HI guys! Its me, back with a long and thrilling instalment for everyone! Ummm i had a great trip and i start school soon and my social calender is packed between tryouts and lessons and meetings and mixers and summer homework...yeesh but Ill still write when I can but PLZ dont be mad when I cant. I always try!

I really hope you like this and i want to say how amazed i am at all the great feedback this story is getting! It makes me feel amazeeee!

I have so many great friends here, and you guys are the reason I still write and you're all great and talented and ily ily ily ily ily .

This for you! Plz feel free to tell me what you think! Love you all!

Juliet woke up feeling different on Saturday. Today was the actual day. She had looked upon this day as the promised land in a way. The days leading up to today had been a flurry of wedding plans, that Juliet didn't care about. In fact, only she and Nanette knew that she was being fitted for a dress she would never wear, or tasting cake she would never cut, choosing guests she'd never greet,reciting the vows she'd never say or choosing flowers for a bouquet she would never throw. Technically Nanette was to be her maid of honor, and she was to marry in the church her mother was married in. It all looked very crystal clear except for a very distant bride with a very big secret and a plot. The only thing she'd found slightly beneficial to her future was the lingerie Nanette gave her as a gift.

Yes, things had been very tiring for Juliet.

She honestly didn't know what to think. Technically it was her wedding day, but in her mind, it was the day her life changed forever in a different way. Her stomach was jumpy and she clutched her pillow tighter.

I can't believe I'm actually leaving! I can't believe this is actually happening.

Slowly, she sat up in her bed. Juliet couldn't believe this was the last day she'd wake up in this bed, in this room, just like this. Suddenly, she felt very sad. Memories from her girlhood came rushing back to her. She remembered being a little girl, and thinking her house was the biggest mansion in the world. She remembered playing in all the ballrooms and big rooms all by herself. She remembered climbing into her father's lap in his study, and she remembered all the happy holidays and sunny outings when her mother was alive. She remembered being young and not having any cares and the truth was, she'd spent her whole life in the house, and she was now leaving probably forever. Slowly, she walked around the room that had been her bedroom since childhood. It calmed her down a little. She was able to see Gnomeo in her thoughts and the sadness felt lighter now. She felt better now and sighed heavily. She didn't have time to further reflect, because Nanette opened the door quietly, and slipped in. Juliet looked up,

"Good Morning, Nanette." She said.

Nanette came over and sat next to Juliet on the fainting couch. "Hi, Honey."

Juliet looked away, feeling the sadness coming back.

"How are you?" Nanette asked quietly, laying her hand on Juliet's shoulder.

"I'm fine." Juliet replied, looking down at her lap.

There was a pause and the air felt heavy. "You ready?" Nanette asked, her voice still soft and caring.

"I think so." Juliet replied finally. "I just can't believe that this is happening."

Nanette nodded and brushed Juliet's hair off her forehead like she had when Juliet was a little girl. "You're going to do fine, Julie."

Juliet felt her resolve crumbling slightly. "Am I doing the right thing? Leaving with him?"

Nanette thought for a second, "What does your heart tell you? Listen to your heart and you'll know."

"But how will I know what it's saying?"

"You will. I promise."

Nanette stood up, "I'm going to let you alone for a little bit, but I'll be back alright?"

"Okay." Juliet responded.

She lay her head down on the table and her mind was filled with memories of the wonderful times she'd spent with Gnomeo. Each one warmed her heart a little more until she was able to stand up, ready to greet the day.

Packing was an odd process for Juliet. She stood there in a simple lavender dress, wondering which of her possessions she should pack. She knew there wasn't room for much. She opened the closet and looked around. She carefully selected the most practical yet pretty dresses and skirts she had. She thought fleetingly of some of her prettiest ball gowns. She knew she didn't always care for that sort of thing, but she was sad that it was impossible to bring them anyway. Oh well, she thought. At least they could be replaced. Then Juliet realized she needed underclothes as well. What about her nightclothes? Or a winter coat? Was it cold in London? If she brought a coat, she would need mittens and leggings and boots,

Calm Down Juliet, She scolded herself. They would be travelling on a boat for about a week. She needed to pack for a little over a week. She could get things like a coat or whatever when she got to London. She needed the essentials right now. Finally,she settled on clothes. She packed her hairbrush, toothbrush, hairpins, and soap and an extra pair of shoes. Essentials.

