DISCLAIMER: I own nothing because all characters, with the exception of Julianna belong to Mark VII and NBC Universal.
A/N: When we last left Julianna and Johnny, they were at the altar. The minister had just begun the ceremony. This is the fourth part of 'Dealing with the Past.' Will Johnny and Julianna get married? Will they get a future together? Will they live happily ever after?
"She left, Roy. She just up and left," Johnny said to his friend.
Roy was hoping it was the hour that had him thinking he'd heard his friend wrong. What had Johnny just said?
"Wait! What happened," Roy said, ushering his friend into the house.
"She left. I came home from my shift and she wasn't home. I was working overtime at 10s and when I came home she wasn't there," Johnny said.
"Did you call the hospital? Mike? Maybe she had to work late or she went to see Mike or her parents," Roy said, trying to convince his friend the unthinkable hadn't actually happened.
"I called everyone. Despite the fact that it was 2 in the morning, I called her parents, Mike, Barb. Hell, I even called Bob and Beth and tried Dixie. She's not working. She's not anywhere," Johnny said, running his hand through his hair.
Roy pushed Johnny into the chair in the kitchen. Johnny looked up his friend, pain and sorrow in his eyes. "Did she say anything to Joanne," Johnny asked.
"Joanne didn't tell me," Roy asked. He was about to get up and go ask his wife when she came into the kitchen.
"Johnny! Is everything OK," she asked.
"Did Juli tell you she was going anywhere," he asked.
"Juli and I haven't talked in a few days. She said she was going to busy at the hospital. Is she missing," Joanne asked, sitting next to Roy.
"No, she's not missing, exactly. She's left. Her clothes, luggage and car are gone. When I called the hospital, I was told she asked to be let out of her contract. Didn't say why or where she was going. Why did my wife leave? Is this her way of wanting out of the marriage," Johnny asked, tears slipping down his cheeks.
Roy didn't know what to say. He remembered the conversation he and Joanne had several months before the wedding about Julianna running after her miscarriage. Roy didn't think things were bad between the two because the they were so much in love that Roy knew they'd work out any problem they had. The few fights they'd had, Johnny said they had both apologized for the arguments and moved passed them. They couldn't stand the thought of being mad at each other. Roy couldn't understand why Julianna would have left Johnny. She hadn't seemed unhappy and he knew Johnny hadn't hurt her. Roy was just as lost for an explanation as Johnny.
"I don't know what happened, Johnny. I know she loves you. Did you guys have a fight," Roy asked.
"No. I mean, nothing that would make her want to leave, I don't think. We've been married six months and it's been a year since the accident and miscarriage. I was trying to get her to talk about trying to have a baby. I wasn't pushing her, I just wanted to know if she might want to try again. She agreed and seemed happy. I don't understand. If she doesn't want kids, then I don't care. I'll deal with it. I just want my wife here. With me," Johnny said.
Johnny got up from the table and went to the dining room door. He stared out at the city and wondered where Julianna was and what she was doing. He couldn't believe how something this painful had come from something that started off to be so wonderful.
They rarely fought. They were always honest with each other about what was bothering them, which was why Johnny had felt comfortable voicing his opinion about them having children. Now, it seems his desire to see where she stood had driven her away. He just didn't understand what he'd done. He'd tried to love Julianna with everything he was, but with her leaving, he wondered if that had ever been enough.
FLASHBACK, SIX MONTHS AGO
Julianna took his hand and the minister began the ceremony.
Johnny barely heard the minister's words because his heart was beating so loud in his chest. He couldn't believe he was standing in a church getting married. To his high school sweetheart, no less! She smiled and he smiled back at her.
They repeated their vows and said those important words.
Trying desperately to hold it together, Julianna said, "I do."
Johnny, breathing a sigh of relief, repeated his vows and said, "I do."
"I now pronounce you husband and wife. John, you may kiss your bride," the minister announced.
That was all the invitation Johnny needed. He lifted Julianna's veil and wrapped her in his arms and kissed her.
Julianna kissed him back, unable to believe that she was now married to Johnny. They pulled apart and Johnny whispered, "I love you."
"I love you, too," Julianna said.
They faced the guests in the wedding as the minister announced, "It gives me great pleasure to introduce to you, for the first time, Mr. and Mrs. John Gage."
The guests stood as Julianna and Johnny held hands and walked back down the aisle. When they were out of the church, Johnny kissed her again, unable to believe how wonderful he felt.
They took pictures before Johnny helped Julianna into the car and headed toward their house and their wedding reception.
A month after Bob and Beth married, Julianna and Johnny hosted a small reception for the couple and it had been a success. Bob and Beth had announced their impending arrival during the reception. Everyone was excited for them and Julianna promised to host her baby shower. Beth's due date was in December and Julianna wanted to host the shower a few weeks after she returned from her honeymoon.
