Julie walked into the study and glanced around at the people. Her mother and brother sat in the leather chairs to the left of the desk, the team of corporate lawyers sat behind the desk and a table that had been set up beside the desk for more space. Daniel was sitting in a chair to the right of the table briefcase at his feet. A few high-ranking people at her father's company stood just to her right as they came threw the door. The love seat off to Daniel's left was still open and her grandfather guided her over to it.

She sat down taking a deep breath and smiled at Daniel, who returned the smile then waited for her nod that she was ready. She sat back on the sofa with a newfound confidence, but still the knot in her stomach was persisting.

"We are here to read the will of William Alexander Gaffney." Mr. Eriksson, the head corporate lawyer began. "I've been asked to skip the formalities and get right to business, so if no one objects we will begin."

Julie got a squeeze of the hand from her grandfather and she turned to smile at him.

"First off to my wife, I leave a pre-determined amount of money as well as a ten percent share of the company, along with the two Rolls Royce's and the apartments in New York and Milan."

Her mother smiled and then patted her son's arm.

"To my son, I leave the pre-determined amount of money and a thirty percent share of the company, as well as.."

"Thirty percent!? That can't be right!" Alex yelled loudly then got up and grabbed the papers from Mr. Eriksson. He stared at the papers for a moment then tossed them down on the desk in frustration then sat back down.

Julie glanced over at Daniel who simply gave her as quick look then turned his attention back to the reading that had begun again.

"Adding to the previously read items the entire fleet of cars with the exceptions listed below. And the apartments in London and Los Angeles."

"And to my daughter, I leave money in addition to the amount in the trust, I also change the age of which she can use that money from twenty-five to twenty-one. Furthermore I leave her fifty percent of the company.."

"This is ridiculous!!" Alex yelled.

Mr. Eriksson continued talking but much louder over him, "And controlling interest of the company."

"Outrage, what was he thinking. She has no business with the company." Her mother grumbled mostly to Alex but loud enough for the entire room.

Julie heard them but was still too shocked at the things she was hearing.

"Also I leave her the two Ferrari's, the Porsche boxster, and the newest Jaguar convertible."

She vaguely heard mummers from her brother again but she was trying to hard not to break into tears.

"I also leave her the apartment in Paris, the chateau in Bordeaux and the homestead here in Maine. And finally I also leave her the entire racing stable."

"I don't believe this." Alex glared hard at Julie who simply looked at him evenly. As mad as Alex was he was about to get even more enraged.

"I also wish the following to Daniel Nolan, ten percent of the company and appoint him to oversee both American and international operations."

This time it was Daniel's turned to be shocked, he has known about Julie's inheritance but nothing of this.

"This will is fake! Only way my father would leave something to that barn trash is if he fixed it himself, or he had Julie do something to get this. Hell maybe you two sleeping together, and that's how he got all this." Alex quipped.

"I do no believe this crap, That's just gross Alex." Julie growled starting to get mad.

"You better back off Alex. Unlike you I don't have to sleep my way to the top." Daniel stated calmly with an icy stare. "I earn it."

"I bet you do." Alex challenged.

"Stop it right now Alexander." His grandfather spoke forcibly. "You have been a spoilt brat all your life, you wouldn't know the first thing about truly earning something. Daniel has worked himself non-stop for years to get where he's. He deserves all the best. And you will not disrespect your sister anymore is that understood?"

Alex sent chilling stares at both Julie and Daniel but sat back down.

"This will Mr. Gaffney is legal, your father dictated it to me personally and signed it himself." Mr.Eriksson stated.

"I'm going to contest this." Alex replied. "There is no way this is happening none."

"Very well that has nothing to do with me right now. But I would like to get threw with this will." Mr.Eriksson responded looking around the room. "Finally to my father I leave this, my love, my thanks and my respect; since he wouldn't let me leave him anything else!"

A few laughs rang out around the room.

"That is all." Mr. Eriksson stated as he laid the papers down.

They all stood except for Julie who remained seated; her grandfather walked over to talk with a few of the men. She shook her head slowly running her hand over her forehead; her approaching mother awaked her from her daze. She sat down beside Julie and smiled sweetly.

"I hope you don't think any of this changes other plans for you."

"I don't care about your plans mother." Julie stated softly.

"Well you should, it is your wedding after all." She smirked at the look on Julie's face.

"Forget Mitchell. If you want the society approval so damn much why don't you marry him?" Julie glared as she got up and walked over to Daniel and Mr. Eriksson. Her mother watched her leave and smiled.

"You have no idea Julie." She paused and rose from her seat. "None at all." She added and walked out of the room.

"So this is why you've been telling me to be strong huh?" She asked elbowing Daniel in the ribs.

"Ow, yes Jules this is why. Watch those Gordie Howe elbows will you?" He smiled slightly. She shrugged then got serious.

"You didn't have a clue daddy left you anything did you?"

"No, I didn't." He shook his head. "I knew about everything else. He told me once when I came to see him, he wanted me to be ready to help you. He knew he was going to leave you with a war to fight, so he wanted to make it as even as he could."

