Note: Hey guys! Before we get started, I think I should give you a heads up. Most of you know this story is quickly approaching the end! I don’t want anyone to be taken by surprise when the last chapter comes, so I thought I’d give you time to prepare yourselves. 🙂 There are currently five more chapters including this one! I know!! Now that I’ve thoroughly shocked your system, try to enjoy the chapter. Read it slowly. 😀
Time in Willow Creek: 2 years, 8 months, 2 weeks
For the past two and a half or so years, Juliana’s bedroom had been her safe place. Her fortress. The only place she could be her unadulterated self. In that room, she shed many tears, made many promises to herself and contemplated life’s greatest mysteries. The room incubated her, providing an environment to grew from a scared little girl into a more confident woman. As she transformed, the room transformed with her, going from what used to be a little boy’s room to a space that was unequivocally hers. Every corner, nook, and cranny that expressed her personality was now void. She had a new fortress. Another blank canvas to pour herself onto and express herself in new ways.
Kevin’s footsteps echoed in the stairwell. She got anxious. As much as she looked forward to moving into her own apartment, the part of her that enjoyed comfort and resisted change wanted to stay one more night. But, one more night would turn into two more nights. She had to let go.
“Hey,” he said with a bright smile. “Are you ready?”
What a loaded question. Is anyone ever ready for major life changes? Her eyes traced the outline of the room once more. He stood next to her also eyeing the room. “Hard to leave the only place you’ve ever known, huh?”
It was. This made twice in her life now, but this time she went willingly and looked forward to it.
“We’re not in a hurry. You can stay a little while longer if–“
“No.” She brushed past him and headed for the stairs before her heart got the best of her. She had spent the last few days coming to grips with her new reality and needed to rip off the bandage.
Kevin picked up her bag and followed her downstairs. Harold, Hillary, and Abigail waited for her in the living room. Saying goodbye to them would be the hardest part of all. Of course, it wasn’t a full-on goodbye. She would be there every Sunday for the foreseeable future. What she had to say goodbye to was the place they held in her life. The days of needing a tour guide were long gone, and a guardian was not necessary. She had to learn to take care of herself.
“Ju-nah-nah!”
That high pitched voice always brought a smile to her face. Juliana had been an integral part of the child’s life from the very beginning. Not seeing her every day would be hard and so would withdrawing from the family.
Abigail stretched her arms to Juliana, so she scooped her up. “Hello, bonita.”
“I’m gonna put this in the car,” Kevin said.
Juliana squeezed the precious baby and rocked with her. It wasn’t time to cry yet, but resisting was so hard with such sweetness in her arms. Hillary stood next to her looking like she tried to find some semblance of comfort her in her eyes. “You’ll be back on Sunday, right?”
“Of course.”
Hillary looked like she might lose it. “Gosh, Juliana! It’s gonna be weird without you! Don’t forget about us.”
“I could never.”
Hillary grabbed her, sobbing a bit. “I’m gonna miss you so much! I know things haven’t always been right between us, but you’ve always been a great friend.”
Juliana’s own tears threatened to drop, but she wouldn’t let them. Not yet. “We’ll always be friends.”
She let her go and dried her eyes. “I know. Hoo, boy! Get out of here quick before we flood this place!”
They laughed, and Hillary took Abigail. Juliana turned her attention to Harold and flashed a quick smile. “Thank you for everything.” A rogue tear or two escaped.
He cupped her hand and patted it. “You come on back anytime. Keep your key.”
She couldn’t hold the tears much longer and needed to leave immediately. “Thank you. I will. I love you both.” She wanted to say so much more, but once the tears came, she wouldn’t be able to stop them. “I’ll see you on Sunday.”
“Say, ‘bye, Juliana,’ sweet pea!”
Abigail attempted to repeat the words in her own way and waved.
“Bye bye, bonita.”
“Call me tomorrow, ok?”
“I will.”
Juliana waved at Harold. He nodded, and she left.
Kevin attempted to comfort her, but she kept walking toward the car. “Just go, please.”
She cried almost the whole way there, and thankfully Kevin didn’t attempt to give her comforting words or ask questions. She didn’t need comfort. This was something that needed to get out. When he finally found a place to park, they sat in the car until she felt ready to continue. Once composed, she nodded to him. He got her things out of the car, and they headed toward her new residence. The apartment was located in the art district a couple of blocks away from the arts center. Juliana couldn’t have been more excited about the neighborhood.
