Rafe hadn’t been paying too much attention to the television playing behind him at the bar. He sipped his glass of bourbon disinterestedly, eyes glancing around the bar as he realized every other patron’s eyes were focused on the television. Never one to be left out, he turns around with a sigh. He finds himself slowly standing up from his seat, brow furrowed as he sees your college graduation picture splash across the screen. That switches to video of you getting off a boat with the pogue’s, crying as you’re swept up into the arms of your parents. Everyone in the bar starts talking all at once, and he shakes his head.

“Everybody shut your damn mouth!” He yells, needing to hear what they’re saying. Needing to know if what he’s saying is real. Did they really find you? Were you alive and back in the outer banks. The crowd quiets around him, a few patrons shooting him dirty looks. He ignores them, crossing his arms as he listens to the newscaster.

“…..the group was rescued off the shores of the Bahamas after their boat had sunk in a storm. Rescue efforts had been unsuccessful and the group were feared to have perished in the storm. They have now returned home to be reunited with their family members and loved ones..”

Rafe tosses a one hundred dollar bill down on the bar, far more than his drinks cost, but he doesn’t care. All that he can think of is that you’re alive. He didn’t lose you. You’re here and he can go to you. He can wrap you up in his arms and kiss you until you forget why you left him. He has the chance to get you back now. He’s already reaching for his keys and breaking out into a run, his long strides bringing him to his white Mercedes quickly. He slides into the car and peels out of the parking lot. He doesn’t give a shit about the speed limit, he just needs to get to you.

You’re finishing up changing into the clothes your parents brought you at the hospital. The doctor had thankfully given you the all clear to go home tonight. After everything you’d been through, nothing sounded better than getting to sleep in your own bed tonight. You stuff your feet into your converse and stand up from the hospital bed, tugging the curtain open. You grab your phone that your parents had brought, and you debate calling Rafe. You want to hear his voice. Almost dying at sea had put a lot of things in perspective for you. It had made all the fights with him over the Pogues and the gold, seem stupid and pointless. Maybe it would be better to wait and see him in person. Get a good rest tonight and head over to see him tomorrow.

You walk out of the exam room and head towards the main doors. The sunshine and the warm, humid air hits you immediately when you step outside. You couldn’t wait to get home and back into air conditioning. You take a seat on the bench, waiting for your mom to come and drive you back to your apartment. You’re looking down at the ground, when you hear a familiar voice.

“There you are” Rafe’s voice cracks with emotion when his eyes land on you.

“Rafe” your eyes widen and you slowly stand up, carefully making your way to him. He meets you halfway and wraps his arms around you, pressing a kiss against your head.

“You have no idea how good it is to have you in my arms” he murmurs against your hair.