Chapter 8:

A little after 6 Eric walked to the kitchen to make coffee. He noticed the news was on and he saw Tim on the couch and went in closer to see what was going on.

He saw Tim sitting on the edge leaning his head back and slightly snoring. Julie was curled up facing the back of the couch under a blanket. She was breathing deeply but she seemed alright.

Tami came out as well.

"Hmm… That's interesting." She said.

Eric frowned at her. "Are they even okay? Maybe they need counseling after the storm?"

"Well… I am worried about Jules. Has Tim said anything about his feelings about the storm?"

Eric blanched. "You… you think Tim told me his feelings?"

Tami rolled her eyes and sighed.

"Maybe you're right hun. I mean they could talk to me or we could get them each someone to talk to… I'll make a couple of calls today. I don't want to force them but… honestly it might be good for both of them."

"And when they don't want to?" He asked.

"Then…. We force them. They went through something traumatic. Julie is having nightmares and not sleeping and Tim… well all he's doing IS sleeping."

"Maybe that's just the medicine."

Tami shook her head. "I don't think so. He's got his own feelings he is working out. I'm just not sure what they are about. Maybe the storm, maybe Billy, maybe living with us… I just think this will be good for both of them."

"Okay. I trust your judgement. Moving on… Who is staying with Tim? That sister of yours still isn't back."

"I know. I called and she said maybe today… MAYBE… it's like having another teenager. I guess Julie should stay home again."

"Really?"

"I mean, she isn't sleeping at night and we trust her to listen out for him and honestly that's probably why Tim is in there now… he probably heard her have another nightmare. They can help each other, I guess. Unless you don't think it's a good idea?"

"I'm okay with it but I think I will feel better when they both are back to school."

"Okay, I agree. So, they will both stay home today and I'll call and see if I can get them appointments for tomorrow. If I can, I will take a personal day and take them. I'd like them to talk to someone soon. You agree?"

"Yes."

At 6:30 Tami had pancakes ready and syrup on the counter and she went to wake the teens.

She grabbed Julie's shoulder.

"Jules hunny, wake up."

"Mom?" She asked sleepily.

She kicked out her foot sitting up. Which got Tim up since she kicked his thigh.

"Oh jeez. Sorry!" She said.

"It's okay… what's going on?"

"I was going to ask you two that… is everything okay?" Tami asked in her motherly tone.

Julie rubbed her eyes and sat up.

"Yeah Mrs. T, I uh…" He looked nervously between the two women.

He swallowed and went with a half truth.

"Julie was having another uh… dream… I just sat here and she calmed down a bit. I guess we both fell asleep."

Julie blushed. She knew Tim was trying to keep them out of trouble.

"Okay hun, Julie… you alright?"

"Yeah mom. Um… do I smell food?"

"Yes… blueberry pancakes."

Tim smiled.

"YUM!" He said hurrying to his stool and preparing a plate.

As soon as the adults and Gracie left Julie turned into a nervous clumsy person. She knocked over two cups of water thankfully not glass. Then she bumped into the trashcan knocking it over.

"Jules. Relax. Stop." Tim said grabbing her wrist gently.

"I'm sorry. I'm… I don't know what I am."

He pulled her to the couch and sat down pulling her carefully against his right side.

"Relax and try to explain. Why are you so nervous today?"

She bit her lip. Because I like you. I want to kiss you. I enjoyed cuddling with you. I maybe want to do more with you.

"Um… I'm not sure."

Tim frowned and let out a sigh.

"You sure about that?"

He stared at her.

She sat up and turned her body towards him.

"I am anxious because I am embarrassed about my nightmares… and crawling into bed with you… and I just feel… scared."

Tim frowned again.

"You're scared of me?"

Julie shook her head.

"It's not like that. I don't think you're going to maul me or anything. I just… don't want to do or say the wrong thing."

He pulled her onto his lap.

"You are not doing the wrong thing supergirl. Overthinking… yes… but nothing else. Relax and just go with the flow."

She smiled at the nickname.

"Go with the flow…" she repeated.

"Yes." He said kissing her nose.

"So you don't think I'm embarrassing for having nightmares?"

"Not at all."

"And crawling into bed with you….?"

He smirked. "I didn't hate it Julie. I do like you and I'm real glad you feel safe with me. I noticed that you don't have as many nightmares when I am close to you."

"I know. I noticed that too. I guess we'll just have to sleep together more." She grinned.

He grinned back. "Oh yeah? I think I'd like that."

"Well let's go then. We have all day."

Tim laughed and scooped her up.

"Hey! I can walk ya know."

"I know."

He plopped her on her bed.

They napped most of the morning. Tim woke up first and just held Julie and played with her hair.

I think I am falling way too fast for this girl. Come on Riggs, she's beautiful and hot and smart and likes me. She's amazing. I'm not good enough for her though… and her dad will murder me… and oh God… her mom is going to chop off my balls. But… she's amazing… and I love her hair. It is just so long and just… sexy.

