I am only using characters from the Nashville Television Show. I have no ownership rights or claims whatsoever.
Please note: I have changed the baby's name from Jolene to Cadence to fit the show. I have also bought this in line with the show. The continuation will focus on Juliette's condition, behaviour and how these can be resolved.
And baby makes three.
Chapter 7. Reunited.
Juliette's appearance raised all levels of anxiety in Avery. He was so concerned for her be became confused. He was unsure what injury to respond to. Her injury, her pain or her nervous condition all were obvious and all equally shocking. The left side of her face was a huge blackened bruise. It was so swollen her left eye had closed and he was sure her left cheek was severely injured. She seemed on the verge of cracking up. Huddled in a ball on the couch and shivering with shock, she had to get to a hospital immediately. He was beginning to panic for his wife's welfare, she was that badly hurt. "He hit me Avery," she said as soon as she saw him. "He hit me." She began sobbing uncontrollably. "He hit me, please help me Avery, please help me."
He was unsure what he should do so devastating was Juliette's condition. "Ring an ambulance," he gained enough composure to think of that. "Everything will be alright baby. I called an ambulance. They'll be here soon."
"Avery, everything has gone wrong. I don't know what to do. Avery, please fix it for me."
"Yes baby I will. Everything will be good, I promise, everything will be good."
He kept his left arm around Juliette to sooth her and rang Doc Edwards even though it was almost midnight. Doc was un-phased, he didn't care about the hour, he was only interested in the situation. Avery explained what happened and how Juliette was asking for help.
Doc was quiet for a few seconds and asked, "What hospital will she be going to?"
"Vanderbilt, that's the biggest and the best."
"Ok," Doc said, "I'm going to ring a colleague in Nashville. His name is Peter Walker. He's an excellent doctor and one of the finest psychiatric minds in the country. He's the right person to treat her. I'll ask if he'll call into the hospital tonight and see her. I'm sure he will. Wait for him my boy. He'll want to interview you."
"Thanks Doc. You've been a huge help. I'm truly grateful. Thank you."
The ambulance arrived. Juliette clung to him, "Please Avery, don't leave me alone. Please I'm afraid." The paramedic nodded to Avery.
"I'm coming. I'll be right beside you. There's nothing to be afraid of."
Dr. Walker was waiting at the hospital when they arrived. "Yes Mr. Barkley?" he said as Juliette was removed from the Ambulance. "I'm Peter Walker; Doctor Edwards asked if I could take care of this case. I've already arranged for her admittance however you'll need to give reception your details. While you do that I'll examine your wife."
Juliette however wouldn't let Avery leave. "Please Avery, I need you with me, Please."
The receptionist just nodded, "That's alright Mr. Barkley. We can do this later." Avery thanked her for understanding.
Juliette was settled in her bed and Doctor Walker examined her. He then asked the attending nurse for some drugs.
"I'll just give her a mild sedative to help settle her down and something for her face. That injury will be quite painful. Once she's more comfortable we'll take her down to X-ray. I'm a little concerned about that cheek bone. It may be fractured; she's received a very severe blow. Especially considering how small she is. I think she possibly also has a mild concussion. We'll keep an eye on that as well."
The sedative took a few minutes to take effect. "Well, how's the other guy?" Avery joked.
"What do you mean?" Juliette asked a little puzzled.
"Well, you look like you've been in a fight I thought the other guy might be worse than you."
She laughed and then immediately grimaced. "Ouch, that hurts. Don't make me laugh."
"Sorry, just trying to brighten things up." Peter Walker gave Avery a nod. "We're going down to X-ray just to check things out. Ok?"
"You're going to come as well? Don't leave me." Juliette still considered Avery her security.
"Of course, I couldn't let you loose on your own." He lifted her out of the bed and place in a wheelchair.
"Don't crack jokes. It hurts to laugh."
"Ok. Sorry."
While they were waiting for the X-ray results Avery said, "I've got to do some paperwork. I won't be long. Emily was as worried as me and followed us here. I'm sure she'd like to chat for a while."
"Don't be long Avery."
He returned at the same time as Doctor Walker. "Good news. There're no fractures but the bruising is very severe. I'm afraid you'll have a black eye for a while. Now Mr. Barkley, Doctor Edwards gave me a summary of your wife's condition but I'll need to have a chat with you. It's perhaps a little late tonight but could you come to my offices at eleven tomorrow morning. I'd like to get some background on your wife and then we can start her treatment."
"Fine Doctor I'll see you then."