"You deserve it you know?" She watched him struggle with an answer. "You do Daniel. You've always been more of a brother to me and a son to daddy then Alex ever has. And you're more fitting to run this company. Being a backstabber and devious might be great for other companies, but not this one. Daddy wanted it run with class and fairness, with you running it that will continue."

He smiled and gave her a hug. "You're a convincing speaker you know that? You should be the lawyer not me!"

"Well I did think about law, but I'd rather just worry about getting a degree and winning another national title, and well maybe the Olympics too, why not? And now I'm going to go change into something very un society!" She laughed and started out of the study. She waved at her grandfather as she went by, he was still talking business.

She raced up the stairs and finally went threw her doors greeted with smiles from her teammates.

"Everything ok Jules?" Charlie asked.

"Sort of, I'll tell you in a minute." She said jogging threw to her bedroom, with Connie in pursuit.

They all looked at one another then back to the TV; everything was back to normal till they heard a loud squeal. They all jumped and looked at the closed bedroom door.

"Oh wow, Jules are you serious?" They all heard Connie yelled, then soon they were greeted with Connie running back with a smile on her face. She flopped down next to Guy and smiled but said nothing. Finally Julie walked back threw now changed into jeans and a sweater holding her shoes and socks in her hands. She fell into a seat by Luis and started pulling on her socks before she realized the entire room was silent. She lifted her head slowly and looked at all the eyes on her. She raised up slowly then innocently asked.

"What?"

"Exactly, you tell us what." Averman answered.

Julie smiled slightly then shrugged. "Well let's just say I was given a lot, and a bit more then anyone expected, that is not counting Grampie and Daniel. Mom and Alex are very un happy campers right about now."

"Is it wrong to want details? I'm noisy I can't help it." Goldberg laughed and Julie shook her head at him.

"I'd be curious too. The main sticking point isn't the houses or cars. Not even racing stable, it's the fact he gave me fifty percent, and controlling interest in the company." She noticed the surprised looks and nodded. "I see you have the same reaction I did."

"I can't believe the roof didn't fall down after that was read out." Fulton said amazed.

"If it had then I'd be footing the bill for the repairs." Julie smirked.

"You own this place now?" Kenny asked.

"Yes I do, plus the apartment in Paris and the chateau in Bordeaux. Daddy knew how much I loved being in France, so I guess that's why he left me the two places there." Julie smiled a sad smile for a bit obviously thinking of her father. Finally she shook her head again trying to bottle up her emotions. Luis throwing his arms around and slightly hugging her shook her from the thoughts.

"Hum Luis, what are you doing?" She asked surprised.

"You must take me to Europe my fair lady. I need to be cultured in the arts of Paris." He spoke dramatically still hugging her.

"I think a trip to Paris and be arranged. And rather quickly." She stated and Luis released her.

"Thank you my goddess!" He stated smiling.

"One way ticket here you come." She giggled and laughed harder at the mock hurt look on his face.

They fell back into their normal routine watched TV and tossed insults. Julie got her chance finally to steal a look at Portman without anyone making an issue of it. He looked back at her and raised his eyebrows slightly. She motioned towards the door and got up and walked over to it and out. A few moments later as she was walking down the hall Portman joined her steps.

"So I guess everything is clearer now huh?" He asked glancing her way.

"Some of it, yes. Daniel's words from this morning are ringing in my head." She paused then repeated them delicately. "This is only the beginning." She smiled over at him then added. "Kind of reminds me of the end of the first mummy movie. When Imhotep was in the pool of water or whatever, and he said death is only the beginning. It's all so apropos isn't it?" She asked.

"Well I never have fought with mummies but I've hit a few guys who looked like they should be mummified." He replied.

"You volunteering to be Rick?" She laughed.

"I'd rather be a bad ass like Imhotep but he looses." He smiled and shrugged.

"Then be Ardeth." She noticed the confused look on his face and smiled.

"The guy from the Deuce Bigalow movie, you know the gigolo." She laughed when his eyes got wide.

"You've watched that movie?" He asked incredulously.

"Yes I have, don't be so surprised. I do spent a lot of time with you guys." She smiled as they hit the last stair and started down the main hall towards the kitchen.

"You never fail to amaze me Jules." He retorted.

She smiled at him and they almost reached the kitchen when an all too familiar voice rang out.

"Hello Julie."

She stopped in her tracks causing Portman to slam into her. He caught her before she slammed face first into the heavy door, and instantly felt how stiff she was. She slowly turned around and moved her head slightly to gaze past Portman's shoulder. Portman watched as the look on her face screwed into one of extreme distress. He turned and looked at the man who's simple hello caused this change.

"Don't tell me you have nothing to say to me after all this time Julie." Mitchell smiled at her.

She sighed and looked at at Portman. "And so it truly begins." She whispered. He glanced down at her and gave her an understanding nod then added. "You up for it Evie?"

She smiled then nodded. "Imhotep awaits." She then started towards Mitchell waiting down the hall, with Portman right behind.

Note: Ok forgive the mummy tie in, I was watching it again and couldn't help myself! The phrase I used before just honestly reminded me of what was said at the end. Thanks again so much for the reviews!!!