Moving wasn’t on her immediate radar. After she agreed to let him pay the rent a few months ago, he began looking. About a month later, he told her he found a place and wanted her to see it. Her “soon” and his “soon” were clearly not aligned. Things were happening way too fast, and she hadn’t prepared herself mentally. As she began to decline, something about that knee-jerk reaction made her feel like she had regressed to her scared little girl state. Being afraid was natural, but it wasn’t a reason to run away. She could be ready and scared simultaneously; that’s how her life in Willow Creek had been. She approached every obstacle with a timid boldness because she needed to overcome them, and this situation was no different. This plan had been in the works for so long, and she had no compelling reasons to stall, so she agreed.
The apartment was much too big and fancy just like Hillary said it would be. The hidden part of her that enjoyed nice things wanted to take it, but the practical part knew it was insane. Living there would put her in the position she did not want to be in. She wanted a place she could afford without Kevin’s money. Though she had come to terms with his generosity, she didn’t want to depend on him. Taking that apartment would be a fiscal suicide. She’d never have money to play with. And, forget about saving. Kevin would proudly swoop to save the day, but she did not want that to happen.
They saw three apartments in the same month, but they didn’t feel like home. It took Kevin a while to find the one, and when he did, she knew immediately. He thought it was small, but it was perfect. The apartment had a roommate floorplan with a third room across the hall from the master bedroom. It looked the same size as the upstairs bathroom at Umbrage Manor, so it couldn’t have been a third bedroom. It could only be a nursery or an office, but Juliana saw the perfect studio. The kitchen was so spacious, she could do some serious entertaining if she wanted to. A half-wall separated the dining area and tiny living room. Though small, it was perfect for a single person.
The place needed a little TLC. Kevin didn’t like it because he couldn’t see past the worn wallpaper and Berber carpet. Juliana saw its potential. And, she kinda liked the carpet. The landlord gave them permission to fix it up, and Kevin jumped at the chance despite it not being his decision to make. She had plans to make it her own anyway and didn’t mind the intrusion.
Between renovating the apartment, and getting ready for the grand opening, the last two months had been hectic. In the midst of the busyness and chaos, Juliana had so much fun. Kevin took her to what felt like every store in Willow Creek, Oasis Springs, and Newcrest to find the perfect furnishings for her first apartment. His silence surprised her as she was so used to him inserting himself into her decisions. After all, it was her apartment. She picked everything out, and he paid for it. One time, however, he did persuade her to make a different decision. She needed a table and chairs for the dining area. It didn’t make sense to crowd that space, and she wanted a small set. Why would she need more than that for just herself? But, in Kevin-like fashion, he convinced her to get a large set.
“Come on, Juliana! What if you want to have all your friends over? Or, what if Hillary decides to have Sunday dinner at your place one week? I know you don’t think you’ll be entertaining much, but you’re Little Miss Popularity now!”
She rolled her eyes. “Whatever, Kevin.”
She got the table though. The carpet got replaced with hardwood, and the wallpaper was ripped away and replaced with paint and crown molding. Though Kevin wouldn’t be living there, shopping and planning with him felt good, and she had more fun than she expected. In the future, when they would go through this process again for a house they would purchase together, would it still be fun? Would he be more opinionated? He let an interior designer decorate his current house, so he’d probably give her the same autonomy. As intriguing as that thought was, thinking about doing it all again in future stressed her out. Being married to Kevin and living together in a gorgeous home with their family was a beautiful thought, but it could wait. She had adventures in the city to conquer.
“Well…here we are,” he said, waiting for her to unlock the door.
She had been in the apartment many times and saw the furniture when she directed the movers on where to put it. But, standing in the doorway looking at her place all put together felt like seeing it for the first time. Everything came together beautifully, but the bare walls made it look so plain. Still, decorating was the least of her worries. She had plenty of time to paint marvelous works and put her mark on the apartment.
“I can’t believe I’m here.”
Kevin grinned. “Are you happy?”
It didn’t feel real, but she felt so warm inside. “I don’t know what I am.”
“That good, huh?” He chuckled. “Do you want to unpack, or do you want to celebrate?”
“Unpack, then celebrate.”
“Want some help?”