"You'll stay with me won't you Avery. I need you here."
"It's alright baby, you've had a sedative. You're about to pass out."
"I can get you a cot Mr. Barkley if you'd like to stay," the nurse said. "The hospital will allow that in a private room."
"Please Avery," Juliette was almost begging. "I don't want to wake up in the night and be alone."
"Alright baby, I can stay." He thanked Emily who said she'd be back next day. He settled into the chair beside the bed and took his wife's hand.
Emily arrived at nine to find Juliette much calmer than she was the previous night, Avery was still beside the bed holding her hand, Emily wondered if he'd spent the entire night like that, She saw that the cot had been disturbed so he did sleep at some point.
"I'll have to go for a while baby. The doctor wants to see me and I have to get cleaned up I feel like a grot. Emily will stay with you."
"You'll come straight back after the doctor?"
"Of course I will." He gave her a kiss and walked out.
"Take a seat Mr. Barkley," Doctor Walker said. "Now the purpose of this meeting is so I can gain as much information about your wife's history as possible. This needs to be done to establish her disorder and decide the best course of treatment. I'll be conducting the same interview with her this afternoon. I know Doctor Edwards suggested she may have Borderline Personality Disorder but he hasn't seen your wife or interviewed her. Is that correct?"
"Yes, that's right."
"Ok we'll put that aside for the moment then. Now I'd like you to tell me as much as you know about her, going back to her childhood if you know anything about that. Everything, your relationship with her, any behavioural changes, try to be as thorough as possible."
Avery went through Juliette's history, Her traumatic childhood, her relationship with her mother, losing her mother, how he met her and began working with her, her career obsession, her attitude to other people, her independence, her abruptness and insensitivity to most people and situations, her lack of friends, how their friendship developed and Juliette's confusion with it, the negatives involving her career, his support for her when others abandoned her, how they fell in love only to suffer a breakdown, how he forgave her, their marriage, her pregnancy and the changes since the birth of their daughter. The Doctor would frequently interrupt him and ask questions for clarification or sometimes how Avery reacted to certain situations or how Juliette reacted to them. The whole interview lasted for over an hour.
"I'll conduct the same interview with your wife this afternoon then I'd like to see you again at the same time tomorrow. By then I should have some concrete information for you."
Avery returned to the hospital. "Hi baby, how are you feeling?"
"I feel good now. I'm ready to go home."
"That can't happen until the doctor says so. You suffered a bit of damage from what Wheeler did. You can't try to push that. Besides Doctor Walker is coming to see you this afternoon."
"He might discharge me then."
"He might but don't get your hopes up. I think he'll want to examine you and I know he's going to give you the interview he gave me this morning."
"What interview was that?"
"Do you forget about it? I told you I was going to see him this morning. Wheeler must have knocked you around worse than I thought. The doctor said you might have a mild concussion. Perhaps you have. Anyway, he wanted to know everything about you, right back to when you were a little kid. So when he's talking to you don't hold back any secrets ok? We need to give him as much information as possible if we want him to get you better."
"You keep saying I'm not well and I need help. Why? What's wrong with me? I don't feel sick."
"I couldn't explain it. I can only tell you what I've been told. You aren't sick like the flu or anything you have suffered a mental disorder. That's the best I can describe it." He could see the change of expression on Juliette's face. A combination of fear and denial.
"Avery, are you saying I'm crazy?" She was terrified. He realised he'd used a very poor choice of words and now he needed to recover the situation and quickly.
"No, of course you're not crazy. It's more like some sort of breakdown. Doc Edwards called it a Borderline Personality Disorder. It just means that something has triggered a change in your behaviour and it needs to be fixed. You're not crazy baby, unless you think you'd have to be crazy to pick me for your husband."
"I'd never think that."
"The thing is baby, you changed after Cadence was born. Up until then we were working on your music and your album together. Then all of a sudden you stopped working with me. You went and did that album on your own and it was nowhere near the quality of our work. It's dropped out of the top ten now, that's never happened to you before. Then you went and got involved with Fordham and Wheeler and what a disaster that was. You rejected everyone who cared about you in favour of those two jerks, Glenn, Rayna and Emily. But worst of all, you rejected Cadence and me, baby you hurt me very badly."
"I'm really sorry Avery. I don't know what I was thinking. You know I love you more than anything. I would never hurt you."
"That's what I'm saying. I know you wouldn't and that's the reason we think the doctor can help you. None of that is anything like normal you. I want to find my Juliette again."
