie replied numbly. Her mind was racing, with the main thought being that she hoped she wouldn't come to regret this.

Rafe couldn't help but crack a smile, leaning in for a hug and wrapping his arms around her tightly for fear of her disappearing. To his surprise Jessie reciprocated. Truth is, Jessie needed that hug just as much as Rafe did, because as angry and confused as Jessie was, there was still only one person in this world that she wanted. There was still only one person in this world that could melt all her fears away with one touch. Rafe. Jessie held onto Rafe just as tightly as Rafe held onto her.

"I love you." Rafe whispered into Jessie's hair. She hesitated, but still she replied.

"I love you too, Rafe."

To his behest, Rafe broke away, still being sure to hold Jessie close In his arms.

"Let's get outta here." He said with a small smile.

With that, Jessie went to packing the rest of the suitcase while Rafe grabbed some clothes of his own out of the closet, packing them in his own carry on. Eventually both of them made their way back into Rafe's bedroom, Rafe going towards the bedside table, and Jessie going towards the dresser that was on the opposite side of the room.

Jessie made her way to the dresser, finding the object she figured would still be there. In a hurry last night she left her diamond ring on the dresser, in that moment only caring about grabbing her most prized possession, her daughter. Jessie looked behind to see Rafe was still messing with stuff in the bedside table. She turned back around to play with the ring and roll it along the wooden dresser, carefully admiring the flecks the rectangular diamond gave off in the warm light. She couldn't help but contemplate everything as she watched the ring go in between her fingers.

What she didn't know was Rafe was on the other side of the room contemplating his own mental obstacle course himself. Rafe opened up the bedside table to grab the accessories to his gun, only to reach too far back and find an old bag of white powdery substance that couldn't be mistaken for his old vice. He looked behind him to see Jessie playing with something on the dresser, and rather than ask her what she was looking at, he took the opportunity to roll the tight, plastic bag in between his calloused fingers. Looking at the bag he couldn't really tell himself what he was going to do with it-- he truly didn't know, but for some odd reason that he couldn't explain, he didn't want to leave it behind. With that, he stuffed the baggie into his duffel bag.

Despite Jessie contemplating if now was the right time to physically show her semblance to Rafe, she finally slid the ring on her finger, admiring it on her hand as she stuck it out like every girl can't help but do. She remembered the first time she ogled the ring with a love and excitement in her heart so strong she couldn't contain it. This time of course felt different, but she knew that the feeling wasn't going to last forever, often times it would come and go, and she treated today as one of those days. Despite the excitement not being there, the love still was, that she was sure of. That was what scared her the most.

Finally both of them turned towards each other right about the same time and looked into each other's eyes with half-hearted smiles, neither one of them knowing the mental gymnastics the other just went through.

Like so many times before, that moment was a moment where Jessie would choose Rafe, and Rafe would choose a familiar vice.