August 5th, 2001-January 19th, 2003
x----------x
The next morning, Julianna awoke to find Michael and George both still sleeping. Michael was turned toward her and she studied him for a moment before lifting her eyes to George's face. She watched him sleep, wondering why all of this couldn't be real. As she studied him, she truly realized how beautiful he was. Inside and out. She sighed and looked away, not letting her heart want things she could never have. She could never be the mother to this boy or the lover to this man. Slowly she eased out of Michael's grasp and slid off the bed. She quietly tiptoed from the room, hoping neither of them woke. She went quickly down the stairs and walked into the kitchen. She quickly found a notepad and a pen and wrote a short note to them, telling him where she went. Then she crept back up the stairs and placed the note on the pillow where her head had previously rested. She then walked quickly back downstairs and out to her car.
x----------x
George awoke just minutes later to find Julianna gone. His eyes spotted the note and he reached over Michael to pick it up. He read it and then slowly closed his eyes. Why was it that she had to leave? He knew that she had to go home, back to Ron, but he wished things could be different. He looked at Michael for a moment before standing and heading toward the bathroom to get his shower.
x----------x
Julianna shut the car off and headed inside, expecting Ron to be sleeping. Instead she found herself face to face with him as she walked past the kitchen.
"Where have you been?" He asked. She stopped in her tracks and looked up at him. He didn't look pleased.
"At George's. Michael was really sick last night and wanted me to stay." She said.
"You could have called and told me how late you were going to be." Ron said. She nodded.
"I know I should have. I'm sorry, Ron." She said. He stared at her for a few moments.
"You know, you've been spending an awful lot of time with the two of them. Why is it that I don't feel very high on that list of priorities of yours?" He asked.
"Look Ron, George has been having some trouble with Michael. I'm just trying to help out a friend. I know I've been...neglecting you, but George needs help."
"Can't he find someone else to do it? I'm sure he doesn't need YOU in particular. He should understand that you have other obligations." Ron said.
"What do you suggest he do?" Julianna asked, her voice heated with anger. Ron was acting completely irrational about this, she thought.
"Hire someone. Call his parents. His sister has kids, she should know what to do!" Ron said, yelling right back at her.
"Well maybe Michael wants my help!" Julianna said. Ron stopped and rocked back on his heels. He folded his arms over his chest.
"You're not his mother." Ron said.
"I know that!" Julianna spat out. "But he needs a woman, a mother figure, in his life!"
"And you think it's you he needs? You do know you cannot be his mother, don't you?" Julianna turned, extremely hurt by Ron's words. She knew he was right and that he was just trying to stop her from being hurt, but hearing it from him hurt. Julianna didn't turn to look at him, and she swallowed the tears the threatened to rise up.
"I know I can't be, but I'm going to continue to help George with Michael because they both need it." Julianna said and walked up the stairs to get a shower and change her clothes.
x----------x
"Why'd you leave so early this morning?" George asked Julianna as soon as he saw her at work. She turned.
"I needed to get home and get ready for work. And I figured I needed to add time in there to fight with Ron." She said. George's face became troubled.
"And did you?" He asked. She smiled.
"Yeah, we did. He'll get over it, though." Julianna said.
"You fought about us? Michael and I, right?" He asked. Julianna nodded.
"Yeah, but don't worry George. Things are okay." She said.
"I'm sorry that I caused trouble between the two of you, it's..."
"George, don't worry about it. Michael was sick and you needed help. There's nothing more to say about it. Ron will have to accept that." She said. George nodded slightly.
"Alright, but I'll try not to intrude so much." George said. Julianna sighed.
"George.." He held up a hand.
"I know, I know." He said.
"How is Michael?" She asked, worrying about the boy.
"He's okay. His temp is just below 100 and he only has a bit of a cold. He said he feels a lot better and doesn't think he'll puke anymore." George said.
"That's a relief." Julianna said.
"Yeah, it is. The last thing I need is for him to be sick." George said.
"That's the last thing any parent needs." Julianna said. George grinned.
"Yep, that is."
"George? It's time for your scene." Someone called. George smiled at Julianna.
"Off to work we go." He said and went about doing just that.
x----------x
Two days later, Julianna sat on the couch watching a movie on the television. Ron came into the room just as the phone rang. Julianna reached over and picked up the cordless phone.
