Chapter 34

November quickly turned into December and the weeks leading up to Christmas break were passed with hours of studying for finals and last minute Christmas shopping. By the time they finished their last class and were dismissed from school, Julie, Zac, and Jessica were wore out. Rather than heading out to celebrate their two weeks of freedom like most of their friends, the trio headed straight home, where they all promptly passed out in the living room in front of the television, and that was where they stayed for the better part of two days.

Before their break began, Diana had tried to brighten the three high schoolers dreary final focused minds by decorating the house to bring in some more Christmas spirit. In the few days leading up to the holiday, the whole family's spirits began to lift. The excitement of being school free for two weeks seemed to set it, and it was nearly impossible not to smile when walking through the cinnamon scented house, seeing the tall Christmas tree in front of the living room window decorated with years worth of store bought and homemade ornaments, and hearing the sounds of Christmas music throughout the house.

Taylor arrived home from college on the twenty-second and had to room with Zac, as Julie was now residing in his former bedroom. With his other brother there to help, Zac decided to finish the last of his Christmas shopping only a couple of days before the festivities. During their shopping adventure, Zac finally admitted to Taylor after swearing him to secrecy that Julie was now officially his girlfriend.

However, Taylor hadn't been too surprised by the news and answered with, "You've got to be kidding me if you think that we don't already know."

"You mean everyone knows?" Zac asked, looking taken aback.

Taylor smirked. "Yeah, it's pretty obvious," he nodded.

"But we haven't said anything ..." Zac began. "Was it Jess? Did she tell everyone?"

Taylor rolled his eyes. "No, we see the way you two look at each other," he replied. "I'm not even here all the time, and I can see that you're head over heels for her. And mom mentioned that the two of you have been spending even more time together," he said. "Going to movies and stuff. Usually stuff Jess gets to tag along for."

"Why didn't mom or dad say anything then?" Zac asked.

Taylor shrugged. "You know how they are. They're probably just waiting for you to come to them with the news."

"Were they upset about it?" Zac asked uncertainly.

"Nah, I don't think so. They trust you," Taylor replied.

"That's good to know," Zac sighed. "I think that's what Julie's nervous about - mom and dad not approving or something."

"Doesn't Julie know that mom would probably adopt her if she could?" Taylor laughed.

"Apparently not," Zac shrugged.

After finishing the last of their shopping, Zac and Taylor returned home and struggled to wrap their gifts before placing them under the tree, hidden beneath the perfectly wrapped presents so that no one would notice their lack of gift wrapping talent.

The next couples of days were spent hanging out and getting things ready for Christmas dinner. Despite Diana's constant protesting, Julie was adamant about helping out, so finally Diana relented and let Julie help Jessica make the Christmas cookies. Zoe joined in on the fun once the cookies were cooled and began decorating them with various colors of rich, sugary frosting. There were stars, Santas, and snowmen abound.

Zac and Taylor made it a point to walk through the kitchen at least once every fifteen minutes and steal a freshly frosted cookie. Naturally, Julie, Jessica, and Zoe reprimanded them, but this only seemed to entice them that much more because they soon began taking two cookies at a time.

It wasn't until Diana returned from wrapping the last of the presents and discovered Taylor and Zac's little game that she kicked them out of the kitchen until it was time for a meal. Both boys exited the kitchen with their heads bowed and looking quite defeated and Julie, Jessica, and Zoe were left to frost their cookies in peace while Diana set to work on making a cheese ball.

Needless to say, the holiday was quickly brightening everyone's spirits. On Christmas Eve Isaac arrived with Abbie by his side and a bag full of goodies for the whole family. The family gathered in the living room to enjoy each other's company. Walker took out his old acoustic guitar and played a few Christmas carols as the family sang along.

As Julie sang Deck the Halls along with everyone else, she couldn't help but smile as she looked around the room. In the weeks leading up to Christmas, she had found herself sounding more and more like a grinch every day. Despite her new blooming relationship with Zac, she was lacking all sense of Christmas spirit. This was due in a large part to the stress - both from school and her pregnancy. While she did well in school, her patience and concentration were wavering. Her mind was more focused on her pregnancy and the many choices she still had to make regarding her child rather than the all the things she'd learned over the last few months of school.

