"Going Home"

Disclaimer: Here goes....I don't own Juliette, Auggie, Peter, Scott....and you know the rest right? The creators of Higher Ground own them. I just wish they would sell them to me so I could put them back on TV!

Authors Note: This is the sequel to the "Daddy's Girl" series. I know many of you have been requesting a sequel, so I hope you like this! Also, I just want to clarify that I was following the guidelines of Mt. Horizon when I sent Juliette away. And I would like to say that people who suffer with eating disorders or are cutters are NOT crazy. I did not mean to offend anyone out there. So please don't hate me! =)



"And this love
Is like nothing I have ever known
Take my hand, love
I'm taking you home
I'm taking you—home
Where we can be with the ones who really care
Home, where we can grow together
Keep you in my heart forever"



She stared out the window as the large car pulled into the driveway. It halted near the front door and remained still for several moments before the door opened. On the left side was her mother, hair blonder then before and clothes still perfect. She looked thinner then the last time she had saw her. Or had she been that thin all along?
From the other side her stepfather emerged. Hal smiled and said something to the driver before meeting his wife on the sidewalk. Juliette recognized the suit he wore. He'd worn it the day she'd met him. She watched as he placed his hand gently on her mother's back and they vanished through the doors.

Juliette turned back to her room and sighed. Looking around she realized that this was the day she had been dreading all along. She was to leave this room, this building, and this hospital. She was leaving again, and she was scared. She pulled her suitcase out from under her bed and threw the last of her belongings into it. As she closed the suitcase her eyes met with the bedside table...and the beautiful bowl that Auggie had finished for her.
Auggie....the love of her life. She missed him more then she had ever missed anything. He had saved her in so many ways. She wondered about what he had been doing for the past four months. Sure he had called a few times, and told her how much he loved her, but there was nothing like seeing him and kissing him and holding his hand. She looked down at her frail fingers, imagining them intertwined with Auggies.

Four months she had been here. The day she had arrived had been torturous. They'd checked her in and immediately forced her to eat. Just like the old days when her mother would bring her to the hospital to be force-fed and tubed. They'd taken away anything sharp that she could hurt herself with. She remembered the bloody thumbtack that she had carried with her everywhere. They had found it in her pocket and tried to make her talk. They tried to make her cry and scream until all her emotions were out and everyone could see them, but she maintained. The perfect girl. She had to be the perfect girl.
She thought back to the day in group, when another girl on her ward began talking about her own experiences with bulimia. Juliette hated the word. It meant that there was something wrong with her and she couldn't handle that, her mother couldn't handle that. She'd tried to tune the girl out, but was unsuccessful. Eventually it all came out, everything. She cried as she talked about her mother's abusive words. The days when she just couldn't take it anymore and would drain her blood with a razor. She shook with sobs when she told the others about her father, how much she wished he could be there with her. So much that her own mind had created him for her. But now he was gone, the pills they gave her had scared him away. And she was glad. He wasn't real after all. Juliette smiled. It had taken her two months to actually believe that.

There was a knock at the door.
"Come in." Juliette said. In walked a women in her early thirties. Her hair was black and her eyes shined with pride.
"Are you ready to go Juliette?" She asked, sitting next to her on the bed.
"I think so. I'm just so scared. What if I'm not strong enough?" She asked. Juliette thought back to the day she'd said goodbye, and Shelby's encouraging words.
'You were always strong.'
"Juliette you are stronger then a lot of people out there. You've been doing so well these past few months. We're all so proud of you." The woman encouraged her with a gently squeeze to her shoulder. Juliette smiled.
"Thank you Clara. I'm actually proud of myself." She thought of the day in the woods....when she'd known where to cross the river. She felt like she had that day. She felt right again. "Have you talked to Peter or Sophie yet?" She asked hopefully. Clara smiled.
"Yes I have. They can't wait to have you back honey." Juliette grinned.
"I've missed them all so much. I mean you've all really helped me here, but they're my family." My home, she thought.
"I understand sweetie. I'm just happy to see you smiling again." She stood from the bed. "Now don't forget to keep in touch ok?! I want to hear all about this Auggie person you always talk so fondly about!" They both laughed.
"I'll write you every chance I get Clara, I promise." She hugged her tightly, squeezing her eyes closed to savor the moment. "Thank you so much."
"you're welcome Juliette. Now your mother and stepfather are waiting downstairs. Are you ready to see them?" Juliette shrugged.
"Ready as I'll ever be I guess." Clara took her by the shoulder and let her lead the way home.
Like it? Yes? No? Please r/r! Thanks! Oh and just so there's no legal hassles....the song lyrics at the beginning belong to Don Henley. There from the song "Taking You Home", which inspired this story.

To Be Continued....