Johnny and Julianna arrived at their house and saw the mass of people milling around. Johnny helped Julianna out of the Rover and they held hands and went to the archway that had been placed to mark the reception area.
Roy rushed over to them and got everyone's attention.
"Here they are! The happy couple," Roy said, patting Johnny on the back and kissing Julianna's cheek.
Everyone came up to them to congratulate them and by the time everyone was eating, Julianna was overwhelmed.
A small band had been set up and allowed the guests to dance.
Johnny excused himself and went to talk to Roy. Julianna smiled at him and took a drink of her water. Mike sat down next to his sister and put his arm around her shoulder.
"How are you doing," he asked.
"I'm a bit overwhelmed. I just keep thinking it's a dream," she said.
"It's real. Are you happy," he asked.
"Very. I love him so much, Mikey," she said.
Mike smiled and squeezed her shoulder. "Good. You're a beautiful bride."
"You going to do this anytime soon," she asked her brother.
"Maybe. Barb is a wonderful woman and I love her. I'm planning to get her a ring for her birthday," he said.
"That's before Christmas! That's great, bro," Julianna said.
"I'd better get back. Love you, Juju," he said.
"Love you, Mikey," Julianna said.
She watched her husband dancing with her best friend when Roy came over to her.
"Juli, do you want to dance? Your husband had taken my wife for a spin, so how about it," he asked.
Smiling at her friend she stood and followed him to the dance area.
"This has been a wonderful wedding, Juli," Roy said.
"It has. It's exactly what I always dreamed my wedding would be like," she said.
"He really loves you," Roy said.
"I know. I really love him," Julianna said.
The danced in silence as they watched their friends. Johnny stopped dancing with Joanne and cut in on his friend and wife.
"Mind if I take my wife now," Johnny asked, smiling at Roy.
"Of course. Now I can have mine back," Roy said, turning to dance with his wife.
Johnny kissed his wife.
"This has been an incredible day," Julianna said.
"It has, but it will have nothing on tonight," Johnny said, his eyes twinkling.
"You're such a tease, Mr. Gage," Julianna said.
"Oh, Dr. Gage, you haven't seen anything yet," he said, kissing her.
Several hours later, their reception began to break up. Johnny took his wife by the hand and led her back to the Rover. He'd reserved a room at the nicest hotel in LA and they were going to spend their wedding night there before hopping a flight to Hawaii. Julianna couldn't believe they were going to Hawaii for their honeymoon. She would spend ten days with Johnny in the sand, sun and surf of Hawaii and she couldn't wait.
Mike, Barb, Joanne and Roy were helping Julianna's parents clean up the reception area and make sure all the presents were secured in the house. Julianna's parents were going to spend the next week at Julianna and Johnny's making sure things were OK and helping when their new furniture was delivered.
Johnny pulled up in front of the nicest hotel in LA and Julianna was shocked.
"We're staying here," she asked. She knew the honeymoon was costing a bundle and she hadn't minded paying for most of it, but this little trip was Johnny's. She hated thinking he had to spend a lot of money to make her happy. "You didn't have to do this, you know that, right," she said.
"I do, but since this is my honeymoon too, I wanted us to get pampered. We'll park the car here and then they will take us to the airport for our flight. We don't have to worry about a thing. We can spend the next 24 hours in the room and not see anyone until we head off for Hawaii," he said.
He got out of the car and handed the keys to the valet. He helped his wife out of the car and the bell boy took all the luggage from the back of the Rover and put it on a cart. They walked into the lobby and, because Julianna was still in her wedding dress, were immediately the object of attention.
Johnny headed to the front desk and asked for the key to the honeymoon suite.
"Welcome Mr. and Mrs. Gage. Here is the key to the room. We will deliver your luggage to your room. You have the honeymoon suite which is on the penthouse level. Your room service menu will be found on the table just inside the door. We will take you to the airport for your flight in plenty of time. Enjoy your stay here and congratulations," the clerk said.
Johnny thanked him and signed the paperwork. The rode the private elevator to the penthouse and unlocked the door. They found their luggage already in the closet. Their room had a sweeping view of the city they both loved. They had a sitting room with couch and TV and the bedroom featured a large King-sized bed. Julianna was amazed. She was about to go into the bedroom when Johnny stopped her.
"What," she asked.
Johnny didn't say a word. He picked her up and carried her into the room and sat her on the bed. "I wanted to do that," he said.
Julianna kissed him and they slowly relieved each other of their wedding attire.
Johnny had to admit to himself, he'd been thinking about taking Julianna out of her wedding dress when first saw her in it.
And Julianna had to admit, their first night as a married couple was incredible, just like the first part of their day had been.
They spent most of the night enjoying each other and relishing the fact that they were now husband and wife.