The next chapter is up! Enjoy :)
Julie woke up the next morning to sunlight peeking in through the thin opening in the curtains on the window across the bedroom.
She can feel the weight of an arm still around her back and the steady rise and fall of Galen's chest beneath her head and part of her upper body. His heartbeat strong and steady beneath her ear. Then felt as he lightly ran the pad of a couple of his fingers over the top of her hand as he held it where it rested on his chest a few inches from her face.
"Morning." Julie says.
"Good morning, how'd you sleep?" He asked her, as they continued laying there.
"Slept great, how about you?" She asks.
"Probably the best night's sleep I had in a long while now." Galen replied.
After their special moments on the dock last night, they went inside as it got late. As they went upstairs to go to bed, Galen told Julie that she can start staying with him in his room. Seeing as they now were together, there really wasn't a reason to sleep in separate rooms anymore.
So, Julie ran in and changed into her tank top and shorts, before returning to Galen across the hall in his room. Then they got into bed and laid down together. They kissed each other goodnight. A kiss that lasted for several seconds and was pretty heated, before they pulled away and laid down to sleep.
Last night seemed all so surreal to the pair. Neither of them really counted on revealing their true feelings for one another. Mainly for the fact they were afraid the other would not feel the same way or reciprocate the same feelings. Seeing as they were two different species altogether.
But it was made pretty clear last night that it no longer mattered that she was a human and he an ape. What they felt was strong and real. Nothing about it felt wrong at all. Not to them.
Galen also felt a weight lifted off of his back when Julie told him she chose to stay with him rather than go to this hidden human settlement. Something that made him feel very elated because now, he doesn't have to worry about sending her away and never seeing her again.
"In a way, I can tell you slept well. You have a very distinctive and funny snore." Julie teased, as she lifted her head up and looked up at Galen with a teasing grin.
The chimp looked down at her with an arched eye ridge.
"I do not snore. Stop making things up." He stated.
"How would you know if you snore or not, when you're asleep?" She joked.
"I don't snore. Something tells me if I did, the house wouldn't be standing. This is how I know. If anything, my father was the snorer in the family. It was so loud; I don't know how mother dealt with it for all those years. See the crack over there in the corner of the ceiling, I'm pretty sure it was made due to his snoring, from the harsh vibrations of the snores." He joked while pointing to the back left ceiling corner of the bedroom.
Out of curiosity, Julie shifted her gaze that way and looked. Surprisingly and funnily enough there was a decent size crack there in the upper corner. Then she shifted her gaze back to the chimp lying beneath her.
"How do I know that crack wasn't really made by you though? Because honestly, I'm not entirely sure I believe you when you say your dad did it." Julie teased.
Galen rolled his eyes, "It was there before I even took over this bedroom as my own, trust me. Besides, at least I don't find myself in funny positions when I sleep. One of these nights I went to check on you. It was not long after you got here and were still recovering from your injuries.
I peeked into your room one night and saw your upper half hanging off the side of the bed with your head practically touching the ground, your mouth was open and your tongue hanging out. Was tempted to go in and see if you were in fact still alive but then I heard a small funny sound come out of your mouth before you closed it in your sleep."
"That sounds like straight up bullshit if I ever heard it. No way would I be sleeping comfortably like that with half of me hanging over the side. Now, who's making shit up?" Julie pointed out.
Galen sighs, "Are these the kind of conversations I'm going to be waking up to for the rest of our lives?" He ends with a small smirk.
She smirks back, "If I don't nag you to death first."
"Oh joy, can't wait for that to start. Just be sure to hold off on any nagging for the first ten years. Then when you're ready to start doing so, save it for the evenings and not first thing in the morning." He joked.
Julie laughed a little at his joke. Something put a soft smile on his face as he reached up to tuck a long lock of hair over her shoulder. and out of her face.
"I can't make any promises, but I'll try." She says with laughter in her voice.
She can hardly remember the last time she felt this happy. Even in her own time, her life was quite dull and lonely, before she came here and met Galen.
When her laughter died down, they were silent for a few moments, as they gazed at one another.
"Beautiful." He says, barely above a whisper, as he caresses her cheek.
"If you say so, Handsome." She says, as she smiles down at him.
"I know so." He replied as he tilted his head up and captured her lips in a kiss.
Julie gladly returned the kiss.
She reached up and cupped his cheek as she prodded his lips with her tongue, seeking entrance. As soon as he opened his mouth a little, her tongue delved in to caress his.