Julie woke up slowly and felt Tim playing with her hair.

"You love my hair huh?"

His hand froze. Did she just read my mind?

"Uh… yeah."

She rolled over and kissed him.

He kissed her back.

"Mmm. I love your kisses." She said.

"Yeah better than seven?" Why the hell did I ask that? He thought.

She froze and pulled back to look at him.

"Yes." Then she leaned forward and continued kissing him.

Well damn… alright then. 1 point for Riggs. He thought.

She pulled back again and bit her lip.

"What is it Julie?"

She swallowed. "Um… I know it's in the past…"

"Yes? Continue…?"

"Um… nevermind. I don't want to know."

She leaned forward again and kissed him hard and her tongue skillfully found its way into his mouth, distracting him.

He pushed her back since he was flat and couldn't pull back.

"What do you want to know?"

She swallowed again and licked her lips and then bit down on the bottom one.

"You can ask me anything and if I have an answer I'll give it to you."

"You trust me that much?" She asked.

"Julie… I trust you and your family more than just about anyone."

"Well, i just.. uh... I wondered how many girls you have kissed. I mean I know the rumors about rally girls and Lyla and Tyra but you asked if you were a better kisser than Matt and you are and I've only kissed you and him and a boy in 7th grade that moved away."

Tim blushed. This is what she wanted to know. How many girls I have kissed? Oh jeez… I'm not even sure I know. Kissed? That number had to be pretty damn high… Kissed? Seriously.

"Um… Julie…I…"

"No. Stop. I don't want to know." She sat up and pulled her knees to her chest.

"Well… I'm not exactly sure to be honest." He said rubbing his jaw.

She looked at him. "Oh. It's that many?"

He licked his lips. Took a deep breath and sighed.

"Julie… I… yes, I have kissed a lot of girls… it's just… okay look. Here's something the rumor mill doesn't know. Do you know how many relationships I've been in?"

She shook her head.

"Oneish. I'm not even sure it was a real relationship. Tyra, it was Tyra. But… I know I want a relationship with you. This isn't about sneaking around and kissing for me… I mean… hell yeah, that's great too. But I know this is fast but I'm actually interested in you and you are beautiful and smart and call me on my shit and you make me laugh and I do love your hair and I can't change how many girls I've kissed but I can tell you honestly you are the only one I have spouted this many girly feelings to before."

She smiled and thought over his words.

"And now you are making me nervous because you are quiet." He added.

She leaned forward and kissed him.

"Don't be nervous. I want a relationship with you too. I like sneaking. I like kissing. But I'm interested in you too. You make me feel safe and you're kinda beautiful yourself… or handsome whatever... and guess what?"

"Hmm?"

"I adore you spouting your girly feelings to me. Definitely the 2nd sexiest thing you've got going."

Tim's eyebrows flew up.

"Second sexiest huh? What's the first?"

She blushed. "That's for me to know."

"Aw see, that's not fair."

"Do you think I'm sexy Tim?"

"Definitely."

"Yeah? Other than my hair?"

"Jules… all of you is sexy and gorgeous and beautiful."

She kissed him again and it turned into a long, heated make-out session stopped only by Julie's cell phone ringing.

"Damn phone." She grumbled

"Hey mom! Yeah I was actually just going to check on him and see if he wanted something for lunch. Hold on and I'll get him"

"Oh… sure I'll put you on speaker then."

She rolled her eyes.

"Hey Tim. Wake up. My mom is on the phone and wants to talk to us."

"Hey Mrs. T." Tim said.

"Hey Tim… Okay kids, we are going to have a family meeting tonight before dinner. I scheduled y'all each an appointment for tomorrow and we are going to discuss it."

"What kind of…" Julie started.

"Tonight Julie. Tonight we will discuss it."

"But… why would you tell us now and make us curious all afternoon?" Julie asked incredulously.

"I… I don't know. I just thought I would tell you. Have a good afternoon. Oh and I made that pasta salad you both like… it's in the refrigerator. Y'all can have that for lunch if you want it."

"Thanks Mrs. T."

"Thanks mom."

Julie hung up.

"Well that was weird." She said.

"Appointments… what kind of appointments?" Tim wondered.

"Honestly?"

"Yeah…"

"Probably shrinks. Or at least for me… her and my dad are tired of the nightmares. Well me too but…"

"Shrinks? They think we need to talk? I hate talking."

"I know Tim… maybe your appointment is for your back or your ribs."

"No… I bet you are right… they… oh God… they want us to talk about our feelings."

Julie couldn't help it. She bust out laughing at the horrified face Tim was making at the thought of talking about his feelings.

"Hey don't laugh at me…

"Come on Timmykins… let's go eat lunch."

"What did you just call me?"

They ate their lunch and watched HOLES. Julie loved the book but had never seen the movie.

Then the made-out some more and napped again. Alarm set for 3:40 just in case.

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