Author's Note: Okay here's a chapter that will be a precursor to a main plot point in a coming sequel that has been started and has hit a bit of a writer's block. And there's a citrus scene that may be a bit over the top but upon checking my honeymoon scene between Speed and Trixie in "Days of Future Passed" this chapter is along those same lines and I haven't been removed. Plus, this story is rated "M" so here goes. And I can't forget to thank all the readers and reviewers.
REUNITED
Monday, November 30, 1980, 7:30 PM PST
It was the end of quite a busy day...
At eight thirty this morning, Pete, Julie and Melissa all left to take Linc and Jason back to Chicago. They had originally planned to do the trip Sunday, but they decided to postpone the trip a day so Julie could introduce Linc and Jason to the Hendersons, who had invited everyone to a barbecue at their home after Sunday service. Debi and Matt were surprised, then appalled when Julie and Pete told them about David Slade abducting Julie and Melissa. They promised to do whatever they could to help and of course, they offered to pray for the situation.
Julie kept Melissa out of school so she could make the trip to Chicago, much to her daughter's delight because in lieu of Friday's near tragic event, Pete had adamantly insisted they come along. Melissa and Jason's friendship continued growing during the flight with Jason teaching Melissa how to play chess. Linc, Pete and Julie spent the flight talking about the week's events, mostly about the arraignment of David Slade. During the conversation, Julie's attitude was one of ambivalence, her ordeal fresh in her mind, yet she couldn't help feeling sorry for David. She remembered his deranged sense of reality as he shared his ambitions with her in the cabin and it caused her to feel pity for him much to Linc's chagrin and Pete's disgust. Out of the three, he had the least amount of sympathy for David.
When they landed in Chicago, Linc took everybody to lunch at a restaurant that served famous Chicago style pizza, which the kids devoured. Since Pete, Julie, and Melissa had to head back to California, they couldn't go to see Linc's apartment that overlooked Lake Michigan but they promised him that they would come out for an extended visit in the near future.
It was about four fifteen when they were airborne and on their way back west. Fatigued by the traveling, Melissa and Julie napped as Pete contacted his office to touch base and inform Phil Adamson that he would be there no later than Wednesday morning. Pete also filled him in on what had taken place Friday, then started putting together a shortened work schedule, to make himself available for the upcoming arraignment and subsequent trial dates for David Slade. Pete was determined to be at those court appearances to support Julie and help her all he could. Phil was supportive and assured Pete that he'd continue to run things at the office while Pete was occupied with the court cases. When he finished talking to Phil, Pete too decided to take a short nap, giving in to his body's need for rest.
They arrived at Monterey Peninsula Airport at about six forty five. On the drive home, weariness kept Pete, Julie and Melissa from talking much. As a matter of fact, Melissa had curled up on the back seat and slept during the drive back to the ranch. Finally, the green Mercedes pulled into the circular drive in front of the Bennett ranch house at seven. Pete, Julie and Melissa all opened their respective doors and climbed out simultaneously. They climbed the stairs and entered the dwelling all tired out from the day's events. Julie picked Melissa up and carried her upstairs and to her room where she undressed her sleepy little girl and helped her to bed. Pete went to his guestroom to pack and get ready for his departure tomorrow.
Julie covered Melissa's sleeping form and planted a good night kiss on her daughter's downy head. She left the room, closing the door and saw the light on in Pete's guestroom so she rapped lightly on the partially closed door.
"Pete, are you in here?" Julie called softly, as not to awake Melissa across the hall.
Pete came over and opened the door, "Uh-huh. Come on in." He stepped back into the room and gestured her in, then closed the door. "What's up?"
Not responding, Julie glanced about the room. The room had already begun looking vacated with the closet filled with empty hangers. Pete had begun packing, having taken his clothes out of the closet and dresser, neatly folding them and putting them into his suitcase, which was lying on his bed.
He had informed her on the ride back to California that tomorrow morning he was leaving for Los Angeles. She greeted that news with a reluctant acceptance only because she knew that eventually the day would come that he would have to leave. However, she couldn't help feeling sadness at seeing his packing, she had in fact been dreading the inevitable all day but she knew he had to get back to Beverly Hills. She had just gotten so used to his support and presence that she was feeling an intense sense of loss. With a sigh, she sat on the foot of the bed, watching him.