Then she thought of having a house with Gnomeo. They would need china and plates and furniture and towels and sheets and shook her head, because they would have to buy all that in London. Smartly, she opened her mostly empty underwear drawer and dug around through the things she wasn't taking until her hands clasped a small envelope. She sank to the floor and opened the envelope and counted the bills one at a time. All over all, she had about ten thousand dollars in the envelope. She pressed it to her chest, glad to have it.

"Put it in your shoe." Nanette offered, as she walked into the room.

Juliet nodded.

"How's the packing coming?" Nanette asked.

Juliet shrugged, "Fine. I didn't realize how much we'll have to buy to make a different house feel like home."

Nanette patted her head understandingly. "It's going to be hard, but you'll do it." Juliet smiled to herself.

"Want to see my bag? I think I packed everything I should." She offered Nanette.

"Alright, sure" Nanette walked over and opened it, and went through the things gently. "I think you packed nicely, Juliet."

"Yeah." Juliet agreed.

"Wait! I have something to give you!" Nanette realized, running into a different room.

"Don't go anywhere!" She called, her voice muffled.

"I won't!" Juliet called back, smiling.

Nanette reentered the room holding a small parcel. "Here, open it now."

Juliet took it gently and undid the ribbon. The wrapping felt soft, and she realized it was a silky robe!

"Oh it's a robe! Thanks Nanette!" She exclaimed. Nanette beamed, "Now open the rest of it."

Juliet did, and inside she found a small vial of perfume, rouge, lipstick, and a small velvet bag filled with dried flowers.

"I know, I know, you don't care for girly things, but you're a wife now and trust me-" She did not finish because Juliet was up in a flash and hugging her best friend tightly.

"Oh thank you, Nanette! Thank you thank you thank you! It's the loveliest present ever! I love every piece of it! You're the bestest friend ever, and I promise when we get settled in, I'll send you money and you can come live with us, you know Gnomeo likes you plenty! Thank you Nanette!"

Nanette smiled and patted Juliets back. "There, there it's not worth getting excited about, I'm happy you like it."

"I am." Juliet confirmed. "But, why dried flowers?"

"You put them in your suitcase and they make all your things smell good." Nanette explained.

Juliet's eye lit up, "I love it!"

"Good." Nanette said. "Are you bringing your jewelry?"

Juliet nodded. "I don't feel safe putting it in my suitcase though."

Nanette sighed, "Put it in your shirt, like the money."

Juliet frowned, "You know it won't fit, plus what if he-" She fell into a fit of giggles.

"What? What if he what?" Nanette persisted.

But Juliet was laughing too hard to answer.

Nanette rolled her eyes, good naturedly of course. "Whatever. Here, give it to me and I'll sew the jewelry into the lining of the jacket you're wearing."

"Be quick Nanette!" Juliet warned her.

Nanette nodded and began to sew furiously.

Juliet added the last few things to her bag. There was the one photograph of her mother that her father hadn't stored away locked in a trunk in their attic somewhere. There was Gnomeo's letters, of course. Her mother's locket, her favorite book, some writing paper, and her papers she needed to get into the country. Her heart was pounding, but she was ready.

As she looked at her small suitcase, she thought of everything she was leaving behind. Juliet knew, much of it was good, but she also knew she was leaving the sadness, unfairness, and imprisonment behind. She was leaving for Gnomeo, the one thing in her life, that was everything she needed. She would've followed him to the ends of the earth if she had to. She would have given up every jewel, every gown, every nice thing, for him. Whether or not they had nothing, she would have him and that was everything. \

"Nanette, is the wedding dress ready?" She asked.

Nanette gave a quick thumbs up. To make sure that Juliet's getaway made sense, they had maimed the dress a little bit, and it was on its way to be thrown in the river. That way, no one would suspect anything near what was really happening. She looked at the clock, 12:45. Her heart was pounding. She took a deep breath, and picked up her suitcase. Nanette helped her into the coat.

