⋆ ˚｡ rafe's pretty baby ｡˚ ⋆

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"Where JJ?" You ask once you arrive back home, having stayed with Kiara’s parents for the last days when JJ realized that you being around him and the pogues is too dangerous ever since Groff seemed to be after him, so he decided it’s the best for you to stay at the Carrera's for the time being until everything has settled down.

Now it’s on the pogues to tell you the reason why JJ isn’t here with them. John B shares a glance with the others before kneeling down in front of you, taking a deep breath as he forces himself to keep eye contact with you.

"Listen, Y/N. JJ…he’s not coming back. He- He’s up there now. He’s with the stars." He manages to get out, pointing up at sky, his heart breaking at the confused look on your face.

"Why?" You frown, not understanding the meaning of his words. Why is your brother not coming back? Why is he staying with the stars? "He say he back soon. He promised. He come back."

"Kiddo, I-i know it’s hard to understand but- jesus." He cuts himself off, looking away when he feels his eyes begin to water and Sarah comes to kneel beside him, placing her hand on his arm as her other grabs your tiny one.

"What John B is trying to say is…JJ passed away, sweetie. He won’t- he can’t come back from where he is now." Sarah tries to explain to you softly, a single tear rolling down her face as she watches you process her words.

You pull your hand back from her, looking over at Cleo and Pope who also have solemn expressions on their faces, only now starting to comprehend that JJ really won’t come back to you, and yet you stubbornly shake your head.

"No…" You whimper sadly, your own eyes filling with tears even though you don’t completely know why. "No. He pwomised."

The moment your face scrunches up, John B reaches out to pull you into his arms, holding you against him as your body sags against his in defeat and starts to shake with sobs, murmuring to you. "I know, bubba. Just let it out. We’ve got you."

You cling onto his shirt while the tears keep flowing down your cheeks, your sobs getting louder until you feel all of the pogues gather around you and John B, forming a hug-circle with you in the middle, each of them sharing your pain and desperately wish they could take it away from you.

The coming days have been more than challenging. The pogues trying to figure out how to find Groff, how to keep their shop running, grieving the loss of their beloved friend, while also taking care of you and keep watch on how you’re handling the whole situation.

You have no mother, your father is nowhere to be found, and now your brother is gone as well. There’s no family left. You’re all alone, at least that’s how it feels to you. You’ve got the pogues, yes, but it still doesn’t change the fact that you’re the only maybank left on this island, and the only person who always managed to make you smile with joy or make you feel better when you are sad was JJ.

John B knocks on the door to JJ's room, which you haven’t necessarily left since finding out about his death, sitting on his bed and coloring on blank sheets with your teddy propped up next to you that now wears one of JJ's bead bracelets as a necklace.

"Y/N?" John B calls out before opening the door slowly, finding you in the same position as earlier this day. "Hey, you wanna come join us outside for a bit? We set up a fire and Kie got some marshmallows just for you."

You hesitate for a moment, but then shake your head as you keep on scribbling away on the piece of paper, wiping your nose with a sniff.

"You sure? It might be fun." He tries again to convince you, only receiving another shake of your head, making him sigh. "Okay, we’re downstairs if you need anything."

He closes the door softly, getting back outside where the others are sitting around a small fire, and surprisingly Rafe is there as well since him and Sarah are trying to fix their relationship after what happened in morocco, all of them still getting used to him being around more frequently.

Sarah sits up hopefully when she sees John B coming out again. "And?"

"No chance." He exhales, sitting down beside her and picks up his beer can. "She didn’t even look at me. I’m getting real worried about her. I want to help her but I don’t know how."

Rafe then speaks up. "Give her space. She needs to sort out her feelings on her own pace."

"I’m sorry, but you are the last person to give any kind of therapy advice right now." Pope remarks, making the others chuckle while Rafe clenches his jaw, taking a sip from his beer.

"I’m just saying, don’t crowd her. She’ll come to you when she’s ready. Just give her time." He says just as the screen door opens, making all of them turn their head to see you standing there.

