"Come on Scooter, let's go over here by the flowers. We can talk to the butterflies." Julia smiled at her daughter as she scampered down the steps to plop down next to a flower garden, her faithful pup only too happy to join her. "Be careful sweetie. Don't try to catch the bees. They don't like that."

"I know that Mommy. Me & Scooter are only talking to the butterflies, OK?"

"OK baby. Love you!"

"Love you too Mommy! So do the butterflies – they said so."

Julia leaned against the porch railing, happily watching her daughter, Jennifer Melanie Barbara, converse with her dog & laugh at the butterflies flitting around the yard. She was happy. Happy and content – with her home, with her daughter and with Barbie, who was and always will be the love of her life. "Life" she thought "is so sweet outside of the dome." Although that time was already well in the past, the experience would always be with her, with Barbie, with their friends. She didn't think about their time under the dome very often anymore but since this week was the anniversary of the dome lifting, she found herself becoming pensive.

Everything was more intense then, more frightening and they were always looking for ways to cope, to survive, to make sure everyone was safe. A tall order and one she did not think would be thrown in her lap but it was. Then there was Barbie. Her lips curved into a smile every time thoughts of him crossed her mind. Since this was quite often, Julia was always smiling. He came out of nowhere, mysterious and aloof, but willing to be thrown into the middle of any crisis, always helping, saving them, saving her. Their attraction was instant, mutual & powerful and while the dome may have brought them together for comfort alone, it soon became much more than that. It was inevitable that they fall in love.

Julia hugged herself as the memories came unbidden. "Barbie was the one who always saved me. He found me at the cabin when I passed out from the epidemic, carried me to safety and sat by my side until he knew I would wake up. He was there after Max shot me & with Joe's help got me to the clinic. Later, Joe told me how he knew just what to do, how he wouldn't give up, even when my heart stopped. Then Angie told me how he watched over me and whispered 'I love you'." Julia shuddered as a chill swept over her thoughts. "I almost lost him – once to Big Jim & his mad schemes and once when he went over the cliff to Zenith. By then I knew I loved him but hadn't said the words. If I had lost that chance, I would have been devastated. But the dome wasn't done with us and during that awful cold, the fates conspired against us, causing that horrible crash. Cold, wounded and trapped by my injuries, I thought I would die – once again Barbie saved me. I'll never forget his words - "We're going to have a life together – love – kids – anything that you want." It was then I spoke of my love for him just before the world went dark and once more Barbie's love and determination brought me back from the brink of death. He kept his promise – we have a life, love and a beautiful daughter. There is nothing else I want"

She had worried that perhaps the intense longing they had for each other would fade without that ever present threat they'd been faced with. She needn't have worried. Seldom were they apart for any length of time. If they were together it was as if they had to touch – holding hands – hugging – stealing a kiss. What she found was that now they had time to have fun and to laugh. They went for long walks with no particular destination in mind, rode horses around their property, snuggled in bed to watch a movie or read a book. One night she discovered, much to her delight, that Barbie was a movie buff. They were in bed sharing kisses, talking about nothing in particular. Tracing patterns up and down his arms, Julia smirked to herself as a thought popped into her head.

"Can I ask you something, Barbie?" He had already noticed her grin and truth be told. he loved it when Julia was playful & teasing. "Ask away babe."

"Why did you want to marry me anyway?"

For a moment Barbie was confused. Then he got it and looked into her eyes with a smile. "That's an easy question." Instead of answering he moved closer, kissed her lips, her neck and beneath her ear before he whispered. "So I can kiss you anytime I want."

Julia was charmed. She laughed and hugged him close. "I can't believe it!? Never in a million years would I have thought you've seen Sweet Home Alabama, let alone be able to quote that line. Norrie was right – you do have some romance in you. Actually she doesn't know the half of it. You can romance me without even trying and I love every minute of it. But I have to know...what other surprises do you have in store for me?"

Barbie only grinned. "Guess you'll have to stick around to find out."

"I guess I will."

Julia was so engrossed in her daydreams that she never heard Barbie come through the house or on to the porch until she felt his hand brushing the hair away from her neck, the press of his lips sending a shiver of pleasure though her body. "Penny for your thoughts baby." She turned to face him reaching up to twine her arms around his neck.

"Good thoughts about us, that's all. I missed you."

"Missed you too."

As natural as breathing they moved closer for a welcoming kiss. The love was there strong as ever. So was the passion, the caring, the intensity and yes the romance too.

"Daddy! Daddy, you're home" Jenny bounded up the stairs and jumped into Barbie's arms. He scooped her up so she was between him & Julia, each one of them kissing her cheek. "Hey princess, do you have a kiss for your dad?"

She smooched his cheek loudly & then put one little hand on the side of his face and the other one grasped one of Julia's curls. "I like it when you and Mommy kiss. I can feel your happy inside of me. It makes me feel like I do when Santa comes, only better." She smiled, pleased with her little declaration, but was ready to move on to more important matters. "Daddy, put me down. Me & Scooter are going to see the chickens."

Barbie set her down and knelt beside her. "Chickens? I think I might have something better for you to do. Guess who's down at the barn?"

Jenny shrugged dramatically. "I don't know...who?"

"Angie! She's taking care of her horse and said if you hurried down to help her, she take you for a ride on Monarch."

"I love Angie! OK that's where we're gonna go. Bye Mommy! Bye Daddy!"

Barbie stood up, folding Julia into his arms. Quite predictably, tears were threatening to spill but she was smiling in apparent wonder. "She is so special, isn't she?"

"Just like her Mom." Barbie worked his hand under her fiery curls to press her closer. "How about if we talk about movies for awhile?"

Julia laughed as he hoped she would. "So, am I to assume you set this up with Angie ahead of time? How long did you tell her to keep Jenny occupied? I want to say you should be ashamed of yourself but I can't. Movies sound like fun but how about if you just take me to bed?"

"Mmm...I think I can handle that. We should have a couple of hours until our princess is back." Without a pause he swept her up into his arms, moving easily and deliberately through the door and into the house. Julia began unbuttoning his shirt as she nibbled her way from his jaw to his lips. "I can walk you know."

"Now where's the romance in that?"