This form of kissing was different than how apes kiss. It felt like there was more emotion poured into it and made the connection between them stronger. Perhaps utilizing your tongue in a kiss was something humans do when sharing a kiss. Either way, he really liked it.
It made his heart pound in his chest and made him feel a little lightheaded.
A sigh left her during the kiss, while a grunt left him as he gently rolled them to where he was now laying on top of her. A small, muffled moan left Julie as his tongue battled for dominance over hers and the kiss deepened and became more heated.
Then as soon as it started, several seconds later, they were pulling back for air. But even then, he lightly pressed his forehead to hers and they kept their gaze on one another as they caught their breath.
"I love you." Julie says, between breaths.
"And I love you." Galen replied.
They stayed there a little longer, just relaxing, and enjoying the close contact.
Then he saw her smile gradually fade and she suddenly seemed a little worried about something.
"What's wrong?" He asks.
She closes her eyes briefly as a small sigh leaves her, before meeting his gaze once more.
"It's just, we also have to be realistic here. Even though it's pretty safe out here, you must know there is still a chance at being caught and found out. And when and if that happens, we need to think of what we can do. Though only one idea comes to mind, if we ever are found out." Julie says.
"I know, despite the security of being out here quite far from the city is still no guarantee for safety. And I have thought about what we should do if the situation were to arise. Though I do know we have at least one good option going for us. What was your idea though?" He inquired.
"Well, the only thing I can think of...is us going to the human settlement when and if we're found out. It's the only safe place that comes to mind where we would have a chance. I'm not saying leave now. Only leave if we know we have been found out." She stated.
Galen gave her a small nod, "Yes, that was the option that came to mind for me too. If it does come down to that, Barlow may have to take us or show us the way. Because he is the only one who knows how to get there. It's quite far from here too. Believe he said it takes a week of riding to get there. Which is a far travel. But in a way that's good. The farther we are from Ape City and most of the other ape settlements, the safer we'll be."
"While that's great to know, there are two things that concern and worry me about this too. Like if they will accept you at this settlement with me and there is the fact that you would be very far away from your brother and his family, and you won't know when you may see them again." Julie told him.
He was silent for a moment before answering.
"I know. But I feel with any plan of escape, there will always be drawbacks. Though as far as wondering if I'll be accepted there, this is something we could inquire with Barlow. He informed me that he did have a few friends there. If that is the case, I doubt they would be up in arms with all apes they come across. We'll just talk it over with him next time we see him. And as for my brother...I'm aware it would be hard being that far from him. But...our safety comes first. And it maybe the only chance we have." Galen says.
"You know, you will have to tell Cornelius and Zira about us and soon. If we are to be together, we can't keep it a secret from them forever. Plus, I'm sure they would eventually find out regardless. Better to let them know then them find out and shocking them." She said.
"Yes, and that is a conversation I'm dreading on having with him. I know he maybe angry at first and probably think me crazy. But I still like to believe he will come to accept it and us." He replied.
"I just hope he can learn to accept it. Last thing I ever want to do, is drive a wedge between you and your family. Especially, when they're the only family you have." She admits.
He lightly brushes a hand over the side of her head.
"You won't be. This is my choice. I'm the one that chooses who he wants to be with. And I choose you. They will either accept it or they won't. Either way, it won't change anything between us." Galen says.
"Just promise me you'll let him know next time you see him. We can even tell him together if you want." She offered.
"I will. Next time he comes here, we'll tell him and Zira." He promised.
"Will also have to eventually tell Barlow too." She added.
A small smirk appears on his face.
"I have a feeling he already knows and has possibly known before we even did. He has thrown hints to me indicating he knew something was up between us. Something more than friendship. He also appeared to be understanding of it." He told her.
"Really? When has he told you this?" She asks.
"I believe he has been hinting at it since our time at the beach last week. He also brought it up again, right before I left the party." Galen said.
"Guess much doesn't really get past him, does it?" Julie implied.
"Nope, he's always been very observant and astute that way. Ever since I could remember." He replied.
They only laid there a couple more minutes until he asked her if she was ready to get up and have breakfast.
Julie told him she was, so, they got out of bed and made it. Then she crossed the hall to change into a fresh pair of clothes for the day while he changed in his room. At some point, she may as well move her things into his room if they are to continue sharing space and a bed.
The pair then headed downstairs together and made a b-line to the kitchen and started making breakfast.
