𝗠𝘆 𝗘𝘀𝗰𝗮𝗽𝗲 ⇉ 𝗝𝗝 𝗠𝗮𝘆𝗯𝗮𝗻𝗸

𝘴 𝘪 𝘤 𝘬

JJ NEVER CAME HOME, and Pope spent the night in a cell, leaving Ariella sleepless and consumed by worry. Her mind spiraled with countless scenarios of where her husband might be and how Pope was holding up.

He had risked everything for her, and the thought of him and then JJ out there, possibly running for his life, made her heart ache with an unbearable intensity.

When Cora Lynn woke up asking for her father, Ariella did her best to distract her, and thankfully, Sarah was there to help.

Sarah could see the exhaustion etched deeply into Ariella's face, and it was clear that it wasn't just the recent events of JJ evading the cops that were weighing her down.

Ariella couldn't bring herself to eat, and the dizziness that plagued her all night never seemed to fade. Sarah couldn't help but wonder what was really going on with the girl. Yet, she too had been feeling bouts of nausea, adding another layer of concern to the already heavy atmosphere.

Currently, Ariella sat inside the Twinkie, her gaze fixed on the courthouse as Cora Lynn slept peacefully in her arms. There was a hearing for Pope, and every fiber of Ariella's being wanted to be inside, supporting her best friend. But they all knew that bringing herself and her daughter into that environment again was not an option.

The memories of recent events were too fresh. She couldn't subject Cora Lynn to that atmosphere again, no matter how much she wanted to be there for Pope.

The weight of her decisions pressed down on her, making the moment even more poignant and heart-wrenching.

From the corner of her eye, in the side mirror of the Twinkie, Ariella saw Pope emerging from the courthouse. His head hung low, flanked by his parents whose eyes were filled with a palpable disappointment.

The sight tugged at her heart, making it feel like it was being physically squeezed.

Carefully, Ariella places Cora Lynn down on the seat, ensuring the little girl was comfortable before she moves to step out of the car.

She intended to rush to Pope, to be there for him in his moment of need. But before she could, he was already hurrying towards her, his strides long and purposeful. He reaches the car and opens the door for his best friend, his eyes never leaving hers.

As Ariella steps out, her gaze fell upon the ankle monitor strapped to Pope's leg. Her eyes widen in shock and sorrow, the reality of the situation hitting her hard.

She looks up, meeting his gaze, and in that moment, no words were necessary. They shared a silent understanding, a bond that went deeper than words could convey.

Ariella threw her arms around Pope, pulling him close. He buries his head into her neck, and they clung to each other as if the world were ending.

In that embrace, the weight of their troubles seemed to lift, if only for a fleeting moment. The world felt a little lighter, and for that brief time, they found solace in each other's arms.

"I have to stay with my parents." Pope begins, his voice cracking yet soft as he whispers in her ear. "I won't be able to—."

"I know." Ariella cuts him off gently, her grip tightening. "You don't have to explain. I'm sorry, Pope."

"This isn't your fault." Pope says, kissing the crown of her forehead gently. "So don't blame yourself."

Ariella nods, the guilt in her chest easing as they pull away from each other. She squeezes his hand once more before Pope moves behind her and into the Twinkie for a moment to kiss his sleeping goddaughter goodbye.