The next morning, Julia sat on the stone bench that was facing the woods. She could hear the soft, gentle running water from the large pool fountain that was next to her. She was writing down her thoughts in an empty book that she had found. She was finding it hard to believe that her the life she had known before, was slowly returning again.
Except this time would be different. She had no family, other than Rodney. She was about to marry a guy, who seemed like a great prince…but unsure of whether he would be the best husband. She had new friends, and an adopted son. "There you are…" came the voice of Rodney. Julia turned her head and looked over at her sister. "Yea…I'm here…" she said, smiling slightly.
"Not fully…" Rodney said, looking concerned. "Will you all stop acting like there is always something wrong with me?" Julia asked, rolling her eyes. "I'm not acting like something is wrong. I know something is wrong…" Rodney stated. Julia turned to look at her sister, and her watery blue eyes were full of concern. Julia smiled. "Don't give me that look….I know that look…" she said, turning back to her book.
Rodney leaned over slightly. "I am having confused feelings about this wedding, still wondering if it's the right choice….." Julia trailed. Julia paused and looked at her sister again. "Yea…nothing is wrong…" she said, rolling her eyes. "I feel like it is too soon. I mean, we just got back not too long ago. Why does the wedding have to happen so soon?" Julia asked, looking at the ground.
"It doesn't have to. You have a say for when it happens too. It shouldn't be just Paxton's choice…" Rodney pointed out. "I guess. But…I guess its best to get it over with now…" Julia said, with a sigh. "Would you just make up your mind? Do you want this wedding to happen or not?" Rodney asked, sounding impatient. Julia stared at the fountain. "Because honestly…they both kind of creep me out…" Rodney continued.
"Yea…for mom…." Julia said, seeming out of it. Footsteps were heard, and Rodney turned to see Cain with Glitch, Azkadellia and Aiden in her arms. "Hey guys…" she said to the group, but smiling at Glitch. Julia looked down at her book and began writing again. Cain raised an eyebrow and looked at Rodney. "What's wrong with her?" he asked.
Julia beat Rodney to the reply. "You know, I'm right here. You could ask me if something is wrong…." She said, not looking up. Cain exchanged an odd look with Rodney, before walking behind the bench and standing on Julia's other side. Glitch stood next to Rodney. "How you feeling this morning?" he asked. Rodney smiled up at him. "Pretty good. How are you?" she asked. Glitch shrugged. "Can't complain. Paxton wouldn't stop asking me these questions about you…" Glitch said, looking slightly upset.
"Why?" Rodney asked. "Well, it was mostly about…how I felt about you…" Glitch said, blushing slightly. Rodney raised an eyebrow curiously. "Oh?" she asked. Glitch nodded. "I told him that…you are very precious to me, and that I'd die protecting you if need be…" he said. Rodney smiled. "Glitch…that's so sweet…" she said. Glitch shrugged. "Cheesy…really…" he said.
Rodney shook her head. "It's not cheesy at all. It's cute…" she said, smiling. She turned to Azkadellia. "Aiden…are you making Azkadellia carry you around all day?" she asked. Azkadellia shrugged, and fixed her hold on Aiden. "It's no problem. He's a great kid…" she said, smiling at him. "Yea. I love Azzie…" he said, throwing his arms around her neck and pressing his cheek against hers.
"Honey, Azkadellia needs a break once in awhile…" Rodney said. Aiden sighed. "Can I get down, Azzie?" he asked. "Sure," she replied, lowering him to the ground. Rodney smiled as Aiden walked over to her. She lifted him onto her lap. "What are we doing today?" he asked. "I'm not sure yet Aiden…" Rodney replied.
Cain bent down slightly. "You writing in your little diary? Writing about your dream garden with all the ponies and rainbows?" he teased. Julia continued writing, and did not look up from her book. She lifted her one hand, and pushed Cain in the center of his chest. "Get away from me…jerk…" she growled. Cain stumbled back, as he fell backwards into the fountain. At the sound of the splash, Julia looked up.
She saw Cain stand up, his eyes angry. He plopped his wet hat back on his head. She tried to hide the smile as he trudged out of the fountain. "Ouch…" Glitch said. Rodney raised an eyebrow. "Nice one, sis…" she said. Cain stood directly infront of Julia, his knees touching hers. She looked up at him from her spot on the bench. She gave him an innocent smile. "Hi…" she said.
Cain continued to stare hard at her. Julia looked over at her sister, looking worried. Rodney looked up at Cain, who nodded towards Julia. Rodney smiled, and leaned over and took Julia's book and pen from her hand. "Rodney what are you doing?" she asked. Rodney closed the book. "Wouldn't want the pages to get soggy…" she stated, smiling slightly.
Julia looked confused. "Soggy?" she repeated. Rodney nodded. Julia looked up at Cain, who was smiling maliciously. "Oh no. Cain, don't you dare…" Julia said, in a warning tone. Cain bent over, and threw Julia over his shoulder. "Oh my God! Cain, are you kidding? Not in this dress, not in this dress!" Julia protested, struggling against Cain's hold.
