Free (Sequel to Through The Dark) Complete

Chapter 34

Julie grabbed her carry on as she stepped off the plane in Jamaica. It had been just over two weeks since her birthday. Niall and Amanda had left about a week ago to do some traveling for Niall's birthday. She'd questioned this trip many times. Was it ok to accept a gift like this? Was it ok to come here when he was supposed to be rid of distractions to write and record his first solo album? Was it ok to be going with him to South Africa to see an elephant that was basically "theirs"? She eventually decided to go. It was a great gift and a wonderful gesture.

She walked out of the gate and through security to baggage claim. After she collected her bag, she turned when she heard someone say her name. She smiled when she saw James. She hugged him before he grabbed her bag. "I didn't know you were here. I haven't seen you in forever."

"Yeah, Harry was nice enough to give me a job. Couldn't believe it's in Jamaica, so I mean, who could complain?" He led her out of the airport and to the car. "Harry wanted to be here, but he's in the middle of a pretty good writing session."

"It's ok, no problem. It's great to see you. And I don't want to be a distraction. I was going to give him a harder time about needing to come here, but as you said, it is Jamaica. I maybe was a little selfish in deciding I should just go with the plan." Julie said getting in the car. "You know I hate this formal, me in the backseat, you in the front thing."

"Yeah, well, I'm on the job. Deal with it." James said starting the car and driving towards the villa Harry was staying at. "Let me know if you need anything. I was instructed that you were the boss."

Julie chuckled. "That's pretty scary actually. We all know how messy my brain is. We might end up doing things neither of us intended." Julie joked.

"Well, then we shall." James said laughing. He drove around a little when he noticed Julie taking in all of the sites out of the window.

"James, I've never seen anything like this place." Julie exclaimed a bit excitedly. The colors and the architecture, even the grass. It was like something out of a dream sequence, like nothing she'd ever encountered before. When they pulled into the Villa, she could see nothing but water. James opened the door and helped her out of the car, and she couldn't help but take a few steps towards the ocean.

"Hey, I will take your bags inside, go ahead and walk down to the beach. I will let Harry know you're here. The laws are a little bit different down here, and we're in a private area. You really don't have anything to worry about." James said to ease Julie's mind a bit about being seen.

Julie thanked James and then walked towards the beach. She took off her socks and shoes and then rolled up her jeans. Ok, so it was hotter than she realized it would be and a lot more humid. She walked out onto the sand and looked around. Completely amazed at what she saw. She lived in LA; she was surrounded by beaches if she wanted to go, but this. This was something different. The water was SO clear and blue with touches of aqua green, the sand so white. The landscape took Julie's breath away. She only had to take one look to know why Harry wanted to come here to get away from distractions. It was magical. She was already starting to plan a way to get some time to sit here and write as she listened to the waves.

She set her shoes down on one of the beach chairs and walked towards the water. When the water hit her toes, she smiled and sighed. It felt so good and so warm, so unlike the California ocean. She was not a beach girl, normally. Too much sand everywhere, too much salt water, too much sun. But even she was pulled in by the sights and sounds she was experiencing on this beach. Where had Jamaica been her whole life? She walked slowly down the beach, water up to her ankles. The wind blowing gently through her hair. She didn't care if she had to wait hours for Harry. This was the life. Maybe she could find a way to do a writer's retreat here sometime. By herself though. Nobody else could come to bug her when she was here. Maybe she could move here. She chuckled to herself.