In was a bright sunny morning, and Pinocchio had just finished making eggs and pancakes for breakfast. After eating, Annabelle left for school with little Figgy, and Jiminy while Pinocchio opened the shop for the day. Throughout the morning, a few customers came and bought some clocks, and toys for their children and departed. Pinocchio made a good bit of money from his sales. At around lunchtime there was a knock at the door, Pinocchio answered it and was greeted by his friend, Juliana.
"Good afternoon, Pinocchio." She greeted him with a beautiful smile. Pinocchio stared at her face and was memorized by her beauty. "Pinocchio? Are you alright?" Pinocchio quickly snapped out of his daze.
"Oh! huh...Yes! Sorry, Julie, Please, Come on in." Pinocchio led her into the house, and she sat down in the living room while he paired some tea. Figaro came over, jumped on the couch and laid in her lap.
"Hello, Figaro." Juliana had known Figaro since he was a kitten back when Geppetto was alive and Pinocchio was a boy. She would always play with him when she came to visit the shop and old Figaro was still very fond of her. Pinocchio returned with some tea for his guest and sat down to talk with her.
"I guess you're not working at the bakery, eh, Julie?" Pinocchio asked.
"That's right, Pinocchio. It's my day off, so I thought I'd stop by and ask if you'd like to have lunch together and maybe do a little shopping then go collect the girls from school."
"I'd be delighted, Julie," Pinocchio replied. "I've been working on clocks and toys all day, and I could use a break." When they finished drinking their tea, Pinocchio hurried to the workshop and put his tools away while Juliana waited outside. When he finally came out, he put up the closed sign, locked the front door, and started walking into town with Juliana. As they walked together they pasted a couple of shops and suddenly, Juliana stopped in front of a shoe store.
"Look at those beautiful shoes!" Juliana was looking at a pair of light purple heels with flower ornaments on them. "Oh! But I don't have enough money to buy them." She frowned sadly. Pinocchio hated to see her upset.
"If you want them, Julie, I'll buy them you for." he generously offered.
"Oh, Pinocchio, that's very sweet of you!" They went inside the shop, and Juliana tried on the shoes and they fit her perfectly. Pinocchio paid for the shoes and he and Juliana continued walking together.
"Do you like your new shoes?" Pinocchio asked looking down her feet.
"I certainly do, Pinocchio," Juliana replied admiring her new shoes. "They're very comfortable. No one has ever generously bought me something I like." Pinocchio was surprised when she said this. He would have thought her ex-boyfriend would have bought her gifts when they were dating.
"I'm glad you like them, Julie," Seeing Juliana happy made warmed Pinocchio's heart. Soon they arrived at the tavern where they had lunch together. Pinocchio ordered a had a sandwich while Juliana had a nice salad. As they were eating, Pinocchio had something he wanted to tell his friend but was too anxious to say anything. Juliana soon noticed his expression.
"Pinocchio, are you alright?" she asked. "You've been so quiet all day." Pinocchio knew he couldn't hide his feelings for her. He had to tell her the truth about how he felt.
"Julie...uh...there's something I've been meaning to ask for a long time." He said nervously.
"What is it?" Juliana asked.
"Well, I was wondering, would you...uh...would you like to go out dancing tonight?"
"Dancing!" Juliana was surprised by this. "Pinocchio, Are asking you me out?"
"Yes. I've been meaning to ask you out for a while now, but I was too nervous to say anything. If you don't want to, I understand." Juliana thought about it then gave him her answer.
"Pinocchio...I'd love to go dancing with you." She said with a smile. Pinocchio was astonished by her reply.
"You would? That's wonderful! I thought you maybe you wouldn't want to go out with other men after what happened with you and Eugene."
"I know. I haven't gone out with another man since Alex's father left me and married my best friend Christina. But I've decided to forget about them and move on for my daughter's sake. I think I'm ready to give love another chance."
"I'm glad to hear you say that, Julie. So, how about we go to the dance club at around seven?"
"That sounds wonderful. But who's going to watch the girls while we're gone?"
"Jiminy can watch over Annabelle and Alex. They can have a sleepover while we go out for the evening."
"Ok then." After they had finished eating, Pinocchio and Juliana walked to the schoolhouse to pick up their daughters and tell them their plans. When they arrived, Annabelle and Alex were the first ones out.
"Girls, Juliana and I have good news," Pinocchio announced.
"What is it, daddy?" Annabelle asked.
"Pinocchio and I are going out on a date tonight," Juliana explained.
"Really, Mom! That's wonderful!" Alex was overjoyed and hugged her mother.
Yeah!" Annabelle cheered and starting dancing around in circles.
"Congratulations, Pinoke. I'm glad to hear you two are finally going out." Said Jiminy.
By the way, Jiminy. Would you mind watching Annabelle and Alex for us?" Pinocchio asked his best friend.
"Sure thing Pinoke, I'll keep an eye on the girls for you. You can always count on me." Jiminy smiled and winked.
"You'll be staying at Pinocchio's house with Annabelle tonight, Alex, is that alright?" Juliana asked her daughter.
"Sure mom. Did Hear that, Annie? We get to have a sleepover at your house!"
"Yippe! That's great, Alex!" Annabelle shouted excitedly. Pinocchio went home to prepare for his first date. He combed his hair and put on one of Geppetto's old suit.
"How do I like, everyone?" He asked Annabelle and Jiminy.
"You look very handsome, Pinocchio," Jiminy winked and gave him a thumbs up. The Figaro and Figgy both smiled and nodded their heads.
"Here, Daddy, I picked these flowers for you to give to Miss Juliana," Annabelle handed him a bunch of flowers.