Pete noticed her glum manner and tossing the article of clothing he was folding aside sat by her on the foot of the bed. He gently nudged her shoulder with his. "Come on honey, talk to me. What's going on?"
"I'm ashamed to admit in spite of everything I've been saying about you needing to get back I'm having a case of selfishness," Julie replied, avoiding his gaze.
"You, selfish? Never!" Pete protested vigorously. He took her chin in his hand and turned her face to his so he could look into her luminous eyes. She gazed back at him so she could see his eyes on her soft and waiting.
"Yeah, Pete, I'm selfish. I really don't want you to go. I knew that this was going to happen but knowing that still doesn't make it any easier," Julie said in barely a whisper.
Pete put his arm around her and with his other hand cradled her face to hold her cheek against his. "I know, angel. I feel the same way. Leaving here tomorrow is gonna be pure hell for me. But I'll be back again soon, you can bank on that," he assured her.
Julie looked up into his warm loving gaze, "I've just gotten so used to you being here everyday. And so has Melissa. She absolutely adores you."
"Well, then it's mutual 'cause I'm crazy about her. And you know how I feel about you."
Julie nodded, "I know and I feel it, too. I've been fighting it since it's only been a month and a half since my husband's death." She drew away to look earnestly at Pete. "I loved Dan, Pete, with all my heart. I was his wife and I had planned to spend the rest of my life with him. But seeing you, spending time with you, being rescued by you, and most importantly, being held by you has been so wonderful, I don't want it to stop." She took a deep breath, "I love you Pete, just like I used to and I'm so grateful to you for putting your life on hold for me, I'm overwhelmed."
Pete was rendered speechless by her sweetly genuine confession. Truth was, he did not trust himself to speak for if he did, he was afraid he would break down. Julie had put into words exactly how he had been feeling only he was trying to comfort himself with the fact that he would be back soon. Leaving her was as difficult as he had known it would be all along because he knew now that he had been kidding himself for years. The fact was undeniable that his life was incomplete without her. His heart was pounding with such exquisite love for her, he could barely breathe let alone talk. So he responded by gently lifting her chin so his mouth could meet hers in a tender, lingering kiss displaying all he was feeling without words.
Pete's mouth was softly insistent, gently probing and no longer able to stay bound by convention, the passion that both had tried to keep reigned in for two weeks came bursting forth. Julie moaned softly and entwined her arms around his broad, well-muscled torso as they fell back onto the still made bed, wrapped in each other's arms.
"Oh Pete," Julie said breathlessly as they broke apart. "I—we-ohhh," but her words were cut off as he crushed her to him, cradling her flaxen head as he planted butterfly kisses on her neck and earlobe, sending shivers throughout her body.
He pulled away briefly just to gaze into her eyes...milk chocolate pools in which he wanted to drown himself...
"I want to be with you."
Pete's statement was soft but with great impact and Julie felt her heart pound as she was swept away. Her sable eyes closed as she replied and all thoughts of anything else fled.
"I-I want to be with you, too." It was a whisper, soft as a summer breeze.
His response was to hold her tighter as his hands brushed her hair back and slipped her blouse aside to gain better access to the soft creamy skin that had him so engrossed. In between kisses Pete murmured softly, his baritone filled with yearning for her ears only...
"Angel... tonight please let me love you. A couple of days ago I almost lost you and I need to feel you beside me...feel your skin on mine, be inside you. Please?"
At his plea, Julie pulled back to gaze into his eyes losing herself in their cerulean depths for just a moment and aware enough only to nod. "Uh-huh."
Pete needed no further encouragement as he claimed her mouth again, gently suckling at her lips as he probed with his tongue, caressing her as he ran a hand beneath her blouse and on her breasts while the other cupped her head. Her own arms snaked up and behind his chest with her fingers finding the unruly burnished curls at the nape of his neck as she reciprocated fully and responded eagerly.
