Chapter seventeen

Abi let go of Nick's hand so he can step forward and ask his question.

"May I have Julia back?" asked Nick.

"Nick," called out Abi startled by his question. She let go of Phillip and stepped forward to stand in front of him. "This is not why I brought you here. You can't ask that. I thought you wanted to talk to Julia."

"I still do, but I figured I just ask."

Abi looked at Othniel to see his response to that question.

"I'm sorry young man. Julia is needed here, sending her back is not something I can do. It was god's will that brought her here, I can not defy god's will. I can however allow you to spend some time with her, resolve unfinished issues you have between you two," said Othniel.

"I'd like that very much," said Nick whispering, and then out of nowhere Julia appeared in the room. Nick moved closer to her and in a moment she was in his arms in a big embrace. She smiled as he held her tight and then looked at Abi.

"Hi Abigail. You don't have to stay, I will make sure he will be returned safe."

"Ok," answered Abi, and headed back with Phillip the way they came in. it was Dark again and the next thing, they were waking up back in the legacy living room.

Derek saw Abi and Phillip waking up and tried to bring Nick back as well.

"Don't dad. He is with Julia. She will make sure he gets back here safe. Don't worry."

Phillip and Abi got off the mattresses. Phillip looked at Kristin and then something hit him. He has no idea how she feels about him. He didn't want to say something rush and mess up their friendship. He felt a little light headed and sat on the sofa.

"Phillip, is everything ok?" asked Kristin.

"I'm fine, just a little dizzy."

"Did you get the answers you needed?" she continued asking.

"I did," he then paused and after a minute said, "Kristin, I'm sorry. I did get answers, but I'm afraid I have to give it some thought. You know, let things sink in. I need some time to digest all this new information and feelings I have. I'm not sure yet what my way will be. I need some time."

"That's ok Phillip," said Kristin a bit stressed but she did not want to push him. "When you feel ready to tell me, I'll be there for you."

"Thank you Kristin. You are a true friend."

Abi also felt a little dizzy and Derek helped her get her balance back. She looked at him then at the other couple and said, "Let's get out of here and let Nick sleep for a while."

"He's asleep?" asked Phillip. "You mean this was all a dream? Were we asleep during all this?"

"Not exactly. What we experienced is astral travel. It's not exactly sleep. More like deep meditation," explained Abi. "Ok, let's get out of here so we won't disturb Nick and I'll explain it to you."

All three followed Abi out of the living room and into the kitchen. She put some coffee and tea on the table and started to explain, as best she could, what it was they experienced.

"Ok. You are aware that the human body has all kinds of energies. Seven, to be exact. One of those energies is called astral projection or travel. When we sleep or meditate the astral body leaves us. It stays attached in some form but it still leaves the body. During meditation you experience the same thing. Many times our dreams are messages. People just don't pay enough attention to them, or do not remember them."

"So this was not a dream? Everything we just saw was real?" asked Phillip.

"Yes," said Abi. "With the astral energy you can go anywhere you want. And when you wake up this energy returns back into your body."

"Wow. I had no idea," said Kristin.

"It's just some things I learnt from healers. Energy healers," said Abi.

"Abi, are you sure Nick will be ok alone in there?" asked Derek.

"If Julia promised she'll bring him back, she will bring him back safe. Now if you'll all excuse me, I have some work to do in my office."

Kristin left the kitchen as well following Abi. "Abi, did you hear what was told to him?" she asked.

"You mean Phillip? Yes. I heard the answer, but I cannot tell you about it Kristin. It has to come from Phillip. You will simply have to wait till he makes up his mind. I think he is not quite sure how to handle things. But he'll come around. Everything will be ok," she said squeezing Kristin's arm gently then left her and got into her office.

Kristin didn't want to return to the kitchen. She didn't want Phillip to see her in her disturbed state of mind so she went upstairs to her room.

Derek didn't ask Phillip anything about his experience. He knew the question and he also knew the answer. He realized how confusing this must be to the young priest, having his beliefs suddenly shaken. He excused himself and went to see if he can help Abi in what ever it was she had to do in her office.

Phillip felt he needed to be alone with his thought and the new emotions he was going through, so he just stayed in the kitchen having another cup of tea.

Nick and Julia

Nick couldn't let go of Julia once she appeared. She had to push him away. "Let's go someplace more private," she said.

Nick held on to her hand and followed her. She led him outside of the room into a beautiful garden where they found a small bench, sat down and started talking.

"God Julia, I missed you so much," said Nick. "Not a day goes by when I don't think of you."

