In this story, the pogues are twenty-two when they go to South America. JJ also has a daughter who is two years old. One of his random hookups got pregnant and left him with the kid. While the pogues went to South America, Ricky watched JJ's daughter. Also, JJ and Kie were never a thing. Kiara has been in a relationship with Sam for almost two years now.

Kie's POV:

We had found the gold and so did Sigh's men. We were being surrounded and they all had guns. JJ got in front of me to protect me, which I appreciated but he didn't have to do that. Everyone was yelling back and forth and a fight broke out and we took most of their men out, except one who aimed the gun at me.

"Say goodbye to the gold" He said pulling the trigger with the gun pointed directly at me

I heard the loud noise, my heart was racing. I was okay. I didn't get shot. I realized JJ was lying on the ground in front of me. His shirt was stained with blood that was pooling. He jumped in front of the bullet for me. I dropped to my knees and he was still alive. The pogues ran over to us and Pope and Cleo went to get help.

"Stay with us" John B said as JJ started to doze off

"Stay with me... Don't fucking die" I said pulling him into my arms and holding him

Sarah was applying her shirt to his bullet wound to try and help stop the bleeding.

"Kie.." JJ said having a hard time breathing

"Lily.. Tell her I love her and promise me you'll take care of her. She needs you in her life. Her mom dumped her with me and now she has no one... Please, Kie"

"Of course, I'll take care of Lily, just hang on, Pope and Cleo are coming"

His eyes started to shut...His breathing slowed and he was losing coloring, becoming more and more white. We were losing him...

"I love.. you guys.. Thanks for.. being my family" He said coughing as he was having a difficult time breathing

We were all crying and deep down, I think we all knew. JJ wasn't going to make it. He needed to be at a hospital now and we were in the middle of nowhere.

"What do you want, JJ?" John B asked trying to keep him comfortable

"Kie" He whispered

I held him in my arms and I whispered, "I'm right here, I'm not going anywhere"

"I love you" He said getting weaker

"I love you too, Jayge" I replied and I bent down to kiss his lips

Truth is, I've always had a soft spot for JJ and I know he's been in love with me for years. I had to kiss him. He kissed me back and he was smiling as his heart stopped beating, his lips stopped moving. I didn't let go of him, I held his body as John B and Sarah cried with me. I shut his eyes and when Pope and Cleo returned, it was too late. JJ was gone. We all broke down crying over our best friend.

We got the gold, but no one gave a fuck. We'd give it all up to have JJ with us. The whole way home, all I could think about was Lily. Her mom abandoned her with JJ and now JJ was dead. She had no one, I'm all she has now.

We got home and all our parents were waiting for us. I broke down in my mom's arms when I told her about JJ. John B and his father went home, Sarah went with Ward and Sarah, Pope and Cleo went with his parents and I went with mine. I told my mom about Lily and my dad was pissed but I didn't care. Lily was my daughter now, JJ trusted me and I wasn't going to let him down. I got in my car and went to get Lily.

I went to Ricky's to pick up Lily. My eyes filled with tears when I saw that beautiful little girl who was now going to have to grow up without her daddy. Ricky heard about what happened and he hugged me.

"Take good care of her. She always deserved a mom like you. I just wish JJ was here to be her dad"

"Me too, stay in touch, okay"

I took Lily home to JJ's house and she asked, "Where daddy?"

"Daddy got hurt and he went to heaven... So I'm gonna take care of you now... I love you, sweet girl" I said hugging her

"I want my daddy" She cried as she hugged me

"I want you daddy too... It's going to be okay, I'm not ever going anywhere, I promise"

It broke my heart to see his stuff laying around, he was supposed to come home. The next few months, we didn't spend much time together. I also broke up with my boyfriend, Sam. That last first last kiss JJ and I shared was nothing compared to Sam. The only one I wanted was JJ. Sam was also pissed that I now had to take care of Lily.

We did have a celebration of life for JJ. We also got the gold money and everyone was making all these plans with their share. I didn't do much with the money. Lily had JJ's share so she was set for life, but she was only two and wouldn't know about it until she was an adult.