They were all smiles as they brought out what they wanted to eat from the pantry and were chatting about what they will do today. If Galen isn't working today and it's going to be hot, she would like to maybe go swimming or spend time with him on the dock reading or writing.
Or maybe they can even go out to the waterfall a little further back on his property in the woods.
Since she came here, Julie has found the waterfall to be one of her favorite spots to visit. It was such a beautiful view, and it was relaxing. It also served as a nice change of scenery as well.
After they finished eating and cleaning up, the pair retreated to the living room and sat on the couch together. They both grabbed their books off the coffee table and started reading them.
Julie hiked up her legs beside her on the couch and leaned into Galen's side. While he wrapped an arm around her shoulders and gave her a small kiss on the side of her forehead before he started reading.
They sat there curled up to each other for most of the morning just reading as a nice soft breeze blew through the window curtains behind them.
It wasn't until late morning when Galen heard someone walking up to his front door. Not a moment later, there was someone knocking.
The couple sat up and he walked to the door.
"Who is it?" Galen asks.
"It's Cornelius and Zira, Galen." Came the muffled voice of his brother through the door.
He then opened the door to allow them in.
Cornelius walked in with his wife and their young son Caesar. The child looked around a little when he did walk in and when he spotted Julie he smiled and waved at her.
"Hi Julie!" He said.
"Hey Caesar, how you doing?" Julie asks with a soft smile.
"I'm good, I made this picture for you and Uncle Galen at nursery school yesterday." He says, as he gives her a big piece of paper that was almost half the size of him. It was a crude drawing of her and Galen. in the picture. They were holding each other's hands in the it, sporting big smiles with what looked like their home drawn off to the side of them on the paper.
"Thank you, Sweetie." She says, as she lightly brushes a hand over the small chimp boy's head.
"I need to speak to you, in private." Cornelius told his younger brother.
Galen nodded, "Alright, let's go out back."
Julie can only wonder what it was they were going to talk about. It's not often his brother asks to speak with him in private. Whatever it was, it must be serious and for some reason, it made her feel a little nervous.
"How have you been, Julie?" Zira asks.
"I've been good. How about you? How was the party last night?" Julie asked.
"It was very lovely. Saw a lot of friends and colleagues there. Which meant lots of gossip as usual." Zira replied.
"And I was bored because I had to listen to Ganna talk about her bridge club." Caesar said while making a face.
The young woman had to stifle a laugh at his remark.
"Hush now, Caesar. Need to remember old Ganna is alone now. Perhaps it's the one thing she simply loves talking about." Zira reminded him.
The little boy just shrugs and turns his attention back to Julie.
"Hey, Julie, can you tell me another one of your stories again?" He asks.
Whenever the family popped in for a visit, Caesar started requesting stories from Julie. It's been that way since she first told him a favorite childhood story from her time.
"Sure, and I have just the one in mind. It was one of my favorites. It is called, 'The Very Hungry Caterpillar'." She told him with a small smile.
The three of them retreated to the couch where Caesar sat between his mother and Julie waiting to hear the story.
While Cornelius and Galen retreated out the back door. The brothers took a seat on a couple outdoor chairs against the back wall of the house not far from the door.
"What on earth happened last night? Carsia approached me after the party last night and told me you were extremely rude to her and insulted her. I came here to get the details from you because I was quite shocked at what she told me to the point I was in disbelief because you never have insulted a female of interest before. It's not like you to do so." Cornelius stated in disbelief and a ting e of anger.
Galen frowned, "You weren't there, Cornelius. From the time I left you and Zira with her, all she ever did as insult me for nearly the entire time spent with her. Criticizing my line of work, making it seem like it was a total waste of time and life. Then she had the nerve of asking me afterwards to be her assistant all while being very forward at the same time. The woman was completely and utterly conceded, rude, petty, and arrogant."
As his brother sat and listened, he as pretty surprised. All the times he has ever bumped into Carsia at the institute, she always came off as nice and even considerate. Seeing as she along with some other colleagues in her field donated funds to his work team's latest archeological expedition.
"That's pretty surprising to hear. She was always civil and pleasant with Zira and me whenever we bumped into her at the institute. That's why it's hard to believe you're saying the complete opposite about her. I would've thought for sure she'd make a good match for you because of how nice and lovely she appeared to be with everyone." Cornelius told him.