She gave Rodney a helpless look. Rodney gave her a smile and a small wave. "Rodney! I'm so going to kill you when I….no Cain, don't do it!" Julia cried out. Cain stepped at the base of the fountain, before grabbing Julia on her hips, and throwing her in. Julia screamed slightly, before hitting the water. Cain smiled triumphantly, before turning back to the group. "Good hang time…" Rodney stated, impressed.
Julia resurfaced, gasping. She shot Cain a glare. "You…are so dead…" she said. She turned to Rodney. "Rodney, need a hug?" she asked, climbing out. "I'm good…" Rodney said, holding up her hands. "I insist…" Julia said, throwing her arms around her sister. "Ah! You're wet!" Rodney squealed. "That's the point…" Julia said, dragging Rodney towards the fountain.
Rodney began to kick her legs in protest. "Julia, I swear to God. If you take one more step towards that fountain…" Rodney warned. Julia wrapped her arms around Rodney's waist. She leaned backwards and both her and Rodney fell into the fountain. Aiden giggled, as he ran towards the fountain. Glitch followed him. "Here, Rodney…let me help you out of there…" he said, holding out his hand. Rodney smiled gratefully. She took Glitch's hand.
She started to stand up, but smiled. She pulled on Glitch's arm, and he fell in. Cain smiled, and began to laugh. Julia flipped the wet hair off of her face. "Oh Azkadellia…" Julia sang, with a mysterious smile. Azkadellia backed away slightly. "I'm good thanks…" she said, holding up her hands. Julia tilted her head. "Oh come on, Az…." She said, still smiling. "Ok….I'll get in myself…" Azkadellia said, her eyes watching Julia cautiously. She walked backwards towards the fountain, her eyes on Julia the whole time.
The back of her knees touched the base of the fountain. Julia watched as Rodney stood up, and seized Azkadellia around her waist, before pulling her in. Julia pointed and laughed. Aiden looked around. "Mr. Zipper, can you throw me in?" he asked. Glitch smiled at him. "Sure…" he said, climbing out. Rodney climbed out as well. "You want to swing in?" she asked him. Aiden nodded, excited.
Glitch hooked his hands under Aiden's arms, while Rodney grabbed his ankles. They began to swing him. "One…two…three!" the said. They tossed him softly, and he landed with a small splash. Rodney and Glitch looked at each other. The grabbed each other at the same time, trying to get the other one in. Glitch smiled, and leaned slightly to the right. He and Rodney both tumbled in.
Julia stood there and smiled at them. She loved how Rodney, Glitch and Aiden were like a small family. She watched them splash each other playfully. Maybe Rodney had fallen in love again after all. Julia's thoughts were interrupted as she felt someone slam into her side, and she fell into the fountain again. She surfaced, and saw Cain's face close to hers.
"Nice…tackle…" she said, coughing up some water. She noticed he wasn't wearing his hat anymore, and turned to see it on the bench, next to her diary. "Are you okay?" he asked, sounding concerned. "I'll be fine, but I know how you can make it up to me…" Julia said, smiling. "How?" Cain asked. Julia pushed down on Cain's head, dunking him. "All better…" she said, scurrying away.
She made her way towards Rodney, grinning. Rodney turned to face her. "No, you stay away…" she said. Julia gave her a playful look. "Aw, come on. I just want to talk to you…" she said, coming closer. "Yea, right. I know that look and you're my sister…you don't just want to talk…" Rodney said, moving so she was behind Glitch. Before Julia could make her move, she felt arms fasten around her waist and lift her up, before throwing her to the left.
Glitch smiled. "Nice one, Cain…" he said. Cain shrugged. "Payback is fun…" he said. He turned to see Julia moving swiftly towards him. They locked arms. "You turn to get wet…" Julia said. "No way. I've gone under enough…" Cain replied. "That last one was uncalled for…" she said, trying to turn. Rodney and Glitch looked at each other. Rodney dove and tackled Julia, while Glitch tackled Cain.
Aiden pointed and tug on Azkadellia's dress. "Look, they silly…" he said. Azkadellia nodded. "Yes, they are. I'm just going to stay over here…" she said, folding her arms and shivering slightly. Julia and Rodney began to wrestle, while Cain and Glitch wrestled. "Cain, I think we are losing!" Julia called over. "Since when are we on teams?" Cain asked, trying to fight off Glitch.
Rodney heard footsteps approach, and she turned to see Paxton with two maids. He raised his eyebrows questionably. "Are you all having fun?" he asked. Aiden nodded. "Yea!" he exclaimed. Paxton looked down at Aiden. "So I see…" he stated. He turned to look over at Julia and Rodney, who stood up. "Its not often that you see a princess, let alone…two of them splashing around in a fountain. With two other men. It may give others ideas…." Paxton said bluntly.
Julia looked over at her friends, before climbing out. "It was just a way to cool off…" she said, with a shrug. "Of course, dear one. Besides…you're way out of their leagues anyway…" Paxton said, before shooting a look over at the group. Although everyone could pretty much tell it was directed at Cain. Cain bit his lip, and folded his arms.
"Not even going to say it…" he muttered to Glitch and Rodney. Paxton turned to Julia. "Well, my love…we should get you changed…" he said, putting a hand on her shoulder. "Um, I'm capable of getting myself changed…thanks…" she said. She walked over towards the bench and moved Cain's hat to the side and picked up her diary.