Chapter 3

Juliana walked with Sam not to far behind into the living room of the mansion. The party was in full swing. Jules recognized quite a few of the faces but interspersed through the crowd were quite a few she didn't. Out of the corner of her eye she caught a glimpse of Sam getting them both glasses of champagne. The only person she couldn't seem to find was Jasper. Before she had anymore time to observe her surroundings the old man spotted her. He walked over to her and pointed a finger at her.

"What are you doing here?" The old man spat at her

"Funny, I would have thought you'd know considering you did invite me."

"I most certainly did not so leave before I have you thrown out."

"She stays right where she is Edward." Lila said coming into the room. The force in her voice was meant to make the old man know she meant business.

"Grandmother, it's a pleasure to see you again. " Juliana said going over to the older woman and giving her a kiss and hug.

"Hey Sam I could use that glass of champagne right about now."

"Stay right where you are. You and your friend aren't staying Juliana. Get out now. Be…"

"I know I know before you have me thrown out. I would have thought after all these years you would have realized how foolish you were being. Mom and Dad were fine with letting me do my own thing Grandfather why couldn't you be. You had AJ and Jason to follow in your footsteps you didn't need me to as well. But this isn't the time or place to get into that. So, because I don't want to upset Grandmother I'll go."

"Juliana, you are not going anywhere. Your Grandfather is just going to have to deal with your being here. I asked you here and your Grandfather knows that if I asked you here he cannot force you to leave."

"Alright, I'll stay. I don't suppose Luke is around anywhere is he?" Juliana asked looking around,

"Right here darlin' now come over here and give me a hug."

"On one condition, you tell me that you and Laura aren't divorced."

"Just temporarily."

Juliana ran to Luke and gave him a huge hug. This was why she'd come home. She knew there would be people who would be happy to see her. Soon everyone was coming over to welcome her back. When she finally had some breathing room she again searched for Jasper. He still was nowhere to be found. Was it possible that Edward had forbidden Lila to invite him? Not that she could really see that happening. So there had to be another explanation as to why he wasn't here. Jules went to find Ned.

"Well if it isn't the town slut."

"AJ it's nice to see you too. Have you seen Ned anywhere?" She really had hoped she wouldn't see AJ tonight.

"What, Jules no witty comeback for that? So it's true after all? How many men was it exactly?"

"Alright fine AJ you want a comeback, try this one on for size. Sonny may have been wrong to lock you in that meat locker, but he wasn't wrong in getting you to sign away your rights to Michael. Let's face it who's to say that one of the family wouldn't upset you enough for you to drink and it could be Michael in the passenger seat this time. So no I don't agree with his methods but you had better believe I agree with the out come. Now have you seen Ned?'

"Find him yourself." With that AJ walked away, leaving Juliana to wonder if she might possibly be the one to drive him back to the bottle. Before she could continue her search Skye Chandler Quatermaine came over.

"Who do you think you are? How dare you waltz in here and insult AJ like that. He in no way deserved what Corinthos did to him and if you had any compassion you'd know that."

"That's rich coming from you Skye. Oh and for the record any compassion I may have felt for AJ died when he drove Jason into that tree and rendered him brain dead then managed to get away with it. Now if you'll excuse me I need to go find Ned."

Juliana headed for the rose garden hoping to find Ned there. As it turned out she ran into Jasper. He turned when he heard the door close. The smile he gave her made her knees shake. He walked over and gave her a big hug.