X-natural

Chapter 18: Different but Okay

•One Year Later•

Juliana's POV

I spritzed some more water on Ava's fiery curls and used my stiff-bristled brush to brush the front back into my hands. Once that was done, I tied her hair into a ponytail, making sure it wasn't too tight.

"Wow you're good." Dean said, watching me in wonder. Jason smiled proudly, making Ava grin and giggle. Sonya and Melissa watched in awe.

"I used to work on my niece's hair but her wasn't so curly like yours or Ava's." Melissa explained. "It's fascinating to watch."

"Your technique is impressive." Jason praised. Dean shifted and wrapped his arm around me.

"If it wasn't already well known that she was amazing... here's the proof." He boasted. I laughed and shook my head.

"Guys, I'm literally just doing hair it's not that serious." I did some finishing touches and smiled down at my work. "Ava's hair just need some moisture, some love, and a little extra patience. Her hair isn't as curly as mine but definitely difficult to manage for people not familiar with curl hair care."

Melissa and Sonya nodded as if I just gave them a very important life tip.

Ava jumped up from the seat in front of me and ran to a mirror.

"Look, papa!" she squealed excitedly. "Much better than when you do it!"

"Well... it's just a ponytail," Jason chuckled, turning red. I laughed and Dean shook his head.

"Well, I'm going to go stretch my legs. I've been sitting for way too long," I stood up and stretched. "I'll be back in 15."

Dean followed me as I walked through the back door. I could hear the cheerful chatter and laughter from in the house.

I had only gotten across the street and down a few blocks before Dean spoke up.

"Jules, are you still looking?" he asked.

"I don't know what you mean,"

"You know damn well what I mean," Dean grabbed my arm and made me turn around to face him. "Dammit, Juliana. You can't keep doing this."

"Doing what?" I growled.

"Putting yourself through hell. Adriana is dead. I hate having to say it out loud and I hate having you hear me say it...but it's true."

"Shut up."

"You need to hear this. She's gone, alright? She didn't deserve what happened to her and I hope the bastard suffers just as much as she did."

"I don't want to hear this! Not from you."

"I...what...?"

"I don't want to hear that I should let go and move on. I don't want to hear that I was crazy for believing she might have still been alive for months. I don't want to hear that I need to open up, especially not from you."

Tears formed but they were angry tears and I wouldn't let them fall. I hated that he made me feel safe enough to show my feelings. I hated that he knew how my love for my sister made me vulnerable. Every moment I cried in the past year and change, it was over my sister.

"It's easy for you to tell me to move on or say I'm not grieving in a healthy way. You got your brother back!" I yelled. Dean was stunned, looking at me with pain and something else in his eyes.

"You're right."

"What?"

"You're right. I shouldn't expect you to grieve the way everyone else expects you to. I've lost people too and I would do rash, irresponsible things as well. I just don't want you to go down the same path."

I glanced away from his burning gaze. "Why do you care so much what I do?"

"You know damn well why."

"Dean..."

"I know you've been meeting people to investigate their operations and where they might strike next. And I know you've been going back to that house to inspect the remains for clues."

"How-"

"I've been following you. And I've been looking into things as well because I know how much this means to you. Everyone is scared and want to leave things alone to avoid losing anyone else. But I want to catch that bastard too."

"The body that was found... it's so charred that I don't even know if it was human let alone if it was my sister. And it doesn't explain-"

"Where the other two men in the house went and why they chose to burn the house down." Dean nodded his head and pulled me into an embrace.

"You really have been on my side all along." I sighed. Dean tilted my head up and glanced at my lips.

"Of course I have. I will always be on your side." I hummed in content when our lips connected, making me feel something I hadn't felt since the last time I gave my sister a hug. But it was different somehow.

I think it was...love.