"Hello?" She asked.
"Hey Jules." George said.
"Oh, George, hey." She said and glanced up at Ron in time to see him roll his eyes and sigh. He turned and left the room, walking into the kitchen. Julianna shook her head and shifted on the couch. "What's up?"
"I really hate to ask this of you, but.." He trailed off.
"What is it, George?" Julianna asked, sitting straight up, already worrying.
"It's Michael. I.." Julianna cut him off.
"What's wrong with him?" She asked quickly.
"No, he's..okay. I just..I told him that today was our day off work. When he realized he wouldn't get to see you," George sighed, "He threw a tantrum. He's been yelling or crying ever since. I sent him up to his room, but I can still hear him crying. And..I hate to ask this of you, but do you think maybe you could come over and...see him? He's convinced that he'll never see you again. You know, after losing his mother he thinks you'll go away too." George hesitated.
"Yeah, I'll come over. Don't worry about it, George. It's not a problem." Julianna said.
"Are you sure? I mean..You don't have to, he's not your problem."
"George, I said I'd come." Julianna smiled. "So I'll come. I'll be there as soon as I can." She said.
"Alright. Thank you, Jules."
"You're welcome. See you soon." She said.
"Bye." He replied and hung up. Julianna stood and made her way to the kitchen. She slipped her shoes on, grabbed her keys off the kitchen table, and turned to face Ron.
"I thought we were going to go to dinner." Ron said, his voice cool.
"Look, Ron, George is having problems with Michael again." Julianna tried to continue but Ron cut her off with an angry voice, shocking her.
"He's not your son!" Ron yelled. Julianna stepped back a bit, in surprise. "I'm your boyfriend. I think that having a rare dinner out with me should be more important to you then going to go see a man and a boy that you see nearly everyday!"
"I know he's not my son." Julianna said calmly, although she knew in the deepest part of her heart that she wished Michael was. "But I can't let one of my best friends go without my help if he needs it."
"He doesn't need YOUR help. He could call his parents or his sister. Or someone else! He knows you have a life. He should know you can't run to his every need every time he has one!"
"I'm sorry you feel that way. George has been by my side many times when I've needed it. I'm not going to let him down because you don't like it." Julianna said and then turned, walking down the hallway. She grabbed her coat out of the closest and went quickly into the garage.
x----------x
Julianna knocked on the door of George's house and he opened it moments later. She smiled at him.
"Hey." She said as she stepped into the house.
"Hi." George said. "Thanks again for coming."
"I told you that it's not a problem."
"You didn't have anything planned for tonight?" He asked. She thought of Ron and shook her head.
"Not a thing." She grinned and slipped out of her coat and shoes. He smiled in return.
"All right. Well, Michael's upstairs in his room. I'll...I'll just stay down here for now." George said. Julianna smiled softly.
"Okay. I'll bring him down in a few minutes." She said. George nodded. She turned and made her way up the stairs and down the hall. She looked into Michael's room to find him lying face down on the bed, his shoulders shaking a bit as he cried. She walked into the room and sat on the edge of his bed.
"Go away." Michael said, having felt her sit on the bed.
"If you want me to." She said, but made no move to get up. He swiveled his head around quickly at the sound of her voice.
"Jules!" He exclaimed and threw his arms around her neck. He buried his wet face into her shoulder. She smiled and wrapped her arms around him and closed her eyes, breathing in the smell of little boy. "You came." He whispered.
"Yeah, baby, I did." She murmured and pulled him gently away. He smiled up at her, the tears in his eyes immediately clearing. She knew she had made the right decision to come and see him, no matter what Ron said. This little boy needed her, whether she should let herself love him or not.
"He told me I wouldn't see you until tomorrow." Michael said.
"Well, he called me and told me you were missing me, so I decided to come and stay for a little bit." She said.
"To spend the night?" He asked, remembering the last time. She shook her head.
"No, sweetheart, I'm afraid I can't." At the crestfallen look on his face she smiled. "Not tonight. Maybe sometime soon, okay?"
"Promise?" He asked.
"I cross my heart, hope to die, stick a needle in my eye if I lie." She said. He giggled at that and she grinned at the look of happiness on his face. "How about we go downstairs with your Dad for awhile." Julianna suggested. His smile faded.