"Remember to write, as soon as you get there." Nanette mumbled.

Juliet nodded, feverntly. "I will, I promise."

The friends embraced one last time and Nanette walked ahead.

The coast is clear, she mouthed.

Juliet took one last look around, trying to take mental pictures of everything. She turned around, facing the door.

"Goodbye" She whispered, mostly to herself.

Gnomeo paced the mostly quiet house. His mother was resting, because she was planning to attend the Redbrick wedding, which he knew wasn't really going to happen. Sowden was out at a meeting. Leaving had never been easier, and he was going to.

He tried to sort out in his mind, what had broken his family apart. In a way, he wished that leaving could be a little harder than it was. He felt heartless, but there was no sentimentality anywhere, not for the house he grew up in, with its jewels and gardens. He felt nothing for his cousin, who was too overcome with hate now. Gnomeo wanted to feel more for his mother, the woman who had tried to raise him and run a business through her grief, but in the process given him a hate, that hadn't really filled the emptiness they both felt, so strongly.

"Ready boy?" He asked Shroom, who was resting his head on the suitcase.

Shroom barked in approval.

"Yeah me too." Gnomeo agreed. He let his thoughts wander to his father. Proud, strong, and the only role model he'd ever had. What would he say now? It didn't matter. Gnomeo felt a surge of anger. His father wasn't here, and he hadn't been for years, he had left them, even if he hadn't meant to, and left them in a terrible state. Gnomeo didn't care what his father would have said. It was time to go, but first he had to say goodbye to his mother.

Slowly, he went up the stairs, passing the portraits of relatives past, all staring at him from their chairs.

"Mum?" He asked, tapping on her door gently.

Lady Bluebury was sitting at her desk. not resting. "Come in, dear. Gnomeo is that you?"

Gnomeo slipped into his mothers study. "Yeah, it's me."

She looked at him, over her reading classes, "What's getting you, dear?"

"Oh, nothing." Gnomeo replied, picking lint off his sweater. "Mum, if you had one chance to give me lifelong advice, what would you say?"

She looked up from her writings. "What sort of question is that?" She said, almost smiling.

Gnomeo shrugged. "I was just wondering, you know if you had any."

Lady Bluebury looked extremely thoughtful for a moment. "Hmmm" She murmured. "I suppose I would say, to not lose sight of what's important. Love is a wonderful thing, Gnomeo and it can give you many wonderful things, and some day when you find it, don't forget to tell them, how much you love them, a lot." She paused, "There's a lot of distractions in life, so just don't forget about the ones you really love."

Gnomeo wondered if that was regret in her voice. Could his mother take her own advice?

"Thanks, Mum." Gnomeo replied softly.

Lady Bluebury smiled politely, and shrugged her shoulders. "Is that all?"

Gnomeo nodded, his throat tight. "Goodbye Mum." He muttered, kissing her cheek lightly.

"Ooh-goodbye Gnomeo." She replied, taken aback. She reached out her hand to caress her son, but he was already gone.

The moment Juliet saw the carriage, she pushed the scarf, covering her face almost completely, up a little farther. She grabbed her suitcase, and walked quickly to the carriage, her steps like her heartbeat.

Her eyes met Gnomeo's, and she knew that everything would be alright. She swung herself up into the carriage.

"Hey." She said, breathlessly.

"Hey yourself." He replied, smiling.

"Ready?" She asked him, grinning in return.

"I don't know, are you?" Gnomeo smirked, and Juliet felt his charm over-power her.

"Yes." She told him, certainly.

" Me too." He smiled, and the carriage picked up speed, going farther away from the Redbrick and Bluebury mansions.

"You want to look back?" He asked, his eyes concerned.

"No." Juliet replied. "That's all in the past now, don't you think?"

He leaned over and kissed her cheek, his voice husky. "Yeah"

They got to the dock, where the ship was anchored. They handed their tickets and papers and passports to the accountant and he let them board without a second glance. They carried their bags, to the first class cabins, and found their room, without too much trouble. The ship was bustling with activity. Since they had money, they were in the first class area, that had fine dining and decks and nice rooms and classy sorts of people, but from their tiny balcony they could see the second class and steerage passengers, hurrying in every direction. They could see the sailors messing with the ropes and sails and they could see the hired boys carrying all kinds of luggage.

