~Sorry that it has been so long. Life intervened and I had a hard time working on this~
"Oh, Mrs. Kirakis," Julie trilled as she swept into the room.
"I see Sarah told you," Maggie smiled.
"Yes. Is Victor happy?"
"He says it doesn't matter but I caught him ordering me a monogram emerald necklace," Maggie said.
"That's nice. A bit overkill but nice," Julie said.
"Doug didn't order you one when you changed to Williams?"
"No and I should mention that to him."
Maggie laughed.
"How are you? We haven't heard much from you or Victor," Julie said.
"What's wrong?" Maggie asked.
"Nothing. Really, Maggie, everybody's fine. Missing you but fine."
"Just a reflex. I'm so used to something going wrong. Speaking of stuff going wrong how's Jennifer?" Maggie asked.
"She's…" Julie paused.
"What, Julie? You know I hated It when you hesitant."
"She's having a hard time coming to terms with everything. It was a shock and she still can't believe it. She feels like she did something wrong and it's difficult to convince her otherwise."
"Hmmm, I wonder if Tom and Alice had a similar conversation about Tommy and Marie," Maggie mused.
"Have you heard from Marie?"
"No. I was pretty harsh in the hospital. Why?"
"No one has heard from her. It's just usually she calls to let us know she arrived," Julie said.
"Oh. Would…" Maggie bit her lip, almost mentioning Tommy.
"Do you want to ask him?"
"That wouldn't be awkward. 'So have you heard from your sister and lover?' Maybe we should let sleeping dogs lay."
Julie laughed and then grew serious.
"Seriously, how are you, Maggie?"
"I'm tired but I'm getting better. My eyes are still getting blurry and my legs are still weak. Victor and the kids won't let me lift a finger. It's annoying. "
"I know. I also know that you miss cooking. But Chez Rouge is fine but not the same without you of course. I'm enjoying running a restaurant again and Doug enjoys having me busy and out of the house. But as soon as you're well, it's yours again," Julie said.
"Thanks for doing that. I hated the thought of closing it," Maggie said.
"We need to finish talking about Jennifer," Julie said.
"We really don't."
"Fine. How long are you going to resent the Hortons?"
"I don't."
"O.k. Then how long are you planning to avoid your former in-laws and nieces and nephews?" Julie asked.
"I live with Lucas," Maggie pointed out.
"Maggie!"
"I just need a break from the great Horton family," Maggie shot back.
"Is Victor making you do this?" Julie asked.
"Of course not! How can you even think that? The man has been nothing but supportive through the whole Horton family saga."
"How long are you going to stay away?"
"I don't know. I just don't want to deal with the drama. How such leveled head people like Tom and Alice can have such drama queens for children and grandchildren, I'll never know."
"And their in-laws were so drama free?" Julie raised an eyebrow.
"Touché. I just need space. Besides, I'm a newlywed," Maggie said, almost bitterly.
"What do you mean by that?"
"It means…I made Victor moved our wedding date up by eleven months. I haven't had a chance to enjoy being a newlywed for the last month. We live with at least three of our grown 'children'. We're still dealing with Daniel's suicide and now I'm sick. I don't want any more drama to deal with. If Marie hadn't come back…." Maggie took a deep breathe.
"Nothing would've change and we would be happy," Julie realized.
"I can't deal with any more right now. I've hit my limit and I need time away from the Hortons. "
Julie took a deep breath. "Does that include me?"
"I don't know. I just need a break. I'm still sleeping 16 hours a day. I need to get better and people keep bombarding me, wanting something."
"O.K. We'll leave you alone. You'll call us when you need us, right?" Julie tried to hold back her tears.
"Yes. I still love you and the rest of the family. I just need time," Maggie said.
"I love you, darling."
"What's wrong, Julie? You look like you lost your best friend," Hope asked, concerned.
Julie and Doug exchanged a look. Julie sighed,
"Maggie doesn't want to see us."
"What do you mean?"
"I mean she said to leave her alone, that we might risk her recovery. She's upset," Julie said.
"But she still wants to be part of the Horton family, right?"
"I wonder how changing her name fits in," Julie said.
"She changed her name? Victor must be thrilled," Bo said.
"But she's Maggie Horton. She's Aunt Maggie," Hope protested.
"I think she'll still be Aunt Maggie, sweetheart. And Julie's overreacting. Maggie's still sick. We assume she's well since she's home. But right now, she just need to rest," Doug said.
"But we love her and want to help her," Hope said.
"Maggie knows that," Doug said, giving Julie a look, "but right now, she wants space. And we should give her that."
"I suppose that's reasonable. But it's a tough pill to swallow," Hope said.
"I know, darling," Julie said.
"Honey, is something wrong?" Victor asked as they read.
"Nothing. I'm enjoying just having quiet time with you," Maggie said, as she reached up for a kiss.
"You're quiet."
"Long day."
"How was your visit with Julie?" Victor asked.
"Hmmm….it was o.k. I told her what we've talked about."
"How did she take it?"
Maggie sighed.
"Not well. She feels like I'm abandoning the Hortons …"
"She knows it's your choice, right? That I'm not pressuring you?" Victor asked.
"Yes. Right now, I just want you."
"You got me," Victor kissed Maggie softly.
Maggie closed her eyes and finally relaxed.