Passion...dormant for much of their working lives...that had awakened briefly then sent back to slumber...awakened again. The situation was different this time...there were no restraints. Neither were youths any longer, both had adult experiences as spouses and as such, both knew and had experienced physical intimacy so these were not uncharted waters. But this was a first for them together and the feelings both were declaring had simmered almost to the boiling point under the calm surfaces, bound by the circumstances Pete and Julie had found themselves.
Tonight, however, knowing that they were parting again, even for a short time, they threw all caution to the wind and allowed their pent up and long denied passions to flow freely. They kissed each other hungrily, totally wrapped up into each other, causing the once neatly made bed to become tussled and they shed their clothing, tossing it aside as the passion between them rose to a fevered pitch.
As she lay before him clad only in panties and a camisole, he pulled away and holding her hands as he observed her with a soft, loving smile he whispered, "You're so beautiful, Julie. The loveliest girl…no, woman I've ever seen. The moment I first laid eyes on you I was a goner."
Oddly, at that very moment, Julie suddenly remembered the times Pete had pursued other girls while they served on the force together and she stiffened as in addition a mental picture of Dan appeared to her. Like a bucket of cold water tossed at an inopportune time guilt overtook her and she pulled away as Pete's expression morphed into one of dismay.
"Honey, what's wrong?" he wanted to know.
She displayed one-upmanship as she sat up and said primly, "You're making that up, Pete. I always saw you ogling other girls."
Okay, now where the hell did THAT come from? Pete was stunned as he was taken aback by the statement that sounded like an accusation. His smile now gone he gave her a look of hurt and then also sat up beside her.
He reached to brush her pale strands back from her eyes gently as he professed, "Uh-uh, not true. I wasn't really interested in any of them, all I really wanted was you. If you don't believe me, just ask Linc. When we first started working together I was always aware of you believe me, but you know we couldn't say anything, I mean we had to work together and I didn't want to complicate that. But we talked about it a lot him and me. The fact was Julie, you had me mesmerized from the start. "
Julie studied his face and saw this was no line, but complete honesty written in his beautiful eyes so she reached and ran her fingers in the tangle of curls on his forehead. She then quashed down the insecurities and guilt that precipitated the last statement as she realized how her mercurial mood change might have affected him.
She then became ashamed at her lack of trust towards one of the few people in her life she could always depend upon. Sighing, she partially closed her eyes as the lashes fluttered and her expression changed. She blushed prettily as she asked almost shyly,
"Really?"
His grin returned as he gazed raptly at her and ran the back of his hand over her delicate cheek. "Yeah."
"You're sweet to say that." Julie's eyes shone as if sprinkled with stardust and her face glowed.
"Honey, those aren't just words." Again Pete gazed down at the picture she presented and became enraptured. He chuckled as he pulled her flush against his bare chest and murmured, "I plan to do more than just say it. I'm gonna prove it and make love to you all night long."
He then gently pushed her down as he again captured her mouth in a soft searing kiss, his hands again floating on the satin of her camisole and the silk of her skin caressing her and deftly slipping his fingers beneath the filmy garment to slide it off. Now topless, he began to cover her belly with kisses, working his way up to her bosom as they rode yet another wave…
He continued to drink of her, his five senses in overdrive as he literally lost himself in the woman he loved. Then with a swipe of his arm, Pete sent his suitcase off the bed and it landed on the far side with a thump. He lay back down on the bed and as he did with his eyes darkened by passion, he roughly pulled Julie to him. His hands began exploring her body with gentle caresses as he again captured her mouth with his, partaking of the sweetness.
She moaned softly again and molded her body into his, allowing him full rein as she too allowed her hands to travel along his muscular frame reveling in his firm, taut muscles. He in turn took another drought of her, his kiss deep as his tongue explored and his fingers laced through her silvery ash blonde tresses. His mouth then traveled down to the ivory nape of her neck and he began to gently suckle the skin as her soft fragrance of musk sent his mind reeling.