"Do we have to?" He asked quietly. Julianna was glad George hadn't heard that because she knew his heart would hurt even worse than hers did at that comment.
"Yes, Michael, we do." She said and stood, taking that first step. He sighed but stood beside her and placed his hand into hers. She smiled down at him and walked out of the room and down the stairs. He followed, staying close to her side. They walked into the living room to find George standing and looking out the window. He turned as he heard their entrance and reminded her of the first time she had descended those stairs with Michael to see George standing by that very window, holding a snifter of alcohol in his hand. It was the same this time, except without the alcohol.
George smiled at the picture they made, walking hand in hand through his house. As if they belonged there. He knew Michael did, but doubted that Julianna ever would.
"Are you all better now?" George asked Michael. Michael nodded.
"Can Julianna spend the night?" He asked quietly. George looked quickly at her. Julianna smiled a bit at him and bent down to come eye to eye with Michael.
"I told you I can't tonight, buddy." Michael sighed.
"I know." He muttered, not happy about it. Julianna smiled and ran a hand through his hair.
"Do you want to play a game?" She asked, and then looked at George for approval. He nodded and waited for Michael's answer.
"Okay." Michael replied.
"What game? You choose." Julianna said. Michael thought about it for a moment.
"Candy Land!" He finally exclaimed. Julianna smiled and looked at George again.
"I'll get it down from the closet." George said and walked down the hall to retrieve the game. Julianna smiled, hoping she could bring son and father closer together without Michael noticing.
x----------x
Later Julianna and George left Michael in the living room to watch cartoons as they went into the kitchen. George started a pot of coffee and then turned to look at her.
"Did you really have anything planned for tonight?" George asked. Julianna smiled slightly.
"Ron and I were going to dinner, that's all." Julianna said. George straightened.
"Why didn't you tell me? You should have gone. Ron was pissed, wasn't he?" George asked.
"A little bit." Julianna said. George sighed. "George, look, it's not a big deal. He'll get over it." Julianna tried to assure him.
"I just don't want to cause any tension between the two of you. It's not my place to ask you to come over here on one of your nights with him." George said.
"It's really okay, George. You didn't cause any tension." Julianna said.
"You're lying. What did he say to you?" George asked.
"Nothing, George! I said it's fine. Would you just leave it be?" She asked. He held up a hand.
"All right, I just don't want to be trouble."
"You're not. Now shut up." She said. He chuckled.
"Yes, ma'am." He said and walked to the door of the kitchen to look out and make sure Michael was fine. He was giggling over Wyle Coyote. George smiled as he watched him. Julianna smiled at George smiling.
x----------x
"He looks like he is out for the count." Julianna said a little while later. The cartoons were over and Michael hadn't made a move for the past ten minutes. George stood beside her, shoulder to shoulder.
"Yeah, it looks that way." He murmured. They turned toward each other at the same time and were surprised to realize how close they were, both in the doorway at the same time. Julianna's hand came to rest on his chest and her breath caught her in throat as she gazed into his eyes. George didn't think as he brought one of his hands to her cheek, implying that he wanted something to happen. He did but just minutes before he had been arguing about coming between her and Ron, but now he no longer cared.
He bent his head, his lips just a whisper away from hers, their eyes locked. Finally Julianna rocked up to her toes and met his mouth with her own, and her eyes immediately closed. Warmth spread throughout her as it did with all of his kisses. Only this time it was a burst of heat that shot straight to her toes because she knew it wasn't acting and they were actually kissing each other, not holding back. Julianna's hands trailed into his hair and fisted there. He cupped one of her cheeks in his hand and used his other hand to hold her close to him. She sighed and shifted closer, unconsciously deepening the kiss.
George, finally realizing things would quickly get out of hand if they didn't stop here, pulled his lips away, but kept her close. Julianna stared up into his eyes before she backed out of his arms.
"I...Wow." She murmured. He watched her, wondering what she would do.
"Jules, I'm..sorry. That was..uncalled for." He said. She laughed a bit.
"As I once said on ER, 'you didn't do it alone'." She said. He nodded and watched her. Then finally he asked.
"So..Are you just going to pretend it never happened or..what?" He asked. She sighed and looked up and met his gaze.
"I don't know. I have to think about it." She said. He nodded a bit and then shifted.
