Title: It Was Always You

Summary: Michael & Jules have always been best friends. When she reveals her true feelings on his wedding day to Kimmy, he feels blindsided. However, when he reflects on their friendship, he realizes she always put him first. Who will be chosen in the end?

Chapter 6

(Michael knew that he had a big decision to make. He had been pacing back and forth for the last couple of hours in his hotel room. Just when he thought he came to a decision, other thoughts popped into his mind that had him second guessing that choice. He honestly wished that he knew what to do. He loves Kimmy. He has been with her for as long as he could remember. Whenever he saw her, her piercing blue eyes lit up the room. She had a smile that brightened his day when he was down in the dumps. Finally, she never judged him. Well, until yesterday, that is)

(On the day of his wedding to Kimmy, Jules blindsided him with a confession. Without asking him how he felt on the subject, Kimmy made assumptions. In his defense, he didn't know what to think. He didn't have time, though. Kimmy assumed Michael had no feelings whatsoever for Jules. He didn't have time to process it before the clan bombarded him with questions. He couldn't even hear himself think when that happened)

(Michael sighs deeply and briefly closes his eyes while rubbing his face. Then there was Jules. He honestly thought that he knew her. What she felt on things, her secrets, and her inner demons. What he didn't know...was what's inside her heart. He could almost kick himself for that. Yes, they haven't exactly spoken regularly sometimes during the years. But, they each had their own life. If one ever needed the other, they would be there in a heartbeat. They could tell what the other was thinking. Well, until now)

(It surprised him, actually, that he didn't know inside her heart. In a way, he felt she was keeping that from him. Why? He didn't know. So many thoughts were rushing through his mind. It was almost too much to process. He sat on a chair at the table that was in front of his bed. He leans forward and rests his elbows on the edge of the black rounded table. He then rests his forehead in the palm of his hands)

Michael: "What the fuck am I going to do? How hard can it be do decide who I want to be with? You love Kimmy. Then again, you also have feelings for Jules. In many ways, it's hard not to feel something for your best friend." (sighs) "The only problem is, do you care enough about her to love her?"

(Michael groans as he raises his forehead from his palm. He had never been so frustrated in all of his life. His thoughts are interrupted by a knock at the door. He is confused as he wasn't expecting anyone. He rolls his eyes as he was wondering if it was Kimmy or a member of her family coming to lecture him more. He is caught off-guard when he opens the door to see Walter standing before him)

Michael: "H-Hi. I, uh..."

Walter: "I take it you're surprised to see me?"

Michael: (nods) "That's one way of putting it. Are you here to give me grief, too?"

Walter: (shakes his head) "No." (smiles nicely) "I'm here to give you what I know you need most need right now...a sounding board. Someone you can tell your frustrations to and your feelings to?"

Michael: (chuckles dryly) "Are you sure you want that job, Walter? You might not like what you hear."

Walter: (chuckles) "Consider me a friend. Michael, I know you mean well. Yes, I'm Kimmy's father. I love her and want to protect her. I guess, in a way, I'm doing that by helping you out. I want my daughter to be happy. No offense, but she won't be happy if you pick her because you feel you should."

Michael: "I see your point. I would never want to hurt Kimmy in any way, either. I just feel like no matter who I choose, someone will get hurt."

(Michael allows Walter inside and they sit at the table. Michael sits on the left with Walter on the right. Walter can see how confused his possible son-in-law is. He tilts his head and sighs sympathetically)

Walter: "Talk to me, Michael."

Michael: "Walter, I don't want to speak negatively against Kimmy."

Walter: (shakes his head) "Neither do I. But I also know you need to get it out. No one is perfect, Michael. As much as I love my daughter, she has her faults."

(Walter gives Michael a friendly pat on the hand and encourages him to continue)

Michael: "I love Kimmy. There are many things about her that I'm crazy about. Others, not so much. For example, I love her sense of humor and the fact that she can laugh at herself when she accidentally embarrasses herself. I've never been real fond of people who take themselves too seriously where they can't have fun. There are many times, though, when she gets too serious and can't take a joke. Jules knows how to take a joke. She laughs at herself to blend in. Kimmy sometimes looks upset if someone unintentionally hurts her feelings. Obviously, I don't think it's funny if that happens. But, sometimes she takes things too seriously."

