Leave What Was Found

27: Time Heals All

On the day before Christmas Eve, Julian took Avery to the park to play basketball. After he won multiple times, Avery gave up trying and they walked back through town together. 

"You know I suck right?" she said as she dribbled the ball as they walked. "Don't act so cocky, winning against me isn't an accomplishment."

He shrugged. "I could lower the hoop for you and still win," he said with a wink.

She laughed. "Or you could try not being so tall."

"If I could shrink everyone down to your size, you know I would," he replied.

Avery smiled to herself. "You know if I recall correctly, I was taller than you at one point," she pointed out.

"Yeah, when we were like ten," he said, rolling his eyes.

She laughed. Those were the days."

"I suppose," he replied. "Although, I have to admit life did get better eventually."

Avery felt bad. Of course life was better now for Julian, he was far away from the abuse of his childhood.

"I didn't mean-"

"It's okay," he said, quickly cutting her off. "I know what you meant."

"It was just easier when my biggest problem was whether or not I would make it home from the park in time for the basketball game," she explained.

"I know," he murmured.

Avery smiled faintly. "I suppose our lives took different turns."

"It'll get better, Avery," he said, clearly trying to comfort her.

"It's not like people come back from the dead, Julian," she muttered, her voice tight.

"True, but other people come into your life, I know it's not the same but it's better than being alone."

Avery didn't quite believe him just yet but she knew it was not worth fighting about. The thing was, Avery knew life would be much better if she let people back into her life, but it was hard loving people and then knowing she could losing them. 

When they got back to Julian's house, they found Mickey very animatedly telling a story to Will and Meredith.

"He's such a happy kid," Avery commented quietly.

"He really is," Julian said with a small smile as he watched his brother.

When Meredith saw them, she excitedly waved them over.

"Come on, we're watching a movie," she called.

Avery smiled. Meredith was still quite young, she had Julian when she was only eighteen and she never quite grew up, in a good way though. She was responsible and raised two kids, but she also knew how to have fun. Avery loved that about her. She was always happy, always genuine, always kind. It actually ached Avery to know that Frank had hurt her and Julian for so long.

Avery watched as Meredith and Will snuggled up on the couch together. Mickey crawled in between them and it made her smile even more. They were so cute together, so perfectly matched. Avery longed for that kind of love. That kind of bond was so special. 

As they watched the movie, Avery felt Julian's eyes on her. She glanced back over at him but he quickly looked away. She thought about asking him about it because she knew him well enough to know he had wanted to say something to her, but for some reason she couldn't get herself to ask. Instead, when the movie ended, Avery went up to the guest room and soon had trouble falling asleep. It was harder than she wanted to admit, accepting that this would be her first Christmas without her father.