"All right. I think I should get Michael up to bed." George said. Julianna nodded.
"Yeah. That sounds like a good idea." Julianna said. They headed into the living room, one through the doorway at a time. George bent down and picked Michael up, cradling his son in his arms. Julianna watched him for a moment then motioned with her thumb behind her, toward the door.
"I better get going." She said. He nodded.
"All right. I'll see you tomorrow, then?"
"Yeah. Bye George." She said.
"Bye." He said and waited, watching her go. She shut the door behind her and quickly jogged to her car. She got inside and turned it on, quickly buckling her seatbelt. Then she stopped and looked up at the house, absently touching her fingers to her lips before she backed the car out of the driveway.
x----------x
Julianna opened the door to the house and stepped inside, immediately spotting the small bag by the door. What? She wondered. She looked up to find Ron sitting on the couch. When she met his gaze, he stood.
"What's that for?" She asked.
"We need to talk." He said. She swallowed.
"Alright." She said and slipped out of her coat before throwing it over the back of a chair.
"I really don't think that I can be with you anymore." He said. Her mouth dropped open.
"What?" She asked.
"Look..This past week or so, I've realized that I'm not one of your top priorities. You obviously had no qualms about leaving me to go see George and Michael several times these past few days. And I'm not going to stand back and let you do that to me."
"Ron.." She tried to protest but he held up a hand.
"Let me finish." He paused. "We've grown apart. This past week has just shown that to me. I can't be with you anymore. It just won't work for me to know that you have things that are more important to you in your life than I am. I want the person I am with to put me up near the top of that list. I'm obviously not near the top of yours. So, therefore, I don't think this would work." Julianna stood, staring at him before she finally swallowed and nodded.
"Okay." She said.
"I'll be staying a hotel for the next few nights. In the meantime, I'll move out." He said.
"No, Ron...I don't want to leave you without a house. You keep the house." She said. He sighed.
"Jules.."
"No, Ron, that's what I want. I want for you to have the house."
"Fine. I..I'll stay in a hotel for the next few nights. I'll call you and leave you my number so that you can call me when you are done...Or if you need anything." He said. She nodded.
"Alright. That will work." She said. "I'll have new living arrangements by the end of the week." She said. He nodded.
"Okay." He nodded and walked to the door. He picked up his suitcase and turned to look at her.
"Goodbye Julianna." She nodded, swallowing the lump her throat.
"Goodbye Ron." She murmured. He turned and walked out the door, out of her life. Julianna felt the tears sting her eyes and she sighed and turned, making her way to the couch. She sat down and buried her face in her hands, trying to hold the tears in but they came in a flood down her face. She sighed and lay down as sobs racked her body. Not because she was sad that she would be alone, but because she had ended one of the things in her life that had been such a part of her for so long. She knew she would miss him but she hoped better things were in her future.
x----------x
The next day George and Julianna avoided each other for the most part that they weren't working. George wanted to give her space to make decisions about the kiss and Julianna wanted time to avoid him before asking one of the biggest favors she could. Finally, toward the end of the day, Julianna approached him.
"George?" She asked quietly. He turned to find her looking up at him.
"Yeah?" He asked. She sighed.
"I need to talk to you. It's important." She said.
"Okay." He said. She looked around at the few people that were milling around, but were paying no attention to the pair.
"Could we go somewhere?" She asked. He nodded and took her elbow and led her outside.
"This alright?" He asked. She nodded and breathed in the fresh air. "What is it?" He asked. She sighed and turned to him, looking up into his eyes.
"Ron and I broke up." She said.
"What?" George asked quickly. "Was it because of me, because if it was I'll talk to him.." George continued on but she cut him off.
"George, listen to me." She said urgently. He closed his mouth and waited.
"It was a mutual agreement. It had nothing to do with you." She lied. "But I have a bit of a problem."
"What is it? I'll fix it, I swear.." Julianna smiled.
"I'm hoping you can fix this."
"I'll try." He said earnestly, willing to help.
"I let Ron keep the house. He's giving me time to move out, but I think that sooner would be better. I'm going to ask for tomorrow off and I was hoping you would take off too and help me move my stuff out." She said.
"I'll do it." He said immediately. She nodded.
"I hoped you would. Thanks George. Now if I only had some place to put my stuff.." She trailed off, going over her options in her head.
