Tide of Tenderness (OBX)

Chapter 2

The sun was beginning its descent toward the horizon, casting long shadows across the beach. The Pogues had spent the entire day basking in the warmth, playing games, and reminiscing about their past adventures. As the evening approached, they packed up their belongings and began the short trek back to the Chateau.

John B carried Madi, who was now fast asleep in the baby carrier, her thumb still in her mouth and her bunny clutched tightly in her other hand. Sarah walked beside him, holding his hand, her thoughts drifting to the past year and all the changes it had brought. The money they had discovered during their adventures had allowed them some comfort and stability, but it couldn't erase the scars left by their fathers' deaths.

"How are you feeling?" John B asked quietly, sensing Sarah's reflective mood.

Sarah sighed, looking up at him with a small smile. "Just thinking about everything we've been through. It's hard to believe it's only been a year."

"I know," John B replied, squeezing her hand. "Sometimes it feels like a lifetime ago."

They reached the Chateau, the familiar structure standing proudly amidst the greenery. John B gently unbuckled Madi from the carrier, cradling her in his arms as they walked inside. The rest of the Pogues followed, settling into the worn but comfortable furniture.

Pope, ever the planner, had been working on a new project—an online history archive of their adventures, meticulously documenting every detail. He pulled out his laptop and began typing away, his focus intense.

JJ and Kiara, on the other hand, were busy sorting through some of the artifacts they had collected over the years. JJ held up a small, intricately carved box, examining it closely. "Remember when we found this in that old church?" he asked, grinning at Kiara.

Kiara laughed, nodding. "Yeah, and you almost fell through the floor trying to reach it."

John B and Sarah joined them, setting Madi down on a blanket in the middle of the room. She stirred slightly but remained asleep, her tiny chest rising and falling rhythmically.

"What's the plan for tonight?" Cleo asked, looking around the room.

John B shrugged, glancing at Sarah. "I was thinking we could just relax, maybe have a bonfire on the beach. It's been a while since we all just hung out without any drama."

Everyone agreed, and soon they were gathering wood and supplies for the fire. As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting the sky in hues of orange and pink, they made their way back to the beach, now with blankets and snacks in tow.

The fire crackled and popped, casting a warm glow over their faces. They sat in a circle, the sound of the waves providing a soothing backdrop to their conversation.

Pope was the first to break the silence, his voice thoughtful. "Do you ever think about what would have happened if we hadn't found the gold? Or the cross?"

JJ chuckled, shaking his head. "We'd probably still be running from the cops, hiding out in the marsh. But hey, we made it through. And we got this," he said, gesturing to the group.

Kiara nodded, her expression serious. "It's crazy to think about all the people we lost along the way, though. Ward, Big John... it's hard to reconcile all of that."

Sarah's face tightened at the mention of her father. Despite everything Ward had done, he was still her dad. The conflicting emotions were something she wrestled with daily. "I know he was a bad person, but he was still my dad," she said quietly. "It's hard to separate the two."

John B wrapped an arm around her shoulders, pulling her close. "It's okay to feel that way, Sarah. Losing my dad... it messed me up too. He was so driven by his obsession with the gold that he lost sight of everything else."

Cleo, who had been quiet up until now, spoke up. "We've all lost people. But we've also gained a lot. We have each other, and we have Madi. That little girl is our future."

Everyone nodded in agreement, the gravity of Cleo's words settling over them. They had been through hell and back, but they had emerged stronger, closer, and more determined to build a better future.

The conversation shifted to lighter topics as the night wore on. JJ and Pope started telling wild stories about their childhood, making everyone laugh until their sides hurt. Kiara and Cleo joined in, sharing their own memories and adding to the jovial atmosphere.

John B watched his friends, feeling a sense of peace he hadn't known in a long time. Despite the hardships and the losses, they were still here, still fighting, still together. He looked at Sarah, her face illuminated by the firelight, and felt a surge of love and gratitude. They had built something beautiful out of the chaos, and he knew they could handle whatever came next.

Madi woke up briefly, her sleepy eyes blinking in the firelight. She reached for John B, who lifted her into his lap. She snuggled against him, her small hand clutching his shirt as she drifted back to sleep. John B looked around at his friends, the family they had become, and knew that they would be okay.

As the fire died down and the night grew cooler, they started to pack up, ready to head back to the Chateau. They walked together, their bond unbreakable, their spirits high. The future was uncertain, but they had each other, and that was enough.

Back at the Chateau, they settled in for the night. John B and Sarah put Madi to bed, watching as she snuggled into her plushies and fell into a peaceful sleep. They stood together, watching over her, their hearts full.

"We're going to be okay," John B whispered, his arms around Sarah.

She nodded, leaning into him. "Yeah, we are."

They knew there would be challenges ahead, but they also knew that as long as they had each other, they could face anything.