Just then Doctor Walker arrived. "I'll leave you with doctor baby. There are a couple of things I need to do. I'll be back later this afternoon."
Avery spent the next two hours calling on every television station, newspaper, in fact every media outlet in Nashville. He left each one with the full details of Luke Wheeler's abuse of Juliette. Finally he called on Luke Wheeler's offices. Wheeler's office door was open. He didn't wait for an invitation Avery walked straight in.
"Wheeler," he said. "You cowardly low bastard. I don't need to tell you why I'm here. You hit my wife you miserable scum and now you'll pay for it."
Wheeler stood up. He backed around his desk keeping it between himself and Avery. "You touch me Barkley and I'll put the police on you."
"Yep, you're dead right there. I really wanted to beat the crap out of you, but then, I reckoned that would let you off too easy. I was going to go to the cops but I don't want Juliette remembering what you did through a court case. Nope, I don't want you to ever forget what you did so I set it up so you won't. I took the photos of what you did to Juliette, the doctor's reports, an eyewitness statement, X-rays and the hospital records and I gave them to every media outlet in Nashville. You're going to be the sensation of the night on the six o'clock news. Reporters will hound you for years; they just love to crucify men that hit women. You'll never sell another record. You could go back to your farm and talk to your horses but the press will get you there. Maybe another country? Canada perhaps? Maybe a bit close. How about outback Australia; that might suit you? Yep, you should be right there, only scorpions, lots of heat and the world's deadliest snakes for company, just your sort of friends. Enjoy what's left of your life shithead."
Avery returned to the hospital to find Juliette, fully dressed, sitting in the chair with her packed bag on the bed. "The doctor's discharged me. Take me home handsome."
The next morning Avery had an appointment with Doctor Walker. He asked Emily to keep Juliette company. "You need to see the doctor again? Is there still something wrong?" Juliette asked. Avery could see she hadn't come to grips with her current situation. He also wasn't totally convinced that despite what had happened with her career and Wheeler that she had completely abandoned her obsessive ideas. He hoped the doctor had some answers because he was beginning to feel out of his depth.
"Avery, take a seat," Doctor Walker sounded cheerful. He hoped this was a good omen. "Now, I've put together what I think is a very accurate diagnosis of your wife's condition. I know Doctor Edwards suggested she may have Borderline Personality Disorder but he admitted he needed to see your wife to be sure of that. In my opinion I don't think your wife has that particular disorder and for that we can be grateful. That condition is very serious and the treatment is very involved and also very lengthy. It can run into years and even then not be a complete success. Now I know your wife rejected your baby but I don't believe she has Post Partum Depression either, at least in the normal sense of the disorder. I believe you wife is suffering from a mild Neurotic disorder and I feel confident we can make a very significant impact on that in a very short time. Let me explain how I see the situation. Hopefully this will help you understand what's happened, why it's happened and the part you need to play in her recovery."
"Doc Edwards told me she was a very high risk of suicidal behaviour and that's been nerve wracking," Avery said.
"You can rest easy on that score. That's a very low probability now, virtually a non existent possibility," the Doctor said. That statement was an enormous relief to Avery. "To understand what's happened we need to look at your wife's history," the doctor continued. "She had a very traumatic childhood, mistreated and abused. She had no example to follow and no one to rely on or trust and importantly, no friends. This was the first seventeen or so years of her life. She felt no one cared for her so she became self reliant and consequently developed an attitude that she cared for no one except herself. In other words she developed a very selfish and indifferent attitude to everyone around her. Then she was discovered and began a lengthy and successful music career. In a very short space of time this was her total focus, almost her entire reason for living. Finally she had found something she was good at, something she could trust and it consumed her. However despite the success of her career, she still imagined a secret desire to find love, to be wanted but this was more a wish than an expectation. On occasions she tried to love another but each time she was cast aside and this only confirmed to her people could not be trusted. Her wish was becoming more and more unattainable. Then, right after she was blackmailed by someone close who she trusted she met you. She admitted to me that for some unknown reason you struck something in her. Maybe it's because you listened to her right when she needed to be heard, or, because you helped her, or, whatever it was, there was something about you. Then she lost her mother and you were there to help her. That was the start of something. She found herself wishing again. This set up a new direction in her life. You declared you were friends and she responded even though she had no idea what a friend really was. She was becoming close and you were beginning to feel the same. You of course were reserved because you thought she was out of your league, but you