"A father figure will teach you how you'll let boys treat you."

❥

"JJ", I call as I finally see him at the port when I walk around the boat. JJ takes off his hat. Without thinking about it for a second, I immediately run towards him and let myself fall into his arms. "You're fine", JJ whispers, "Are you fine?" God I'd missed this. His grip around my upper body knowing that I'm safe around him.

"I thought I might never see you again", I cry emotionally as I put his face into my hands and take a look at him to notice that he's got no cut, he's fine, "I thought I'd never see anyone of you again." "It's fine, it's fine", JJ whispers comforting me. I hear the others behind JJ and return the group hug tightly. I've got my family back, each individual idiot.

"We thought you'd be dead", Pope tells me. "You must be joking", JJ gasps as he realizes which boat I was using to get here. "You're here with that boat?", Pope wonders. "What-" "Look at this-" "How did you do it?" "This is huge." "Okay, I've got some questions", JJ grins.

"Tell me about them." "A Lagoon 620", JJ wonders, "You know that we could anywhere with this boat." "I know, it's not as environmental friendly as Kie would prefer it to be", I joke and accept Kie slapping my arm for this statement. "Pretty inconspicious", he jokes but turns serious again, "What did they want from you? They didn't hurt you, right?"

"No. No, it's fine. But it's crazy.. you're not going to believe it. They wanted Denmark's diary." "Why?" "No idea. He says it'll guide us a way to a treasure that's even greater than the one on the Merchant." "A greater treasure?", JJ repeats excitedly, "I'm in." JJ continues loosening the rope as I check the range that is left. We could go to St. Lucia, get some petrol and drive home.

"Iz, you hear this, don't you?", John B interrupts my thoughts, "Do you remember this? Dad is calling me home. It's the sound he made to call us home when we were out in the water." I listen to the sound for a moment and I have to admit, it sounds familiar. But Big John is dead. Well.. we thought Ward is dead as well but he wasn't. What if it is Big John calling John B home? Anything's possible.

"This can't be him", Sarah argues unsurely. "Okay but how do you know?" "You know what." "No. No, no, no.-" "I'm sorry." "Maybe today's our lucky day", I interrupt the two, "Maybe we can't see a wonder anymore even if it's right in front of us but.. Sarah, this is exactly the sound that Big John used to call us home. Maybe it's him. Maybe we're lucky for once."

"Okay", Sarah nods, "Okay, I understand you. John B, you want to go to this church and take a look if it's him'Then go." "Are you sure?" "I'm serious. You need to be quick. You're going to freak out if you don't go so go and Iz, please go with him. We shouldn't part our ways but it's even more important that no one's alone here. You two know this sound. If there's the possibility that it could be Big John, you have to find him."

Without hesitating I nod and run down to JJ to kiss him. "John B and I are going to be back soon. I love you", I quickly say before kissing him and following John B who runs past me. "Iz, what are you doing?", JJ yells after us and Pope calls us as well but we don't stop. We've got no time. "We'll be back. We love you guys!"

Running through these strets, hiding from Singh's men and walking up the hill.. now we pray that it was worth it. What if Big John is alive? What if we heard differently and it's not him? What if it was actually worth it? What if-

"Dad", John B whispers right in front of me as we stand in the church and see the back of Big John. It's Big John. Big John Routledge. "Why did it take you so long, bird, I've been calling for you for hours." "We couldn't believe it", I whisper my voice shaking a I watch Big John and John B reunite after months of believing the man would be dead. "I thought you'd be-"

"I have to apologize", Big John whispers as he tightens his grip around John B. He looks up at me. "Bell", he smiles giving me the name he used for me when I was a kid. "Good to see you again", I whisper smiling lightly. I wish they could have celebrate their reunion for a little longer but we already have to run away again when we hear voices coming closer. Big John wouldn't be himself if he had changed. Sometimes I believe he loves the danger.

It often seems like he needs this rush of adrenaline such as when he has to stop at his old friends' shop to pick up what he needs despite the risk of getting caught. Now that we're on his boat in the middle of the sea and safe for now, I can calm down. If I wasn't so glad to have Big John back, I'd beat him for already almost dying once more. On a scale of antiheroes, Ward seems like a midget compared to Singh.

"To life, being alive and treasure hunting", John B toasts as we drink a shot of whiskey in his boat at night. "This one's good." The three of us talk about Big John's story for a while.. how he landed on Barbados and got out of Singh's house. We talk about treasure hunting for a while until Big John gets more emotional.

"You know, I've always expected you two to become a couple. Bird and Bell.. from best friends to lovers. But you look nothing like a couple", Big John speaks, "Still you look emotionally attached. Who's got you two wrapped up? Don't tell me you're still hanging around Tanneyhill, Bell."

"Oh no", I grin, "But I guess your son got lost on Figure Eight." "Well, Iz and I tried it but it didn't work out", John B corrects me giving his dad the chance to catch up with our lives, "There's someone, yes. I've married, dad." "Is she pregnant?", Big John asks making me chuckle amused. Well, I hope she'll be someday but not now.

"No, no, dad. I didn't have a lot of time for extracurricular classes. You said it yourself.. If it's the right one, she's it." "Do I know her? Who is she?" "Well, you know her and you know Bell's boyfriend as well", John B makes his dad even more curious, "It's Sarah.. Cameron."

"Ward's daughter? Queen of Kildare." "Yeah. I mean Iz-" "Bell's a pogue, definitely", Big John interrupts John B before I could do so and makes me laugh, "You never choose the easy way, right?" "Are you angry?" „Because you got the trophy? No. Congrulations", Big John chuckles and turns to me, "If I know your boyfriend as well, Bell, and it's not the Cameron boy.. Don't tell me-"

"Yeah, it's-" "JJ Maybank", Big John concludes and I grin amused. Big John's too smart. "Have your parents already disinherited you?" I laugh nodding half-seriously. "To life, treasure hunting and love", Big John toasts once more raising his glass.