Bruises ~ Jiara // obx

23 - Filthy rich

Kiara POV // 3 months later

I felt momentarily at peace as my eyes fluttered open to the spill of sunshine and the blissful state of the boy whom I loved lay beside me. As if all was well, which for the most part, it finally was. Rafe was now imprisoned for a good while following his sudden change of heart and what I had previously assumed had been an impulsive decision to finally take the fall for everything he had done. It was as if somewhere deep inside of his damaged self, he had dug just far enough to find the good that deep down, part of me always knew was there. And to shock matters even more, he was actually sorry. He was truly sorry. I had come to believe this after accompanying Sarah on numerous visits to the prison, where she ensured he was being disciplined as well as rehabilitated. She had hope that someday, he would be able to return and live a normal, happy life. And a large part of me had hope for that too; he had saved our lives that day, after all. On top of all of this, although the process was painfully tedious, the gold was being placed rightfully into John B's possession, and the truth of Big John's death had finally come to light. That leaves us with only one problem. One empty hole. And mark my words when I say this; I would give anything to fill that hole.

"You alright Kie?" JJ murmured as he stirred awake, his thumb finding my cheek and caressing it softly. His smile melted to concern and I was dragged from my thoughts quickly enough that he wouldn't have to worry about me. We had done enough worrying the past few months.

"I'm good, just thinking, you?" I asked, playing with his hand and gazing up at his alluring features and scruffy morning hair. I adored his messy morning hair.

"I'm holding up." He replied, sitting up slowly as his hands reached for a photo frame on the bedside table. My heart ached as he held the photo to his chest and sighed whilst blinking back tears.

"I wish he could be here with us..." JJ muttered, as I reached my arm around his back and perched my head on his neck, the both of us gazing at the boy in the photo. A wide, genuine smile was plastered across his elated face as he stood beside his father in the illumination of sunlight. He was happy in the picture; so very happy.

"I love that photo." I whispered, tracing my finger over it and smiling as positive memories rushed to my head. A sudden knock caused me to jump away from JJ's arms and him to stand up in an attempt to look like he was getting ready, as the door creaked open and my mum peeked around the frame.

"Someone's here to see you two." She announced, and seemed suspiciously smiley. I exchanged a glance with JJ as the door closed and he finished pulling on his jeans, before throwing on the same t-shirt he had been wearing for approximately 5 days now.

"You are disgusting." I scoffed, wriggling into a flowery playsuit that Pope had got me for my last birthday.

"Excuse me!" He exclaimed, sniffing his own armpits before chocking on the vile stench. I smirked.

"Told you." He rolled his eyes at this as we headed for the door, but we stopped suddenly, as JJ took my hands in his.

"You look beautiful." He breathed, taking a stray piece of hair and tucking it behind my ear. I blushed, still baffled by how I had ended up with someone who was capable of being so charming and perfect.

"Could say the same about you, if you didn't stink." I giggled, before leaning into a soft yet passionate kiss. It progressed a little before we were startled by another knock.

"Hurry up lovebirds! This is a once in a lifetime occurrence! You guys can make out for the rest of time for all I care but not right now!" Sarah snapped, causing us to break apart and start laughing hysterically. She rolled her eyes dramatically, before leading us outside. A few months had passed but her leg still had a long road of recovery ahead, so she was still on crutches.