𝗠𝘆 𝗘𝘀𝗰𝗮𝗽𝗲 ⇉ 𝗝𝗝 𝗠𝗮𝘆𝗯𝗮𝗻𝗸

𝘣 𝘶 𝘭 𝘭 𝘴 𝘩 𝘪 𝘵

ARIELLA KEPT HER word with a resolve that belied her yearning. As soon as Rafe ate the last of the crust, signaling the end of his meal, she stood. Rafe had been taking infuriatingly slow bites, each chew a deliberate attempt to stretch the moments they had left.

She saw it in his eyes—a desperate plea for normalcy, for the echoes of their childhood.

And for a fleeting moment, amidst the oppressive silence of the cramped boat cabin, she allows herself to indulge in the illusion that they were just Rafe and Ariella again, young and unburdened.

The Pogues had outdone themselves.

Not only had they hauled in a decent catch, providing a much-needed dinner, but they'd also managed a quick pit stop at Bermuda Island.

A shadowy transaction with a weathered dockhand secured enough fuel to keep the boat humming, each drop a promise of Morocco drawing nearer.

Now, under the vast expanse of the sky, Ariella sat nestled on JJ's lap. His solid warmth was a grounding force as she looped her arms around his neck.

They were the only souls on the afterdeck, separated from Pope's focused concentration at the helm by the Captain's box. He was their steadfast navigator, charting a course toward a future they were only beginning to imagine.

"So, I've been doing some thinking." JJ began, his voice a low murmur against her ear. His hand slips beneath her shirt, his fingers tracing gentle circles on her stomach. "Got a few names rattling around in my head. Wanna hear 'em?"

Ariella's heart flutters.

"Of course, I do." She breathes, leaning in to press a soft kiss to his lips.

JJ's eyes sparkle with a tenderness that always caught her off guard. "Okay, so for a girl... I was thinking Kaia. It's got that beachy vibe, you know? Or, if we wanna keep the 'C' thing going, since Cora's got it, we could do Ciana. And for a boy... Cyrus. Or... Hudson."

Ariella's breath hitches. "Hudson?"

She could feel her heart swelling.

"Yeah." JJ nods, his voice softening. "I know how much you loved that name. It's been on your baby list since we first started dating."

"I can't believe you remember that." Ariella breathes, overwhelmed by the depth of his love. "I love all of these names, JJ. They're perfect."

"Of course, I remember. Anything you tell me is locked in here." He chuckles, pulling her closer as he taps his head playfully. "Besides, Hudson's a great name. I love that one."

"It is." Ariella agrees, burying her face in his neck, placing gentle kisses. "God, I love you."

"I love you more, pretty." JJ kisses her cheek ever so softly, taking in the moment as he holds her in his arms.

After a moment, Ariella pulls back, a flicker of sadness in her eyes. "I-I hope we make it back in time for Cora's birthday next week. We can't miss it. I won't. I'll take this boat back myself."

JJ shakes his head, cupping her cheek gently. "Hey, don't worry your pretty little head about that. We got this. We'll be back in time for cake and candles, I promise you."

Before they could delve further into their shared dream, the cabin door creaks open, and John B emerges, his face etched with a familiar anxiety.

He stood there for a moment, as if steeling himself, before stepping onto the deck, his eyes locking onto theirs.

Whatever he had to say, Ariella had a feeling she knew what it was.

"Hey. Sorry to interrupt." John B's hands rub together nervously as he approaches them, his eyes darting around before he settles on a crate, sinking down onto it in front of them.