really cared. She had a period of very bad publicity and stress but you were there to help her through it. Then right at her lowest point she gave into one of her greatest fears. She trusted someone and told you she loved you. You responded and she was her happiest. But she was getting moved out of her comfort zone with her life experiences. Her insecurities returned, she imagined she could lose you she panicked, she made mistakes and she hurt you. That was actually the start of her neurotic disorder. The truth is a certain amount of those behaviours were beyond her control. However despite all the turmoil you still loved each other and were able to overcome this turmoil and you married. Even after this, signs of her neurosis were becoming more obvious. She started to write songs, some of which it seems were not very good. Then she would spend ridiculous hours in the studio even though she was very pregnant and it affected her performances. She's moving even further out of her comfort zone however she is trying to cope with this. Then she has the baby and the whole family scene, even your parents. Too much has happened too soon. This is right outside anything she is used to. She needs to get back into familiar territory, back to her career, the atmosphere she understood. However, she had a problem. She had all these people who were concerned about her well being urging her to take it easy. Taking it easy was the last thing she wanted. She had to get back to her career. She saw these concerned people as obstacles in her way. She saw Cadence the same way, it wasn't really Post Partum depression in the true sense, Cadence was just another obstacle. You were trying to pace her work level but she wanted this immediately. You were an obstacle as well. It's not that she didn't care for anyone, she did, but she was consumed with getting back to the world she knew. Too many new experiences happened too quickly. That's why she behaved as she did. Her situation now is she has these conflicting experiences rushing around in her head each one like a piece of a jigsaw. All we have to do is put them back together for her. That's very treatable, completely curable, and won't take much time. Can she come in this afternoon at four?"
Juliette surprised Avery. She didn't seem very keen to see the doctor. "Why does he want to see me? There's nothing wrong with me." Damn, she was back on this track again.
"But Baby," Avery was trying to manipulate her. "You asked me to help you and fix things. This is part of that."
"What I meant was I wanted you to help me with my career. Fordham and Wheeler were both useless. I need you to fix it for me. We both know you can do that. What you did with Sadie and Layla is proof enough. I need you with me on this."
"What about Cadence. Where's she supposed to fit into this?"
Juliette deliberately ducked the question and her avoiding it was so obvious to Avery she might as well have painted it on her forehead. 'Cadence was not in this. As doctor Walker said; to Juliette she was still an obstacle.'
"So," Avery said. "If I understand you correctly, basically you need me because I can fix your career. Is that it?"
"Don't make it sound like that. You know I love you."
"I'm sorry baby but you haven't convinced me. I just have this nagging feeling you want me for my abilities. I'm not so sure you, me and Cadence are a unit anymore." He wasn't going to be gentle about this. She needed to understand and she needed to see the doctor for that to happen. "You want me to fix things for you? Before anything can be fixed you need to help yourself. Seeing the doctor is the first step in the Juliette career fixing process. Can you go along with that?"
"Ok Avery. Whatever you think is best."
He saw Juliette into Doctor Walker's and promised to be back by the time she finished. He would use the time to check with Rayna and get an update on the latest at Highway65.
"Miss Barnes, Mrs Barkley or Juliette, how would you like to be addressed?" the doctor asked her.
"Juliette is fine. Can I ask why I'm here?"
"Sure, you've just been through some very bad experiences and your husband is worried about you. He thinks I can help. We're just going to have a talk, nothing more than that really."
"A talk? What about?"
"Mainly about you. It's no drama. But that man hurt you. I'm just going to go over what happened and I want to make sure you can put it behind you with no ill effects."
"I think my husband thinks I might be a bit unbalanced…you know mentally."
"I can absolutely assure you Juliette you're not in any way mentally unstable. I can also assure you your husband doesn't think that either. Now, shall we start?"
"Now, I know we covered this in the interview yesterday," the doctor continued, "but tell me again; what do remember of your childhood?"
"I can't remember very much about my father but what I can remember was wonderful. Then he was killed in an accident and everything turned terrible. My mother became a drug addict. Her boyfriends, well I lost my virginity when I was twelve and my mother's response was to put me on the pill. I hated everyone I was involved with. I was the outcast and bullied at school, the kid with the doped up mother. It was made even worse because I was so small and couldn't really defend myself. My home, all I can remember everything was filthy, vile. There are no words bad enough. I didn't have any sort of what I now think of as a childhood. I learnt to look after myself because in the end I was the only one who would."
"This lasted your entire childhood?"
"Yes, right up until I left the trailer park and went to Nashville."