She shook her head. “Relax.” She gestured toward the living room and took her bag to the master bedroom with the biggest smile on her face. Living on her own still felt weird, but commanding her first guest to enjoy himself felt amazing. She in no way owned the apartment but still felt the pride of ownership. Before her birthday, she pondered what this new decade of life would bring and anticipated amazing experiences in the future. Moving was one of them. Over and over she attempted to imagine what it would feel like, but nothing came close to the overwhelming feelings of pride, joy, and even shock she had at that moment.
Man, what a triumph! My brother recently moved out too and after the crying, you’re mostly happy. I feel confident for the Humphries even without her. They’re strong enough now.
They really are.
Thanks for the heads-up that we’re approaching the conclusion ! Must feel amazing !
Proof of how awesome Kevin has become : he let her cry in the car without interfering .
YES! He’s learning. 🙂
That’s an interesting way to look at a room – a medium to express yourself on.
Harold’s “Keep the key” was worth a million words.
I’m glad Kevin has learned when to give her space and not to smother her with attempts to comfort her.
I love the colours she picked for her appartment.
Because artists are all about expression, I imagined Juliana might feel that way about the room. 🙂 Especially how, little by little, she made it her own.
“Keep the key” made me tear up!! I love Harold and how he’s learning in small ways to express himself to those he loves.
It’s so beautiful!
This was a great chapter full of feels! Moving on…it’s so bittersweet. Leaving those you love, but they are the whole reason you are able to do what you do. If not for them, she wouldn’t be able to move on and have learned so much. Kevin was a doll this chapter even if we didn’t see him until the end. So many great things in her future. She’s an old soul in a young body…lucky her! If we all had the same slow down and take it a day at a time attitude, we may all do a lot better. A lot to learn from Juliana! 🙂
Well said! 🙂
I have to agree with Maladi.
Harold’s command to “keep the key” spoke volumes from our stoic patriarch. I absolutely loved this chapter. I’m such an HGTV nut too with renos and flipping shows I absolutely enjoyed seeing her finished new space in the city for herself.
Her admitting to herself too that while comforting…continuing to stay “just one more night” would be bad in the long run rather than just facing what she truly wanted to do even though it was scary as heck. We have to remember she’s not even mid – 20s yet and for the past few years, the Humphries have been her rock and her stability. To make these changes on her own… could be overwhelming.
Also – as CT said – Kevin letting her cry without attempting to stop her or comfort her was a HUGE step for him. I approve completely. He also let her design HER apartment and I loved that as well.
Thank you, Cat!
Someone I used to know would say bravery is not the absence of fear. Bravery is feeling the fear and doing it anyway. That has stuck with me forever, and it’s totally how I see Juliana! And, from seeing her thoughts in this chapter, I believe she’s finally realized this about bravery and is embracing it.
Her goodbyes were so emotional and I agree with everyone regarding Harold’s “keep the key.” Juliana has really come into her own with this new apartment. I’m glad she took the one she did. I see her touches of favorite colors here and there around her new place. I’m so proud of her.
Thank you, Kymber! Glad you enjoyed the goodbyes and all. She’s definitely come into her own! I’m also glad she remained practical and got the older, smaller, less expensive apartment although having a grand piano was probably really tempting lol.
LOL I’m sure there will be a grand piano in the future. 😀
Of course! 😀
I was not doing all that bad until she left Harold. Then I got a little verklempt … The new place is wonderful and I know she’s going to be happy! Just one request let us see a baby before the end of the story please please please please please please please please please please please
LOL how about some CAS children? 😛
I guess … sort of LOL
LOL
The apartment is perfect! I can’t wait to see her funk it up with art and whatnot.
Only 4 more chapters, eh…? *Stares Haroldly*
I love where Juliana and Kevin have come as a couple. They are so much better at making space to last each other be, it’s inspiring.
Stares Haroldly!! LOL That was awesome.
*resists the urge to comment about wanting Juliana and Kevin to christen the new bed in the apartment* (Seriously though, ahhh I want them to have sex before the story is over, damn it! But there are only four chapters left to do it! 🙁 )
*ahem*
This was such a huge moment for Juliana… but so emotional too 🙁 Her goodbyes with the family were hard. That apartment is gorgeous though, and I’m sure it will feel like home to her very soon <3
LOL I cannot comment on your wishes. 😛 But yes…after a brief adjustment period, it’ll feel like home for sure.
Harold’s ‘Keep your keys’ got to me. Juliana has amazing style – such gorgeous colour combinations in that flat 😀
That is my favorite line in the whole thing! Harold gets me every time. I may or may not be jealous of Juliana’s style lol.