"Sometimes, a person's true colors don't always show in front of others. Just certain individuals. But I'm telling you, it's the truth. And when I politely declined her position offering and stated that this wasn't going to work, she became irate and started insulting me more and insulting my intelligence. Then when I called her out on her pettiness and arrogance, she slapped me. After that, I just wanted to leave, so, I did." Galen explained.
Cornelius became a bit rigid.
"She struck you? Truly?" He inquired, clearly appalled.
"Yes, she did. I'm telling you, brother, she's no good. She may come off at first as someone who's charming and kind but in the end, she seems to be someone that only cares for herself and can be critical towards those who have varying positions in the scientific field. Positions like mine." Galen said.
Cornelius sighed, "I'm sorry, Galen. Had I known, I would've never pushed you to meet her. But you need to understand, I do it because I don't want you to be alone. I found true happiness with Zira and our family we have created. And it is the same happiness I wish for you to have as well. Companionship, someone to love, marry, and eventually have a family with."
Galen silently observed him for a moment, before speaking.
"I already have found someone, Cornelius. That is also why I was disinterested in Carsia from the start when you first introduced me to her last night. Because my heart already belongs to another." He says.
His brother just gave him a confused look.
"Who? And why haven't you mentioned her before? Did you meet her in the science institute or somewhere else in Ape City?" Cornelius questioned.
"You already know her, Cornelius. It's...Julie." Galen confessed.
"WHAT!? GALEN, ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR MIND!?" His brother yelled as he quickly stood up from his seat.
"Will you lower your voice! They'll hear you!" Galen hissed.
"WHO CARES IF THEY HEAR ME! LET THEM! DON'T YOU UNDERTSAND HOW WRONG THIS IS!? HOW UNNATURAL!?" His brother continued his tirade as he began passing back and forth in front of the younger chimp.
"Cornelius, I will not talk with you while you're like this. Either calm down or this conversation is over." Galen warned him.
The older chimp stopped in his tracks and took a deep breath.
"Galen, surely you must understand, that this is wrong. She's a human, you're an ape. It is wrong to love an animal like that." His brother stated in a calm, yet tense tone.
Galen narrowed his eyes at him.
"She's not an animal. How can you say that? You have spoken with her numerous times since she has been here. You have seen how intelligent, sophisticated, and civilized she is. You forget that she is nothing like the wild humans here. She is from a different place in time entirely. Where humans were in their prime and highly advanced in so many different ways." He argued.
Cornelius sighs and runs a hand through the fur on his head in frustration.
"I'm sorry, but nonetheless, she isn't an ape. It's bad enough if she were caught here with you but if they find out the truth about you two, they will definitely kill you." He says.
"Again, I'm well aware of the risks of having her here. But it's not going to change how we feel about each other. I love her, Cornelius and she loves me. It's our choice if we choose to be together. I'm sorry, if you don't agree to it or accept it. But I'm not going to change because you want me to. She makes me happy, and she makes me feel alive. I just...want you to be happy for me, for us." Galen said.
"Well, I'm happy for you, Galen." Came a female's voice.
They quickly shifted their gaze and saw Zira had come out and was standing not far from the closed door.
"Zira, you can't be serious!" Cornelius blurted out in shock over his wife's response.
"I'm very serious. Who are we to judge, Cornelius? Julie is a human, but her intellect is so close to our own. And just like Galen said, she is not like the humans here. She comes from an advanced civilization, one even more advanced than our own. There is nothing remotely animal about her. You're just so used to seeing humans as they are now that it's so hard for you to look past her species and appearance otherwise. Just give them a chance and let them see where this courtship takes them. If they truly are happy together, then we have no right to get in the way of it." She explained.
The older chimp listened to what she had to say. Before shifting his gaze back to his younger brother.
"I just don't want to see you get hurt, Galen. You're my brother and I love you. But if this is your decision and what you want, then...I'll stand by you." He said.
The younger chimp rose from his seat and approached his brother, coming to a stop before him.
"I understand your fear. But I won't get hurt. I love you too. And yes, this is what I want." Galen said, very certain of himself.
Cornelius was silent, then he pulled his younger brother in for a hug. Galen was quick to return the hug.
"Just promise me, you'll be careful. Already lost mother and father. Don't want to lose you as well." He confessed.
The younger chimp tightened his hold on him.
"I will be careful." Galen promised.
When they finally pulled back from the hug, Cornelius smiled.
