What Matters Most

Post 2x17. A look of what happened years ahead of when the show ended. Julia and Michael take the kids on a trip, in hopes of getting Artie's mind off the fact Monica is getting married again, until their plans don't go as they thought. Sorry about sucky summary, story is better!

A/N: no one is going to read this anyways because I know the show is been over for a while and a lot of stuff has happened in between but I blame Netflix for putting Smash on one of my frustrated endings list and I so love Michael and Julia, and come on how can you not fall in love with Will Chase? Fight it, I dare you.

I own nothing!

Part III

Fall

Her favorite part of the day was morning. The moment when she could take a second and appreciate all that us good in her life. Her job, she was a successful lyricist. Tony's under her belt. That more than most could say. She turned around to watch Michael sleep. He was on his belly, covers tangled on his naked upper body. His messy hair was her favorite part of him, and those eyes, those blue eyes of his that could read her soul.

"What are you looking at?" He asked groggily.

"Just how gorgeous my husband is" She smiled softly kissing him.

"Is he now?" He gave her a wide smile, a wide heartfelt smile which she loved, pulling her close to his body she put her head on his chest.

"Yep." They stayed like this for a moment. There's silence which is unusual in a home with two small kids. But Julia was thankful for it while they knew that it wouldn't last long. Just as on cue, the baby monitor went off. There were a few cries and then they heard steps coming from the other side. "Shh..." a small voice said. "Don't cry Jack, mommy and daddy are sleeping..." Julia and Michael chuckled quietly as they gushed over the adorableness of their child, but as much as they'd love to stay in bed all day, Michael had rehearsal for the new Jekyll and Hyde show Derek was setting up and Julia promised to take the kids to the park for a little while to meet with their daddy at rehearsal later that day.

"I thought I heard someone crying in here." Michael peeked his head inside the nursery just as Gracie turned around with a sigh, one that made him think of Julia instantly.

"Yeah buddy, don't worry, I promise I'll see you soon, okay?"

"When?" Artie gave out a loud sigh on the phone. "Mom's calling me for dinner, I've got to go..."

"Okay bud, be good, I'll see you pretty soon, promise...

"Okay, bye dad.." Too much of a response for a ten year old.

"Hey Artie?" He heard Michael say with content in his voice. "I love you buddy."

"Me too dad." Artie smiled widely. "Me too."

Julia came into the room as soon as her husband laid down the phone. She knew he'd been talking to Artie, it was the only moment of the day which could bring so much joy and sadness for Michael. To say her step son's attempt to let tell his mother about him moving back to New York with them had been a bust, nevertheless, Julia prayed it wouldn't always be like that, because if it was, she hated to see Michael's heart broken every time.

Julia had come in to work with Tom early on a Wednesday dropping Jack off at the daycare down the street of the studio. Her Jekyll and mini me had yet to make an appearance as Michael had promised Gracie a little daddy - daughter time before rehearsals. If it would be up to Gracie though, she'd be inside that building with her mom and dad every single moment of the day.

"So, what's up?" Tom asked as Julia gave out a loud sigh. She hadn't been sleeping well, even though production was right on schedule.

"Nothing." She insisted with a smile as she took off her jacket. "Jack's teething so it's been sleepless nights for a week now."

"Ah, the joys of motherhood huh?" Tom smirked. "Is it going to get any better?"

"He's still has two more months or so to go, which is how long we have for previews, so no, I don't think it will." Tom took her hand. "What?"

"There's something else..."

"Monica has Michael on strings about Artie coming for Christmas, which makes absolutely no sense, unless you have no heart or you are a Grinch."

"Or both" Tom added. "She's still not over the whole moving back with dad debacle?" Her best friend asked. Julia waved her head. "I'm sorry honey, I mean it shouldn't be like this, should it?"

"No, the kid has nothing to be blamed for and Monica is punishing him too, I just don't get it, I'd never do that to Leo..."

Tom was about to speak when Michael and Gracie arrived. Her demeanor changed instantly, Michael loved Tom, years later, the two men respected each other as much as they could and were friends, but her husband wouldn't be too happy if she knew she let out more of what she should to her best friend about domestic disputes, Not that Michael was completely ignorant of those two and their relationship.

"What's with the faces?" Michael asked with a smile.

"What faces? No one is making faces." Julia retorted. She did make a face to her five year old, who to her delight laughed and let the tension dissipate, at least for the time being.

"Alright everyone, this isn't a rest easy place, shall we get to work please?" Derek had once again paired up with Tom and Julia for this one, while Ivy had a running show on Broadway at the moment, she was taking it easy as she was pregnant with the couple's second child, who Michael prayed would be girl because Julia and Ivy had already made it their mission for Gracie and Oliver to be a couple from birth, not that he had anything against a 6 year old boy.

Gracie gave her mother and father a quick hug and went on to sit with Oliver, who had decided to tag along as well, the two of them fascinated with everything about theatre were Derek and Michael's toughest critics.

And for that little while, Julia allowed herself to be immersed in her work instead of the worries that clouded her mind.

A little short and I hope it didn't suck, I'm hoping to explore Gracie and Oliver's relationship further but this might be coming to an end soon! Please share your thoughts. Oh how I miss Smash