You stand there, unsure what to do and play with the arm of your bear, suddenly feeling shy with all the eyes on you. "Can…can I has some mallows?"

Each of the pogues chest feels lighter the second you mumble out those words, all of them starting to smile while John B beckons you over to him.

"Sure thing, kiddo. Hop on." He pats his lap, lifting you onto it with an exasperated 'whoosh' once you’re close enough and makes sure you’re comfortable before grabbing a carved branch to stick a marshmallow onto it, helping you hold it over the fire.

A small giggle escapes you when the fire makes a rather loud pop. As the others fall back into their conversations, Rafe's gaze keeps drifting back to you, watching the way Sarah talks with you or helps you not to burn yourself on the heated marshmallows.

The way you still resemble JJ in some way is fascinating, even though you’re not actually related by blood as they all found out a while ago, there is no denying that you are JJ Maybank's little sister in the way you talk and represent yourself.

Rafe can imagine the emptiness you are experiencing right now, after losing his mother at a young age he hasn’t been the same anymore, and now he also lost his father a while back, yet he still has his sisters even when his relationship to them isn’t the best at the moment, he’s trying to do better and appreciate the bit of family he has left, which is something you can only dream of now.

It’s then when he remembers that Sarah is only still alive because JJ saved her from drowning on their way to morocco, and no one was able to save your brother from his fate, the person who basically raised you is gone and you’re left not knowing what will happen next whenever you go to sleep.

The following days you’ve started to come out of your shell bit by bit, more often showing signs of your old self again much to everyone’s relief. There are still days where you miss JJ immensely and will cry out for him after having a nightmare, but the pogues and John B in particular are always there to hold you when you need it.

It’s one morning where you are helping the others prepare breakfast, everything feeling alright for once as you’re balanced on John B's hip while he’s finishing up some pancakes, bobbing his head to the music that Kie put on, who’s setting up the table together with Sarah.

"Uh, guys, Shoupe just pulled up in his truck." Cleo observes as she looks out the window, all of them taking a look outside and truth to be told it really is Sheriff Shoupe climbing out of his truck together with two other officers and a lady getting out of a black car parked behind him.

"I have a bad feeling about this." Pope states, each of them sharing a worried look before making their way outside, John B tightening his hold on you as Shoupe and the lady approach you both with serious expressions.

"First off all, I heard what happened and I’m sorry for your loss, really, I am." Shoupe starts, giving you a sad nod before letting out a sigh as if he’s sorry for what he’s about to say next, waving his hand towards the woman next to him. "This is Mrs. Attwell. She’s from the child protection service on the mainland and has something to tell you."

John B and Sarah already look at each other alarmed. They have a real damn problem now. CPS showing up can only mean one thing and that’s what all of them have feared the whole time.

"Hello everyone, I’m sure you can imagine why I’m here today." She starts, professionally friendly but it still has the pogues on edge as she opens a folder. "We’ve come to conclusion that the father of Y/N Maybank is currently on the run and her Mother's location is still unknown, and that her brother who has been taking care of her all this time being also seemed to have lied about their father being present, has now sadly passed away. It means that there’s currently no legal guardian for her who can take of her."

"We are taking care of her. She is just fine with us." John B says defensively, subtly turning his body to shield you as he can already imagine what’s about to happen and he doesn’t know how to prevent it.

"With all due respect, Mr. Routledge. You are all teenagers with no stable income and given your current situation you can’t offer a child that young the correct environment. I’m sorry, but we will have to take Y/N with us for now." Mrs. Attwell explains to them calmly, reaching out to take you from John B's arms.

You instantly tense up, grasping his shirt tightly in your hands as you look at him with wide eyes, practically begging with them to not let the take you. "Bee, no take me!"

"No, ain’t no way this happening. She’s healthy. She’s happy. You will only traumatize her further!" John B holds you protectively, his eyes widening when the two officers step closer.

"I’m afraid we don’t have a choice in this matter." Mrs. Attwell says, grabbing you from under the armpits while one of the officers holds John B back, the other stepping in front of Pope when he tries to intervene.