The two finished shedding their under things and fully nude and falling into the now unmade bed their bodies took over as hungry flesh met hungry flesh. Pete groaned as he ran his hands beneath Julie and pushed her against his pelvis spreading her legs and aiding her arching hips as his arousal probed; a fiery shaft that buried itself deeply into the receptive soft curls. Time flew and stood still simultaneously as the rest of the world faded into oblivion. Both riding the heights of intense pleasure, Pete and Julie continued their lovemaking to multiple climaxes with a wistful urgency and deep need for each other. Some time later, their passion spent and their energy drained, locked in each other's arms, Pete and Julie whispered their declarations to each other.
"I love you, Pete," Julie whispered her head nestled in the crook of his arm, her hand resting on his chest covered with wiry curls.
"I love you too, Julie," Pete said huskily, gently kissing her forehead as he rhythmically stroked her hair.
Completely sated and finally finding peace both slipped into a much-needed restful sleep. . . .
Tuesday, December 1, 1980, 5:15 AM PST
The early morning sky was performing its transformation from dark to light, turning its hue from deep ultramarine to periwinkle as the sun began its ascension to begin the day. The growing light made its way into Pete's guestroom and across his and Julie's sleeping forms...
Deep in slumber, she had her back to him while he was spooned to her with his chin on her shoulder lying right up against her, with one leg slung possessively across her hip and his arms wrapped around her tiny waist. In the moments just before awaking, Pete had his usual morning fantasy and dreamed that Julie was in his arms completely content, pliant and his. But this particular morning his eyes opened and he was both amazed and delighted as he saw that the soft warm form in his arms was not a dream but was in fact a lovely reality...
Julie was actually and truly here with him, looking beautiful bathed in the light of the dawn, just like he had imagined her to be in all his fantasies. The slow rising and falling of her steady breathing and silky feel of her back pressed against his chest caused his body to respond all over again as he was instantly aroused.
He was sorely tempted to gently wake her to make love again but realizing that today was the day of his departure, he reluctantly decided not to. Instead, he planted feather soft kisses, on the nape of her neck and her shoulders, teasing her earlobe with the tip of his tongue. She stirred at the softly insistent stimuli, yawning and turning herself on her back to face Pete as he leaned over her...
He smiled gently into her upturned face and murmured. "Good morning, angel."
Julie returned his smile. "Good morning to you too," she said. She stretched like a sleepy kitten in his arms. "You sleep okay?"
"Uh-huh. Better then I've slept in a very long time. Waking up with you in my arms was like I always thought it would be."
"Oh? And how is that?"
Pete looked deeply into her eyes, "Like a dream, a beautiful dream that used to disappear when I opened my eyes. Only this morning my dream came true."
He leaned in to give her a soft kiss and with a soft moan Julie snuggled up to him to respond in kind. As they drew apart, he gazed at Julie with a question in his eyes.
"Hey baby, can I ask you something?"
Her curiosity piqued Julie returned the gaze with a smile and said, "Sure. What's on your mind?"
"Something that I've always wondered about...and lately I've been thinking about it more," he said, building up the suspense.
"And?"
Pete took a deep breath and plunged in. "You remember that case we worked on when we posed as newlyweds at that camper park way back when we first started on the force."
Julie smiled as the memory came back and she responded, "Uh-huh...what about it?"
"Remember when I got pissed when you separated the sleeping quarters and you explained why you did it?"
She continued to smile as she recalled what she said. "Yeah, I remember. I said something about the moon in the trees and Mother Nature and knowing what could happen."
"You were right… I did think about you in that way. But, we were working together and it bothered me that you didn't trust me to control myself."
"I had such a crush on you and I began to see that you liked me too."
"Yeah, I did like you...a lot." He came closer, and reached a hand to run his finger over her nose to lightly trace the outline of her lips.
She shifted to lean her head on her hand as she lay on her side facing him.. "As I recall, you first tried to deny that you had any ideas. But, having grown up with my mother entertaining all kinds of men all the time, I knew differently." She lowered her eyes as she added, "I got an early education."
He nodded in understanding. "Yeah...But I was trying to be a good boy and stick to what the Captain told us before we started, after graduating from the police academy. You know, when he told us specifically "no fraternization."
