I'll Come Running

Chapter 32

Charley laid on the bed, still trying to wake up, as Jessie and Rafe got ready in the bathroom connected to Rafe's bedroom. Rafe of course was done getting ready before Jessie was, so he decided to help Charley get ready for the day.

Jessie eventually walked outside the bathroom and over to Rafe's desk to put on her usual dainty necklace and island bracelets. As she was doing so, she noticed Rafe went over to his bedside table and opened the drawer to reveal a pistol. He then stuck it behind his back in his waistband. Charley was in the floor playing on the other side of the room, so thankfully, she didn't see the exchange. Jessie, on the other hand, noticed every move.

"You just have a gun laying around in your night stand?!" Jessie whisper-yelled as she came closer to Rafe. Rafe was a little taken back by Jessie's response, he scrunched his brows together, showing confusion.

"I had a gun there four years ago when we were together and you knew about it then? Why do you care about it now?" Rafe asked, genuinely just curious, not trying to seem defensive. Jessie just exhaled and looked over at their daughter. Words were not needed for Rafe to follow what she was communicating.

Rafe slowly nodded and looked back at Jessie with understanding. He took one step further and grabbed Jessie's hands.

"I know that this probably worries you, with it being so easily accessible, but, baby, you know it's for protection." Rafe whispered with sympathy as he looked in Jessie's eyes.

"But do you really have to have it so close to where our daughter is sleeping?" Jessie asked with just as much sympathy. They both were genuinely trying to understand their differences in that moment, which was something neither one of them would have been mature enough to do four years ago. Rafe sighed and looked at the ground.

"Yes, baby. If it's anywhere else and something happens I'm not gonna be able to get to it in time and protect you and Charley." Rafe explained gently, still holding onto Jessie's hands.

"But couldnt you just, like, put a lock on it or something?" Jessie asked once again, still trying to meet Rafe in the middle.

"Jess... you know that's not any better than putting it out of my reach.  Seconds matter and if I-"

"Okay, okay..." Jessie trailed off, getting slightly annoyed. Rafe sighed and brought Jessie closer.

"Just like you taught Charley not to touch hot or fragile things, we will teach her not to go to the bedside table. But even more than that, she wont be staying in here forever. She will have her own space and not many reasons to come in here eventually." Rafe assured as he hugged Jessie tight. Jessie just exhaled and nodded as she laid her head on Rafe's chest. She had to learn to trust him with these things, especially when it came to his daughter.

"I have her best interest at heart too, baby." Rafe whispered as he kissed Jessie's head. Jessie knew he was right, he couldn't live with himself if Charley ever got hurt, but that was the main reason he kept the gun there in the first place. Jessie decided to let it go.

"Besides, you know I've got too many enemies around here to walk around without something." Rafe joked as he pulled away from Jessie.

"That is not funny." Jessie said completely serious. She did not appreciate mob mentality, even though she knew as Rafe's wife she was more than apart of it now. Who was she kidding, she had been apart of mob mentality long before she even met Rafe, and that didn't change when she was in Manhattan. Rafe just giggled.

"I'm not going to let anything happen to my girls, I promise." Rafe said a little more seriously, but still with a smile in an attempt to lighten the mood. Jessie simply nodded in agreement and smiled as a silent thank you. With that, they were off to breakfast.