"Can you tell me about that?"
"My only hobby I had as a child was singing. Country and Western, I loved Rayna James. I won a talent show and a man wanted me to go to Nashville. He was a music agent and manager. He did everything for me. Even arranged tuition and had me signed to Edgehill. My first single was a hit and I never really looked back. I had a clear focus, something I was good at and something I could devote myself to. It became my whole life."
"What about friends at this time?"
"The closest people to me were my employees. I tried to find friends, even someone to be close to but it never worked out."
"So, you're married now and have a daughter so eventually something must have worked out. Can you tell me what happened there?"
"I met Avery. He was completely different. He actually wanted to be my friend. When things went wrong for me he was always there. We hit a couple of rough patches but we love each other I am sure. I know I can rely on him. We got married and we have a daughter."
"Tell me about your daughter. You must be proud of her."
"I am but I don't think I can be the right sort of mother for her. I'm not sure what to do here. At the moment she's with Avery's parents. I really want the best for her but I can't take a baby with me when I'm out on the road touring. Especially now I will need Avery with me."
"You're going back on the road? How does Avery feel about that?"
"I've spoken to him about it so he knows how I feel. We haven't sorted out the fine details but that's the overall plan."
"You sound as if you intend pursuing your career exactly the same as in your early days."
"Of course, I have to do it. It's my career. It's what I do."
"Hmmm," Doctor Walker became pensive. "You don't analyse things very closely do you? You don't look too far ahead to see what the consequences of these actions might lead to?"
"What do you mean?"
"Tell me," Doctor Walker said. "What's the most important thing in your life? If you were forced to sacrifice everything and could only have one thing left. What would you choose?"
Juliette looked puzzled, confused. She hesitated; this question immediately raised her stress levels. In the end she offered no answer.
"You can't tell me? That says an enormous amount about you. You really don't know do you? You want your career but you need Avery for that to happen. Now you can't decide between your career or Avery. Tell me; what are you going to do if he refuses to put your career back together in favour of caring for his daughter?"
"He won't do that," Juliette was clearly uncomfortable. She was stumbling for words, fidgeting, uncomfortable in her chair. "He loves me. He knows how important it is to me."
"What about what's important to Avery? Is everything ok there so long as he submits to being your slave? You didn't have to marry him for that to happen; you only needed to make him another employee."
Juliette was in a clear dilemma. These questions had all hit her hard, left her in a quandary. She couldn't offer an answer of any substance. "It's not like that," was all she mumbled.
"Let's look at this from another perspective. "What do you intend to do when all this career business is over?"
"I don't understand."
"You're in the country music industry. It doesn't go on for ever. You only get a certain amount of time on the top and then it's over. You become just another singer who was famous once. You can still make albums but they never rise above obscurity. There are plenty of examples Dolly Parton, Faith Hill. Sure we still hear about them from time to time but basically their best days are well behind them. It'll happen to you. In fact I would think there's a good chance after that last album, losing your label and that disaster of a tour your career might be dead already. You may be unemployable. What will happen if that's the case?"
"Avery will fix it, he won't let that happen." She was crying. These realities she had never thought of and now she was distressed.
"Listen to what you're saying. 'Avery will fix it.' I'm going to ask you again. What's the most important thing in your life?
"Avery," she sniffled.
"Now you have it; Avery, and by extension, your daughter and Avery's parents. That's your reality, your family. That's all you can trust and rely on because they will always be with you. Your career is secondary, without Avery and your family you have nothing. However, you can still have a career, maybe you need to tamper your ambitions a little, find a better balance, but you can still have a career but you never sacrifice family for anything. Family is your future and if the truth is known, it's what you always dreamed and wanted. Now you have it don't make a mess of it. Concentrate on that, you know as well as I do, Avery can fix everything else. What do you think about that?"
"I think I may have hurt a lot of people who shouldn't have been hurt. I'm feeling ashamed."
"That is probably true but you are very lucky. I bought Sadie Stone's album and also Layla Grant's. I also went to that concert the other night at LP field. All of it, the albums, the show, all brilliant and all Avery's work. You have a very talented husband Juliette. Your future is very simple, just be guided by Avery and as you say…he will fix it."
"I can see what you mean. I never thought of it in that manner. You're right of course. I just need to trust Avery."
"That is where your future lies, Avery and your family. Work on family as well. Now, I'd like to see you again in three days. We'll do more work along these lines with other matters and reinforce what has been achieved. How do you feel about that?"
