Free (Sequel to Through The Dark) Complete

Chapter 9

Julie worked hospital shifts Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and the day after Christmas, so she could have off over New Years; the memory of the year before haunted her through all of Christmas.  Tahoe had been such a wonderful, extraordinary time for her.  For her and her friends, for her and Harry.  She decided to spend the New Years back in Wisconsin with her family.  Her visit with them went better than she had expected.  She returned a few weeks after the New Year and unlocked Niall's front door.  Exhausted, she dragged her bag in behind her and set it aside.  Before she could fully turnaround from closing the door, she was grabbed and hugged.  Julie started laughing.  "Hey Panda.  Glad to see you made it home safely."  She said, wrapping her arms around Amanda's waist.

"I'm so glad to see you!"  Amanda, exuding the happiness of the recently engaged, said stepping back and taking JJ's hand and dragging her to the couch.  "I've got so much to tell you!"

"I bet you do, but you couldn't let me put my bag in my room at least?"  Julie asked her still laughing.  God, she'd missed Panda.  She hadn't realized how much she was going to miss her.  "I missed you, a lot."  There were things she could tell Amanda too, but she would wait until after all of the engagement happenings were over.  The engagement party here in LA was coming up very soon, and as of now, she'd had a ton of RSVPs.  "I've got to talk to you too, you know, about this party that's coming up."

"I can't believe how much work you've done while I've been all over the place."  Amanda sighed happily, hugging JJ again.

"I'd do it all over again."  Julie said.  She couldn't help but smile at Amanda's overly excited, detailed explanation about Niall's and her trip to see their families.  About the family's reactions, about the fun that was had.  About the month-long vacation.  Julie looked at what must have been a thousand digital pictures of smiling family members, and Niall and Amanda both looking blissful.  Amanda was definitely enthusiastic.  Julie laughed again and handed Amanda her bottle of water that she had been holding and playing with the entire time Amanda had been talking.  "Here, Panda, take a breath and a drink."

"Sorry!"  Amanda said.  "Guess I'm a little excited.  A lot of things happened."

"It's ok.  You're allowed."  Julie smiled, leaning back on the couch.

"And you know when you're so damn calm, it just makes me that much more jumpy."  Amanda admonished taking another drink of water.

"Well, you're the one who got engaged and traveled the world.  Not me."  Julie said taking her water back.  "I said have a drink not take all that's mine."

"Share, JJ.  Share."  Amanda shook her head and leaned back on the couch too.  "So, what did you do for the month I was gone?"

"Nothing but miss you."  Julie practically spit out the water she had just taken a drink of when she saw the look Amanda gave her.  She laughed.  "What?  It was sweet, right?"  When Amanda crossed her arms, she continued.  "I worked.  I sent out invitations to this massive party I'm throwing you apparently. I set things up for it.  I came home. I slept."  She shrugged.  Nothing more to tell, right?  No reason to tell Amanda that an up and coming singer was going to sing four songs she had written.  No reason to tell her that she'd ended up partying with Zayn and staying at his hotel.  Julie needed to talk to her about it.  She needed to tell Amanda, but not yet.  Yeah, she was saying that a lot lately.  Not yet.  Then something else would come up that would convince her that she should wait again.  Ok, after the party, then no more excuses.  "Oh, and I looked for apartments.  I think I found one.  Just waiting on approval.  It's little, and cute, and not too far from work.  A little more expensive than I thought it would be, but guess living on your own in LA is expensive.  Hence, why we've lived together forever."