ISSUES 2 II OUTERBANKS S3/S4

home

As I enter Tanneyhills' property, I already see my dad outside on the balcony with Rafe following him. I'm the one to tell them what's happened. I remember Rafe's threat towards John B in a moment where John B has helped Ward. If you hurt him, I swear to you that I'll find you.

So now that he's dead.. what would he do? It doesn't surprise me anymore that I don't care about it. I'm not here for Rafe as someone I loved, just for him as Ward's son. I meant it when I said I couldn't stand him for not only stealing but also destroying the cross and lying to me about it when he knew what I thought.

I slowly enter the house I once called my home. It's filled with so many memories of Ward and the Cameron family. Now the house feels empty.

Dad stops walking downstairs apruptly facing me as if he's already planned my funeral. I swallow the nervousness down trying to be brave enough. Just like Abigail, dad comes up to me quickly and pulls me into his arms. "Isabella", dad whispers giving me a relieved look as he pulls me right into his arms stroking the back of my head. He rests his chin on my head. „I thought you were dead."

Dad's voice shaking makes me frown. People really thought we were gone for real. „I am here now", I whisper shocked and snuggle into the hug. I can't tell him that his best friend since centuries has died. How would I speak these words? I'm surprised when dad loosens his grip around me and gives me some time for myself. I've got a feeling that he already knows what's happened. „Dad? Ward, he.."

„I know." Dad sighs heavily as if he's just waited for me to confirm his suspicions. „Your room's prepared if you want to rest. Calm down slowly. We'll talk about everything soon." Dad lays his hands on my shoulders so I nod. He's right. We can't discuss this topic within a few minutes. Plus, I need a shower urgently. I let go off him and go upstairs ignoring the other rooms. Sarah's with John B and I doubt that mom and Rose came back with Wheezie. I look around the guest room that Ward let me decorate in my interest as I've been staying over so many times.

"You're not even greeting me anymore?", Rafe huffs behind me so I turn around shocked.

„You're here." I don't know what I've expected but I didn't think he'd be here often as dad's here as well. He often stayed at Topper's or Kelce's.

„Obviously. This is my house."

"I just came back, Rafe. I've got no energy for a fight", I sigh heavily and drop down on my bed. How I've missed an actual bed.

"Bella, you-"

"Can you leave me alone?", I interrupt Rafe not interested which irritates him even more.

"Where's dad?", he suddenly asks making me look to the bottom.

"Can't you tell already?", I reply instead and start wondering what I could do to help him. I should be nice, comfort or distract him. I should have tried to call him and-

„Come on, man. Sofia's waiting." Another guy appears behind Rafe making me furl my brows. I've never seen him around here. Yet he looks familiar. Rafe ignores the guy and enters my room fully to stay in front of me angrily. „It's been John B, right? I've told him that if he-" „It was suicide. Whether you believe it or not but Ward has saved Sarah and I and-" „Sarah and you?", Rafe yells loudly making me crawl back shocked, „If that is even true, he shouldn't have moved an inch. You-"

„Rafe, come on", the guy mutters pushing Rafe with towards the door, „She's not worth it."

I don't have the energy to yell at the guy for talking about me like this. They've got no idea what happened and they don't need to if they're so judgmental. I'll talk to dad in a calm moment and he can solve any issues with Rafe but I just need a moment for myself or a month. I might just sleep for the rest of my life.

After taking a shower and sleeping for a few hours what felt like a century, dad decided to take me to the yacht club for dinner. He asked if Sarah and John B might want to join us but I knew they'd need time for themselves. They've had the hardest time of us all.

„Please order whatever you want. You must be starving."

I nod slowly. I've never exactly tried to save money when going out for dinner but I remember the few times during the past year when my parents have visited me. I never ate a lot because I was feeling so distantly towards them. I've just hoped that we'd be done and I could go back to my friends.

„Dad-"

„I know what happened", dad nods, „I've visited Sarah and John B today. Big John and Ward took care of you. The least that I can do is have a look at how they are doing and if they need anything."

I nod not knowing what else to say. Dad and I have had our ups and downs and it still takes time until can completely trust him. But compared to mom, he's been here for me when I needed him.

„Do you also know that we've found El Dorado?"

„That's what I wanted to discuss. I'm extremely proud of what you've accomplished with your friends and I'm glad that you've always decided to listen to your own instinct. Just please reduce the times of being in danger."

„We're not planning on having another adventure. We have to decide what we do with the gold. I'll take time to think about what I'll do in the future. Promise."

„No worries, angel. It took me some time to understand it. It's been two centuries since I've lived on the cut. I know you need your friends and I won't make you stay away from them but I'd be happy if you came back home to Tanneyhill. I'll fulfill Ward's last wish and help Rafe to grow and bring the family back together when everyone's ready."

„I'm right here, dad."

Dad and I continue having an actual great conversation during dinner and I end up having half the menu. Dad laughs when I can't get enough of the pasta and order two desserts and I joing him. It warms my heart to have such a natural moment with him. I ignore some of the people staring at me. Kelce stops by to say hello. Luckily, no other friend from figure eight appears at the yacht club.

Only Thomas Holland, Abigail's dad, stops by to welcome me back and congratulate dad for the way he deals with our situation. He quickly walks back to the table that he shares with James. I sometimes catch him watching us but decide to ignore it.