You writhe in the lady’s hold, screaming out. "No! Bee! Don' wanna go!"

All the pogues protest and try to negotiate with Shoupe but he’s also just doing his job, even when it’s breaking his heart to hear a child cry out like this.

Just as Mrs. Attwell is about to carry you to her car, another vehicle stops abruptly behind hers, a familiar person getting out quickly.

"Hey! Can you explain to me why the hell you are handling the kid and this whole situation like that?" Rafe demands as he strides over to stand in front of her, holding a folder in one hand.

Sarah and the rest are utterly confused on his sudden appearance. "Rafe?"

"And who are you, sir?" Mrs. Attwell questions, trying to keep a good grip on you as you wriggle in her arms.

"Rafe Cameron, legal guardian to the child that you are trying to force into your car and that since…" Rafe states as he looks at his watch. "8am. So, unless you want my lawyer to contact you, I suggest you let the kid down. Now."

"I’m sorry, but I can’t just hand a child over with no-" She protests when Rafe suddenly holds the folder out to her.

"Here’s is everything you need. I’ll happily read it to you out loud if her squirming is too much for you to handle, ma'am." He says with a smug expression on his face as she eventually sets you down to take the papers.

You immediately take the chance to run and hide behind Rafe’s legs, holding onto the fabric of his pants desperately while Mrs. Attwell goes through the folder, her once confident appearance slowly fading as she finishes reading.

Rafe speaks up when she looks up at him again. "You should try communicating with your superiors before going to traumatize children."

"My apologies, Mr. Cameron. I think we’re done here." She mutters, motioning to Shoupe that they can also leave before walking past Rafe towards her car.

Rafe mockingly waves her goodbye, his other hand subconsciously reaching behind him to place it on your head to soothe you, turning his head towards Shoupe when he comes to stand beside him and eyes him warily.

"I’ll keep an eye on you, boy." The sheriff warns him, giving you a apologetic look and motions the officers to follow him, marching back off to the truck.

"Do what you can’t help doing, Shoupe." Rafe calls after him, watching the police truck peel away before turning his attention to you. "You a'ight?"

You sniffle, wiping your face as you nod your head. "Fank you…"

Rafe didn’t even get a chance to respond when all the pogues come running to check on you. You basically barrel into John B's outstretched arms, wrapping your own around his neck as he lifts you up.

Sarah, turns to her brother skeptically. "How in the world did you convince them to let you take in a child? And why did you in the first place?"

He only shrugs nonchalantly. "I have good connections, mind you. I just didn’t want her to end up in several foster families and be taken from where she belongs. It’s not her fault for what happened, and I have the necessities for CPS to stay away for now."

Nobody questions it further, they are just relieved to have you back in their arms, giving Rafe an appreciating nod.

Once back inside and after breakfast, you are now in your room which looks more like a guest room rather one like it belongs to a child, watching from your bed how Sarah and Kie pack a suitcase for you with Rafe leaning against the doorway.

"Why can’t I s'eep here?" You ask sadly at some point.

"I don’t mind you sleeping here from time to time, but the people who the lady earlier works for will keep an eye on how I take care of you for the next weeks and if they make a visit and see you’re not with me, they will take you away for good." Rafe explains the situation to you, knowing that you’re confused on why you have to go with him now.

"But hey…it’s not too bad, sweetheart." Sarah tries to light up your mood. "You’re still near us and can visit us often, or we will come and see you. Rafe has a nice house where you will have lots of space and he even has a swimming pool. You will have it real nice there, I promise."

You purse your lip in thought. It does sound nice, but it still means leaving the pogues who you have been growing up with since you can remember, even if its not far away. "I gonna miss you..."

"Oh Y/N/N, we will miss you too." Sarah coos, pulling you into a hug. "I'll make sure that we come to visit you regularly and you can call us whenever you want! Right Rafe?" She looks at him expectantly.

