Illusions of the island *A LOST fanfic*

Chapter 58: A small reprieve

A minute reprieve was a welcome addition to everything Juliet had experienced in the last few days. But the dreams she was having were curious. She called out to a familiar looking man.

"Rodrigo! Take my hand!"

Waking with a start, she found herself somewhere she shouldn't be the attic. Staying where she was at, she called for James.

"James!"

She heard his heavy footfalls emerging up the stairs and he looked concerned when he saw her on the floor.

"What are you doin' up here baby?"

Looking around the darkened room, Juliet could barely make out James's silhouette.

"I don't know. I just woke up in here. I have no idea how I got up here."

James helped her to her feet and guided her down the stairs. Once at the bottom, they took a two-minute break, noticing that she was out of breath.

"It's ok baby. We can take a break. I got ya."

Taking a few minutes to regain her bearings Juliet gave a tiny smile to James.

"Thanks, James. I'm sorry to burden you with this."

James put a hand up to her face and shook his head in disagreement.

"You ain't burdenin' me with nothin' blondie. We promised to take care of each other in sickness and in health, right? I've got ya."

Even though Juliet was back in the real world, there were still some things she was having trouble adapting to. Simple things like an alarm clock and traffic. The noise of Miami felt unfamiliar to her, despite the fact that she knew what it was. It'd just been a few years. She was becoming stronger, a whole person.

"Ok. I'm good now James. Let me just check on Cara and then let's go back to bed."

Slowly climbing to her feet, Juliet made her way down the hallway decorated with an assortment of various picture frames of the last few years. Every time she thought the island was finally letting go of her, something else cropped up. Opening the door to Cara's room, Juliet crept in and stepped over to the bed. Tucking the covers over Cara's sleeping form, she placed a kiss to her forehead. Waddling back to their bedroom, Juliet climbed into bed next to James and pulled the covers over herself.

"James, are you still awake?"

Wrapping his arms around Juliet's waist, James pressed his nose into her long curly hair.

"'Course I am blondie. Whatcha wanna talk about?"

Staring at an invisible crack in the ceiling, Juliet pondered for a few milliseconds, then responded.

"I think I was seeing through my grandmother's eyes. I was calling out for my grandfather Rodrigo. I think I was dreaming about when my grandparents came to Miami."

James kissed the back of Juliet's neck and nuzzled his nose against it.

"It's just dreams sweetheart. Could be a memory too. Who knows?"

Her eyes opened when she felt the patter of tiny feet below her hands.

"Time for sleep baby girl. You can play in the morning."

She felt James move behind her and kiss her belly.

"Got a strong boy in there."

Juliet giggled and then winced.

"Ouch. James, are you still on a tangent this is baby is a boy?"

James kissed her stomach again and nodded.

"Of course darlin'."

Shaking her head, there was no bringing some sense into him.

"Hate to break it to you James, but looking at the last ultrasound, we're having a girl."

James buried his head back in Juliet's curly hair and had a little laugh himself.

"Wishin' for a boy ain't gonna hurt anything blondie. Trust me."

Juliet barely heard him as she fell into a semi-restful and peaceful slumber. After the last few days, things were finally calming down.

To Be Continued...