Chapter 28

"Hey Jules, glad you could make it." Mark says, getting up to hug his sister.

"Sorry I'm late, Sam's shift ran over." She replies as she hugs her other brothers before sitting down at the table.

"Hello Julianna." Joyce says smiling at Jules who nods

"Hi."

"Why didn't you bring the children?" She asks and Jules sighs

"I'm not...I'm not entirely sure I want them to be part of this just yet."

"Why?"

"Because I'm still not even sure I want to do this." Jules states picking up the menu.

"Jules..." Mark warns "You promised you'd be nice."

"I am. I'm just saying how I feel."

"So you don't want to be here?" Jacob asks and Jules sighs again. "You know I don't really get why you are here. You haven't really spoken to us for years."

"Jacob, stop. Let's drop this ok? Let's just have a pleasant evening as a family."

"Yeah...a family." Jules mutters under her breath.

"Jules." Mark scolds

"What is wrong with you?" Jacob asks and Jules shakes her head.

"Jacob stop." Luke says

"What's wrong with me? What's wrong with you Jacob?"

"Nothing. At least I don't give up when the going gets tough."

"You know nothing about me, you've barely seen me since I came to Toronto. You may be my brother, but you've never been very interested in my life." Jules states

"Whatever."

"Have you got anything to add Tom?" Jules asks her other brother who shakes his head.

"Let's just drop this like Mark said. Can we not be civilised and have a meal together just this once?"

"Well clearly not, since Jules seems very..."

"Don't even finish that sentence," Jules says, narrowing her eyes at Jacob. "Just shut up."

"Jules, be nice." Mark hisses

"No."

"Look, Julianna you brother is just looking out for me, ok? Just..." Joyce starts but Jules cuts her off.

"Oh yeah? And what about me? Who's going to look out for me?"

"You don't need us Jules, you made that very clear when you left home." Jacob replies

"Did you ever think to ask? Maybe I did need you, but how would you know? You never even phoned. You have no idea what I've been through these past few years but it's not like you'd care anyway."

"Just stop." Mark exclaims. "This was suppose to be a nice family meal out and it's already turned into an argument."

"I didn't want to be here anyway." Jules mutters, picking up the menu once more.

"Then leave." Tom says and Jules looks up at him in surprise.

"You know what? Maybe I will." She says grabbing her bag and standing up.

"Jules..." Luke starts, getting up and following his sister.

"Leave me alone Luke, I'm going home. Just go back and have a 'nice family dinner'." Jules says as he follows her outside.

"Not until I know you're ok."

"I'm fine."

"I'll call you." Luke calls as Jules walks towards her car.

"Hey Sweetheart, you ok?" Sam asks when he picks up the phone.

"Not really. Have you put dinner on yet?" Jules replies

"No, I was just about to, why? Where are you?" He asks

"On my way home. Don't put anything on for dinner, I'll pick up a pizza or something."

"Ok, what happened?"

"I'll tell you when I get home."

"Ok... Mama?" Comes a voice from the other side of the phone. "Luke wants to talk to you Jules." Sam says handing the phone to Lucas. "Mama?"

"Hey baby," Jules says

"Where you?"

"I'm coming home, I'll be there soon."

"Ok, me love you."

"I love you too buddy, see you soon."

"Hey, what happened?" Sam asks as Jules walks into the kitchen and places the pizza on the counter.

"Well Marks idea of a 'nice family dinner' turned into an argument, not five minutes after I arrived. I just got frustrated, Jacob said some stupid things and I told Mark that I hadn't wanted to even go tonight and then Tom asked why I didn't just leave, so I did." Jules explains.

"What was the argument about?"

"Joyce asked why I didn't bring the kids, I told her why, Jacob made another stupid comment and it all kicked off. I don't want to talk about it anymore, let's just eat."

"Ok." Sam says calling the children in for dinner.

AN: Please review!