Julie smiled and said, "I remember that little talk...it was like he was a father, lecturing us, telling us to keep it cool." She giggled. "It was kind of sweet."
"There was a good reason for him doing that. He figured that we'd be working close together on cases and probably knew all about kids and our raging hormones...and I admit I was raging...especially being so close to you in that trailer."
"I know."
"Okay so since you liked me," Pete asked, "If I had asked you back then…would you have let me?" He asked the question hesitantly, appearing like the young man he once was as Julie smiled, moved by the request.
"Well, let me see…"
Julie leaned back with a thoughtful look on her pretty face as she pondered the question. She closed her eyes, keeping them open enough to study him through her lashes as she remembered back then how they had bantered and while living in such close quarters during that case the sexual tension created by the mutual attraction between them had grown. She also recalled how at that time she had wondered about Pete's feelings toward her. She also realized that back then she had kind of hoped he would have asked her back then.
Pete was fighting getting impatient as he asked, "Well?"
She opened her eyes and nodded her head slowly. "Yeah. If you had asked me, I probably would have."
That simple declaration seemed to serve as another springboard as Pete moved closer and wrapped her in his arms, pulling her close and planting soft kisses on her shoulder and up to her ears as he whispered, "I was gonna ask...it was my plan, but you figured it all out. I barely slept that night because all I could think of was you behind that damned blanket and how much I wanted to rip it down and make love to you." He then smothered her answer back with another deep kiss...
As they again savored each other the brightening morning light was a not so subtle reminder that time was slipping away. The previous night's passion was flowing anew but reluctantly both Pete and Julie were aware of the need to put up a restraint so they pulled away from each other. Julie sighed in disappointment as she drew away from Pete and he away from her. She stretched again and sleepily asked, "What time is it anyway?"
Pete reached over to the nightstand where he tossed his watch last night as they tussled upon the bed. He glanced at it and announced, "It's about quarter of six."
"Oh no!" Julie exclaimed as she sat up abruptly. Remembering where she was and that she was undressed, she threw her shapely legs over the edge of the bed and quickly got to her feet.
Pete laid back and savored the view as Julie hurriedly wrapped the sheet about her body, to cover herself. "I've got to get to my room and put something on before Melissa wakes up."
She headed to the door, opened it and peeked out expecting Melissa to meet her. The hallway was empty and quiet with Melissa's door closed as it was left last night.
Extracting the garment from his still open suitcase on the floor by the bed Pete got up and put his robe on. He tiptoed over to where Julie stood half in the doorway and whispered, "Is the coast clear?"
Startled, Julie whirled to face him. "What are you doing? Go back to bed!" she whispered urgently. "We're gonna wake Melissa."
Slightly taken aback by Julie's vehemence, Pete said reassuringly, "Take it easy, sweetheart. We won't wake her."
"Just the same, you'd better go back into the room and I'll go to my room. I have to put some clothes on." Julie pushed Pete into the guestroom and closed the door gently. She then made her way to her room just as she heard Melissa stir in her room across the hall. Julie quickly donned her bathrobe and for good measure, mussed the bed just as she heard Melissa call for her.
"Mommy?"
Julie hastily tied her robe around her and answered, "Coming, honey." She made her way to Melissa's room and as she did, glanced over her shoulder at the closed guestroom door.
8:45 AM
Julie was driving her silver Toyota Celica, following behind Pete's Mercedes. She agreed to follow him in her car to Monterey Peninsula Airport to see him off. As she followed him, he kept an eye on her through his rearview mirror to make sure he didn't lose her in traffic as they headed out to the airport. Captain Osborne had called and informed him that he had the jet fueled up and ready to take off and head back down to LAX.
As he drove, Pete noticed that despite the intimacy they had enjoyed all night until sunrise, the atmosphere between Julie and him seemed to appear strained. When he came down to breakfast, he tried to talk to Julie but she insisted that she had to get Melissa off to school and she brushed him off. It was that way as well all during breakfast, much to his surprise then chagrin, when the two of them conversed mostly with Melissa, avoiding any talk between them at all...
