"Oh, hello, Vicki," greeted Barnabas, awkwardly.
"Hello, Barnabas...hello, Julia," greeted Vicki, equally awkward. "I...guess I came at a bad time."
"No kidding," replied Julia, dispassionately. "I presume that you have a reason for your intrusion."
Vicki's face turned red. "Yes, I deserve that, Julia, for the way…I treated you and…disrespected you."
Julia crossed her arms and stared at Victoria like an impatient schoolteacher waiting for an excuse for her student's tardiness. "And?"
Vicki shifted her feet. "I was wondering if I could speak to you…alone."
Before Julia could answer, Barnabas said, "I will see what Willie is preparing for us, if he hasn't already. Excuse me, ladies."
Barnabas abruptly left the women alone in the parlor. Although Julia knew that it was not Vicki's fault for what happened, she decided that she was going to enjoy the young ladies' abject contrition.
"So," said Julia, sitting by the low-burning fire, offering Vicki a seat, acting as the true lady of the house, "what do you have to say for yourself?"
Vicki sat before Julia, ready to seek forgiveness. "Julia, I am truly sorry for my behavior towards you and Barnabas. I don't know what came over me. It was like…something took over me and made me act so…abnormal."
"You don't say," smirked Julia, with secret knowledge. "What do you think it was? Your impending marriage to Burke? Your…sudden anxiety to leave Collinwood? Your revelation of being Liz's daughter? Or perhaps you do have feelings for my fiancé and father of my child?"
"I…I suppose that it may be anxiety mixed with finding out that I am a Collins. An illegitimate Collins at that."
Julia shrugged. "Does legitimacy and illegitimacy matter, considering everything that Liz has done for you? Including assisting in your wedding planning?"
Shamefully, Vicki hung her head, as Julia enjoyed Vicki's reaction. "I know, and I should not had reacted in that manner. Please forgive me."
Julia sat back and observed Vicki's pleading exterior. "Well, you seemed contrite for your grievances. Very well, Vicki. I forgive you. After all, when people start afresh in life, we should start over with a clean slate, don't you think?"
Vicki eagerly nodded. "I know what you mean. You see, this morning, Burke and I married at the courthouse. We will be leaving for Brazil tomorrow morning, and I was hoping, as a peace offering that you will celebrate with us this evening for dinner."
"This may be a stupid question, Vicki, but did you happen to tell Burke of your mistakes?" asked Julia, curious.
Vicki shook her head. "Oh, no, Julia. I think that it's best that he doesn't know, especially with every thing that happened. The night after the...incident happened, we talked about me no longer being without a past, Mrs. Stoddard as my mother, and my anxieties with being married and leaving Collinwood. Burke understood. And now we're moving to Brazil for two months."
"Well, I am happy for you and Burke, and Barnabas and I will be honored, Vicki, to attend your wedding dinner. What are your plans for when you and Burke return to Collinsport?"
"Mrs. Stod-, um, Moth-…Mrs. Stoddard has offered us free room and board until we get a home of our own," answered Vicki, wary of Julia's response.
Julia nodded, relieving Vicki of her wariness. "Alright. And don't worry. Once you and Liz overcome this phase in your...new relationship, it's up to you in whether or not to call her 'mother' or 'Mrs. Stoddard.' I'm sure she'll understand. And there are no hard feelings between us. At what time will you expect us?"
"At six, as is the usual dinner hour at Collinwood," mused Vicki.
Julia warmly smiled. "We'll be there."
Julia stood up, with Vicki following suit. "Congratulations, Mrs. Devlin."
"Thank you, Julia. And congratulations on your engagement and baby," said Vicki.
The women shook hands, and Vicki departed for the main house.
Eavesdropping on their reconciliation, Barnabas entered the parlor. "Is everything well between you two?"
"It is, Barnabas," said Julia, walking up to the (second) love of her.
"You should be ashamed for putting that young lady through unnecessary shame," he teased, taking his bride-to-be into his arms.
"Would you prefer that I tell her about Nicholas? About you and our complications," she asked, tracing his bottom lip with her index finger.
"I supposed that the poor girl would not had understood," he sighed.
"We've been invited to their wedding dinner at six this evening, Barnabas. Our wedding and…wedding night will have to wait."
"But Julia-"
"Barnabas, in all of the excitement, I forgot that we have to 'find' your documents."
Barnabas lifted a brow. "My documents?"
