The Least Favorite Cameron

Chapter 37 ~ Finale

When we reach the shore, it's very Gilligan's Island -esque. Big palm trees, white sand, crystal clear blue water that stretches for miles, no sign of people anywhere. JJ and John B. have rallied everyone to be a little more positive about our situation, JJ is calling the island Poguelandia and wants to make a flag with a chicken on it smoking a blunt. Afterall, this is the pogue life, exploring islands, adventuring, it's what it's all about. I can't help but still feel guilty about not being able to help Sarah. Whatever was going on on the ship, I just hoped she was safe, at least she had Wheezie there with her.

"Hey come on, Gracie! Dinner time!" JJ calls up to me from the bonfire they had started to cook the fish on. I got up from the small hut we made of palms and branches and headed over, the smell of the cooking fish making my mouth water. Our meals now consisted of fish, crabs, and anything else we could catch as well as some fruits and other things we were sure were safe to eat on the island. Cleo and Pope were both really helpful in figuring out what was good to eat, Pope because he's ridiculously smart always, and Cleo was familiar with the kind of plants around. Water was a bit trickier at first, but eventually we found a small pool with a waterfall running into it that was safe to drink.

It had been three days and most of the time was spent body surfing, looking for food, and talking. We talked a lot about different plans to get back everything Ward had taken (the cross, the gold, Sarah). The lifeboat still had some gas left in it but with us unsure of where to go next, we don't want to aimlessly drive around and get stranded.

"How many fish did you catch?" I asked as I sat down next to John B.

"We caught eight, almost nine but it got away," JJ said and I could tell he was mad about the last fish.

"Maybe word is spreading that there's a group of crazy teenagers hunting down their fish friends," Cleo said laughing.

"Can we get serious for a second?" Pope says and the mood immediately shifts between all of us.

"Wow Pope, way to bring down the mood," John B. says, chewing a piece of the fish.

"I just think we need to start thinking about a long term plan here, I mean we don't know when someone could find us or when we'll get out of here,"

"Not sure what kind of plan we can make, Pope, cause that's out of our control," JJ has always gotten frustrated with the serious Pope and if I'm being honest I was too.

"He's right, Pope. For once, you can't control things and it's freaking you out. We'll just keep keeping on the way we have been, that's all we can do," Kie's words, while they were meant to comfort Pope, seemed to sooth all of us.

"Things will work out Pope, they always do," John B. adds and throws a hand on Pope's shoulder as a father would to his son.

We all finish eating and everyone is in a better mood with their bellies full. The guys are taking turns wrestling while Kie and Cleo and I are watching and laughing as we bet who would win. John B. was out first and claimed he was distracted.

"What the hell were you distracted by? We're on a deserted island!" The guys laugh at John B's weak excuse and so do we.

"Yes, but I have a beautiful wife watching me," John B. says as he walks over, takes my hands and picks me up from my spot in the sand.

"Yeah well your beautiful wife just watched you get your ass beat!" Kie said laughing.

"Let's go on a walk," John B. says quietly so that only I can hear him and leads me down to the water. We've explored a lot of the island by now but it still felt a little eerie at night.

"You know this is a pretty cool honeymoon," John B. said and I can't fight the smile that brings out of me. John B. had been wandering around a lot today and it almost felt like he was avoiding me. Like every time I would go over to him it wasn't long before he would go somewhere else. I was actually a little annoyed with him but maybe that's why he wanted to spend some time as just the two of us.

"It's definitely a unique one," I say laughing as I kick at the waves slightly.

"Everything about our lives is pretty unique, Gracie." He says as he stares up at the stars. You can see them so clearly out here it's like being in a planetarium.

"I have something for you," His voice wavered a little with nervousness as he said it and when I turned to look at him he fist was closed over something.

"What?" I said both confused and happy. What could he possibly have to give me? Discarded fish bones or something?

"I know I already did this once but I thought with everything that's happened, all that we've overcome, I just wanted to do this again. I love you, Gracie Cameron, I wouldn't be able to have gotten through everything without you. Will you marry me... again?" John B. knelt down and revealed in his hand a beautiful seashell wrapped with silver wire.

"OMG John B, I love you, yes!" My whole body wanted to scream yes even though we technically already did this. I was very much okay with doing it again though. The shell was blue and pink and gorgeous. He slipped it onto my finger and I stared at it in awe.

"How did you-"

"I found the shell the first day we got here and I knew exactly what I wanted to do with it but I didn't know how to get the ring part. Luckily JJ had his little mini fishing kit in his pocket with that spare line and fish hooks. I have to warn you though if we run out of fishing hooks this ring is collateral and I may have to use the hook,"

"You can use the hook but the shell is mine," I say before I kiss him.

Despite all the horrible things happening with my family and with everything else. I was happy to have this escape with John B. and the pogues. People dream of having an island to themselves with their friends and we just happened upon it. It felt like the universe was sending us a message saying "You're still young, enjoy life for a little and be free." Granted, we were a little more free than we would like but we had a way to get food, we had water, somewhat of a shelter, and we had eachother. That's all a Pogue really needed and if I learned anything over these past few months, it's that I was a Pogue through and through. We'll get back what's ours, we have to, I just know it. Ward will get everything that's coming to him, I'll make sure of it too. Until then, we just have to as Kie said "keep keeping on," and if we stick together we'll be just fine. We're Pogues for life, we were made for this.

***Gracie and the Pogues will return to continue their fight for the gold and the cross at a future date***