At Melissa's request, they both walked her to the bus and she hugged both of them with equal fervor. She reacted with disappointment at breakfast to the news of Pete's departure but he promised her that he'd be back very soon. Julie watched his interaction with her daughter with some what of a fixed smile and walking back to the house, she made little attempt to talk to him which after what had happened between them last night baffled him. She even seemed reluctant to drive with him to the airport, only agreeing in the last minute when he was ready to leave. He spent the ride out to airport trying to figure out what exactly he did to get the cold shoulder.
The drive to the airport continued, thankfully with little traffic so Pete was able to keep her following him. Julie continued to tail him as they both turned into the airport parking lot and drove over to the hangar where Pete's jet was waiting. Julie pulled into an empty spot closest to the hangar and parked while Pete pulled up beside. He parked and got out to get his luggage while she got out of her car and came over. With a sigh, Pete decided to break the silence.
"Well, here we are," he tried to sound lighthearted even though his heart was heavy.
Julie nodded woodenly, "Uh-huh." She refused to look at him.
Pete sighed again, "I guess I better be going." He turned to head towards the jet...then stopped and turned back towards Julie and asked in an exasperated tone, "Damnit, Julie are you going to tell me what I did wrong or are we going to part like this?"
Julie shrugged her shoulders. "I don't know what you mean, Pete."
"Don't give me that bull. I know that deep freeze I'm shivering in, I know it well. Would you please tell me what I did."
She sighed as she stared out at the jet. "You didn't do anything."
"Then why won't you look at me, huh? You've been treating me like I have the plague since you left the room this morning. And you haven't said two words to me all through breakfast. So I'm asking again, what did I do?"
Julie shook her head, still avoiding Pete's questioning gaze.
Putting down his luggage, Pete took her chin in his hand and turned her head, "Then look at me, please. Talk to me, honey, tell me what gives."
Julie looked at him with large eyes and admitted, "I'm feeling ambivalent about what happened last night."
"Ambivalent?"
"Yeah...And maybe a little guilty. I was afraid that Melissa would find out about what we did. Suppose she had had a bad dream last night and came to my room? She wouldn't have found me, and after Dan's death it could've really frightened her. She was so frightened after I told her about Dan dying, for days she followed me everywhere. She was petrified that I would leave her too," Julie said. "If she came over to your room to try to find me and found us…" she let it trail off significantly.
"Is that what was bothering you last night?" he asked. "When you were giving me the third degree about my feelings for you."
Julie nodded, her head down. "Yeah. I began to feel guilty especially because it seemed that I was totally swept away. Then, Dan popped into my head and I really began to feel bad. Like I was being…unfaithful."
"Julie, he's gone," Pete pointed out but she shook her head.
"It doesn't matter. He's only been gone for six weeks and already I was with another man. Admit it, neither one of us were thinking about anything else last night, we were caught up in the moment."
Pete pursed his lips thoughtfully. "Yeah, I guess we kind of lost track of things last night," he agreed sheepishly.
Julie examined him steadily, "Pete, I have to say this. What happened last night can't happen again. At least not while Melissa's around." She noticed his adamant attitude and the protest already forming on his lips so she continued, "She has really taken to you. I don't want her to start resenting you again and if she sees us the way we were last night, she will."
Pete assured, "We'll be careful."
Julie shook her head.
"Neither one of us were aware of anything but us last night. We were completely swept away and I'm telling you now that it can and probably will happen again. I have to think of Melissa, if she saw us, it would affect her and if it didn't work out between us or for whatever reason you can't come out to see her, she could be devastated."
Pete insisted, "Sweetheart, I am going to come back out to the ranch again and very soon. I told you, I plan to be here for the arraignment and upcoming trial. And why would you think it wouldn't work out between us?"
"I'm thinking about after the trial. Your life is down in Beverly Hills and you have a business to run," Julie pointed out. "Besides, I never would be able to fit into the Beverly Hills lifestyle. I just wasn't cut out to be a socialite." She lowered her head and averted his eyes.
Pete looked at her incredulously. He shook his head unbelievingly as if the whole conversation was a hallucination. "Oh, wow, I can't believe I'm hearing this. Julie, you have to be putting me on. 'Cause if you're not, then what was that speech you gave last night all about, huh? And what was last night all about anyway? A one night stand?" He gave a bitter laugh. "Yeah, okay."
