"Mr Cox. It looks like you're all ready to leave. Such a surprising and speedy recovery." The nurse says, walking into the hospital room. She smiles and hands him a clipboard with a form to sign.

"Thank you. But I'm glad to finally be out of here." He says laughing. "I'm sure we both are, right Cara Mia?" He says while signing it. He hands it back to her and she begins to leave.

I nod. "Of course. But I'm just glad you're doing better." I smile.

He stands up and picks up his bag, hissing slightly, grasping his ribs. He puts it over his shoulder and walks over to me and holds out his hand. "Come on Cara Mia let's go home." He smiles.

I grab his hand and we walk out back into the world together. We take a bus back to where he left his car. It's still there just as he left it. We hop in and head to the apartment.

Once we arrive. I sit down on the couch and wait for him. But he starts walking around the room looking for something. I watch him before he turns to me. "Don't get too comfortable. We're not staying here. Just grabbing a few things." He says.

I nod. "Oh ok. Where are we going?" I ask walking over to him.

"I have another house. A few towns over. Technically it's mine. It's in my name. My real name." He smiles. He packs a few more things before we leave.

The drive over is quiet but comfortable. The radio is on, windows open. I lay my head to the side watching out the window with a smile.

'Am I running away with JB?' I ask myself. I should feel upset or worried but I don't. I trust him completely.

We drive down some farmland before we pull into a small town. It looks similar to Bridgeport but I guess most towns do. We pass by a candy store and a post office and continue past the town square. Driving further into the residential area.

"Should be around here somewhere." JB says looking around.

"Should be?" I ask laughing looking over at him.

"Well, it's been a few years. Maybe something happened to it." He says shrugging.

I shake my head and look at all the pretty houses. He turns down a street and laughs.

"Here it is. Just how I left it." He says driving up the driveway. He parks the car and steps out. He looks around the now-dead flower bed as I get out.

"What are you doing?" I chuckle.

"Looking... For... Ah! This." He says holding up a rock.

"You're gonna break a window?!" I ask surprised.

"Cara Mia, I thought you knew me better than that. You know I can pick a lock. No this is just when the key is hidden." He says sliding off a piece of the rock and holding up the key. He walks over to the door and it opens. I follow him as he goes inside. "It's exactly how we left it." He says softly.

I walk in front of him and look into his eyes. There's a tear threatening to fall. "Hey, hey it's okay. You haven't been back since...?" I ask grabbing his face in my hands.

He shakes his head. "I'll be okay." He says touching my hand with a reassuring smile. "Come on. We have to get cleaning if we're going to live here." He says walking off. I groan.

Two days later, everything's clean. We're cuddling on the couch watching TV when we hear a knock on the door. JB looks over at me confused and walks over to the door. I get up and follow him but he puts his hand behind him to stop me before he opens the door.

Opening it he's greeted by a middle-aged woman holding a tray of food. "Oh hello. I'm Bridget. I saw we had some new neighbours and thought I'd bring over some food to say welcome." She smiles brightly.

"Oh! Uh, thanks." He says awkwardly still on alert. I peek my head out from behind him and wave at her with a smile.

"Such a young couple you are. You know I didn't even know this house got sold. It's been here empty since the tragic passing of the woman who lived here and her son. And I didn't see you bring any furniture in." She says in slight confusion.

"Uh, yeah! It wasn't sold, uh, family. I just found out it was left to me, a couple of months ago. She was my... Second aunt. Well, it was left to her son but yeah I was second on the list." He rambles.

I cut in. "We were looking to move anyway. And all the furniture was still here. Which will do until we can afford to get more." I explain and lean over to grab the food. "This smells amazing by the way, thank you."

She smiles softly. "That's good. Bring some life back into this house. I live just down the road three houses down. Just drop the tray over whenever you want. Stay at home mum. We can have some tea."

"That would be lovely." I smile.

She claps her hands together. "Well, I must go. The kids will be back any moment. It was nice meeting you, hope to see you again soon." She smiles and waves as she leaves.

I wave back. "Bye."

JB closes the door and looks at me. "She seemed..."

"Normal?" I ask. "I was fully expecting cops or hitmen." I say walking into the kitchen and placing the tray on the counter.

"She could be!" He rebuts.

"Come on. No one even knows we're here. Most people think you're dead. I've called my family and told them I'm safe, so it's not like I'm a missing person. You're just paranoid." I say walking closer to him.

"Well, I have every right to be don't you think?" He asks.

I smile and kiss him quickly. "Yeah, but I don't know why but I think we're safe for now."

He relaxes. "Actually... Me too. Weird. Maybe it's because I feel at home with you around."

"Or because you actually are home. Maybe?" I joke.

"I'd feel at home with you anywhere, Cara Mia! You are my home." He says sweetly, pulling me back in for a gentle kiss.

I hum as we pull away. "Who knew you could be such a sweet romantic?" I chuckle.

"Comes with the territory of being a criminal darling. Had to learn to flirt my way out of some pretty sticky situations."

I fake gasp. "So you'd flirt like that with just anyone?"

"Of course not. Those were on the fly, for my safety, purely improv. With you, it's all genuine. Straight from my heart. Just for you. Like I can't stop them from flowing out when I look at you." He explains softly playing with my hair.

I chuckle. "I know and I love that you can make me feel safe with just your words."

"Come on, I think the couch is missing us." He says grabbing my hand and pulling me into the lounge room. He sits down and pulls me into his lap. "Hello there." He smiles wrapping his arms around my waist.

I giggle leaning back into him. I curl into his chest, laying my head on his shoulder as we watch TV. "This is nice." I whisper, smiling.

~<>~

I sit up straight in my chair, rubbing my eye. "Huh, I must of fell asleep." I mumble looking over at JB.

He chuckles from his bed. "Yeah, me too I guess. Come here. I feel like I need a cuddle." He smiles beckoning me over.

I laugh and stand up walking over to him. I sit down and move closer to his side. He wraps an arm around my shoulder pulling me closer, placing a kiss on the top of my head.

--------------------------

Ok so I didn't know if I was gonna write a simulation chapter (which is what this was if you couldn't tell) but I rewatched the last two episodes and felt like I could get away with a cute story of them just living together without a care.

Sorry, it's kinda short but at least it's another chapter. There aren't that many left. 🥲

I hope you thought this was cute. I tried my best.

It's now exactly midnight so...

Goodnight

Drew X