The change within
Chapter 11
Emily dragged the last box through the door and dropped it on the floor with a thud. Julius, bringing another he was carrying in his arms, came through the door.
"Why, Emily? Is it too heavy for you?" Julius asked her as he closed the door.
"No, of course not, but you try carrying like fifteen of those packed boxes and tell me how much strength and patience you have." Emily glared at him. "What did you have in them? Bricks? Do you plan to make a fireplace or something?"
"Well, actually, now that you mention it…." Julius started wanting to tease some, but as to the cold glare that Emily gave thought better of it. So he changed the question "Which brings up the issue of where I am going to put all of my things."
"The guest bedroom, where else is there? Did you honestly think I was going to share my room?" Emily asked incredibly.
"Hey, a guy had to try." Julius shrugged and picked up a box. "Are you going to help?" He supposed.
"Help, me? Heck no, I got it half way here, besides I'm starving, so I'm going to call for a pizza." Emily walked over to her wireless phone.
"Don't I get any?" He asked her.
"You might, it depends on how fast you can clear the living room with all your junk." Emily threatened him friendly and ordered a cheese pizza.
Half an hour later, Julius and Emily sat on the couch, bent over a half eaten pizza. "You know, you could have at least got pepperoni." Julius commented.
"Don't be such a baby, just be glad you got any and I shared." Emily said and closed the box and took it to the kitchen. Julius followed with the plates and dirty napkins. He placed them on the counter and threw away the napkins in the trash.
Julius watched as she placed the remaining pieces on a plate and sealed it, placing it in the refrigerator. He took out his key, formerly Lucky's, and looked at it. It was still hard to imagine he was living, temporarily even, with Emily. His suggestion was an impulsive one, but he knew it was the right thing. He had been there once.
This quick decision didn't really have too much to do with Emily at the time. He told himself after Lydia he would never rush into a relationship and move into together with any women, at least for a while, but yet here he was.
He and Emily weren't really dating; it was just one kiss and an increasing physical attraction, but still, it felt right. He didn't know why, but it did, it felt like he belonged here in this apartment with her.
He looked around the apartment, at the furniture, all the little trinkets. It almost felt like home, almost. He looked back to Emily who was loading the dishwasher. "Don't we have to set some ground rules so we don't drive each other crazy?" Julius asked, wanting a change of topic.
Emily looked to him. "Yeah, probably should. Okay, let's start with the kitchen. I am not going to clean up for you, this is a special occasion, and you have to keep a steady watch on the food supply. I'm not going grocery shopping nor cooking for you either." Emily told him as she finished in the kitchen.
"Alright, sounds good. What else?" he asked.
"The washer and dryer are down the hall, I will not do that for you either. And you will use your own soap and softener. My room is off limits unless I am in there and you need to speak with me or I ask you to get something for me. You can use the kitchen table for your desk if the guest bedroom doesn't suit you but there are limits with that. I think that's that." Emily shrugged, not sure what more to add.
"The rent," He considered.
"Oh, need that at the end of the month." Emily answered.
"All right," he agreed and got up. "I have to go settle in. I'll see you in the morning." He excused himself.
"Okay, night." Emily said and tidied up the living room for a bit before heading to her own room. She changed into some pajama pants and a tank top and set her alarm clock. She slipped in her bed and laid her head on the pillow, falling asleep promptly.
That was how the first few days went but really they didn't see much of each other. There was a huge explosion downtown and then a major accident on the highway so the hospital was busy with healing and yet more upcoming patients. Julius's office was busy making plans for the deal Julius made while in Boston. It took a deal of planning and time for that matter.
Then February fourteenth came upon them, their "Halloween." During the whole day Emily avoided watching all the lovers and surprise gifts, minding her own business. She was convinced if she kept busy and did some work, she would get the minimal holiday spirit. And it worked for the most part.
When a patient or nurse commented to Emily what their boyfriend/husband/fiancé got them she smiled and listened to them, making random comments here and there. Some regret grew in her gut, but she squelched it easily, repeating to herself that whatever someone did, it wasn't her business and that it she wouldn't feel so alone tonight. Ever since Julius moved in she hadn't, even though they had seen less of each other lately.
It was near her tail end of her shift that her mom approached her. "Em, sweetheart, how are you holding up today?" Monica asked her after Emily gave her an updated report on a patient.
Emily shrugged. "Never better, why? Is there a reason why I should be depressed or cynical?" Emily asked Monica.
Monica frowned, not sure if this was her daughter. Valentines Day while being single usually made her miserable. "Well, it is Valentine's day." Monica pointed out.
Emily glanced around and nodded. "Yeah, I can see that." Emily admitted neutrally.
"So, why aren't you miserable? I mean, hadn't you imagined how it would be like when you were married?" Monica inferred.
"Yeah, sure, I did, but I'm not married anymore, nor seeing anyone for that matter." Emily answered.
"Don't you remember all those years ago when you thought that were a crime? You were miserable during this day." Monica was persistent in seeing this subject through obviously.
"Mom, I was a teenager with full blown hormones, what did you expect? Of course I would be dramatic about this whole thing. I am over hormones now and am really quite happy single. I actually missed it; there are so many more possibilities and opportunities if you aren't tied down." Emily explained to her mother.
