Through The Dark COMPLETED

Chapter 61

Later that night, they were all sitting at a magnificent restaurant, a private part opened up just for them with an amazing view of a watering hole in the park.  They were sitting next to a wall made fully of windows and you could see everything for miles.  The moon was so bright that it lit up the entire landscape.  There couldn't have been a better view.  Julie hadn't stopped smiling all day.  Her cheeks hurt, but she still couldn't stop.  The day she'd just had was beyond her wildest dreams.  She had always loved animals; in fact, sometimes she thought she loved animals more than people.  Except for the company she had now, and maybe a few others.  But just watching the animals out in nature was amazing.  When she caught movement out the window, she got up and stood at them looking out.  A couple of hippos had made their way to the watering hole.  She glanced to her left when she felt an arm go around her shoulders.  "Hey, Niall."  She said as she looked back out the window.  "This is so amazing."

"Yes, it is."  He rubbed her shoulder.  "I think I've seen you smile more today than you have the entire time I've known you combined."  He laughed when she elbowed his ribs.  "I like it.  You and Harry had me worried for a while."

"We're fine.  I don't really want to talk about it.  But we're fine.  We'll be fine.  We can work it out together."  Julie said watching the hippos.  She was so amazed by the way they moved, the way they sauntered into the water.  And the baby hippo pulled at her heart.  So cute.

"I know. I believe in you remember.  I know how strong you are."  Niall said squeezing her shoulder.  He stood there with her just watching how she enjoyed the moment.  She seriously was changing.  He could see it.  To think he even had a tiny part in her growth was an amazing feeling.  She was always strong, but had just never realized it.  She now seemed to realize she could handle herself in every situation.  She didn't close up and run. She stood her ground and was there for others.  "I'm proud of you."  He kissed her head.

"Oh, shush, Niall."  She said to him looking at the ground and blushing.  "That's enough sweet.  But thank you."  She leaned against his side and watched out the window.  She would always be forever grateful to Niall.  First for making Panda happy and then for being an amazing and supportive friend to her.  She was content for the first time in her adult life.  She was going to try to enjoy it.

Amanda watched JJ and Niall.  She was glad they had such a good friendship.  She was happy they seemed to be able to rely on each other.  She liked her best friend and her boyfriend getting along so well.  It made spending time with two of the people she loved the most, easy.  She had never seen JJ so happy either.  To this day, there were always moments when JJ was deep into her head, thinking and worrying about things maybe she shouldn't.  Even though the days were getting better, there were still those times.  But not today.  Today she was happy and eager and actually excited.  Amanda had never realized before that she hadn't seen JJ show this type of excitement.  She had always been so mellow and calm.  Even if JJ liked something, she remained reserved.  It was good to see some actual excitement come out of her.  When Amanda watched JJ run and jump into Harry's arms earlier, she couldn't help but smile.  That excitement, the not caring what anyone thought about her reaction, was something she wasn't sure she would ever see.  It was nice.  Amanda needed to thank Harry for that.  No matter how upset she was with Harry, he obviously knew what JJ would like and made sure it happened.  She looked over at Harry when he came back and sat down.  He'd been arranging the travel back to the hotel after dinner.  "I have to hand it to you Harry. You couldn't have made this a better day for JJ."

"Yeah, she seemed to love it, right?"  Harry said smiling at Amanda and then glancing at Julie and Niall.  "Still seems to be loving it."  He looked back at Amanda.  "Have to admit. Even I didn't expect her to like it quite as much as she seems to.  Or at least I didn't expect her to be as animated about it as she has been."