Julie flinched at the derisive tone of his voice. "I resent that! You know what I grew up with and I don't do one night stands," she replied haughtily.
"Yeah, well that makes two of us. 'Cause I resent your implication that the feelings we have for each other aren't right. Julie, when I told you I loved you last night, I meant it. I don't say that just to get a chick to hop in the sack with me, and I don't say it to just anyone," Pete said sharply. "After all these years of friendship I thought that you knew that about me. It's not like we just met yesterday, for crying out loud."
Julie felt remorseful. "I know. I'm sorry, Pete, I didn't mean to hurt your feelings. But this morning when I left your room, I realized that I have a responsibility to my child. Children need continuity, whatever affects my life affects hers."
"Obviously," he scoffed.
Ignoring his subtle sarcasm, she went on. "Any man that I get involved with will have to know and accept that. We aren't kids anymore and we both have responsibilities," she gently reminded him.
Pete sighed, "Julie, don't you think I know that? I would never do anything that would hurt either of you." He went on, "Honey, I'm not twenty three, I'm almost thirty five years old and believe me I'm not afraid of commitment. I'm fully aware that I'm not a kid and I told you before I want a family. I'm tired of being alone." He wrapped an arm about her leaned closer as he continued.
"Julie, I love you...I want to marry you, make a family with you and grow old with you. Don't you feel the same way?"
"Of course but-," her statement was hushed by his finger on her lips.
"Then just believe me. I'm telling you the truth."
Julie insisted, "But what if you decide that you want something else? Or meet someone that sweeps you off of your feet?"
Pete pondered at what she had said. He nodded his head and shrugged, "Yeah, I guess you're right. I mean, it's already happened. Someone has swept me off my feet."
At her crestfallen expression he threw his head back and laughed, "It's you, you nut." He reached and captured her chin and gently raised her head to make eye contact. "I told you before, it's always been you." He brought her lips to his and kissed her lightly. "So let's just end this discussion, okay? I am totally committed to you; mind, heart, body and soul."
Julie smiled, "Okay. I guess I'm just paranoid. I'm having a harder time saying good-bye then I thought." She gazed shyly at him. "Forgive me?"
"Done. And it's hasn't been easy for me, either. I hate leaving you, baby." Pete brightened, "But, I am going to be back, I'll be back up here so often you're gonna get sick of me." He added, "And as far as you not fitting in Beverly Hills, let me tell you something. The women down there couldn't hold a candle to you. They're spoiled, superficial, selfish, and shallow, everything I despise and everything you're not."
They leaned in and exchanged a soft lingering kiss. Pete reluctantly drew away and said, "I hate to say it but I've gotta split. Walk me to the plane, okay?"
Julie nodded and Pete retrieved his luggage and they walked out to the waiting jet. Captain Osborne took Pete's bags from him and climbed up into the plane. They stopped at the foot of the stairs leading up into the aircraft. Pete put his hands on Julie's shoulders.
"Well, I'm off. I'll give you a call tomorrow, okay?"
Julie bit her lip and nodded. "Okay." She smiled bravely through the tears threatening to fall.
"Hey now, no crying." He gently brushed the tears away with his fingers, caressing her cheeks. He then kissed her tenderly, for the last time. "Bye, bye angel. Be good. I love you."
" Bye, Pete. I love you too." Julie said. He climbed the stairs and before going into the jet, turned to throw her a kiss. She waved and threw one back. He then went into the jet and the door closed.
Julie stayed and watched as the plane gathered speed taxiing down the runway. She looked until she saw it bounce up and gain altitude until it became a small speck in the blue sky.
On board, Pete had his briefcase opened on his lap. He reached in and drew out the brass paperweight Julie had given him. He studied the etching then turned the thing over to read the engraved inscription: Words Could Never Express-Love J. He then remembered the exquisite loving they shared the previous night so he smiled reminiscently placing the object carefully back into the case and snapped it shut.
NEXT….EPILOGUE-AGAIN….SOON