"Your birth certificate, social security number, and all? I know some people who could arrange such documents. In this day and age, everything is public record, my dear, and people will be quite suspicious if you wrote that your were born in 1758."
With that Julia kissed an amused Barnabas, and led him to the dining room.
After the wedding dinner, Roger retired to his office, with a scotch in hand and a piece of wedding cake that Mrs. Johnson had whipped up for the newlyweds. He sat in the dark, reeling over Barnabas and Julia's presence at the dinner. As a reconciled couple. Although he didn't have anything personally against his new-found niece, he wondered if she told Burke about her interlude with Barnabas. Then he reasoned that she probably didn't tell him, or there would not have been a wedding. But why would an intelligent, strong, and capable woman like Julia return to Barnabas? It was obvious to him that Barnabas still had feelings for Vicki when he and Julia caught them kissing.
Just then, he heard a knock on the door. He was too exhausted to deal with Elizabeth, and really did not want to be bothered by anyone.
"Yes?" he called out.
To his surprise, it was the woman he wanted. "It's Julia, Roger. May I come in?"
Roger quickly sat up, straightened his clothes, and turned on his desk lamp. "Uh, yes, Julia, come in."
Julia entered and closed the door behind her, wearing the same black dress that she wore when he first asked her out. He invited her to sit in the chair in front of his desk.
"How are you, Julia?" he asked, trying to appear a little uplifted.
"I'm well, and you?" she inquired, observing him.
"Well, I'm well, considering everything that happened. And the baby?"
"The baby is fine."
"Is…he happy about it?"
Julia nodded.
"Oh." Roger downed his scotch.
"Roger, are you still angry with me? Or rather, are you still angry with me because I chose Barnabas over you?"
Something in Roger rose up in contempt, causing him to lash out at Julia. "Well, at least you are not beating around the bush, aren't you? Julia, I was in love with you from the moment I met you at that charity benefit for Wyndcliffe. Because of Eliot, I didn't pursue you, and wouldn't had. Then, when he died, and I saw you at that funeral, so unhappy and broken, I wanted to comfort you then, and take you into my arms, but that would have been inappropriate. Then, when Liz invited you here to Collinwood, I thought of it as my one chance to win you over. But then, the illustrious Mr. Barnabas Collins, my distant cousin from England, waltzes into Collinwood, charming Liz and Vicki, but you...he couldn't charm in the beginning. I don't understand what happened between the two of you that suddenly caused a-a romance of some sort, and then you become pregnant with his child, and then get engaged and betrayed and then you take him back... Why did you choose him over me, Julia? Aren't you afraid that he will continue to pursue Vicki, or leave you one day for another young lady?"
Julia felt sorry for Roger, not knowing the extent of his feelings for her. She thought that he was only being polite as wealthy people are with the successful members of the working class like her and Eliot, but she guessed that she misjudged the poor soul.
"Oh, Roger. I'm so sorry I hurt you. As for my attraction for Barnabas, it was always there, even when I disliked him. I guess that he was just such a mystery to me, such a...well, a..."
"An eccentric," finished Roger.
"Yes," she answered. "I guess that my attraction for eccentric men was something that could never be altered. And to answer your second question, I am not afraid because I truly believe that Barnabas is committed to me and our family. He begged me to not leave him,and promised that I am the only woman he truly loves. Also, I talked to Vicki this morning after she married Burke. She has no interest in Barnabas, and has apologized for her offense to me."
"I can only hope for your sake, Julia," said Roger. "And the little one's. May I ask another question?"
Julia nodded. "Go ahead."
"Was it the thought of dealing with David that drove you into Barnabas' arms?"
"Of course not. I like David, and I enjoyed getting along with him."
"Does this mean that I will have to find another psychiatrist since you are marrying Barnabas?"
"Of course not, Roger. Barnabas does not dictate who I treat."
"How does he feel about you continuing your work at Wyndcliffe?"
"I have decided to devote part time hours to Wyndcliffe, Roger, once Barnabas and I found a suitable nanny."
"Perhaps an older one, my dear? You may not want your future husband to spend all hours of the day with a younger lady."
"Barnabas is leaving that to me, and he will accept my choices…which will be an older lady."
Both laughed.
"Julia, are you really happy with him?"
"I honestly am, Roger. I hope that I can always count on your friendship when I need it. And my child could use a reliable godfather."
Roger's mouth dropped. "And how does Barnabas feel about it?"
"He was hesitant, but he knows that deep down, you are a worthy choice, considering your progress with David."
