𝗠𝘆 𝗘𝘀𝗰𝗮𝗽𝗲 ⇉ 𝗝𝗝 𝗠𝗮𝘆𝗯𝗮𝗻𝗸

𝘴 𝘬 𝘦 𝘱 𝘵 𝘪 𝘤 𝘢 𝘭

ARIELLA PACED back and forth, her phone clutched tightly in her hand. It had been a whole day since, John B, and their father had gone out and they haven't been back. They should've been. John B wouldn't be gone this long without contacting her to let her and the others know, he was okay.

She dialed John B for what felt like the hundredth time, but once again, it went straight to voicemail. "John B, I'm going to kill you. I just need to know that you guys are okay. You're driving me insane. Call me back, okay?"

Ariella's voice wavered with worry. She really tried to push away the anxiety creeping up her spine, but it was getting harder with each passing minute.

Something was wrong.

"Anything?" JJ comes up from behind her, one arm wrapping around her waist and the other holding a wide awake Cora Lynn, who laid against her father's chest for the comfort, Ariella always found herself aching for.

"Nothing." Ariella huffs, stuffing her phone into her pocket. "This can't be good. I'm starting to get really worried."

"I'm sure everything is okay. They're together. At least we know John B is protected." JJ kisses her cheek gently. "Noah and Isabella left for work. Come on, I know what will help ease your mind."

"Oh, yeah?" Ariella raises an eyebrow, allowing JJ to guide her to the large dining room. "What's that?"

"Food." JJ states and as soon as they enter the room, Ariella's eyes go wide at the sight of the beautifully arranged table, it truly took her breath away.

There was a vase of fresh flowers in the center of the table, their vibrant colors adding a touch of beauty to the spread. Plates were piled high with pancakes, eggs, and bacon, while bowls of fresh fruit, yogurt and Cora Lynn's milk bottle to complete it all.

"My love..." Ariella beams up at JJ. "You did this all for me?"

"Everything I do is all for you." JJ replies, using his arm around her waist, to pull her into him further. "I did have help from two little people. One of which I paid five dollars to stay upstairs, so we can have a moment together. Just us three."

His words make her let out a laugh, the noise music to his ears. Ariella leans up and kisses JJ, numerous times on the lips and squeezes Cora Lynn's cheek making her giggle.

"Moments like these are rare for us. I want to get in all the alone time we can get before everything gets so hectic." JJ pulls out a chair for her, being the gentleman he is. "We deserve moments like this. Wouldn't you agree?"

"I 100% agree." Ariella nods, watching JJ move to sit right next to her. Their smiles never leaving their faces.

As they sat down together, surrounded by the delicious breakfast Ariella felt a wave of overpowering love. The effort and care he had put into this simple act made her heart swell, and she knew that this was just the beginning of many cherished moments they would share as a family.

As they enjoyed breakfast, Ariella's gaze was taken away from the gorgeous man in front of her and to the large tv in the living room, that was angled just enough to let her see what was being shown.

"Five Kildare teens who went missing nearly six weeks ago are now reported alive, safe and back on Kildare's Island."

One by one each of their pictures were shown on tv, the reporters continue to go on and on about how they all survived and were back on the island. There was a chance that Rafe would see this...

"Welp, we always wanted to be on tv one way or another." JJ teases, trying to keep the happy moment alive.

Ariella sucks in a breath, releasing a light chuckle, shaking out all the negative thoughts in her head. She focuses once again on JJ and Cora Lynn. "Surprised it hasn't happened earlier."