"Always said you were weird. Guess I was right all along." The older chimp teased.
Galen snorted, "I never did deny that I was to begin with. You were just slow to figure it out in the very beginning."
Cornelius lightly jabbed the young chimp's arm.
"Still ever the smart mouth too." He added.
"Well, now that that is settled, shall we all go in and give the newest member to our family a proper welcome?" Zira inquires, with a small smile.
"I suppose so. Though you may want to get her extra strength pain killers, Zira. Because I have no doubts Galen will driver her crazy and give her many headaches in the process." Cornelius joked.
"Haha, very funny. And yet, according to Zira, you have done plenty of things to drive her up the wall. Surprised she hasn't killed you yet." Galen countered.
"Probably because I haven't found a good place yet to bury his body." Zira teased.
"Nope, you just don't want to hear your friends gossip about it behind your back when you go through with the deed." Her husband said, with a smirk.
She rolls her eyes, "Yes, well, anyways, let's go you two."
Zira then open the door for them and they all walk back inside.
They all filtered into the living room and saw Julie was still seated on the couch with Caesar leaning against her side. She was finishing up telling him another story when they all came in.
"Hey, everything ok?" She asks them.
Galen gave her a soft smile as he came to sit next to her on the opposite side of where Caesar was sitting.
"Everything is fine." He told her.
"Just letting you know, if you wish to be a part of this family, I may bring you a bottle of wine to help you relax. Because odds are, this one will end up driving you completely crazy." Cornelius informed her.
Zira lightly elbowed her husband in the side for his smart remark.
"Don't mind him. That's just his way of welcoming you to the family. And we're glad to have you as part of our family." Zira told her with a smile.
Julie could hardly contain her smile as they tell her this.
"Thank you, I'm glad to be a part of it as well. Though I need to correct you on something. If anyone will need the wine, it will be Galen. Because I'll be the one most likely driving him crazy and then some." She lightly teased.
That's when she saw Cornelius finally crack an amused grin.
"Figures you'd pick a female who's just as witty as you." He says.
"And this surprises you?" Galen inquired with a wide smirk.
Cornelius chuckles, "No, I really can't say it does."
"Does this mean I can call her Aunt Julie now?" Caesar asks.
"Well, seeing as she is part of the family now, I would think so." His mother says.
"Yay!" The little chimp boy said, while pumping his little fists in the air.
Something all the adults found to be quite amusing and cute.
Galen's brother and his family stayed for a little while longer. They all had lunch together out back at the old wooden picnic table near the garden on the other side of the house. Everyone had a good time, sharing stories and conversing about any upcoming events.
Afterwards by mid-afternoon, the small family left, leaving the couple alone once more. But not before Cornelius and Zira congratulated them again on their relationship. Caesar gave his uncle and new aunt a big hug before leaving with his parents.
Julie and Galen then closed the door and retreated to the couch.
They both felt relieved and happy letting his family know about their relationship, even better knowing that they accepted her and the relationship she and Galen had. It was nice not having to hide it either.
"Well, this day went much better than expected." Julie says, as she sat next to him.
Galen wrapped his arm around her shoulders with a small smile.
"Indeed. I was worried at first when the conversation started earlier that Cornelius, and I may not see eye to eye when it involved our feelings for one another. But thankfully, he was able to look past our differences and accept us as a couple. Though I believe Zira had a hand in it. If there was anyone he would always listen to, it's his wife." He said.
"She was concerned, we both were. We heard the outburst in the beginning all the way from here. She asks that I stay here with Caesar and then she got up and headed down the hall and stood by the back door listening to the rest of your conversation for a little while before she finally opened the door and walked out to diffuse the situation." Julie explained.
"I'm sorry you heard that. Unfortunately, with my brother, sometimes his emotions start going before he can think rationally. Gets that from our father. But at least it is over now and as I said before, he does accept us as a couple and now views you as part of the family." Galen told her.
"I'm glad it worked out. Didn't want there to be a rift between you two. You are family after all." She says.
"So are you now." He tells her with a small smile.
A smile gradually appears on her face as well.
Then she leans in and gently presses her lips to his. Galen reached up to cup her cheek as he returns the kiss. Just like all the kisses they have shared before, this one got their hearts pumping again and one simple kiss turned into yet another full-on make out session that left them a bit winded but happy.
The pair knew that there could be more challenges ahead and around the corner. But they were happy to know that this one challenge was at least over.
Until Next Time ;)