A cheer went up, and the two saw the boat was leaving the harbor. People were waving and throwing their caps and women waved handkerchiefs. Juliet rested against Gnomeo happily. His arms were strong and made her feel safe and warm, though the sea spray and wind were chilly. His lips touched her neck gently, and she sighed happily, her hands on top of his.

"What do we do now." She whispered, smiling ruefully.

"We could go back to the cabin." His voice was soft and low in her ear.

"And what would we do there?" She smirked slightly, turning so she was facing him,her arms around his neck.

He didn't answer, just picked her up bride style, his boyish smile mirroring hers. Juliet giggled and kissed his nose. He set her down at their door and he hardly had it open, before the passion couldn't wait anymore.

While the bride confirmed her love with her true husband, back in the city of New York. The Redbrick wedding was underway. Nanette, dressed in her red bridesmaid dress, had been able to keep the charade that Juliet had actually made it to the church and was ready in her wedding dress and waiting to walk down the aisle. Nanette loved Paris, so today should have been a hard day for her, but thanks to Juliet's clever planning, everything was going fine.

"Nanette!" Lord Redbrick called,

"Yes sir," She replied, walking over to him. "Can I help you?"

"Is Juliet ready?" He asked.

Nanette knew that this was a crucial part. She had to hone all her acting skills.

"I don't know sir, I left her to be alone at her request, but I will go check on her, if you would like."

He nodded, "Please do."

She lifted her skirts and walked up the carpeted stairs to the brides room of the church. She opened the door, of course it was empty, but with all the potions and bags in there, you would think it wasn't. The window was forced open and the bouquet was scattered in the street. Everything was ready. She turned quickly and ran down the steps.

"SHE'S GONE!" Nanette shrieked dramatically.

"What?" Lord Redbrick exclaimed, his brow furrowing deeply.

"Juliet is gone! And by the look of things, she's been kidnapped!" Nanette colllasped into tears.

"WHAT?" Lord Redbrick bellowed. He ran up the stairs, two at a time and banged open the door. When he was greeted by the sight, he gasped, and the men that had followed him did too. Downstairs, the wedding was proceeding foward, unaware of the situation. It was almost time for the bridal march, and the organ swelled, and the congregation rose, all peering to see the beautiful bride, and in a pulse of music, the doors opened revealing nothing.

The crowd in the cathedral gasped, and whispers flurried behind fans and programs. Suddenly Nanette came staggering out, her dress torn, revealing her leg.

"She's gone! Juliet Redbrick has dissapeared!" She cried, mustering more hysteria in each statement. A few ladies fainted, and the men jumped up. Voices flew up and around.

"Where's she gone?"

"Is there blood?"

"We need to organize a search party!"

"It's so horrible, the poor dears!" That was Lady Bluebury from her seat in the back of church.

"QUIET!" The priest bellowed from the pulpit. The congregation fell silent and gazed at him.

"There is a crisis on our hands." He began, "Yet, that does not give us the right to panic and forget our good sense!"

"She must have been kidnapped! She was here an hour ago!" Nanette explained, before collasping into fake tears and screaming.

The priest looked at the people, and Lord Redbrick who stood in the back, looking horrified. "We need the women to please help Lord Redbrick, Paris and Nanette home to rest. Bring them food and stay with them. Keep vigil in actions, thoughts, and prayers goes for all of you." He gestured to the guests.

"We need our bravest and most able men to search the city. Tybalt, will you please lead the brigade?"

Tybalt glowered and nodded grimly. "Take all the horses and weapons you need, to find this innocent girl. Stop at no means because a life is in our hands, gentlemen. God Bless Us"

He then departed into the sacristy and the people started up again.

The "innocent girl" in question was anything but innocent. She had defied everything to be with this man and here she was, not regretting any of it. She'd fallen asleep in his arms, their bodies entwined amongst the sheets. After they'd woken up, they had decieded to get dressed for dinner. When they stepped outside, they learned that the ship had docked a little ways off from where they'd departed to pick up more passengers. If you were watching, you would have seen Gnomeo's eyes flash and Juliet look to the side, her mouth twitching. It was silent fear between them, they make it this far and something would go wrong.