"I would like that doctor. Suddenly it's as if someone turned on the lights. I can see where I went wrong and now what I need to do. I can do this and I know things will be a lot better."
Avery was in the waiting room when they came out. "Avery," she said and right there kissed him deeply. "Thank you for everything."
Doctor Walker interrupted them, "Juliette, can I borrow you husband for a minute. I need to see him."
"Avery," the doctor said. "I would say today has been a success. Juliette has a radical change of attitude. There is still quite a bit to do but I would say everything is looking very positive. She still has hopes for a career resurrection but she will be guided by you. I would suggest you let her see things happening but take it at an easy pace. I'm not sure how you go about it but maybe a bit of joint song writing for a start should be ideal. You may also find she develops a positive attitude towards your daughter and your family. Cultivate this; it will be a huge benefit all around."
Back in the car heading home Avery was keen for an update. "Well, don't keep it a secret. What did you think?"
"He straightened me out. I didn't realise just how far offline I had gone. Look at the mess I caused. From now on I'm going to listen to you. I know I love and can trust you and you will always do what is best for me. It does feel a little strange handing my future to someone else but I know it's in the best of hands. Boy! Have I changed from the independent shrew I used to be. You really bring out my best side."
"Well now, I guess I'll have to give you your present."
"You bought me a present?"
"I didn't buy it as such. It's in this envelope. You'll understand when you open it.
Juliette opened the envelope. "Avery, oh my, what have you done? Is this what I think it is?"
"Well, if you're thinking it's a new Highway65 contract then yes it is."
"Can we take a detour past Highway65. I really want to thank Rayna for this in person."
"Sure but be warned once we get in there I'll probably be stuck there for a while. When I came in to pick up your contract Rayna tried to commandeer me."
"That's ok I find what you do really interesting. God, I love you so much," she said to Avery. "This is amazing; first day on the job and look how much brighter you have made my outlook. How could I ever have been so stupid to go with those other two?" Even Juliette had reached a point where she didn't want to hear their names.
Juliette thanked Rayna for the contract. Both women were clearly delighted at joining forces again.
"Avery," Rayna said. "I'm really pleased you came back. There are a few things I need to go over with you."
"I was afraid of that Rayna. I was hoping to put this off. I've just got my wife back you know. We have some things we want to go over together as well."
"I promise not to take too long, fifteen minutes. Can you give me that?" Avery agreed
"I just wanted to go over the schedule we have planned because all of it involves you. We actually need to give you an office and hire an assistant for you. It seems you have become flavour of the year. Everything that seems to happen here now for some unknown reason needs your input. I think you will need an official title as well. Leave that with me. Now, some tour dates need your approval seeing as you are the principal of the tour. We have Cincinnati on Saturday. They asked for an extension so we're booked there Sunday as well. Both shows are booked out. They were asking about a third but we had to refuse. The following Saturday we are back at LP Field, they wanted a follow up concert as well. The Saturday after that we're in Washington and then the next week we have three nights at Madison Square Garden in New York. After that we're taking a break, I have a feeling we're going to need it. Now, I need you to confirm all this because it won't work without you. I hope you're happy. This is all your damned fault. You and your hit albums, look what you've done. We're over run." Rayna gave him a huge smile and added, "Thank you."
Avery looked at Juliette. "Don't ask me, I only work here. You're the show business king," she said.
"Ok, we'll do it. That should be enough to keep us on our toes for a while. There is one thing however I'm not up with Rayna, what did you mean by that comment about an assistant for me? What's that all about?"
"It's just that everyone seems to need your guidance. I haven't told you the schedule we have planned for you. If you take this on you'll definitely need help."
"This is news," Avery said. "Better let me have it now so I'm on your wavelength."
"You know about an album for Gunner and Scarlett. You're needed to produce that. Then, I wasn't joking at the Bluebird, Deacon and I want you to produce an album for us. Now, to really put the pressure on my kids are driving me mad. It's time Maddie and Daphne made an album so that's the following project. They're both good enough and they should be a huge hit with the young market.
Avery interrupted. "You'd better add one more to that list. Juliette will also be releasing an album in the not too distant future."
That just makes this even more necessary. You're not only going to need an assistant, they're going to have to be a pretty switched on assistant as well; someone who understands a lot of what you do and understands tours as well because we can see tours coming out of all this. We actually spoke to Gunner about it but he wants to concentrate on his duo with Scarlett. However, we reckon it'll need to be someone like him."
