Good Days •Rafe Cameron•

Tomorrow

    Loosing a parent. Loosing anyone was not an easy thing in life. It's hard. Damaging. Difficult. Having someone you love leave this world only made you realize all the things you never paid attention to before.
    Not understanding why you never saw it before. Why it was suddenly in your face. Sometimes those things were good. And sometimes they were bad. In my case, it was both.
     The cool September breeze blew against my brown skin blowing my locs in the wind as I stood patiently outside the police station, waiting for them to release Rafe.
    The sound of the large metal door opening broke me out of my thoughts. A woman in a police uniform guided Rafe out the door, giving him a wave goodbye before going back inside and closing the door behind herself.
     Rafe stood on top of the steps. Me at the bottom. The two of us stare intently at each other. I could see his chest moving up and down rapidly as if he was trying to hold in a sob.
    I could feel my breath catch up with his as I felt like I was going to combust. It was silent. The only sound was the waves coming from the marsh. The smell of salt in the air was mixed in with the smell of magnolias that were scattered across the ground.
     I could see Rafe's eyes roam my face. Waiting for me to speak. But I didn't know what he wanted me to say. I knew if I spoke, I would probably break into tears and sobs that wouldn't stop.
      "Phoebe..." Rafe breathed. I couldn't stop myself. The sound of my name coming from him had done it. I was completely lost in him.
    The two of us began to move closer to each other. He quickly rushed down the steps, pulling me into a strong hug.
    My hands squeezed him as I hurried my face into his chest. I felt my feet being lifted off the ground as he spun me around for comfort.
    His body began to shake as he let out out a silent cries. I could feel the tears from his eyes slip down my neck as he covered his face, embarrassed by his vulnerability.
     "I'm so sorry." I finally spoke. An audible cry left Rafe's lips as he held me right. The two of us fell to the ground holding each other.
     "I'm sorry." I say once again. "He's gone." Rafe states. "He's gone. And I didn't get to say goodbye." He chokes on his words.
    "I know." I coo. I pull away from him so I could see his face. His blue eyes looked grey with tears. His cheeks were red and puffy.
     "You'll be okay." I hum, running my hands through his messy hair. "It'll get better." I could feel myself begin to cry.
    It pained me to see two people I have learned to care for in such a short time loose a parent. I wasn't able to comfort Sarah the way I wanted to. But I could comfort Rafe. The best that I could.
"Do you wanna stand up, honey?" I asked, quietly. He nods. I pull myself up from the ground helping the tall boy up.
He immediately takes my hand in his. "What now?" He breathes. I give him a confused look. "What do you mean?" I asked.
"Do I just go on with my life? I mean what am I supposed to tell Wheezie? And Sarah. She probably hates me." He says, wiping the tears from his cheek.
"Oh, Rafe." I sigh. My free hand caresses his cheek. "I'm sure she doesn't hate you. She's upset with you but I promise after some time, Your relationship with your sister will be okay. Different but okay." I explain.
     "Why are you the only good thing in my life?" He asked. I knew his question was rhetorical. He looked at the ground and then back to me.
     His eyes roam down to my neck. His hands let go of mine as he reaches for the gold chain under my shirt. His fingers pull the necklace.
     "You're still wearing my ring?" He asked. I nod. "Of course. I love you." I state. "No matter how many times I scream or get upset with you. Just know that I still and always will love you." I explain.
     A relieved smile appears on Rafe's lips. He looked so defeated but somehow my word immediately calmed him down.
    His hands snuck up to my cheeks, holding my face with his hands. He leans in closer. I could feel myself reaching on my tip toes to connect my lips with his.
    The kiss was vigorous and determined. He pushed himself deeper into the kiss, hungrily. Wanting nothing but me.
   I didn't care that we were doing this in public. Let alone in front of the police station. I could feel myself getting hot and bothered. I just wanted him. And I could tell he wanted me.
    Eventually we both pulled away for some air, but we quickly went in for more. Rafe's hand moves through my hair as did mine. We fought for dominance, holding each other tight. Not letting go. His hand began to move down to my hips slowly, tugging at the hems of my shirt.
    I immediately push Rafe back. "We can't." I smile. "We don't want you getting arrested. This time for public indecency." I joke.
    Rafe lets out a small laugh. "Yeah." He breaths, catching his breath.
"Let's go for a walk." I suggest, holding out my hand for him take. He nods, taking my hand. The two of us begin to walk along the sidewalk.
We start to find ourselves walking the streets of downtown Kildare. The city was quiet. It was only 8 in the morning on a Sunday. Most people slept in or went to church, so it wasn't busy until late afternoon most Sundays.
"Phoebe." Rafe hums. "Yes." I say, looking up at the boy. "I know I asked you this before. But I want a serious answer." He says.
"What is it?" I furrow my brows. "If I were to do it properly. Get down on one knee. Ring in hand. Friends and family around. Would you marry me if I asked you to?" He explains.
