If We Have Each Other - An Outer Banks Rewrite

P R O L O G U E

(John B's mother name was never revealed. For story purposes I will give her one and edit it once her actual name is revealed.)

Mary Foster was always free spirited. She could never stop moving, she always had somewhere to go and some place to be. That's why when she met John Routledge, she knew he was the perfect match for her. They were both the adventurous type which made them very compatible.

Their relationship was a win-win. While John would seek out any information on the Royal Merchant, Mary would tag along and explore any new place John took her. They were living their life to the fullest.

Well that was the case, until Mary got pregnant. Mary was terrified. She knew a baby would tie her down and stop her from doing the things she loved. But she couldn't get rid of it, not when John was ecstatic to have a son. While having a baby would totally stunt her plans, she knew it wouldn't be forever. Once their child reached the toddler stage, it'll be much easier to go exploring again. She started to embrace her pregnancy more and everything became perfect in her life again.

The couple had a baby boy, John Booker Routledge.

Mary, John and John B were her perfect family. Once John B was old enough, the family went out on more boat rides together. Mary was very much happy to go swimming in the ocean again. It was four months of pure bliss for the small family, until Mary realized she was late.

'no no no, this cant be happening' Mary thought as she looked at the two lines on her pregnancy test. She was pregnant again. She was weighed down from doing what she loved again. She planned on getting rid of it this time but she couldn't. Before she could even hide the test, Big John accidentally walked into the bathroom and saw his wife with the test. Mary ended carrying out the pregnancy but she knew she could not live the life she wanted. She did not want to give up her free-spirited life to be a mother. Sure, she was ok with it when John B was born but having two under two is going to be tough. She didn't want to do it. She knew she didn't want to do it. At times, Big John knew his wife didn't want to do it. Her mood shifted. She was always on edge. She was more harsh. She even started to neglect her son, but John B was too young to notice. Big John didn't pull the pieces together until the end of the pregnancy. Way too late to get rid of the baby, eventhough it was possible. He grew attached to the life forming in Mary's stomach. He was having a baby girl. He couldn't imagine a more perfect family. A husband, a wife, a son and a daughter. But it was never going to be perfect wasnt it?

On March 28 2005, Elizabeth Bea Routledge was born. Big John cried tears of joy when he first held his daughter while Mary cried tears of regret.

Mary's life went down hill after the birth of Elizabeth. She let herself go. She continued down her neglectful mother path. Only being there when she obviously needed to be. She drank more and often went out at night, not caring about her two children at home. Big John had to work more in order to by formula to feed his daughter, knowing Mary's breastmilk would be not safe for Elizabeth to drink. Mary never truly bonded with Elizabeth like she did with John B. She saw Elizabeth has this evil entity that ruined her life and prohibitted her from doing all things fun. During feedings, she wouldn't pay any attention to Elizabeth. She just held the bottle to the baby's mouth while she lazily watched tv. She almost unintentionally chocked a couple of times with the bottle, not taking it away so the baby can keep up with the sips of formula. Big John had to step in and finish the feeding. Mary was unfazed by this. She let Elizabeth cry throughout the night, not really caring. She only got up once and while if she heard John B cry, but never for Elizabeth.

This spiral continued for almost two years until Mary had enough of being a mother, the term mother is being used loosely. She knew she had to leave the OBX before she got worse or before she was stuck there forever. Mary could not be pinned down, not on her watch. It was time for her to go. Once she figured the kids were old enough where Big John didn't need her extra set of hands anymore, she fled back to Colorado.

Big John saw this coming, I mean who didn't? Mary's negligents to their children were awful these past two years but it was a blessing in disguise. It prepped him on taking care of his two children on his own. When Big John got home one night, he saw a note taped on his office door with Mary's handwriting on it. Big John panicked as he quickly dashed to his children's respective rooms. He took a deep breath once he realized both were safe, unharmed and sleeping. Thanking some power above that Mary didnt do anything drastic to the kids.

Big John unlocked his office and entered it, throwing his bag down and plopping into the chair. He opened up the letter and began to read it. His heart cracked at every word Mary wrote no matter if it was sweet or harsh. His vision blurred as he opened up the bottom drawer of his desk. He slid the note in and slammed the drawer shut, where the note would never been seen again...or so he thought anyway. He put his head in his hands and started to sob.

"Dada?" A small voice called from the doorway. Big John's head snapped to the door and saw his daughter clad in polka dot pajamas and messy hair.

"Lizzy? what are you doing up?" He sniffed, wiped his eyes and got up to approach his daughter.

"I erd noises." Elizabeth stated, bouncing on her heels.

"Oh I'm sorry baby, that was me." He bent down and picked his daughter up. "Lets get you back to bed."

"I stay with you?" the little girl asked her father as she her rested on head on her father's shoulder. Even though she is almost two, she could sense a discomfort in Big John.

"Sure." he said and sat back down at his desk, rocking Elizabeth slightly.

"Whats that?" She yawned, pointing at a model ship that was on Big John's desk.

"That, my princess, is the Royal Merchant. Ever heard of the story?" He asked his daughter and she shook her head in response. "Well let me tell you the story..."