Back in the car heading home Avery was very quite. Juliette could see he was deep in thought so she said nothing until after about ten minutes she couldn't tolerate the silence. "Ok, I can see the wheels turning from over here. Are you going to include me in this problem because I'm starting to feel a little left out?"
"When we get home we have a little planning to do. I'm just thinking we may need to make a few adjustments. Nothing like being organised so we're all using the same hymn book."
Avery got the wine and they settled back on the couch in their favourite position. Juliette was lying back against him, her right cheek against his left. He put his arms around her waist from behind but she took his hands and placed them over her left breast. "I just need to feel wanted," she smiled at him.
He craned his neck forward and gave her an awkward right angle kiss that barely made contact. "You have no idea just how much you're wanted. I want you more than anything else on the planet. You and Cadence, tied." he said returning to his original position.
"Now that we're cosy I know you want to talk but can I go first?"
"Sure, what is it?"
"Do you think if we sent the plane to Columbus your mom and dad might come down here for a few days and bring Cadence with them?"
"I'm sure they will but are you sure that's what you want?"
"The doctor sorted out my troubles and I know why I was avoiding Cadence. I want to see her now but I'm worried. She might not love me. I was so bad. I even threw things at her. I wish I hadn't got like that. I wish I hadn't done those things. I want to show her I love her and maybe she will love me."
"Baby, I can assure you she'll love you. We forgive those we love and I know she'll forgive you. You don't need to worry. I'll ring them right now."
Sandra and Carl would be in Nashville the next day. Juliette was excited at the prospect even though she was obviously nervous about it as well. "You'll be right," Avery assured her, "It'll be good, you'll see."
"There's more I want to say but it's your turn now. What do you want to throw out there?" Juliette asked.
"You've answered one with Cadence so I'll go onto my next subject. I've been giving your career a lot of thought."
This pulled Juliette up a little. "Yes, go on," she spoke each word very deliberately, drawing each one out very slowly.
"First thing I would like to start writing together starting tomorrow morning." Juliette's demeanour immediately picked up. A smile lit up her face.
"Hang on there. I'll warn you first, my idea here is a little radical but I really believe done correctly this could really pay off."
"You have my full attention. Let me have it."
"Well, first up I want to give that Wheeler, Fordham fiasco time to blow over. I want people to forget about it. While that is happening we can take it easy and write songs at our own pace. This will allow us to fulfil our other commitments as well."
"Yes?" She said this in the form of a question but she was at least listening.
"You remember how I said way back I wanted to promote you as the princess of country?" Juliette nodded a response. "Well I still want to do that but I want to go a step further with it."
"What do you mean?" she asked.
"I want to shift our focus. I want Juliette to be known for quality not quantity. I want to draw out releases of your albums but I want those albums to be superlative. Sure, we can throw the public a bone now and then with a single to keep your name out there but I want your albums to be anticipated, a little like a new Iphone. I want the public writing in to Highway65 demanding to know when your next album will be released. I want to turn you into the gourmet course of Country Music; the absolute top shelf artist. We can use you sparingly in any of these tours Highway65 will be setting up. A surprise, you know something to tease the fans. I reckon done right you could be a sensation for years. A Country Music legend"
Juliette sat up straight and turned towards him causing his hands to come off her breast. Her mouth was open she just stared at him in bewilderment and fascination. She only made one comment. "Put your hands back please."
She settled back to her original position. "My God, what have I got here? I may have done a lot of stupid things in my life but marrying you was not one of them. The day I did that was a stroke of absolute pure genius."
"Alright, it's my turn again genius. I have to get in on the ground floor of this," Juliette continued. Avery could see she was going to pull something out of left field. "I want you to ask Rayna something."
"Why am I apprehensive about this? The last time you asked Rayna for something you blew your stack."
"Not this time and if it doesn't work out or anyone thinks it's a bad idea that will still be alright."
"Ok, let's have it. What's the thing?"
"I want to apply to be your assistant."
"Pardon? You do?"
"I certainly do. I would love to be involved in that side of the business and if you're going to draw out my music releases I'd have time to do it as well."
"I'd be happy about that except I'm really hoping we get Cadence back with us and you become her mom."
"I'd say I'll be at that point inside a couple of hours tomorrow. I'm sure that would not be an insurmountable problem,"
"I suppose not." Avery was thinking again. "If I'm going to be as busy as it sounds with Highway65 I'll need to keep Emily doing that administrative stuff for me. You'll still need her as your assistant as well. Maybe she would agree to be daytime nanny as an additional job. We could ask her at any rate. Let's face it, plenty of couples with kids have to work. It's pretty normal. Cadence will still see plenty of us before and after the office. We could even utilise Emily when we are out on tour. She could look after Cadence while we're onstage. Do you reckon you could work with me though?"
