Five Years Later • JIARA •

10

Kiara's POV:

I was laying in bed and he was on the couch. I couldn't fall asleep and then I asked him, "J, why didn't you ever call the cops on your dad?"

"I did... I was seven and the police came and brought him in for questioning. They released him after 48 hours. He came home and almost killed me. I was terrified of him."

We kept talking and it kept getting deeper and deeper and then JJ said, "You know after Cole told me the world would be better off without me and so would you, I got into that fight with my dad and Barry then you showed up and I fought my dad again. If you wouldn't have shown up, I was contemplating swallowing a bottle of my dad's painkillers and putting a bullet through my head...."

JJ said that and I felt like someone stabbed me in the chest. I couldn't hide my tears. I got up and walked over to the couch he was laying on. I bent over and hugged him. He wrapped his arms around me and pulled me closer to him. I knelt down and was literally laying on top of him. My head rested on his rest and we both just held onto each other.

I cried and he cried. We both cried and I said, "Please don't ever leave me, J. You are my best friend and I wouldn't be okay without you."

"I promise..." He said 

I laid on his chest and listened to his heartbeat. It was so calming for both of us. I eventually fell asleep. I woke up and I was still laying directly on top of him. 

"Good morning, Kie..." He said smiling 

"Good morning.." I said carefully getting off of him

"Come back, you were like a heated blanket.." He said

"I have to go home. Everyone is probably freaking out that I've been gone for two days and haven't called or texted."

"Okay, fine.." He said pouting like a child

I put my own clothes back on as I wore JJ's yesterday. I grabbed my stuff, started my car, and I said goodbye to JJ.

"Thank you for everything, J. I needed this time away and I didn't even realize it. Please don't do anything stupid. I'll always be here for you, no matter what, no matter what time, you can always call me."

"I promise, nothing stupid. Thanks, Kie. Drive safe and text me when you get back."

"I will.." I said hugging him 

I drove back home and it took me about an hour. I saw my messages from Sarah telling me to come over ASAP and not to go home. I went over to see John B and Sarah and they were both pissed.

"We covered for you so Cole thinks you were here doing wedding stuff with me." Sarah said

"Thank you..." I said

"What were you and JJ doing?" John B asked as if I was guilty of something

"Nothing and who said I was with JJ?"

"Where else would you be? And you were the only two not answering your phones."

"Fine, I was with JJ but we didn't do anything. We were just hanging out. I'm engaged.." I said annoyed

I went home to Cole and I told him that I was with Sarah doing some wedding planning when my phone died. He really didn't even care. We went over a bunch of last-minute wedding details. Our wedding was in three weeks and Christmas was next week.

I went to the mainland and went shopping for JJ. I bought him the new apple watch. Yes, it was expensive, but he deserved it. I wanted him to have a perfect Christmas. I also bought him a Carhartt jacket and flannel. Along with two pairs of Lululemon shorts, three shirts from lulu, and a few other things. I went way overboard, I know that. 

I went home and wrapped all the presents. There were twelve in total. I put them in the back of my car. I spent the whole day with Cole, just hanging out, it was perfect. 

Christmas approached and late on Christmas Eve, I snuck out of bed with Cole and I got in my car and drove to the cabin. It took about forty minutes and I snuck inside with all the gifts. He had a real tree in there that we decorated together so I put all the gifts under the tree and I left him a note. Thankfully, JJ can sleep through anything and he didn't wake up when I was there.

I drove back home to Cole and we woke up on Christmas morning and exchanged our gifts then we went over to my parent's house. His whole family was there and we hung out, opened presents, had an incredible meal cooked by our moms. It was a perfect Christmas day. 

That night, I was getting together with the pogues for our little Christmas. Cole was coming over too and he seemed excited. We arrived at the chateau and we were the last ones there. We were greeted with everyone saying Merry Christmas and hugging us/shaking hands. 

We played a few games, had a few drinks, and just enjoyed each other's company. JJ whispered in my ear, "we need to talk"

I followed him outside and he said, "Why the fuck did you buy me all that?"

"Buy you what? Santa is the one who got you all that." I said playing dumb

"Kie, I can't accept any of it. You spent way too much money. I'll never be able to repay you."

"No returns allowed. It doesn't matter what it cost and I don't ever want you to repay me. I just don't want you to be such a grinch when it comes to Christmas over something that happened when you were just a little boy. I am not saying that it wasn't traumatizing for you, because it hurts me just thinking about it. It's just Christmas is magical and I wanted you to have a good Christmas."

JJ hugged me and he whispered, "Thank you, Kie.."

Our hug broke just as John B came out and said, "Quit macking!"

We both gave him a look and he said just kidding. We went back inside and cleaned up and then we were going home. JJ was spending the night at the Chateau and Pope and Cleo were leaving too.

Cole said it was enjoyable which shocked me as he usually hated being on the cut. The wedding was two weeks away and I was getting super anxious for the big day.