Free (Sequel to Through The Dark) Complete

Chapter 67

The next morning, Julie couldn't sleep so she got up early.  She figured she could get the stuffing started and the turkey cleaned before anyone else got up and make it easier.  She slipped silently out of bed and washed up.  She pulled her hair back and made her way downstairs.  Once there, she pulled the turkey out of the fridge and put it in the sink, to make sure it was completely thawed.  Afterwards she found herself looking out of the window a lot and not doing the prep as fast as she initially wanted.  Holmes Chapel was so peaceful.  She made herself a cup of coffee and wandered to the patio door.  While leaning against the door frame, she watched out over the garden.  Such a calm and relaxing place.  She could see herself living somewhere like this in the future.  Out of the hustle and bustle of the big cities.  LA was overwhelming to the senses to say the least.

LA had been what she needed at the time.  A big city where she was easily able to lose herself in the people.  One where it had been harder to find her.  But now, it wasn't as important.  She felt she could live in a place that was less chaotic and not have to worry about being found.  In fact, now that she was back with Harry and everyone knew about her, it would probably be easier to be out of the big city.  But, Harry needed the city.  He needed LA and New York and London for his career.  They were the hot beds for the music scene and she had to face facts, he would probably get bored really quickly without all of that.  Maybe they could have two different places.  One in a city and one outside, like here.  Where they could forget he was a hot superstar musician and just be her sweet, charming, kind and compassionate Harry.  The one she referred to as 'My Harry' all the time.

She shook her head to get out of her daydream and sighed.  Taking another sip of her coffee, she looked out over the yard one more time and then turned to go back into the kitchen.  She was thinking a lot of crazy thoughts lately.  Thoughts that scared her when she realized it.  She had just gotten back together with Harry, and she found herself thinking about the future, often.  Maybe she should start to look somewhere else to live.  She had set her mind to it before, but she'd still remained at Niall's.  She had made a small amount of money from JoJo's songs.  Especially the two singles she had released so far, so maybe she could find something outside of LA.  Julie pulled the unsliced bread from the bread box and started breaking it up into small pieces.  Homemade stuffing was part of the lure of Thanksgiving dinner. There was just something about it that brought everything together.  She melted a stick of butter and poured it over the bread with the celery and little bit of onion she had chopped.  Then she sprinkled in the sage and washed her hands.  The best way to mix the stuffing was to get in there and get your hands dirty.  She added a bit of water and worked the stuffing until it was just moist enough.  Once she tasted it, she decided to add a little more sage and then an egg.

Julie smiled when it was complete.  She had refused to prepare a Thanksgiving dinner or even participate in one last year.  It had been just shy of three months after Harry had ended things.  She had not been in a thankful type of mood.  She locked herself in her room with nothing but snack foods and water, and didn't come out for the whole day.  So now, Julie was really looking forward to this dinner.  She had her fingers crossed that things would go well, without any stress.  Everyone deserved to have a nice, peaceful day.  She pulled the turkey out of the sink and made sure it was clean.  Then it was time to stuff the turkey and put the remaining stuffing in a dish that could bake on its own.  Putting the turkey in the roasting pan, she covered it in butter, covered it in tin foil, and once the oven was preheated, she put it in.  She liked to cook it at a little lower of a temperature for a little longer as it was juicier and tasted better that way.  Lastly she set the timer and washed her hands again.

Julie yawned and then laughed.  Leave it to her to get tired again after she'd done all that, and when everyone else would be starting to get up.  They had made enough food last night where she had a couple of hours before the next dish had to be started.  So, she slowly climbed the stairs and went back into Harry's room, lifted the covers and climbed in beside him.  He was still sound asleep.  He was lying on his side with his back towards her cuddled in the comforter.  He always slept shirtless, so Julie pressed her front to his back and wrapped her arm around him, placing her cold hand on his warm skin.  She giggled when he jumped and swore.