Juliana – Chapter 139 The Future

Note: Hello! Before we get started, I just want to point out that this chapter is EXTREMELY picture heavy. Those of you on mobile have been warned. Viewing on a computer is advised. Enjoy!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Time in Willow Creek: 3 years, 9 months

 

 

One year flew by quicker than a than a virus at a daycare center. Many things changed, but the most important ones remained the same like Kevin and Juliana’s relationship. The two-and-a-half years weren’t easy, but ease had never their expectation. 

Kevin carried a fear of losing Juliana early in the relationship and recently realized how foolish he had been. She was a woman who valued commitment and loyalty, and it worked both ways with her. If she didn’t want to be with him, she wouldn’t continue pouring energy into the relationship. They overcame many obstacles before embarking upon this glorious adventure, and more obstacles still stumbled in their path. Kevin’s fear made him act in ways that would run her off if she were one to do such a thing, treating her like someone he wanted to impress instead of the woman with whom he began a life. He wooed her, buying things she never asked for and taking her places she didn’t feel comfortable because he wanted her to love him. He wanted to be with her, but he already had her. Was the fear strong enough for her to notice? Maybe he caused her to build those walls. Kevin would never stop showering Juliana with gifts because it was just his way, but he stopped trying to impress her and enjoyed the life they made together. When thinking about the future, she had a role in all the plans he made. Instead of hoping they would happen, he regarded them with expectation.

Despite recognizing the fear, he still got scared. She treasured her independence like he treasured chocolate cake. Truthfully, she didn’t need him. She wanted him, and he found encouragement in that. The learning curve was still steep. Did she realize it? Sometimes he didn’t think so and wanted to be there when she did. He hovered like a parent anticipating his toddler falling. To be honest, it was more like waiting to be the hero for his distressed damsel. Watching her fall was painful, but falling was part of life. She needed that discomfort to continue growing. As an intelligent woman, she could quite figure things out. If she needed him, she would find him. But until then, he needed to watch from afar. Stowing away his super hero cape until she called would be best.

“Juliana?”

“Hmm?”

He pressed pause on the movie. “I need to tell you something.”

She looked up at him with concern in her eyes.

“It’s nothing bad…but, you might get mad.”

She looked askance. “What is it?”

He didn’t like that look. It was the sign of her defense system initializing. Could he blame her? Whose defenses wouldn’t go up when someone says “you might get mad?” He could have kicked himself for being so dense sometimes.

“I’m moving soon.”

She gasped and sat upright. Her eyes begged for an explanation. Though he didn’t want to alarm her that reaction warmed his heart; he still got scared sometimes.

He grabbed her hand and pulled her back to him. “It’s ok, it’s ok. I’m sorry. I’m just nervous about telling you.”

Their most heated arguments happened when he encroached on her independence or she perceived him doing so. The neighbors were quiet, and the movie he interrupted was mildly entertaining. It was a nice night, and he didn’t want to ruin it but prepared for the fallout. “I put an offer on a house in the Fashion District, and they accepted it.”

Her shoulders deflated, and though her relief made him glad, he was still nervous and needed to explain before she jumped to conclusions. “You’re thriving right now, and I couldn’t be more proud of you. But, I can’t deny that thinking about you being down here all by yourself makes me nervous.”

She nodded. That was a good sign.

“If something happens to you, or you need me, I live an hour away now without traffic. It would just make me more comfortable if I were closer.” He watched her eyes. She was still with him, but just in case she needed convincing, he threw out one more sales pitch. “And, my commute…it’s been getting to me lately, and I had been thinking about moving closer before. When you moved, it seemed like the right time.”

“You will sell your house?”

That wasn’t the first question he expected, but he found encouragement in it. “No. At least not right now. I’m sure we can use it for something. Maybe with some modifications, your family can stay there when they come.”

“That’s good.”

“So, you’re not mad?”

She shook her head. “I like you close.” Knowing he’d be closer probably made her feel safer too but didn’t want to say.

“Ok. I didn’t want to make you feel like I was trying to…you know.”

She leaned up and kissed his cheek. “Thank you, Kevin.”

They came such a long way together and would continue journeying as a unit. The future was so much brighter with Juliana in it. She was everything he ever wanted in a partner and everything he didn’t know he needed. The strong, young woman challenged him in ways he never dreamed, and she did it quietly and respectfully. Their children would grow up to be wise, principled leaders because of the values she would instill in them. She made him want to be better. He wanted to be as perfect for her as she was for him. She was the glass of milk after a delicious slice of moist chocolate cake; The director of his symphony; The peanut butter to his jelly. She was his fuchsia and teal loving, comfortable clothes wearing, cannoli eating, dance machine soulmate for life. His sappy gift from across the ocean who cried at every sweet scene in every movie and commercial. Tough as nails, sweeter than candy, she was his Juliana, and he adored her.