Law and Order: Special Victims Unit Gangster

70. On A Positive Note

Juliana and Rafael walked the floor, again,, as they waited for their next slot on the list of panels. There was really only one thing left to be spoken about; the article and book deal.
  "Well, we already know that we do want the article," Juliana pointed out.
  Rafa nodded. "It's just the whole book thing. I'm pretty sure that I want to, but.... I don't know, the time just doesn't feel right."
  Juliana Barba nodded in agreement. "Yeah. I'm sorry, mi vida. I wish everything was just clearer right now," she sighed disappointedly.
  "It's not your fault, mi corazon," Raafel promised. "I mean.... it's just a lot to figure out and everything, the whole situation, no matter what we do. If we don't do this, we might be passing up a huge opportunity. But if we do.... we might be getting in over our heads."
  Juliana smiled sympathetically in agreement. "Yeah. You know, maybe we can do it. Just not now," she rationalized.
  "Are you suggesting we just put the idea on hold?" Rafael asked.
  "Yeah," Juliana shrugged. "I don't know, it might not be the best option, but I don't think it's hurting anyone. Why don't we talk to Christine about it?" she suggested. "There's no reason she'd just refuse."
  Rafi nodded. "Good idea."
  "Yeah. Just til we figure everything out," she agreed.
  "Hey, listen to me, Juliana. I know this past year's been hard for us, but we made it through that. We can get through this whole shifting phase just fine," he promised. "I love you."
  "Te amo, mi amor," Juliana smiled.
  "Do you think getting married, or engaged, changed us at all?" Rafael Barba asked.
  Juliana shook her head. "No. I think that all it does, like a good marriage, is it keeps us together, and it keeps us out of trouble. That's fine with me," she answered.
  Rafael smiled. "That's sweet of you. Thank you."
"It's my pleasure, Rafi," Juliana Barba promised.

****

It was now the final day of the journalism convention, and Juliana and Rafael had spoken to Christine Williams about their book deal. Luckily, they had gotten the answer that they had hoped for; the journalist had said that the book did not have to even be researched any time soon, and that they could start any time, whatever suited Juliana and Rafael the most. This was of course a huge relief to the both of them; they had too much going on at the moment, and didn't need any distractions around. On the final day of what they had made out to be their vacation, Juliana and Rafael were wrapping up their last panel. They stood up on the platform with Christine as they waved goodbye to the audience as they all slowly walked off of the stage, away from the crowds, for what seemed like the first time in the past few days. Juliana and Rafael enjoyed their time out in the open, enjoying the free life, but they were ready to get back home to their children, and get back to their jobs.