"Of course. I'll look that we come over as much as possible as well." He says, looking at his watch. "We gotta go soon if you still want to decorate your room."

"Decorate? Make pretty?" Your eyes almost light up at his words. "All colors, like rainbow?"

"Yeah, sure, you can have it however you like, kid." He assures you, grabbing the suitcase when Kie holds it out to him.

Now its time to say goodbye to the pogues, well not exactly but still, you have to leave them for now, giving each of them a nice long hug, especially John B.

"Luv you bee..." You mumble into his neck, hugging him tightly.

"I love you more, bubba. We will see each other again soon enough. Be good for me, yeah?" He smiles at you, ruffling your hair as he helps you on the backseat of Rafe's car, buckling your seatbelt for you.

You give him a small smile back, holding onto his hand for a moment longer before letting it slip away from your grasp, waving him and the others as Rafe closes the car door.

He turns to face John b, both of them looking at each other seriously when John B speaks up again. "If she ever tells me something shady or if anything happens to her, I will come for your ass and bury you alive."

"You really think I would've gone through all those damn papers for a bad intend? I just stopped them from dragging her away. You're welcome by the way." Rafe counters back, walking around the car to get into the drivers seat.

The pogues are left to watch Rafe drive off with you, happy that you aren't dragged away towards the mainland, but also on edge that you are now under the care of Rafe freaking Cameron of all people.

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Its been over a week now ever since Rafe took you in. It has been fun so far. You have your own room that's twice as big as your old one and decorated to your hearts desire, with rainbow designs, a cloud like looking carpet, a canopy bed that's filled with stuffed animals, every toy one could think off. Lets just say that Rafe really went over the top just for you to feel comfortable in your new environment.

The swimming pool has to be your favorite thing so far. Its always the perfect temperature, the water so clear and clean that you could spend hours just looking at your feet or the design on the bottom of the pool while swimming around in your floaties.

Rafe, for his part, doesn't leave you out of his sight longer than necessary. His only experience with children having been years ago when Whezzie was this small, so all this caring for a tiny human is also a challenge for him because he has to behave differently around as well, given the fact that a child needs lots of assurance and attention —plus you're still grieving JJ.

The pogues keep their promise and visit you randomly or come over when you ask them too, always asking how you're doing and if Rafe is being nice to you, to which you nod enthusiastically before showing them all the drawings you made and beg them to go into the swimming pool with you next so you can show them your 'tricks'.

John B has come to the conclusion that this is exactly what you needed, a nice new place to explore the whole time that you don’t think so much about JJ all the time and this is just the right distraction for you, and Rafe has a big part in it as well.

One evening, after taking your bath and brushing your teeth, you’re now getting tucked into bed by Rafe after another eventful day, snuggling into the sheets as you grip your teddy close.

"All comfy?" He asks rather softly, a completely new side of him that you seemed to have unlocked much to everyone’s surprise.

You nod, fiddling with the bracelet around your bears neck before asking quietly. "Rafey, why you takin' care of me now?"

Rafe freezes for a moment, taking a deep breath as he scratches at his eyebrow. "Uhm, I- you see. When I was on the way to morocco with the pogues, there was a big storm one night and the boat was being swayed from left to right. Sarah…she got swept off deck at some point by a big wave. JJ jumped in after her without hesitation and saved her life and that of her unborn baby that night. Your brother saved my sister and…I think it’s only fair that I save his own from being taken away from her real family."

"I miss him lots…" You murmur sadly, sniffling once as you sit up again on the mattress.

"I know you do. A part of you will always miss him, and that’s okay." He reassures you, reaching out to cradle the back of your head, scratching lightly over your still slightly damp hair. "It’s gonna get easier, believe me. I’ve been through it too."

You nod your head, letting him wipe away a stray tear from under your eye and let out a yawn. "M'kay…nigh' nigh', rafey."

"Goodnight, kid…" Rafe gently pats your head, waiting for you to lay back down and turns on your nightlight before standing up to leave, letting the door open a little bit in case you wake up from a nightmare again.