Chapter 20:

So, they finally headed to the hotel, completely free of their movements, without their luggage. William held out his arm to the young woman, on a whim and she accepted it with a smile. They walked like this for a few minutes, admiring the magnificent landscape of Sitka. William was amazed. He could not find a word to describe what he saw before his eyes. He had never seen a landscape like this in his entire life. In fact, he had traveled so little in his life that he was literally in front of the most beautiful scenery he had ever seen. There was no snow as he had first imagined. It was cold, of course, but they were far from the coldest time of the year in Alaska. However, he felt the young woman shiver beside him.

"You are cold?"

"Slightly…"

Spontaneously, William took off his scarf and stood in front of the young woman who then stopped walking. He approached her and wrapped his black scarf around her neck as she looked at him with bright eyes.

"No… You're going to be cold, William…"

"I assure you not, Julia…" he replied in a whisper, trying to calm his breathing and his heart which had jumped at the voice of the young woman pronouncing her name and with such gentleness.

He smiled at her, his hands still holding the scarf as she had placed hers on his forearms.

"Murdoch!"

William turned around at the recognition of his superior's voice and slowly let go of the scarf he had put around Julia's neck, who lowered her hands from the young man's arms. He stepped back from the doctor's personal space and could glimpse Margaret punching her husband's rib, her face dismayed that her husband interrupted at such a moment. The detective still smiled heartily at the sight of his still discreet friends.

John, who was a little behind and holding his brother Bobby's hand, suddenly ran up to him and hugged Julia who was so surprised that she did not react immediately. Finally, she bent down to him and smiled.

"How have you been since you got off the train?"

"Perfectly well doctor. Thanks." he exclaimed excitedly before kissing Julia on the cheek as his parents and William looked on.

She stood up and laughed lightly, once again meeting William's hazel eyes.

"Doctor…" Thomas Brackenreid spoke when he was in front of Julia, his wife on his arm and Bobby clinging to his right leg. "I wanted to… excuse me for my words yesterday afternoon… It's not… Well, I didn't want to…"

"It's forgotten." Julia cut sincerely. "I am used to it." she added without noticing William's grimacing expression at her spontaneous confidence.

Note: A cute little moment between William and Julia slowly starting to get closer it seems. It was a small chapter but don't worry, we're not even halfway through the story haha!