Julia had no idea how to become care for a child. Thank Hyne her own mother had been kind enough to teach her the basics of child rearing prior to her labor.

As if remembering the first time she gave birth, her mother's eyes softened with the memories. "Giving birth is the most painful experience a woman can endure. But it is also the most wonderful experience for us."

"How so?"

Julia was puzzled and her mother laughed. "When you hold my grandchild, you will understand."

The moment Julia saw her tiny daughter and the moment she held Rinoa Heartilly Caraway in her arms, she had finally understood what her own mother had meant.

Her life was no longer the same.

She was no longer Julia, the singer-songwriter who had changed the landscape of Deling's Music industry. She was now Julia, the wife of Fury Caraway and the mother of their only child. The realization that she was responsible for the life of this tiny angel dawned to her.

Rinoa had turned red from crying and Julia knew her daughter wasn't hungry. Caraway approached her and took their baby daughter."Let me see what's the problem."

Julia was still weak from childbirth and couldn't stand for a long time. Caraway didn't want anyone else taking care of their own baby. He wanted to be involved with every aspect of their daughter's life. Surprised, Julia couldn't still get over the idea that Fury was a doting and hands-on father.

Giving her a bath. Feeding her.

Even changing her diapers.

Fury had carefully laid their daughter on the table and swiftly removed the dirty diaper. He cleaned the baby's perineum with a wet cloth and successfully strapped a new diaper. The diaper even had a cute Chocobo design. Rinoa had calmed down after wearing fresh diapers.

Julia smirked. He's a natural at changing diapers.

Fury didn't stop there. He stood up and carried the baby in his arms and sang a lullaby. It wasn't the best lullaby. It wasn't soothing. It was off-key. Caraway knew it. The infant Rinoa knew it also as well. She didn't hide her displeasure and gave a loud wail.

"Waaaaaaaah!"

"Give Rinoa to me, Fury." she urged him.

He handed Rinoa to her. "My voice isn't as soothing as yours."

They both laughed and she softly hummed a lullaby. She lovingly looked at her child. At three months, Rinoa's eyes changed from her a light brown to a deep russet shade. Julia could see Caramel streaks across the girl's dark locks. Her infant's features were so like hers that she couldn't help but feel a sense of pride.

She had made this adorable creature… with Fury. No, but rather, she and her husband had facilitated the birth of this tiny creature.

She stole a glance at her husband, who was clearly besotted with their own child, when she had a startling realization.

Would I deprive my child of a happy family because I couldn't let go of him?

The answer slammed to her with such force and clarity. No. Never.

Julia Caraway decided she would no longer let the ghosts of her past haunt her.

Julia had physically recovered, but her milk, however, had already dried up. This deeply saddened her, and Fury tried to console her. "We'll hire a wet nurse for her ."

"But I wanted to breastfeed her." She told him. "It's good for babies."

"You have to accept that yours dried up."He put a hand on her shoulder. "I know how much you want to be involved with parenting, but you know what? Parenting isn't all about breastfeeding."

"I could prepare her milk. Change her diapers."

"You see? Motherhood isn't all about breastfeeding. When one door closes, you have to find another one, and make the best of it."

She smiled and gently embraced him. The act surprised Fury and she knew it."Thank you."

Julia decided to work out and managed to return to her pre-pregnancy body.

One thing had not changed.

"Stretchmarks." She caressed the white lines that ran across her abdomen. She knew she had no reason to be sad. It was a normal thing. Yet she couldn't lie. Her feelings didn't lie.

In response, Caraway stood up and removed his clothes, except for his underwear. She shrieked, still unused to seeing her husband naked. He stood beside her, facing the mirror.

"Battle scars." He uttered. "Military school was tough. But I earned them. For a soldier, these are badges of honor. Each scar has a story to tell. And your stretchmarks… they're your own battle scars too."

Then and there, she admired him. Julia begun to notice appreciate his body for the first time. It was dark when they had made love for that July night. She would leave him when it was time change clothes.

The first time they had made love, it was dark. Whenever they were alone, she would leave him to change clothes. Come to think of it, she had never taken the time to observe and be with him. Despite their friendship, she discovered how little she knew of him.

"Scars look fabulous on men." She reasoned. "Women go crazy over them. Makes men more masculine. "Stretchmarks are a different case."

He guffawed and she glared at him. "What's funny?"

"I never thought my own wife would find my scars 'fabulous'." He wiped the tears from his eyes. "Are you crazy about them too?"

She blushed. "I did not say that I'm crazy about your scars!"

"but you're a woman."

"I'm not that kind of woman."

"Oh really" he drawled.

She could't stop the flush and he laughed. He found it sexy that his wife appreciated the flaws in his physique. He walked and stood beside her. Fury embraced her from behind and his fingers traced the white lines that was the crux of her issue.

"Your stretchmarks wouldn't make me love you any less."He kissed her hair. "I love you, even with your stretchmarks. Even when we're old. Even if you've lost the youthful glamour. I love you, Julia and I would love you until the end of my dying breath."

She wasn't ready. She moved away from him. "Thank you for encouraging me to… appreciate myself even more."

He understood why she couldn't reciprocate his feelings. It was alright. Even if it hurt.

In the privacy of their bedroom, Fury and Julia slept on different beds. It had been their arrangement during their marriage. It had been their arrangement after Rinoa's birth. Julia slept on the queen-sized bed, while Caraway preferred the softness of the couch.

Julia sat on her bed and brushed her hair, as she covertly observed her husband. Caraway was engrossed with magazine. How strange. The cover is ripped. She dismissed such thoughts and chose to focus on her husband instead. They were married for one year and five months. They slept in separate beds for one year and five months. He was lonely for one year and five months. Julia knew, that she was also lonely for the past one year and five months.

It was time.

She stopped brushing her hair and broke the deafening silence that plagued their nights.

"I love you."

He almost tore the magazine apart. "What did you say?"

She walked to him- to his soft and lonely couch. He was still sitting down. His eyes, confused. Julia placed her palm on his cheek , caressed it and whispered once more. "I love you, Fury. I love for the man you are. I love you for supporting me. I love you for everything you've done for me. I'm sorry that I allowed my pride not to open my heart and learn to love you."

"Am I dreaming?" he asked. Not wanting to believe that this was reality. He could hardly believe the words coming our from her mouth. She couldn't blame him.

"You aren't," and for the first time, she willingly kissed him. Of her own volition. Of her own affection. Of her own choice. "I want to make love to you, husband. I've denied you your rights for such a long time."

Fury groaned and kissed her back. "Oh how I waited for you Julia. How long I waited for you!"

Entangled in their kisses, Caraway removed her night gown and his clothes. They made way to her queen-sized-bed and slept there for the first time. Fury made the most passionate and tender love he could. As he entered her, Julia gasped, for she had forgotten how felt it good.

How he felt good. How she felt good with him.

When she felt the first starburst of her climax, she was lost. She heard his own cries of ecstasy and felt his heavy weight on her.

"Did I hurt you?" he asked.

She smiled at him, running her hands through his short cropped hair, admiring the features of his face.

"No, Fury. It was wonderful."

And they kissed, finally finding the sliver of happiness that had long eluded them.

AUTHOR'S NOTE:

Okay. This chapter was hard to write.

How do I write Julia admit that he loves Fury?

How?

Just how?

Thank God I found Steven Pressfield. He gave me an idea how to pace my stories.

This chapter is its application. It has.. well... the last scene tells it. I wonder if I need to change the rating for this story.

I have 2 more chapters left, and an epilogue.

Stay tuned for the next chapter!