Chapter 10:

When Julia awoke the next morning, William wasn't beside her. The mattress was still warm however, and the morning light streamed through the window. He was at work already. He works too hard, Julia thought. She got up and called Ruby over. She had a great deal of shopping to do but could stay for part of the morning. She needed to tell Ruby about the proposal.

Ruby sat across from her at the coffee table in the living room. Julia tried to hide her hand until she announced it to her. There was a deafening silence.

"Jules! What is it? Do you want to tell me something?" Ruby questioned impatiently.

"Yes. Yes Ruby. There is something. Well, William has finally asked me to marry him!" Julia couldn't help but let a tear escape her. Ruby launched herself over and hugged Julia.

"Jules, that's wonderful! I am so pleased William has proposed! Will you finally change your name?" Julia paused and shifted giddily in her seat.

"Yes. I think I will." Ruby grinned mischievously.

"Julia Murdoch," Ruby said. Julia felt shivers crawl up her spine. She finally would change her name. When she married Darcy, she couldn't change her name. She just couldn't. But she knew that this time was right. "Did he do the proposal I read to you?"

"He did. Oh Ruby this is actually happening!" She cried.

"Jules, I'd love to stay and chat more about the handsome detective, but I really must go! I'll see you tonight!" And with that, she waltzed out of the door.

That evening, before they had arrived, William came home later than expected. The sight surprised him. Harry and Julia were sitting in the living room, laughing. He closed the door loudly, so that they would look up. Both their heads snapped up as William approached them.

"Good evening," William said quietly.

"Hey Will! Julia here was just helpin' me pack up my things. I'm leaving tonight, yunno."

"Where will you go?" William replied. Harry stood up and patted his back.

"I'm going back home. I'm going to Nova Scotia. I know, I know, I haven't been in ages, but your mother would have wanted it. She would have agreed I'm not a particularly good father." William grimaced at the thought.

"Come back soon, father." William couldn't believe the words coming out of his own mouth. He never thought he would ever say that to Harry. Harry sighed and took his bags in his hands.

"It was lovely meetin' you Julia. Don't let 'm pray too much," Harry laughed. Julia bit her lip so that William wouldn't see her smile at the comment. Harry opened the door right as Ruby, Japer, and Mr Ogden were at the door. He seldom did anything more than tip his hat at them, as he loped past them, and hopped into a carriage.

William and Julia awkwardly stood at the door. Ruby broke the silence as she frolicked in, pulling William violently in for a hug. He grunted uncomfortably. Jasper and Mr Ogden came inside. Dinner was already set at the table now, as everyone sat down. Needless to say the dinner was awkward, and quite dull in the presence of Mr Ogden. He began to lighten the mood, but spoke in a thunderous manner.

"How in the world did you manage this house?" Mr Ogden asked quizzically. It was like an hidden message. The others thought it was just simple small talk, but William shifted in his seat, trying not to feel offended, or uncomfortable for that matter, as he was still holding him with steely eye contact.

"My father struck gold," was all he could actually croak out at that moment. Mr Ogden lifted an eye brow in surprise.

"Oh, he did did he? I'm still a bit confused detective. What exactly is his occupation?" The room went quiet. Jasper nervously ate his salad, as did Ruby. Julia glared at her father. He simply ignored her.

"Well sir, he used to be a sailor in Nova Scotia, now he's...well, I'm not sure..." He inhaled more of his pork chop in front of him.

"Never wanted to become a doctor? Politician?"

"He would have if he had the ch-" William's irritated tone was cut off by Jasper.

"I'm going back to British Columbia tomorrow..." He lightened the mood instantly. Everyone talked all at once and told him how much he would be missed. William just stared at his plate, put off by his meal. God, he hated that man.

The dinner finally came to an end. They all left their home, even Ruby left after the dinner. William and Julia were in their new bedroom. Julia was already under the covers of the new bed, but William was pacing back and forth.

"I'm sorry for tonight William..." She said in a hushed voice. He now looked enraged, his eyes darkening. He began changing. He thrusted his shirt off, grumbling to himself. Julia tried to hide her arousal. He was angrily taking his clothes off. But she knew he had little patience for anything at the moment.

"He thinks he is utterly superior to me. He think I'm useless. What can I do to prove him wrong?! I've married you, provided a home for us, what does he want?!" He growled, unbuckling his trousers. Now he was just in his boxers and undershirt. He was very much in his own world however.

"I'm sure he doesn't mean anything by it Will-" Her voice caught as he took off his undershirt. He was like a sculpture. His muscles perfectly outlined in the lamp-light. His unruly hair tossled from taking his shirt off so violently. He looked at her and paused. She sat up, hoping he would make a move, but he simply went to cabinet, and put on his red silk pajamas. She sank back into the bed. He slipped into bed, joining her. He clicked off the light and stared up at the ceiling His insomnia would get the better of him tonight.

He entered the station house the next day, welcomed by the not-so-welcoming sound of the worst thing he could possibly think of for a monday morning: Patty Glynn and the Inspector fighting over the latest case. Brackenreid had him up against the wall. Patty was shaking vigorously, still clutching his pen and notebook. He finally let him go and he marched up to William.

"How's this for a title detective? Catholic Copper's Cousin Clara Cascaded with Confrontations?" He smirked, pushed up his glasses, and left the station swiftly.

"MURDOCH! MY OFFICE!" The Inspector's shrill voice was all the station could hear. When would this unbelievable family reunion end?