"Aren't you feeling alone?" She asked, still quite puzzled by her daughter's actions.
"Isn't that why you have friends?" Emily replied with a question.
"You and Elizabeth aren't really talking though." Monica asked confused. She had seen those two speak professionally and that was it.
"I do have friends outside those boundaries mom." Emily responded incredulously.
"None I have met." Monica insisted.
"Mom, I'm a mature adult now. I don't have to tell you everything and you don't have to know all my friends." Emily informed Monica.
Monica sighed and gave her daughter a hug. "I'm sorry Em, it's just a habit. I'm just still not use to the idea that you are all grown up now."
"I know mom, but I have to go check with a few other patients before I leave. I'll see you tomorrow." Emily got out of the embrace and did just that, leaving after checking in at the desk one last time.
When Emily got home, she put the videos near the television and took off her shoes, going to her room. She placed her purse in there, glancing toward the clock. It was almost evening and not surprisingly no Julius. He had been working late since he moved in, but then so had she.
Still, nonetheless, she was hungry, so she went to make a sandwich. She glanced in and noticed that a trip to the grocery store would be in order in a few days. Still, she just wanted to get through today. She was sure everything would go back to normal tomorrow, or as close to normal as possible.
As she sat down with a drink at the dining room table and began to eat, a knock sounded on the door. She glanced toward it, it couldn't be Julius he had a key. Reluctantly, she got up on her aching feet and answered it.
"Nikolas," Emily greeted neutrally. Her day was getting better, that is until this clown came prancing in. A sharp pain of hurt struck her but quickly turned it away; she'd analyze and interpret that later.
"Emily, how are you?" Nikolas asked just as indifferent.
"I'm alright, now how can I help you?" It certainly wasn't anything to do with their nonexistent relationship.
"I wanted to see if Lucky is in." Nikolas explained.
"Oh, no he isn't." Emily clarified.
"Will he be back anytime soon?" Nikolas asked as he stepped inside the apartment.
"I doubt it." Emily said honestly, and that wasn't a lie.
"All right, just curious, he's not answering when I call him." Nikolas further explained his presence.
"I can't really answer that for you." Emily offered and went back to her dinner. Who said she couldn't entertain while eating?
"I know, but he does live here, so I thought…" Nikolas paused, not sure what else to say.
Emily just nodded, and took a bite out of her ham sandwich. She wasn't going to reveal anything.
"But obviously he isn't here, so I'll try finding him at the station then." Nikolas said, wanting to tally a little longer, but Emily didn't seem too open to talk to him, not that he expected less.
Truth was he wanted to see how she was doing, half hoping for a miserable Emily but he found anything but. It was like their divorce didn't null the life in her a bit, which unusually bothered him. Why did he still care? It was obvious Emily didn't.
He turned when he was just answered with more quiet, if she was ignoring him, she was doing it well, either that or she was really hungry, which he doubted. As he opened the door, he came to face Julius, key in hand.
"What are you doing here?" Nikolas asked, anger growing but kept telling himself he wasn't jealous. He still didn't forget that day on the docks.
"Uh, I live here, is that a problem?" Julius asked as he walked around him into the loft.
Nikolas turned around in shock. "How can you live here? There are only two rooms and they are occupied." He asked Julius first but then glanced toward Emily who looked away and got up to put her dishes away in the kitchen.
Julius shrugged. Honestly, he expected this sometime but it didn't faze him any, and he guessed not Emily either for that matter. "Things change." He said shortly.
"I take it Lucky doesn't live her anymore then?" His eyes flashed to Emily angrily. She hadn't said that, nor corrected his placement.
"No, he moved out, needed his space." Emily said equally short. She owed Nikolas no explanation; Lucky perhaps, but certainly not her.
"So you just lied to me?" He demanded.
"No, lying would tell the false truth, besides you asked me if Lucky was in or if he was going to be in. I said he wouldn't, which is the truth considering he doesn't live here anymore." Emily told him.
"Are you that lonely that you asked him to move in here?" Nikolas asked. He knew this wasn't right; she just had adept control on her emotions.
"Actually, I invited myself in as her roommate. I needed a change and there isn't a readily open apartment around, so we compromised." Julius corrected him quickly. "You know how nice Emily is."
"So where is Lucky then?" Nikolas supposed, confused slightly. This made no sense, Lucky moved out but Julius insisted moving in for a change? He doubted that.
"I'm not in a valid position to reveal that, nor is Emily. Guess you will just have to use your minions to find out. Or you can just call your brother." Julius shrugged once again and left the room.
"Okay what is the big missing detail I am missing here?" He looked to Emily.
Emily shrugged like Julius, playing dumb and turned to go to her room, expecting Nikolas to show himself out. With a growl he did, slamming the door behind him. He was going to find out the full story sometime and when he did….he would do something.
A/N: alright, not my best work, but you have no idea how backed up I am on my school work. It is surprising how fast work can pile up this close to spring break. Oh well, two weeks of this to go and I can breathe and hopefully update. Appreciate all your thoughts and I will consider your suggestions, but I kind of have to concentrate on school for the moment, I'm sure you understand. Still, i hope you liked the chapter. And don't forget, reviews are always nice to get.
