He left, Barnabas had actually left Julia. The reality of the situation was a slap in the face. She had spent a year trying to push out the feelings she had for the blasted man and now that she had him for herself, he had left. The pain of this was far too much for her. He was the first man she had let in, the first person that was. She had not even let Elizabeth in as much as she had with Barnabas. This was why she never opened up to people! They were heartless pricks who fed off of drama and gossip. They would suck it out of you and then leave you high and dry. Dry, the way her mouth felt right now. She needed to numb the pain, she needed a drink. Something else she couldn't have. She had lost the two things she craved: Barnabas and alcohol; and she had gained a child and fat. Which two cons were worse, Julia couldn't decide. She needed her alcohol and, well she needed Barnabas as well, but she was pregnant. That meant many more cons would come along in the future. Julia scoffed at the thought. After all of the sleeping around that she did, with men she would never see again, she had to get pregnant at thirty four, by the man she loved and most likely would see again. The bloody bastard probably only wanted in her pants like all of the rest, he just ran out before he became a father. Lucky bastard, she thought gloomily. No, Barnabas Collins was not that kind of man. Barnabas Collins was old fashioned- very old fashioned. There was no other man in the world like Barnabas Collins anymore. He viewed things different than anyone Julia had ever met before and that always intrigued her. He didn't flirt with her while he was with Vicky- the name sent chills up her spine, she despised the woman. She was the one who made the moves on him not the other way around per usual. If Barnabas had not loved Julia Hoffman, he never would have given her the most thoughtful compliment the first week he had met her despite her state of mind and actions. But Barnabas Collins was gone and that was that. His love for her was just too good to be true, at least that was what Julia thought. Well she wasn't going to stay here and take it anymore. He was bound to show up sooner or later again, this was his family after all and she had overstayed her welcome 3 years ago. It was about time she left anyways, David needed no more treatment, Carolyn had matured- and became a Werewolf, but that was besides the point. The point was, she had overstayed her welcome despite how kind her friend Elizabeth had been and she wouldn't allow Barnabas the satisfaction of seeing his child grow up let alone know that he was expecting a child. Julia Hoffman had made up her mind and Barnabas Collins would never know that he was to be a father.

"Where do you think you are off to?" Elizabeth's voice came from the doorway causing Julia to jump. "You can't just leave us, after everything we have been through together, Julia," she tried to get some sense into her friend but knew how darn stubborn the red head was.

"Barnabas left me, Liz. I won't allow him to get the satisfaction of knowing that he has a child," Julia turns to the bossy blonde and crosses her arms.

Elizabeth's jaw dropped and her eyes got so big that Julia half expected to see them pop out at her. She stifled a giggle at this and sighed instead, really her imagination was quite amusing at times. "Y-you didn't tell Barnabas about the child?" she nearly shouted in disbelief.

"Really Liz, that approach doesn't become you," Julia rolled her eyes as she mocked Elizabeth with the same words she would lecture Julia with when she would have a glass of gin with breakfast. "I've made my decision Elizabeth and if you tell him I swear I will never speak to you again and you will never get to see this baby or know where I am, ever," Julia threatened the best that she could. As much as Elizabeth put on her tough girl act, Julia knew how to get the attention of her best friend when it was important. Threatening her with the loss of a friend was the worst way to punish Liz and even though it would be painful for Julia, she would do it if that meant protecting herself and this child.

"Julia," Elizabeth softened her approach and voice as she strides towards her friend and pulled her into a tight, tearful, embrace. "Please be safe out there. You don't have anyone looking out for you two.."

"I'll be fine on my own. I've done it many times before. I know my way around the world by now, I am.. well let's not say how old I am," she swallows and shudders at the thought. Hearing a soft giggle escape Elizabeth's mouth caused her to turn to her friend and hug her neck tightly. "Thank you, Liz," she whispered. "For everything," and with that last hug, Julia was off. She had to make a new life and something of herself and now was her chance.

{Sorry it has been awhile since I have updated this story. I hope you enjoy it and I apologize that it is so short. I'm not happy with this chapter but it is more of a fill in for the next chapter. Please leave a review? ;) }