Sowden had by this point, heard the whole thing. Lady Bluebury had come home filled with the entire thing. Juliet Redbrick, had been mysteriously kidnapped before her wedding, and no one had any leads on who would have done name Juliet Redbrick ceratinly rang a bell in his mind. He remembered as the woman who Gnomeo had been infatuated with, secretly. He wondered where Gnomeo and his pesky dog had gone anyway. He hadn't seen traces of them, anywhere. Just then, there was a knock on the door.

Sowden slowly walked to the parlour and found Rosalie standing there, draped in indigo.

"Rosalie, what a pleasant suprise." He drawled, not bothering with formalities. He and Rosalie suited and understood each other.

"You heard what happened at the wedding?" She asked, sitting down across from him.

Sowden rolled his eyes, already annoyed by the story. "Of course. They kidnapped the Rebrick girl, didn't they?"

Rosalie sighed, unhappy with his lack of interest on the subject. "They don't know who did it!" She dropped her voice an octave, "Gnomeo must be worried sick!" Her eyes pretended to be pitying.

"Actually, I haven't seen Gnomeo since this happened, but I'm sure he's upset." Sowden shrugged.

"I didn't see him, and I've been all over the town." She exclaimed, her eyes wide for effect.

Sowden smiled lazily, "Such a gossip, Rosalie. Makes you look poor." He said just to upset her a little.

She scowled, "Sowden, you need to check that boy's room."

Sowden looked up at her, "What? Why?"
Rosalie lowered her voice to a monotone, "What makes you think he isn't involved in this?"

Sowden began to exclaim, but then stopped himself thinking, "Perhaps you're right, Rosalie. Follow me." They got up and went up the large stairs and down the winding blue hallways, to Gnomeo's bedroom. Sowden jiggled the brass handle, and it was locked.

"Damn, why does he do this?" He muttered, getting a needle from his pocket and picking the lock.

The door opened with a creak and they stepped inside. The room smelled like Gnomeo and it was very clean. The bed was made and there were no clothes on the floor. They stepped in quietly, looking around.

"Check the drawers and closets." Rosalie demanded. He did, and sure enough he found them mostly empty. The closet was the same way. Actually, the whole room seemed a little bare, like the important things had been stripped from it.

"Sowden, if I didn't know any better, I would say he's on a trip." Rosalie said.

Sowden tried to piece the evidence together, wondering if really Gnomeo could have a hand with something involving this.

Suddenly he stepped on a crinkled piece of paper. It was receipt.

"What is it?" She asked, trotting over.

"A receipt." Sowden replied, studying it. "But it's blurred, so we can't tell what he bought."

"Ah." Rosalie said, "But the date isn't."

He held the paper very close to his face, and saw the numbers.

"It's from yesterday! Sowden what do think he bought?!" Rosalie exclaimed.

Sowden shook his head, "I don't know, but there is a way to find out."

He sped out of the room, leaving the door wide open. Rosalie followed quickly behind, lifting her skirts to try to keep up.

"Where are we going?" She panted.

"My office" He replied, over his shoulder as they were pattering down the stairs and across the grand hall. "I have full control of the accounts, so I can see every purchase in the ledger."

They went in, and Sowden flipped through big heavy books, quickly. Rosalie leaned from foot to foot impatiently.

"Aha! I found it!" Sowden proclaimed,

"Well, what does it say?" Rosalie nearly shrieked.

"It says…" He started then stopped. "Oh damnnit , it's in French"

"You don't read French?" Rosalie confirmed.

"Never saw the need." Sowden shot back, testily.

"Until now." She scoffed.

Sowden scowled, "What's he hiding from me?"

Rosalie came over to Sowden's side. "I may seem poor, but I read French." She told him. "Here, let me see."

He handed her the ledger, and she read, "Deux billets de première classe à londres"

"Which means?" Sowden asked,

"Two first class tickets to London."

"What the hell?"

Rosalie wasn't done., "Sur le paquebot étoile de mer, which translates into 'on the ocean liner, Sea Star."