Walter: "And Jules doesn't."

Michael: "No, she doesn't. I've always admired how Jules can laugh at herself if she messes up or if she needs to be serious when the time came. Jules knows how to blend in with a crowd. Kimmy gets shy and nervous and feels she won't do good unless someone cheers her on."

Walter: (sighs) "I have noticed that, too. As much as I love my daughter, she can be her own worst enemy. She sometimes second guesses herself when doing something. Mandy or Samantha will encourage her. She'll tell herself that she can do something. But in the end, it backfires on her. She doesn't take too kindly to that. As much as I try talking to Mandy and Samantha about it, they keep encouraging Kimmy to do things that are unnecessary."

Michael: (puzzled) "What do you mean?"

Walter: "Kimmy has it in her mind that she can get you back, because of Mandy and Samantha. I love my nieces, but they have a habit of doing that. I

tried to step in, but you know how far a person can get."

Michael: (chuckles dryly) "Unfortunately, I do. I gotta be honest, Walter. I'm not crazy about being in your family because of them. For the most part, I love them like family. However, when they share their opinions, all bets are off."

Walter: (sighs deeply) "I'm sad to say I agree. I hate to speak ill of them, but I'm not crazy with their actions on the subject of you and Kimmy. They're making it sound like Kimmy deserves you and that you'll pick her in the end. While I would love for you to choose Kimmy in the end, I don't want you to out of obligation. Michael, I want you to choose my daughter because she's in your heart. Because she's who you truly love. If, in the end, you find you want Kimmy, that's great."

Michael: (raises his eyebrows) "And if I choose Jules?"

Walter: "I will support you. Kimmy will be hurt for awhile, but she will find someone. You need to do what's right for you."

(Walter chuckles a bit before speaking)

Walter: "I probably sound like I'm speaking against my daughter with this. Would I love having you as a son-in-law? Yes. But I will understand if you choose Jules. I know I should probably be persuading you to choose Kimmy. I know Isabelle, Mandy, and Samantha would be. But you need to do what is in your heart."

(Michael looks away and stifles a chuckle)

Michael: "Yeah, that choice will be so easy."

Walter: "Trust your heart, Michael. You'll make the right one."

Michael: (smiles appreciatively) "Thank you, Walter."

Walter: (smiles) "You're welcome."

(Meanwhile, Jules is pacing back and forth in her hotel room. George is sitting at the foot of the bed with his hands over his thighs. He sighs deeply in helplessness as he follows his friends' movements with his eyes)

George: "Jules, darling, you do know that pacing back and forth isn't going to help, right? You've been doing this for the last half hour."

(Jules stops when she's in front of George with her hands to her sides in frustration)

Jules: "Do you have a better idea? George, Michael is in the process of deciding who he wants to be with. What if it's the little girl he chooses?"

George: "Then you will need to respect that. Jules, you said your peace. You told him how you feel. Was it at the worst of times when the truth came out? Probably. I know you love him, Jules. In the end, if he doesn't choose you, can you settle for being just his friend?"

Jules: "Like I will have a choice. Ugh! Why didn't I tell him sooner? Maybe than he would've chosen me for sure."

(Jules rolls her eyes in defeat)

Jules: "Then again..."

George: "That's right. You don't know for sure. Whether you would've told him sooner or now, I honestly don't know if it would have made a difference."

(Jules sits down next to George in a saddened state. After facing George, she speaks)

Jules: "I honestly don't know if I could handle being just his friend if he chooses her. It would be so weird being around him being he knows how I feel towards him. Plus, it'd be hard." (sighs deeply) "I mean, would I really be able to do that?"

(George sighs in sorrow as he felt bad for her. He didn't have any major problems with Kimmy, only that she was a bit eccentric. He also knew Jules truly loved Michael. While it wasn't the best situation, he hoped for Jules' sake that Michael chose her. If Michael didn't, Jules would be completely heartbroken. George couldn't help but wonder if Kimmy would brag about being chosen to Jules. If that happened, George had every intention of setting Kimmy straight)

George: "He didn't choose Kimmy yet. I also don't wanna give you false hope, my dear. I just hope Michael will follow his heart and not what everyone feels he should do."

Chapter 6 Done