"I'm sure I could. I'd learn from you as well. The whole idea excites me. So, how about it? Will you talk to Rayna?"
"Alright I can do that. Will tomorrow be ok?"
"It's my turn now." Avery hadn't finished. "I think you should get Glenn back. His input here will be invaluable. What do you think?"
"I agree. I'll speak to him tomorrow. Is that fair enough?"
"Yep that just about covers it all for me."
"That's me as well. Now I need you to show me exactly how much you really want me."
"That is going to be a real pleasure…for both of us."
They spent most of the morning writing. They were so good at it. They had fallen back into old habits as if all the events that clouded there lives never existed. The jokes, the little jibes, the affectionate digs. Everything was exactly as is had always been. On their way to the airport they called at Highway65. Glenn was there and welcomed the invitation to join them. Hugs and handshakes all around. Avery got his title. A sign writer was painting it onto the door of the office next to Rayna's in gold leaf when they arrived. 'Vice President Production. Avery Barkley.'
"That's too flash," Juliette remarked. "I don't suppose you'll talk to me now."
"Of course I will. I have to you're my assistant. Say, I'll bet that's your workstation in the outer office. I think that's pretty cool in itself. Perhaps we'll have to think up an impressive title for you as well."
"I haven't been offered the job yet."
"You will be. No doubt about it. They wanted Gunner. With your experience you have forgotten more than he will ever know. It would be impossible to find someone better."
They chatted to Rayna. There was not even a second's hesitation about employing Juliette. "What do you think Avery? Is a Vice Presidency good enough for you? I couldn't think of anything more impressive. Shares come with it as well. Legals will have the paperwork ready in a couple of days."
They met Carl, Sandra and Cadence at exactly midday. Juliette amazed Avery. Immediately they cleared the terminal Juliette wanted to nurse Cadence. Back at the car Avery had to remind her it was unsafe to nurse a baby in a car and Cadence would need to ride in the travel crib. Juliette took up station right next to the crib. The results of Doctor Walkers treatment was having immediate effects on Juliette. The doctor said improvement would not take long but with this Avery was astounded. 'Be thankful' he thought, 'It's working out.'
Back at the house Juliette would not put Cadence down. She insisted on feeding her and she wouldn't release the child to anyone. She continually laughed and tickled the baby and played all those usual baby games. "Avery," she would say excitedly, "She smiled at me. Look she's smiling."
"Baby, you need to put her in her crib. She needs sleep."
"It's understandable," Sandra said. "This is a classic mother making up for lost time."
"Come on baby, let's put her to bed. You can have all the nurses you want when she wakes up." Reluctantly Juliette settled the baby admitting her need for sleep.
"Avery, I really believe everything will be good from now on. I know I haven't finished with the doctor but I just have a really positive feeling about the future."
"I feel the same baby. I'm going to ring everyone and see if they'll come round tonight for a little welcome Juliette back get together."
"Everyone?"
"Yes everyone. Rayna and Deacon, Bucky, Glenn, Emily, Sadie, Gunner, Scarlett and Layla. The whole group; the Juliette club. What do you reckon?"
Avery was in charge of the Barbeque and Carl was the drink waiter. Everyone was hugging Juliette and sharing tears and congratulations. To Avery's surprise even Layla and Juliette responded to her very sincerely. If a script had been written that's exactly as it played out. Juliette had come home. He could see she knew that and so did everyone else.
Just then Avery had the most eerie sensation. He felt a hand on his shoulder but when he turned there was no one within fifteen feet of him, yet he could still feel the hand. What really confounded his situation was hearing a whispered voice. "No more tears. No more tears." It didn't say a lot but he knew what it meant. Avery was not religious or superstitious but this gave him pause. He looked at the sky and whispered, "Thank you."
Author's note: Owing to the turmoil and upset amongst fans concerning Juliette and Avery at the end of the finale I have attempted to put forward a scenario to resolve their situation. I have also attempted to explain and solve Juliette's behaviour without turning her into a monster. I hope there is someone out there who finds this approach enjoyable and entertaining. I have tried to base this on my own factual experiences concerning depressive and neurotic disorders in close relations. I apologise for any medical inaccuracies.
All the best,
YY