"I gladly accept the position," he said, smiling. "Thank you, Julia."
"Of course. Now, are you coming out of this damned office, or do I have to drag you out by your collar?"
"You shouldn't use such language around the baby," he said, pointing at her stomach.
Julia looked down at herself, and then up at Roger. "I'll try to restrain myself for now. Now come on. I need you to get me my fourth piece of cake."
Roger, leaving behind the scotch glass, took Julia's arm, and rejoined the festivities with his friend, glad that they still have a friendship.
In mid-July 1968, the newly-remarried, Doctor Julia Hoffman gave birth to the beautiful, auburn-haired, Jessica Sarah Hoffman-Collins. Before their daughter's arrival, Barnabas and Julia spent days debating names for their child, with Julia rejecting what she termed "outdated" names for a twentieth-century child, and Barnabas labeling certain names as "unworthy" for a Collins. However, they came to a begrudging conclusion that their child will not have the names "Josette" or "Eliot." At the end, they settled for "Alexander Julian" for a boy, and "Jessica Sarah" for a girl. After Julia returned home from the hospital, Elizabeth, Roger, and David, who was now on friendly terms with Barnabas, visited the Old House to see the baby, and were enchanted with little Jessica. Roger already created a nickname for her, affectionately calling her "Pumpkin." Victoria and Burke, who had moved from Collinwood three months prior into an affluent neighborhood in Collinsport, stopped by as well with gifts for the family. Vicki was also proud to announce that a stork was arriving to their home in seven months, making the gathering more joyful than expected.
For the new family, Willie turned a guest room, located next door to the couple's bedroom, into a nursery. He painted the room a lovely, pastel yellow, furnished it with baby furniture (on Barnabas' budget to spare no expense), and provided a rocking chair, with a cushion, for Julia's comfort. However, as appreciative as Julia was for Willie's hard work, she didn't want to have the child to sleep in a separate room, not with Nicholas roaming in the shadows. Barnabas reluctantly agreed, and had the crib, rocking chair, and the baby's dresser temporarily moved into their bedroom. Julia did manage to have their only amulet split in two, each spouse wearing half on a chain, at all times, under their clothes (even in the shower). Yet, to protect Jessica, Barnabas fixed his chain to the baby mobile to keep Nicholas from her while her parents agreed to take turns in wearing Julia's half of the amulet, accepting the risks to their lives. Six months later, the parents and their employee were still on alert. However, the vigilance was starting to take its tow on Julia.
One, frigid, December night, on the eve of Eliot's death, Julia spent ten minutes walking little Jessica back and forth in their bedroom. Barnabas, exasperated by her constant pacing, pulled off his reading glasses and tossed his book aside.
"Julia, dear, will you please stop this pacing and use your rocking chair? You'll wear yourself to exhaustion."
"I'm trying to get our daughter to sleep, if you don't mind," she snapped, continuing her pacing.
"She is asleep," he retorted, throwing the covers over to get out of bed. "Here, give her to me."
"I can handle my own child!" argued Julia, backing from her husband.
"Give me our daughter and sit on the bed," he said, arms opened to receive the baby.
Sighing, Julia reluctantly gave Jessica to Barnabas, and the proud father kissed his daughter, and laid her in her crib. He checked the dangling amulet one last time, and sat with his agitated wife.
"Julia, you can't go on like this," he said. "You have to get control of yourself."
Julia began wringing her hands. "How can I when that monster is still out there?!"
"Lower your voice. You'll disturb the baby."
"Does it matter if she's disturbed or not? Nicholas will still take her if we're not careful."
"The amulet halves are working, Julia," assured Barnabas.
"Yes, but for how long? We both know Nicholas, Barnabas. He'll find some way to overcome their power. And then he'll take me and Jessica, and-"
Barnabas grabbed her by her upper arms. "Julia, look at me! Nothing will happen to our daughter. We'll just have to wade through this situation until Nicholas makes his move."
"I don't want him to make his move! I want him to leave us alone!" she sobbed.
Jessica burst into a sudden wail. Both parents sighed.
"I'll get her," said Barnabas, rising from the bed.
Suddenly, the balcony doors flew opened, and a strong gust of cold wind miraculously knocked over the mobile with the amulet, but didn't rattle the crib.
"Julia? Julia! Get Jessica," he ordered, trying to make his way to the doors to closed them.