Over time, we kinda drifted apart. Pope and Cleo had the cross, John B and Sarah had the gold... But me? My treasure was lost, never to be found because my treasure was JJ and he was gone. So now my treasure is Lily.

I went to a lot of therapy and I also took Lily to make sure she was okay. Over the years, Lily and I got super close. She called me mom and yes she was my daughter, but she was also my best friend. We'd talk about JJ a lot, he wasn't forgotten. Lily was just like him in so many ways.

When Lily graduated high school, she had no interest in college, so I took her on a trip, the surf trip that JJ and I always talked about going on. We had the best time and if I couldn't go on the surf trip with JJ, I'm glad I got to experience it with our daughter.

"Mom, were you in love with dad?" Lily asked me on the beach in Spain

"Yeah, I was... I just realized it too late. Don't ever be scared to tell someone how you feel"

"I won't, I wish I remembered dad. What do you miss most?"

"He loved you more than anything in this world... I miss his laugh"

Lily hugged me and said, "Thank you for giving up your life to be my mom"

"I didn't give anything up, my life changed in the best way possible. I just wish it was under different circumstances. I love you, baby girl"

"I love you too, mom" Lily said resting her head on my shoulder as we watched the beautiful sunset and there's no doubt in my mind that it was from JJ, he's still here with us

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alternative ending below for those requesting it!
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JJ was literally dying in my arms. I kissed him and his breathing slowed but he leaned back in to kiss me.

"Jayge, you've gotta focus on breathing and kissing me isn't helping"

"If I'm dying, I want to die kissing you. I've waited for this for years and now I'm never going to get the chance to do this again. You're all I want right now"

John B and Sarah had packed up, giving me and JJ some space. I kissed him again softly and said, "You're not dying, you have to live... Lily needs you"

JJ slowly became unconscious with a weak pulse and shallow breaths. Pope and Cleo returned with help. They got JJ in a truck and we all climbed in the back as we drove to a hospital. JJ was rushed into surgery and I was left in the waiting room with the pogues covered in his blood.

One of the nurses brought me a pair of scrubs to change into. I sat in the waiting room with my friends and John B asked, "So what's that kiss mean?"

"John B, he was literally dying"

"And now he's going to be okay"

"You don't know that" I said shaking as so got up and starting pacing

Many hours later, a nurse came and said he was out of surgery and it went well. He was in the ICU and could have one visitor. I walked towards her and she brought me back. JJ was asleep and she told me about the procedure.

"This might be a weird question, but can he keep the bullet? I know he'll want it"

"Yeah, once it gets back from testing I'll give it you"

JJ slept for many hours and when he woke up I said, "Hi"

"Sup" He said looking around as I explained what happened

He spent a week in the hospital and then it was time to go home. We made national news for finding El Dorado and when the plane landed, our families were all there to welcome us home. I helped JJ off the plane and Ricky was there with Lily. My parents were here too, with my boyfriend, Sam. Big John, Ward, Rose, and Pope's parents waited too.

JJ walked over to his daughter and I watched him hug her so tight. Sam hugged me and asked a million questions but all I could think about was JJ.

We all went home with our families and that night, I left to go see JJ. Lily came running to the door saying, "Kie Kie"

I picked her up and hugged her. She was my little best friend. JJ was laying on the couch and I put Lily down and she went and played as I sat next to JJ.

"How are you?" I asked

"I've been better..." He said

Lily came up to me asking me to do her hair and I did. I noticed JJ was tired so I said, "You can go to bed, I'll take care of her tonight"

"You sure?"

"Yeah, do you need help with anything?"

"Nah, I'm good" He said heading to his room

I played with Lily, got her a bedtime snack, have her a bath and read her a book before putting her to sleep. I went to check on JJ and he was passed out. I know I should go home, but I went out into the living room and slept on the couch.

I got up before him and started making breakfast. Lily came out and I got her dressed and did her hair. We brought JJ breakfast in bed and then we got ready to meet the pogues. We were all getting together to hang out today.

I put Lily's car seat in my car and got her in and JJ got in the passenger seat and we headed to Ward and Roses house as they were having a get together.