I was shocked. A little taken aback. "Why are you-." I start but Rafe cuts me off. "Just answer the question, Be." He says.
"Yes. I would." I smile. Rafe bites his lips as he tries to contain yet another gleeful smile. His left hand reaches up to my forehead. His index finger brushes across the mole above my brow.
"Really, even though I can be tempered and sensitive?" He pried. I nod. "Oh, yeah. I can survive anything you give to me Rafe. And I don't care what the Pogues say. You love me and that is what matters." I pull him into another hug.
"What would the wedding look like?" He asked. I understood why Rafe was asking these questions at a moment like this. He was distracting himself from what was to come once he got home to Tannyhill.
"Well, it would be here of course. My dress would have a tone of lace. Kiara would be my maid of honor. Sarah would be my flower girl. And our first dance would be to So Close by Jon McLaughlin." I do a small twirl around Rafe.
He watches me with so much love and affection. His eyes glow with anticipation as if he can't wait to spend the rest of his life with me.
"I'd teach you how to surf on our Honeymoon." Rafe adds. "You, Rafe Cameron, know how to surf?" I asked. "Just because I'm not a Pogue doesn't mean I don't have skill on the board." He states.
"You'd have to show me sometime." I hum. "It's been nothing but chaos these last few months and now that things have calmed down a bit, we can finally get to know the little details about each other. Like for one, I speak French." I say, nonchalantly.
Rafe's eyes widen. "Phoebe that is not a little detail. You can speak a whole other language. The most sexiest language might I add." He smirks.
"Faisons à nouveau l'amour dans le bain à remous. Cette fois, je veillerai à vous chuchoter des mots étrangers sexy à l'oreille pendant que vous jouissez." I smirk, squeezing his hand in mine.
"What does that mean?" He asked, excitedly. "Learn some French and maybe I'll tell you in a few weeks." I demanded.
     The two of us continued walking in silence. Rafe's breathing was slow and steady. His t-shirt was dirty and ragged with mud and sweat.
"Rafe, real talk." I state. I push some hair behind my ears looking up at Rafe as he waits for me to continue.
"What are you going to do now that the police aren't after you? I was curious. Is Rafe going to go back to the way he was before I met him. As in drinking cocktails at the club and scheduling Tee Time on the golf course. Everything was very confusing.
"What would you like me to do?" Rafe asked. I shook my head. "I can't answer that for you." I say. "God, Be." Rafe lets out an exaggerated sigh, running his hands through his hair frustrated.
He was obviously spiraling with a questioned asked like this. "Can you just give me some slack. Seriously, Phoebe. My dad just died." He glares at me.
I could tell this was going to end in an argument. "I understand that your dad died. But I know how you get, Rafe. You freak out when things don't go your way. You get violent. And I've forgiven what you've done to me. But to others it might take some time-." Rafe cuts me off.
"Jesus!" He shouts. "Don't give me that innocent bull crap." He points down at me. "No one is going to forgive me. And you have this mindset where you believe that everyone should be given second chances. And I just don't get it with you, Phoebe. Cause you're so good to me. All I do is hurt you. Your friends get in the way of us being together. And they're putting you on a pedestal, making you decided what to do. And before I know it, you're going to choose them over me." He exclaims.
"And I'm tired. Honestly, I am. These last few months haven't been fun. I'm stressed. And I need to get home. Dad left a video for us and Rose wants us to watch it together as a family." He emphasizes the word family.
"Rafe, do you understand how lucky you are. Your dad, sacrificed himself, so that you could have an easy life." I say.
"So now I'm ungrateful?" Rafe asked. "Okay, now you're just putting fucking words in my mouth." I spat. "Putting words in your mouth? Phoebe, you literally just told me that I don't care about my dad dying." He shouts. I look at him with disbelief. "Eveytime I think we're going to be okay, you want to start some melodramatic bullshit." I snap.
"Fuck you, Be." He rolls his eyes. "Oh, real classy from a Kook, you asshole." I shout. The two of us begin to talk over each other. The conversation became heated as we became louder and louder.
"Stop, stop, stop!" Rafe shouts, holding my arm in his hands. His tight grip causes me to be still.
Oh, my God!" I squeeze my eyes shut, balling my hands into fist. "You are so insufferable. And I don't want to argue. We always argue." My voice begins to crack.
"Hey, hey, hey." Rafe whispers, letting go of my arms, and pulling my face into his hands once again. I keep my eyes shut as I feel his thumb run against my cheek, wiping the tears that were falling.
"I'm sorry." He apologizes. "Open your eyes, Be." He whispers. I slowly blink my eyes causing more tears to fall.
"Maybe we should take a day. Cool our heads. Let me see my family. Try to make some amends." He explains.
"No, you're right." I breathes, leaning into Rafe's touch. "I'll see you tomorrow."