A/N: Thank you to EleKat, The infamous Hogwarts jaguar00, Shenelopefan, BeYourselfNobodyElseCan, inuyasha6457, Black-Cherry-Eater, neverlandisaplacefaraway, EllieLovettBovine, ceb521, Dark Elizabeth Nellie Lovett, Mirabilem Electo, Redejeka, HellieLovett, BloodyWonder, and nicole.
Special thanks to Dark Elizabeth Nellie Lovett who PMed me recently and got me modivated to finish this chapter.
I'm so sorry for the long wait. I hope this chapter ends up to be worth the wait.
-x-
"Julia!" Barnabas shouted, running towards the psychiatrist with open arms. Julia bit back a smile as he embraced her tightly. "Don't leave Collinsport, please."
She sighed, and pulled away from him. "I'm sorry Barnabas, but I'm tired of always finishing in second place behind Vicky. I can't sit and watch you two make goo-goo eyes at each other for the rest of my life."
"You won't have to anymore. From now on, I choose you, Julia. I love you." She searched his eyes, making sure he was telling the truth. He held her gaze, smiling down at her, before leaning in and kissing her. "Come back with me, my dear." He whispered when they broke apart.
She looked up at him, her eyes sparkling. A faint smile was playing across her face as she nodded.
"I will be more than happy to come back with you." She whispered. He wrapped an arm around her waist and took her suitcase, leading her back to the car.
0o0
"Victoria, I am truly sorry." Barnabas said, looking at the governess as they sat on the couch together. "I love Julia."
"I know Barnabas." She gave him a sad smile, "Things were never the same after that day you accidentally called me Julia."
"It wasn't right of me to ask for your love again when I knew that I no longer felt any romantic feelings towards you."
She shook her head, "I forgive you. That's what people do, when you love someone, you want them to be happy."
0o0
Julia waited outside the door, while Barnabas apologized to Victoria. As soon as he was done, she planned to go in and make sure the governess didn't blame her for the whole situation. The door creaked open and Barnabas stepped out, she darted in without saying a word.
"Let me set the record straight. I didn't plan for things to end this way, so I don't want you to think that I've been trying to 'steal' Barnabas from you. I didn't know that he would end things with you and come after me. I-"
Victoria held up her hand, "Julia stop. I understand. He doesn't love me anymore. It's not your fault."
The psychiatrist raised an eyebrow, "So you're not upset by any of this?"
She sighed, "Of course I'm upset, but what am I going to do? Fighting with you or getting angry with Barnabas isn't going to do anything. It's only going to create problems, so what's the point?" A tear trickled down her cheek. "Besides, Barnabas isn't the only man in the world. I'm sure there are lots of other wonderful people out there."
Julia sat down beside her and put a consoling hand on her shoulder. "Trust me, you'll find someone." She gave her the most encouraging smile she could manage, perhaps they could be friends, eventually.
After talking for a few minutes, the psychiatrist decided it would probably be best to leave Victoria alone. She didn't want to overextend her stay. As soon as she walked out of the room she found Barnabas waiting for her outside the door.
"What where you doing?" He asked a curious expression lingering on his features.
"I had to make sure there were no hurt feelings between me and Victoria. I really don't want to get death glares shot at me from across the table every time we eat a meal together."
"Is everything alright now?"
She nodded and flashed him a smile, "Our meals will be glare free."
0o0
"Julia, we're going to be late." Barnabas knocked on her door.
"I know. I'm coming." She opened the door and smiled. "What do you think?" She asked, spinning around. She was wearing a deep blue, knee length dress with butterfly sleeves.
"You look beautiful, my dear." She kissed him on the cheek and let him lead her downstairs and out the door.
It had been several months since Julia had tried to leave Collinsport. Barnabas had decided to take her out to dinner tonight, just the two of them.
0o0
"You could have told me that we were going to walk to the restaurant." Julia stumbled along next to Barnabas, trying to stay upright as she walked on the crooked sidewalk in her heels.
"My apologies, I'll remember to tell you next time. Do you need me to carry you?"
"Absolutely not. You never told me where we're going for dinner."
"It's a surprise." After walking a little while longer, they finally arrived at Julia's favorite restaurant. There were flowers waiting for her when they sat down at the table.
"Are these from you?" She asked.
"Yes. Do you like them?"
"I do. They're very nice."
"Would you like a drink?"
"Do you even have to ask?" Barnabas called over the waiter and ordered a bottle of red wine for Julia. A few minutes later a little boy walked over to the table holding a bottle of wine and a glass. "David? What are you doing here?"
"Uncle Barnabas asked me to come and make your night extra special."
"Really? And why would he do that?" She looked at Barnabas and raised a eyebrow.
"Well, he said that he's going to-"
"David!" Someone whispered from a few tables over. Julia glanced over and saw Elizabeth and Carolyn beckoning the boy back over to them.
"I'd better go." He smiled before rushing back to the family.
"What are you up to?" The psychiatrist asked, turning back to her date. He was already busy pouring her a glass of wine.
"Nothing."
"Really, what are you-"
"Don't worry about it." He cut her off. "Now what do you want to eat?"
0o0
"Dinner was wonderful, Barnabas." Julia said as she finished the chocolate cake she had gotten for dessert.
"I'm glad that you enjoyed it." He beamed.
"David wanted me to tell you that he's sorry for almost spilling your food on you Julia." Carolyn said as she cleared away some of the empty plates.
"It's fine. Where is David anyway?"
"Mom thought it would be best if I cleared away the plates so he doesn't break anything."
"Thank you, and thank him. We will see you back at the house." Barnabas wrapped and arm around Julia's waist and led her out the door.
"I really did have a very nice time." She whispered as they walked along the shoreline. Barnabas had insisted on taking a detour and going to the beach before going home.
"As did I." He gazed down at her, she looked so beautiful standing next to him in the moonlight. "There's something I want to ask you." He moved from her side and stood in front of her, taking her hands in his.
"What is it?"
"Julia, you are a very beautiful, smart woman and you are so different from the women I used to know. Since that day you left me that letter telling me that you loved me, I've been falling in love with you. I want to spend all of eternity with you, and I want to know if you wish for the same thing?"
"Are you asking me what I think you're asking?" She breathed in disbelief. Barnabas reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out a small black box. He got down on one knee and opened it, revealing a beautiful and rather large diamond ring.
"Julia Hoffman, will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?" She stared at him for a moment, her mouth hanging open. Barnabas's smile faltered, why hadn't she answered? Just as he was about to close the box, her face broke into a smile.
"Yes." She exclaimed, "Of course I'll marry you."
-x-
A/N: I hope you all enjoyed the second to last chapter of Lies to a Lover! Please REVIEW!