We were the last ones there and I was carrying Lily in when I saw Sam. He walked over to us and asked, "What are you playing mom now?"

JJ gave me a look as he reached for his daughter and I said, "No, you can't lift anything over ten pounds"

"Sam, he literally got shot... I'm just helping out"

John B came over to see Lily and check on JJ and I went and talked to Sam. The party was good, our parents were all there and Sam and I were away from the group when he told me how worried he was and how proud he was that we found the gold. We were making out when JJ came around the corner. He looked upset. I broke away from Sam and asked, "Everything okay, Jayge?"

"Fine" He said walking away

Sam kissed me again and I broke away and said, "I kissed JJ... He was dying and I kissed him and told him I loved him"

Sam was pissed but also said, "I mean he was literally about to die so I get it"

"Thanks for understanding" I said kissing again

The next day, I went to check on JJ and he said, "I'm fine, Lily's fine just leave us alone"

"Woah, why are you acting like such a dick?"

"Because Kiara, I'm fucking stupid"

"You are not stupid"

"Yeah, stupid to think you meant what you said when I was dying... I don't want your pity, Kiara. This whole thing is fucking embarrassing. I should have died out there to avoid the embarrassment"

Hearing those words come out of his mouth broke me. I started full out crying and I literally couldn't control it. He looked at me confused and I said, "Don't ever say that again... You have a little girl who needs you, who adores you... I didn't say it out of pity either and I'm sorry it took me to see you almost die to realized it..."

"Whatever" He said going back inside and I left

I went home and I broke up with Sam. I showed up to JJ's that night and took care of Lily and he went to his room to avoid me. Once Lily was in bed, I went into JJ's room and I laid down next to him and he said, "You should get home to Sam"

"I broke up with him... I told you it wasn't a pity kiss or a fake I love you because you were dying. It was real and I was terrified to lose you because I felt guilty. You've flirted with me and asked me out for years and I've said no because I was scared to ruin our friendship, now you're about to die and our first kiss was going to be our last kiss... Your daughter was going to grow up without you and that thought was unbearable"

"I meant what I said about you being good with Lily. She loves you, Kie and if you'd be willing, I'd love for you to legally adopt her and be her mom. If something ever happens to me, I need to know that she'll have you. I don't want her to end up in foster care or worse with my dad"

"It would be a honor to be her mom"

"While we're on that topic, would you do me the honor of being my girlfriend?"

"Yes, one thousand times yes... I love you, JJ"

"I love you too, Kie" He said as I leaned over to kiss him

We broke apart and I said, "It's much better when you aren't dying"

He laughed and said, "Just wait until I get these damn stitches out"

"There's the JJ I love"

He kissed me and I said, "Jayge, you know I'd give up everything to be with you. It doesn't matter that we're rich, I'd love you even if we had nothing. Pope found his cross, John B found his gold, and I found you... You're worth more than the gold and the cross. I love you and I love Lily.."

He was actually crying when I said that, mr emotional. "Damn, I don't even know what to say... No one's ever said shit like that before... But you're my treasure and I can't wait to share this life with you... You, me, and our daughter"

"Our daughter" I smiled looking at JJ

"Yeah, our daughter who we're gonna make a big sister because we need a mini JJ and Kie..."

"Yeah, we do, but not right now... But once your stitches are out l, we can practice all you want"

"I love you, Kie"

"I love you too, Jayge" I said kissing his lips

He pulled me into his arms so my head was resting on his chest. I looked at him and said, "I don't wanna hurt you"

"I promise, it doesn't hurt" He said as I relaxed

We woke up the next morning and he was still asleep. I smiled at I watched him sleep. I was going to get to fall asleep and wake up next to him everyday. My whole life was going to be with this boy, my boy.

He woke up and said, "Watching me sleep, huh?"

"Maybe.... And thinkin about our future together"

"I like the sound of that" He said kissing me

I loved how sexy his raspy morning voice was. I love everything about him. Lily came in and climbed into bed with us. I grabbed her and pulled her between and JJ. I wanted every morning to be like this. Our little family.