"Thank you, Annabelle. That's very sweet of you." Pinocchio knelt down and hugged his daughter.
"I'm so proud you, Pinoke. Going on your first date. Are you nervous at all?" Jiminy asked.
"Well...I suppose I am a bit nervous. I've never gone out with a girl before."
"Don't worry. Just be yourself, and so her a good time. Everything will be fine."
"I will, Jiminy," Pinocchio said confidently. Shortly after dinner, Alex and her mother arrived. Juliana was wearing a lovely purple dress, her pearl necklace, and the shoes Pinocchio had bought her earlier. Pinocchio was mesmerized by how beautiful she looked and Juliana thought Pinocchio looked very handsome.
"Ready for our big date?" Juliana asked smiling and blinking her eyes.
"I certainly am. Here, these are for you." Pinocchio replied and handed her the bouquet.
"Aw, how sweet of you! Thank you." Juliana blushed when he handed her the flowers. Alex than rushed into the how with her sleeping gown.
"Ready for our sleepover, Annie?" Alex asked excitedly.
"Yep! We're going to have so much fun!" Annabelle grabbed Alex's hand and led her upstairs so they could start their sleepover.
"You sure the girls will be alright here with just Jiminy Cricket?" Juliana asked.
"No need to worry, Ma'am," Jiminy assured her. "I'll keep an eye on those girls. You two go and have a good time." Jiminy assured her that the girls would be fine with him while the two of them were out.
"Thanks, again, Jiminy. Well, Miss Antonio, shall I escort you to the dance?" Pinocchio asked holding out his hand.
"You most certainly may, Mister Pinocchio." Juliana smiled and blushed. Pinocchio than escorted her out of the house and Jiminy watched till they were gone. It was a calm and serene evening as Pinocchio and Juliana walked together through the town until they arrived at the dance club. Inside was a pub and a stage with a band playing the piano and the accordion. The dance floor had many couples that were dancing to the music. Pinocchio and Juliana walked into the center and danced to the rhythm of the music. Moving left and right, spinning, and tapping their feet.
"I didn't realize you were such a good dancer, Pinocchio!" Said Juliana, as they danced together.
"When I was a wooden puppet, I used to dance all the time. My father taught me how to dance with women in case I ever met one." Pinocchio and Juliana danced for an hour until both their feet were tired and they sat down at a table to rest. Pinocchio ordered some drinks, and the waiter brought the two glasses of wine. "Are you having a good time, Julie?"
"I sure am, Pinocchio. I haven't had this much fun since I was younger and dating Eugene."
"Did he ever take you out dancing?" Pinocchio inquired.
"Only once. But Eugene certainly wasn't as good of a dancer as you are." Pinocchio was flattered by her compliment.
"How about those new shoes? Do they fit ok?" He asked.
"They do. I feel like I could dance all night in them! I appreciate you buying them for me. Eugene rarely ever bought anything I liked." Juliana explained.
"Doesn't sound like he was a good boyfriend," Pinocchio stated.
"Not really. Even when we were dating, he still was always wooing other women. I don't know why I didn't leave him sooner before I became pregnant."
"But then you wouldn't have had Alexandra." Pinocchio reminded her.
"I suppose your right. I just...I couldn't believe he walked out on me because he didn't want to be a father then ran off with another woman. It hurt me a lot." Juliana frowned sadly as she told her story. Pinocchio reached out and laid his hand on hers.
"Julie. Eugene was wrong to do what he did to you and Alex. He could have had a beautiful wife and a daughter to love care for. He was a jerk. I would never hurt you the way he did." Hearing his comforting words brought a tear to Juliana's eye. A warm feeling entered her heart. She hadn't felt this way in years.
"Thank you, Pinocchio. I wish I dated you instead of Eugene. But you were too young to be my boyfriend back then. But now that we're older I'm happy to be on a date with you." After their conversation, Pinocchio and Juliana started dancing again. They danced for another hour till it was getting late and everyone else started to leave. Pinocchio looked at the clock, and it was nearly eleven. They left the club and started walking Juliana's house. Suddenly Pinocchio stopped and looked at his friend.
"Julie. There's something I need to tell you." He said looking into her eyes.
"What is it?" She asked staring back at him.
"I...I..." Pinocchio felt nervous as he tried to speak. He took a deep breath and calmed himself. He then took both her hand and looked her eyes. "Julie. I think I'm in love with you."
"You...you are?" Juliana was surprised when she heard him say this.
"Yes. I've been in love with a sense we started spending time together. I didn't tell you because I thought you were still heartbroken over Eugene. That's why I asked you out. Because I care about you." Juliana stared at him silently for a moment. Tears began leaking from her eyes, and she wrapped her arms around him.
"Oh! Pinocchio! I'm so happy to know how you feel about me! Because I love you too. I've always loved you. I was afraid to love again because I was worried I'd be abandoned again!" She started to sob, and Pinocchio held her tight.
"It's alright, Julie. I will never abandon you. You are a loving mother and a good friend. You were always there for me when I was a boy. And I will always be here for you." Juliana lifted her head and looked Pinocchio in the eyes. The two of them smiled at each other than closed their eyes and pressed lips together and kissed. When they finished, they opened their eyes and laughed.
"Hehe. Thank you, Pinocchio. I had a wonderful evening. This has been the best night of my life."
"As long as your happy, I'm happy, Juliana," Pinocchio replied. "It's getting pretty late. We should probably be getting home to girls." Pinocchio removed his coat and gave it to Juliana as he walked her home. Unaware that a woman in a blue gown was watching them both. She smiled proudly as she watched the Pinocchio walking with his girlfriend.
End of chapter 18