"We can take it to my house. You can stay with me until..until you find a place of your own. Another house you like. I'll even help you house hunt." He said.
"George, I can't ask you to do that. That's too much."
"No...Michael will love it. I don't mind having you at the house with us. And that way you can have more time to chose a better house." He said. She sighed.
"George..I.."
"You'll do it. Okay. No arguing with me." He said. She sighed a bit and then laughed.
"Okay. Thank you, George. I don't know how I'll ever repay you." She said.
"I'm repaying you for all the help you've given me with Michael. We're even, okay?" He asked. She looked at him, a bit unsure. "Deal?" He asked again. She sighed.
"Okay, deal."
"All right. Now let's go inside and tell everyone that you need tomorrow off." George said and took her hand, dragging her inside. George checked to make sure no one was filming at the present time and then he spoke up. "Excuse me, everybody, if we could have your attention for a moment." Quietness fell over them and they all turned to look at George and Julianna. "Go ahead." George pushed her forward a bit. She made a slight face and glanced back at him before looking at her colleagues.
"I have an announcement of sorts to make." Julianna said. Everyone was quiet. "Ron and I broke up." Everybody started talking at once, coming over to her. She smiled and held out her hands. "I'm fine, I am. It was a mutual thing." She said. "I just wanted to let you all know..And I..I needed to ask for tomorrow off." Julianna said to the producers and directors standing around.
"Me too." George piped up. Julianna glanced back at him and smiled a bit.
"Yes, and George. We want to ask for tomorrow off. I need some help moving out of the house and I need to do it as soon as possible. I promise it won't take longer than I day, but I was just wondering.." She trailed off.
"I want tomorrow off, too. So I can help Julianna." Laura said.
"Me too." Anthony and Noah piped up.
"So do I!" Nearly everyone piped up. Julianna's heart welled with love for all these people, her wonderful friends. John Wells, who was there for this particular day of filming, smiled.
"Well then, I'll have to grant you all the day off. We'll all help Julianna move out." Julianna smiled widely, realizing what a huge set back for the show this was. It wasn't the easiest thing in the world to cancel filming of a show this huge for one day and it made her so happy to know she was important enough to this big family of hers so that they would do that for her.
"Thanks guys." She replied with a smile.
x----------x
Later that afternoon, George approached Julianna at work.
"Jules?" He asked. She turned to face him.
"Yeah?" She asked.
"I need to talk to you for a minute." He said. She walked toward him.
"What is it?" She asked quietly.
"I was thinking that maybe tonight you could come over and we could talk to Michael about you moving in. I figure he'll want you to be there when I tell him, or else he won't believe me."
"Alright, I can do that. I don't have anything to do tonight after work." She said.
"Okay, thanks." George said. Julianna smiled and touched his arm softly.
"No problem." She replied.
x----------x
"Why are you here?" Michael asked Julianna happily that night as they sat on the couch together, across from George.
"We need to talk to you." Julianna said, glancing at George.
"About what?" Michael asked, watching them carefully.
"Well, I don't have a place to live for a little while, so George said I could stay here, as long as it's okay with you." Julianna said. Michael's eyes widened.
"Really?" He asked. Julianna nodded and Michael looked at George for confirmation. He nodded also. Michael smiled widely.
"Yay!" He yelled and jumped up to hug Julianna quickly. She laughed slightly and wrapped her arms around his waist. George watched them happily, smiling, and wished passionately that they were a family together.
x----------x
Later that night, Julianna lay in her bed for her last night in her own home. Tomorrow she'd be sleeping in her own bed, but at George's house in one of his guest rooms.
As she lay there thinking about the work they all had to get done the next day, she wondered how things would go with her and George. Would that kiss they shared sprout into anything more? Did she even want it to? She knew wanted to be with him, but she also knew she didn't want to be another one of his ex-girlfriends. She would much rather be his best friend forever and hide her..her, affection for him, then have him for a little while and then never speak to him ever again. But she so badly wanted to be his lover, go through that whole ritualistic life that consisted of dating and being lovers. But she was also scared to death of losing him in every aspect. She knew she would too, because if they ever fought, ever broke up, it would probably be over something huge because their stubbornness and their egos would clash.
She lay there, continuing to worry before she finally fell asleep, only to dream of him and Michael.
x----------x