Traitor

Five

"Jules!" Frankie called out. "Come here!"

Julia walked out to the living room. "I didn't do it."

"Didn't do what?"

"Whatever you think I did," she said, walking over to Ariana and hugging her. "Hi, Mommy."

"Dad and I need to talk to you," Ariana said, kissing Julia's head. "Sit."

"Are you getting divorced?" Julia joked as she sat on the couch, Frankie and Ariana sitting on either side of her.

Ariana chuckled. "No, but it's important and would affect you, so you need to be here."

"Am I in trouble?"

"No," Frankie said. "And whatever your answer to our question is, you won't be in trouble for that either or be guilt tripped."

"Y'all being real sus right now."

"I don't even know how to start this."

"How would you feel about coming to live with me instead of living here with Dad?" Ariana asked.

Julia looked at her. "Really?!"

"Really."

"Really?!" She asked, looking at Frankie.

Frankie nodded. "Yeah. It's your choice."

"And you wouldn't be mad or upset?"

"Well, I'll miss having you around all the time, but it's not like we'll never see each other. You can come stay here whenever you want, just like you do now with Mom."

"But will it hurt your feelings?"

"No."

"And would it hurt yours if I stayed here?" Julia asked, looking at her mother.

Ariana shook her head. "No. I know you're comfortable here. You've lived here your entire life. But you're older now, and we thought it should be your choice."

"And I can still visit Daddy and Hale and Appa?"

"Absolutely. There's gonna be a change in schedules, so you might now be able to come over exactly when you want, but we're gonna figure it out as we go."

"So, what do you say?" Frankie asked.

"You can always change your mind, but now that you're older and I'm in a good place mentally, I'll have my parental rights back, so legally I'll be noted as your mom again. It'll make it a lot easier during school check outs and hospital visits when Wilbur decides to be a butthead."

"What do you think? You wanna live with Mom?"

"Yes!" Julia said. "Yes, yes, yes, I've wanted to forever!"

"We know," Ariana said. "It just wasn't the best time back then."

"You don't even have to pack anything except for what you need for comfort," Frankie said. "You're gonna go with Mom tonight and you'll come back here in a few weeks for the weekend."

"Tonight? Really?" Julia asked.

"Really."

"Thank you!" Julia said, hugging Frankie. "Thank you Daddy, I love you so much!"

"I love you too, Glitter Bug."

"Go get what you need and we'll go," Ariana said.

Julia got up and ran out of the room.

Ariana looked at Frankie, both of them teary eyed. "Thank you," she said as her voice cracked, hugging her brother.

"I know you've wanted this for a while," Frankie's voice cracked. "It was time. I'm so proud of you and your progress."

"Me, too."

"If you ever need a mental break, you know she can come here until you're okay again."

"I know. I appreciate you and Hale more than I can ever express."

"You don't have to. Just please let us know if you ever need a break or just need help in general."

"I will. I promise."