𝗠𝘆 𝗘𝘀𝗰𝗮𝗽𝗲 ⇉ 𝗝𝗝 𝗠𝗮𝘆𝗯𝗮𝗻𝗸

𝘩 𝘰 𝘮 𝘦

AS SOON AS ARI FELT like she could breathe again, she suddenly lost the ability to do so. Sitting on the boat, the girl felt lost. Just when she got thought she finally had her family all back together, John B is left behind. They left him behind.

Ari felt like she had no control of her life. If she did, she would've never endured the constant pain she has been through. Everything should've been easier now that she was with them, but it was the exact opposite.

Ariella sits next to Pope, the boy wraps his arm around her shoulders, comforting her as she coos softly at Cora, who let out a small yawn. She was trying not to glance at JJ, who was constantly pacing back and forth. The sight only stressed her more, Pope knew that.

Cleo occasionally glances over at them, annoyed at the fact that instead of comforting his girlfriend and child, JJ was off storming around like a child. Ariella did not need any more stress added to her shoulders.

"We have to turn right back around—."

"No!" Cleo exclaims, her loud voice catching them off guard. "We're all
gonna get caught. What type of plan is that?!"

"It's a plan to stick together, Cleo!" JJ remarks, his tone matching hers.

"Then we are dead together." Cleo says before pointing over to Ariella and Cora. "We're all worried about him, but they are your biggest priorities right now. They need you! Get it together, man."

Settling his eyes on his girlfriend, who could no longer meet his eyes, placing her attention to their child, JJ fell silent. Cleo was right. He just got them back and he's already broken his promise of staying by their side and never letting them go.

Could he be any worse of a boyfriend?

Moving over, Pope allows JJ to take his place. The blonde boy immediately pulls Ari into his chest, kissing her head. The Cameron girl leans into his side as she sighs. "She's right. We had to leave. JB would understand."

"We'd all be zip-tied in the back of a pickup, if we didn't leave." Kiara adds. "We did the right thing."

"I know you want us all to stick together and that's exactly what I wanted as well, but we have a daughter now, JJ. She comes first." Ariella turns her gaze, so the two could lock eyes. "She comes before everyone. I will not put her in danger more than I already have. I know we just found our way back to each other and all of this is hard for you. Trust me, I get, but—."

"But nothing." JJ cuts her off, shaking his head. "I've been waiting so long to have you back in my arms. To be able to love and hold our child. I need to do better and I will start doing better. I'm just so into my head. I feel like I don't know what to do. I-I can't already start screwing up. I-I can't be like him. I've already missed out on so much and I won't miss anymore. You two are my everything and you two come ahead of everything else. I swear to you, baby."

His words were exactly what Ari needed to hear in the moment. This is the reassurance she's been waiting to hear since she had Cora Lynn. She's been so scared of doing it all on her own and JJ's words made her feel secure. They were in this together.

"That's exactly what I needed to hear and you can start by holding her." Ariella lets a small smile grace her face before a teasing smirk takes over. "My arms are starting to hurt."