Free (Sequel to Through The Dark) Complete

Chapter 77

Julie walked into Harry's and still hadn't said a word after telling him she wanted to be alone after the day of testimony. Well, alone with him. She knew she would never convince him to leave her alone completely. And she was ok with that. He wouldn't push her right now. She knew that. He would be quiet when she needed him to be. He would be what she needed when she needed it. She was starting to trust him completely. She turned and looked up at him when she felt a hand on her shoulder. She reached up and touched his cheek when she saw the look in his eyes and then wrapped her arms around his neck as he wrapped his around her waist.

"I'm so sorry." Harry said with tears in his voice, letting his emotions finally take over. He'd tried so hard not to react in court and knew he had a few times but listening to all of Julie's testimony today, the pain she had gone through, it broke his heart. It may have broken him. "Baby, I'm so sorry."

"It's not your fault, Harry. It happened a long time ago." Julie comforted him, but if she were honest, she wasn't dealing with it as well as she let on. But, she was managing somehow. "Harry, I get that you're upset, and I know it probably gave you a lot more questions than answers, but I really don't think I'm up for a discussion about it tonight. Can we pretend that I'm not going crazy answering questions about my crazy ex-boyfriend in front of everyone, and just be a boring, lazy, couple tonight?"

Harry pulled back slightly and looked down at her. He forced a bit of a smile. "You're far from boring, love." He wiped his eyes with his sleeve and tried to gather himself back in. "How about some unhealthy Chinese food and some gooey brownies while we curl up and watch some stupid movie that we can make fun of the whole time?"

Julie started towards the living room and then turned back to him. "Boyfriend, you know me so well." She put her hand on the side of his neck when he walked up and kissed her. "I'm going to go take a shower. See if I can wash some of this ick from the questions today off. I'll be back for my yummy fattening food before you know it."

"Never forget how much I know you." Harry kissed her again and smiled. He then swatted her ass lightly when she walked away. "I love you. Please don't forget that."

"I couldn't. Even if I wanted to." Julie replied putting her hand on the railing to go upstairs. "Not that I want to." She pivoted to look at him when he walked to the bottom of the stairs. She turned fully towards him and rested her forearms on his shoulders. Now that she was standing on the second stair, she was slightly taller than him. "I kind of like this."

He wrapped his arms around her waist and looked up slightly into her eyes. "Nope, I like your height. I like being able to wrap you up and know you're safe."

Julie smiled and kissed his nose and then his forehead. "I don't mind doing the comforting every now and again. And someday, I'll show you. When my life decides to stop being so damn unpredictable."

"Eh, unpredictable can also be good. Let's just get this crazy bastard out of your life. Then we'll probably be ok. Then, you can comfort me while I go through this crazy world of being a musician." Harry smiled up at her.

"Why try to deny it, you were born to perform. There aren't many others I've seen that literally ooze the charm and stage presence you have." She leaned her forehead against his. "I'm going to take that shower now. I can't wait to cuddle you when I'm done."

"Sounds wonderful, love." He reached up and kissed her lips. "I'll be on the couch ready with your blanket." He turned away as she walked up the stairs. He knew she was putting on a show for him. Hell, she probably knew he knew that. But, for now, he'd let her. He knew if she lived in her head constantly about the trial and her testimony she'd go crazy. Harry really didn't want to let her go shower alone because he knew her thoughts would go back to that courtroom, but he couldn't smother her either. He sighed and ordered their food from their favorite Chinese place and then went to her snack cupboard and pulled out a bunch of bad for you snacks. He smiled when he thought about her telling him 'this is my cupboard, that way your healthy ass doesn't have to feel tempted and blame me for you straying'. Well, tonight, he would stray. He brought everything into the front room and turned on the tv while he waited for the food to be delivered.