She's not Afraid || JJ Maybank ||

30. Happy Birthday

A few days later, her health continues to decline but JJs birthday rolls around. Rae was on a lot of meds to her head was foggy.

"good morning bubba" Lee smiles while kissing JJ "happy birthday"

JJ smiles and kisses her back "thank you" he laughs. On JJs birthday they usually went to the ocean or a date then got drunk with JB. Clearly that wouldn't happen this year but they'd make it work.

"I got something for you"

Lydia reaches to her nightstand drawer and pulls out a small box. He opens it up with a smile on his face when he sees what it is. A ring with the time Rae was born engraved in it.

His face lights up and he hugs her "I love you" he says. "I love you to Jay" she replies with a smile. He slides the ring on his finger. "I'm gonna go see is Rae Raes awake"

The blonde goes into her room to find her scrolling through her phone. JJ flops down next to her in bed "how ya feeling princess?" he asks. Rae dramatically turns her head "like I'm dying"

"don't make those jokes" he scolds her, even if it was the truth he couldn't bare the thought. On JJs birthday every year she'd woken him up or greeted him with a happy birthday and she'd never forgotten. He knew it was because of her meds she'd forgotten but it still hurt.

Rae try's to get out of bed but almost falls "let me help you" JJ chuckles while carrying her to the kitchen and sitting her down on the chair. Another part of there daily routine was JJ would bring her out for breakfast, every morning.

"let me guess, cereal?" he laughs and she nods in approval. She felt awfully good considering the circumstances. He pours her a bowl and slides it across the counter to her.

She try's to eat but her shaking hands make it difficult so she ends up spilling it. "damnit!" she shouts in frustration while banging her hand down.

"hey it's ok I'll help you"

"I'm not a kid.... I can do it myself"

JJ sinks back into his chair and listens to her frustration, he wanted to help but she wouldn't except his help. After a little while she figures it out and JJ goes to the bedroom. "you ok?" Lee asks as JJ runs his fingers through his hair.

"she forgot" he spits out. Lydia knew this fucked with his head. "she'll remember Jay don't worry"

As the days pass she didn't remember, she didn't even ask about it. JJ knew it was the meds, he'd told himself a million times but it never seemed to help.

He walks into her room to find her still sleeping, her speech was becoming slurred as she got weaker. Rae stirs a little before opening her eyes. She stared at JJ for a second before smiling.

"Happy birthday dad" she smiles, even tho it wasn't really his birthday it made him over joyed. "thank you Rae Rae" he beams while hugging her. Raelyn used to draw a lot in her free time and let me tell you she was really good.

"I have something for you"

She reached under her bed and pulls out a canvas. On it was a painted picture of her, Lee and JJ at the beach from when she was little. "I-I made it before my hands got shaking, you know like... one last thing?"

"I love it"

This way by far... his favorite "birthday"

stop i love them sm