ISSUES 2 II OUTERBANKS S3/S4

united

"We are only as strong as we are united, as weak as we are divided."

❥

"He did?", I gasp surprised. "Mike called us as soon as he's found out what's happened.. if that's even been the only issue." "You didn't say anything", I state confused. If he knew about it.. why would he still want to leave Kildare with only our two families? Didn't he listen to mom? Mom probably told him how serious it is. She would defend me- 

"She wanted you to be with Rafe", dad claims making me furl my eyebrows, "I was about to talk to Ward about our plans but she had her own ideas.. her and Rose mainly. I approved most of her ideas and we had no issues until Rafe had the nerves to butt in. Don't get me wrong, angel, I know what his life looked like. I just.. I don't want him to let it out all on you." 

"He doesn't", I quickly shake my head and realize how automatically this happens. I'm so used to defending him. "Rafe had his issues and he's not easy to handle.. there's still a long way to go but I.." No, I don't want to stay with him.. not after he's done that to Pope. Stealing his cross and melting it.. that's unapologetic.. right? 

"I'm here to help him. Rafe's not going to hurt me. Just trust me, alright? I can make my own decisions, dad." One of them being trusting mom blindly which led me to this situation. At least I'm trying to make good decisions. I'd say it's getting better each day. Dad gives me a worried look but he nods. 

"You're right. I should let you decide for yourself", dad nods softly, "Let's try it, alright, angel? I'll be a better father. It might take some time to make up for my mistakes but it'll be better one day." "Thanks, dad", I nod and smile at him lightly, "This conversation helped a lot." Which actually means that he opened my eyes about mom. 

Of course all of this is more her plan than his. She's the perfect kook. Why would she give up on her fancy life? It just takes one or two questionable decisions to turn a kook into a kook with pounds of gold worth 400 millions dollars. I mean.. 400 millies are a reason to freak out.. it's just that the pogues never did no matter how close we got. 

"Most of the guests are here", dad states as he looks around, "I should go over to Mike and Anna. I haven't visited them yet." "Looks like we've got something in common", I agree and go over to my uncle and aunt to congratulate together with my dad.

"Harvey, Isabella", Mike greets us surprised but happily, "We're glad that you're here. The drinks and snacks are right over there. We want this evening to be great for everyone and now that you two are here.." "What Mike is trying to say is thank you for coming", Anna interrupts him with a smile on her face and hugs me tightly before she greets dad warmly. 

"Is Dana coming?", I can hear Anna whispering to dad and open my ears interestedly. I wonder what they know.. "She couldn't make it", dad regrets, "We'll be all together soon, no worries, Anna." "At least you two are here. That makes the evening so much better", she smiles widely which I return. This feels close to being a family compared to what it felt like before.

"Are you joking, guys? It doesn't make sense", Kie mutters after we've told her about Ward, "Ward is on this island? The same island as us?" "Yeah, he's back", I nod sighing. "I'm telling you.. as soon as I see him, I'll deliver him", Kie growls, "No idea how you deal with it. Every time I want to complain about my dad, I just think of Harvey first and then of Ward." "Oh, I'm glad to help", Sarah replies sarcastically and I shrug. She's not wrong tho. "I mean it's working every time. Your dads might have given you freedom and money but-" 

"I got the memo", I interrupt Kie quickly not wanting to lay out my family's history this evening, "Anything to oblige." We don't even have to change the topic actively. Sarah's look to Topper is enough. He smiles back at her charmingly as he is. „You two didn't mention Topper joining the party", Sarah furls her brows.

"Sorry, my mom has invited the whole island." "I mean.. it's not like you just actively smiled at him", I add confused, "You don't need to talk to him, you know?" "Shit", Sarah curses when she sees Topper returning the look that she gives him. "Don't worry about it, we'll keep him away from you", Kie tries to calm her down but I shrug. How?

"Yeah.. well as much as I can", I correct her. "You like this, huh?", Sarah looks at me frustrated but I can also see a tiny bit of amusement about me enjoying the scene. "It keeps me from thinking about my own troubles." "At the moment you rank highest in relationship troubles", Kie comments shrugging but gives me a soft look, "Sorry." "Yeah because you haven't started your relationship with JJ yet and Sarah here just had to commit to being a full pogue whereas I deal with a social case. Cleo's words." The girls give each other a look and nod agreeing, "No doubt."

"Oh great", Kie mumbles when Topper approaches us, "Why don't we move a little." "Please don't", Sarah begs us but he's already here anyways. "Hey Kie, what's up?", Topper tries talking to her before turning to me, "Iz, hey." Topper greets me as usually. "Hey, haven't seen you", Kie lies and walks a few steps away. I follow her after a quick chat with Topper. He came over for Sarah, it's her conversation. He's being quick anyways so Kie and I get back to Sarah after a few minutes.

When it seems like everyone has arrived, Mike attracts attention by tapping a fork against his glass. "I'm not a man who holds great speeches but I want to thank you all for coming and for supporting us through hard months", Mike announces clearly talking about the months when Kie and I got a little lost, "And I want to thank our daughter and our niece for being here and for organising this party. Hey, we love you. Also, thank you Harvey for coming back to your home and enjoying this party with us. It means a lot that the family comes together for this occasion." 

Yeah, it seems like mom thought differently. If she's as reckless as dad says.. she wasn't interested enough in coming and seeing me. Here I was defending her. "Above all", Mike continues reaching out for Anna so she joins him on the stage, "Thank you Anna for fifteen years. You've made this restaurant a symbol for our lives. I love you." "I love you too", she whispers to Mike before turning to all of us, "Figure eight, the cut, we're all together here today as one island so thanks for partying with us."