"I know Nick, I know. I'm trying to keep an eye on you as well as to Abi. I worry about you all the time."

"I'm sorry Julia," he said.

"Sorry for what Nick?"

"Sorry for not being there on time to save you. I should have never let you go alone. Derek should have never made us split up."

"Nick, stop it. It was not Derek's fault. It was not your fault. It just something that had to happen. I am needed here. I miss you too. Every day. And I take a look on you when ever I can."

"I, I had to come here. I need to tell you something," said Nick not sure how to say what's on his heart.

"Go on Nicky. You can tell me anything. It's still me."

"I loved you so much Julia. I loved you then, I love you still. I don't think I will ever be able to stop loving you."

"I know Nick. I loved you too. It's just not our time."

"I'm sorry I didn't tell you I loved you when you were alive. That is my biggest regret. I just needed you to know. After the last time, you know when you and Jimmy brought Abi back…."

"It must have been really hard for you to see me," said Julia compassion in her voice.

"It was. It actually broke me. I started drinking when we got back to San Francisco. I think I scared them all."

"I know Nick," said Julia. She wrapped her arm around his shoulders, and he felt strange. A wave of hot energy ran through his body. He felt a little weak and light headed, and was glad for the support of Julia's arm.

They sat there for a while longer, talking as much as possible, until Julia said it was time for him to return to the world of the living. Reluctant, but remembering his promise to Abi, Derek and the others, he followed her back into the room where Othniel was still sitting.

The judge approached Nick, put an arm on his shoulder and said, "Young man, you two will meet again. I'm afraid it will not be in this lifetime. But I promise you will end up together in another one. That is all I can tell you."

Julia went with Nick through the Darkness until they reached the living room. Nick woke up abruptly and found Julia still there by his side.

"You heard the judge," she said. "We will meet again and be together. Take comfort in that and go on with your life Nicky. I love you."

"I will. I promise." He looked deeply into her beautiful blue eyes. "I will always love you, no matter what. There will always be a place in my heart that is yours and yours alone."

"Same with me," she said, letting go of his hands. "I have to go back now." She turned to walk away then turned around and said, "Phillip needs you Nick. He will need a friend in the next few weeks and months. He is a bit confused and unsure. Be there for him."

"I will," said Nick and watched Julia as she disappeared. He felt as if a big load has been lifted of his shoulders. He will remember this day forever. Remembering his promise to help Phillip, he went looking for the young priest, and found him in the kitchen. Nick purred himself some coffee and sat next to Phillip. "Need to talk?" he asked.

"Did you and Julia straiten things?" asked the priest in return.

"I guess so. I will miss her forever, and she will always have a special spot in my heart."

"But are you ready to move on with your life?" questioned Phillip.

"Yes I am. Are you?" asked Nick.

"I don't know yet. I need time to process all that has happened. I don't know yet what it is I'll do."

"Well, I just wanted to tell you, if you need a sympathetic ear or anything…." Said nick

"Thank you Nick. I really appreciate that. However, right now I need to get through some of the things by my own. I need to figure out what it is I really want. I'll just take it one day at a time, and see what time will bring for me."

Nick raised his hand and gently squeezed the priest's shoulder then took his coffee and left him alone.

Abi's office

Derek knocked on the door, "Abi, may I come in?" he asked.

"Sure dad," she replied.

"Is everything all right?" he asked.

"Everything is fine, I just thought Phillip could use some time alone."

"Yes, me too," said her father.

"And Nick is back," said Abi.

"How do you know?" he asked.

"Julia was just here. She told me he is back. She also said he will never drink again, that she took care of that."

"That's good to hear. Did she say anything more?"

"She said he is finally ready to move on."

"That is wonderful," said Derek. "So what are you working on dear?"

"Friday's dinner, and I'm gonna need to convert one of the rooms down here into a bed room for Ethaniel. For a while anyway, until he makes a full recovery. Will you stay here till then dad? Till the dinner I mean?"

"Actually, I came in here to tell you I will be leaving back to San Francisco tomorrow. I have been a way too long. And Alex called, there is a new case and she needs me."

"Well, can you leave Nick here for a few more days? I will need him to get rid of the demon. I mean that's what I saw in my visions."

"Sure. Do you think this demon will make his attack soon?"

"Yes dad. By the end of this week. I feel it."

"Ok then. Nick can stay here for as long as you need him." He was about to leave but turned back and said, "That was a very hard thing to do. Must have needed a lot of energy to pull this off. You must be tired. You should get some rest."

"I'm fine dad. Really. It was not so bad."

"Ok. I'll see you later," he said and left the room.