However, a force knocked Barnabas across the room, and Julia was knocked across the bed. Then, to the frightened gazes of the parents, little Jessica floated from the crib, to the balcony, down into the awaiting arms of Nicholas Blair. Unconcerned for the cold, Barnabas and Julia ran out to the balcony, horrified to find Nicholas wrapping their baby in a blanket he had for her.
"My, isn't it cold, little Angelique?" Nicholas said, loud enough for the distraught parents to hear.
"No! Nicholas! Please! Give me back my baby!"
Although the parents were no where near them, Nicholas held baby protectively away from them.
"I warned your husband that I would come for both you and the child, Julia. However, I had to summon all of my powers, with the help of my Master, to overcome the power of your amulet halves," sneered the warlock. "And at what a time to do so? The anniversary of your first husband's death!"
While holding Julia back from the railings, Barnabas shouted, "Blair, if you do anything to my daughter, so help-"
"Silence, Collins! The child is now my daughter. And she will be a better student of the dark arts than your former mistress. She will be known as...Angelique Blair."
Julia snatched away from Barnabas, and leaned over the rail, gripping the marble.
"Nicholas, please. I'm begging you to leave Jessica out of this. I failed you! She has nothing to do with this. I will go with you now, just leave her with Barnabas."
"I'm afraid I can't do that, Julia. Barnabas must die for Angelique's death, and you will serve me in making her namesake the most powerful witch in all the earth."
The parents gasped, but Julia had to reason with Nicholas to save her only child from that horrible fate.
"But Barnabas is mortal! He will eventually die as an old man, but please take me, and leave him to raise Jessica. Please don't separate them. Please?!"
The wheels in Nicholas head turned. He wanted this child as his successor. Perhaps he could still claim her in the future...
"Very well, Julia. Pack your things and be ready to leave Collinwood tomorrow morning at dawn. I'll give you this time to take your leave of your husband, but the child comes with me."
"NO!" she screamed, Barnabas catching her before she went over the railing.
"I won't do the child any harm, Julia, but to be sure that you will not betray me, I will keep little...Jessica until dawn. Don't disappoint me, doctor, or you'll never see her until she is an adult, ready to serve her Master!"
Julia vehemently nodded. "I will be ready, Nicholas! I promise I will!"
The warlock kissed the baby on her head, enraging and sickening her parents, and disappeared, his laughter echoing in the cold air.
An hour later, Julia exhausted from the ordeal, laid on the bed, hugging Jessica's swaddling cloth to her chest, while Barnabas and Willie discussed what to do.
"Yeah, Barnabas, I don't got a problem with shootin' him, but what if he figures out what's going on an' kill Jessica?" asked Willie, a little frantic.
"That's why you must be concealed from him outside the parlor. I will have a gun as well, Willie, and with the crossed, silver bullets, we'll kill him and burn him in the open field until there is no more of Nicholas Blair left for the wind to carry," explained Barnabas.
"But what if it don't work?"
"It will work, Willie. We have no choice in the matter."
Perhaps I could be of some assistance?
The three people heard the voice, two being extremely familair with it, and saw Professor T. Eliot Stokes appear in their presence. Julia, glad to see her former spouse, jumped out of bed with the swaddling cloth, and threw her arms around Eliot, crying. Barnabas turned from the scene, and Willie understood why.
"Eliot! You have to help us! Nicholas took our baby away!"
Barnabas turned to his wife and her deceased husband. The way she said "our baby" didn't sit well with him.
"Why didn't you warn us, Stokes? If your ancestor was in your position, I'm sure that he would have warned us that Blair would come for our child and my wife this night!"
"This is not his fault, Barnabas," chastised Julia, glaring at Barnabas. She had already separated herself from Eliot by that time. "Eliot, how can we get her back? I'll gladly go with Nicholas,if necessary, but I don't want her with him. He'll make her into what he is!"
"I know," said Eliot, calmly. "I'm sorry that I couldn't be here in time, but there are more urgent matters at hand."
Barnabas stormed up to the ghost. "Urgent matters?! What could be more urgent than my daughter's kidnapping?!"
Eliot looked into Barnabas' amber eyes and replied, "Your death, Mr. Collins."
Julia and Willie gasped.
"I should had known," said Julia, not bothering to deny Nicholas' deceitful nature. "What are we going to do?"
Eliot replied, "I thought that Mr. Collins' plan with Mr. Loomis was a start, but I have a better idea"
Stay tuned to the exciting conclusion coming up next! :)