Sowden felt it all click. Gnomeo and Juliet had to be the ones on that ocean liner, probably running away with the family fortune! Sure enough, many of the account numbers were gone, and Sowden knew that the room had been searched.

"Are you thinking what I am thinking?" Rosalie whispered.

"He's with the Redbrick girl!" Sowden snarled. "And he wrote this in French because he knows I don't read it!"

"For real?" She gasped.

Sowden shook his head, "It has to be. If he was planning to leave officially, I would have known." He turned to Rosalie, "Weren't you supposed to stop them from being together?"

She looked away, "I thought I did. I guess I was wrong."

Sowden got up suddenly, throwing his chair against the wall, scattering papers everywhere. "I'm stopping this, this cannot go on."

Rosalie stepped back, her voice nervous. "What are you going to do? They're gone!"

"I was in the navy when I was younger." He growled, his face turning more evil in the dimming light, as evening was falling fast. "I know my way around the shipyard. I will not rest until find the ship, find them, get my money, and eradicate this problem for once and for all."

"Can I help?"

He slid into his trench coat. "No. This is not women's work. But you will be rewarded for this."

"Don't leave me here to worry!" She pleaded with him, clutching his arm. "Remember the night we spent together? I can't bear to let you do this alone!"

"I'd rather not!" He spat, yanking his arm away. "And I will not permit it!"

He left in a run, and Rosalie tried to follow him, but it was no use, as she watched him mount a silver horse and gallop away.

Her stomach was awry with nerves. She was sure someone was going to be killed tonight.

Gnomeo and Juliet sat at a table for two, right by a window. Right now, all they could see were other ships, but when they left they would have a majestic view of the ocean. They had just sat down, when they noticed an odd chaos and buzz going around. Suddenly gunshots rang out. Juliet gasped and Gnomeo jumped up.

"What's going on?" The room broke out into a panic, people screaming.

Suddenly a sailor ran in and stood on a chair, and cupped his hands around his mouth.

"There's an imposter on the ship!" He screamed. "He's alone and he shot the captain and he's going to hold us hostage, there's something he wants!" Panic mounted, and people tried to run

"Believe me!" He yelled. "I saw it all!"

"Juliet! We have to get out of here!" Gnomeo said firmly, and she grabbed his hand.

"To our cabin?" She yelled, as they were swallowed into the mob.

"Off the ship." He stated. "Follow me!" They veered left and down a hall, till they came to an observation deck. They peered over the edge and saw that nearby, lifeboats were being lowered down.

"Juliet." Gnomeo explained, "We have to get to those lifeboats."

"We could climb down and then maybe they'd see us and send us one." Juliet suggested.

"It's our only hope." Gnomeo confirmed. "The man is armed and we can't risk going back there."

Juliet nodded and climbed on the railing, trying not to quake too much. She lowered herself so she was completely holding on to the helm of the ship by the rungs on the side. Gnomeo followed and slowly they inched along. It was agonizing, and each time her hands nearly slipped off the slippery rungs, she felt she was going to die. Her arms were shaking from exertion and it took all her concentration not to lose her balance and fall.

"Help!" Gnomeo bellowed. "We need a boat!"

A sailor looked up and nodded. In a few long minutes a wooden lifeboat was sailing their way. When it got close enough, they would jump.

"On my count." Juliet panted,

"Yeah, okay." He agreed.

"One. Two." She took a deep breath,

"THREE!" She shrieked feeling weightless. Together, they landed on the boat, nearly tipping it over. Juliet screamed, but they were both unharmed. Shaken up, but not hurt.

"Row, row, row" She yelled. Gnomeo grabbed the oars and started rowing.

"We are not going to die today." He told her ruefully.

They began to row, in the direction of the lights on shore. Suddenly Juliet gasped,

"Gnomeo look! Is that-"

A man stood on the top balcony, illuminated by the foglight. His grim ratlike figure was impossible to not notice for Gnomeo.

"Sowden." Gnomeo said, shocked and angry. "And I'll bet he wanted us."

"We have to get to shore!" Juliet exclaimed.

They did not see who was waiting for them there.

Well i hope you all liked it! see you soon! xoxooxoxoxoxoxox-lorelibelle54