On top of school and parental responsibility, the idea of shopping for gifts simply gave her a headache. However, Jessica had convinced her that they should dedicate a whole day to Christmas shopping for everyone and get it all done at once. Julie had protested a first, but as the holiday approached, she decided that it was probably the only way she'd get all of her shopping done, and therefore the only logical solution. So she and Jessica woke early one Saturday morning and hit the mall as well as several other shopping outlets. After hours and hours of shopping, she managed to find a present for everyone.

Now on the eve of Christmas, Julie couldn't believe she had been dreading this holiday. Being with those people that she loved and seeing there smiling faces brought a smile to her face, and she couldn't help but feel happy. However, in the back of her mind, she couldn't help but feel a hint of sadness. The only thing that could have made the holiday perfect was if her parents and Isabel were there.

She knew her parents would have come home for the holiday if it was possible, but things simply didn't work out that way. They were very busy with work, but they called home with promises of gifts abound upon their return home and words of love late the evening before. Just hearing them say that they loved her was enough for Julie even though she longed to see them once again.

But she still missed Isabel greatly. Their talks on the phone and emails back and forth simply didn't seem like enough. Isabel had been her best friend for as long as she could remember, and spending so many months away from her broke her heart. She felt like there was so much she needed to tell her. She tried to tell her everything over the phone, but they both had so much to say and there simply wasn't enough phone cards in the world for them to catch up on each other's lives.

The singing finally came to a close when Zoe, who was seated on Taylor's lap, nodded off.

"I think it's about time for us all to turn in," Diana commented with a smile. "Zoe will probably have us all up at the crack of dawn."

"No, she'll probably have you up before that," Isaac grinned. "Glad I won't be here for that."

Taylor elbowed Isaac in the ribs. "Hey!" Isaac scowled, rubbing his ribs.

"Serves ya right," Taylor said. "Besides, since you won't be here, you just won't get your presents with the rest of us."

"Oh, grow up," Isaac said, rolling his eyes. "Zoe won't be the first one up. It'll be you - hopping around like a giddy little fool."

Taylor stuck his tongue at Isaac as everyone else rolled their eyes at their antics.

"Their maturity is astounding," Jessica commented as she and Zac stood up and then grabbed Julie's hands and pulled her up as well.

"Thank you," Julie blushed as she straightened her shirt. "And, yes, during my stay here, I've noticed their overwhelming sense of maturity as well."

Isaac and Taylor both made faces at Jessica and Julie but said nothing. Zac chuckled lightly bidding his older brothers goodnight before following his girlfriend and sister upstairs to their bedrooms.

Jessica said goodnight when she reached her door and Zac and Julie continued down the hallway to their own doors, but before Julie stepped into her room, Zac said, "Don't go to bed just yet. I have something to give you first."

"Okay," Julie nodded, smiling curiously.

They each went into their own bedrooms, but not a minute later Zac came through their adjoining bathroom with a smile on his face and his hands behind his back.

"What have you got behind your back?" Julie asked.

"A present," he said in a sing-song voice.

"For moi?"

"Who else would it be for?" Zac replied.

Julie shrugged. "So, are you going to give it to me?"

"That depends," Zac replied.

"On?"

"If you want it tonight or tomorrow morning," he grinned.

"Of course I want it now," Julie replied, rolling her eyes.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes."

"Very sure?"

"Zac!" Julie whined. "Just give it to me. I'm tired. I don't feel like playing games."

"Aw, you're no fun," Zac said, sticking his tongue out at her.

Julie rolled her eyes and stifled a yawn. Seeing how tired she obviously was, Zac brought his hands out from behind his back and handed her a small, rectangular-shaped package wrapped with Christmas decor.

Julie took it and gave Zac a curious smile before she began to unwrap her present. Once the wrapper was off, she discovered a thin, blue rectangular box. She glanced at Zac once again and he gave her a small smile as she popped the lid up. She gasped as she looked down into the box. Inside laid a thin silver chain with a large garnet drop hanging from it.

Julie brushed the tips of her fingers over the deep red stone and smiled. "It's beautiful," she whispered.

Zac bit his lip and watched her for a moment. "Do you know why I got the garnet stone?" he asked carefully.

Julie looked up and smiled, nodding. "The baby's birthstone," she whispered.

Zac nodded as Julie walked over to him. "Thank you, I love it," she said as she wrapped her arms around him. "Thank you so much."

"You're welcome," Zac replied after letting out a soft sigh of relief. When he bought the necklace for Julie, he had felt a little nervous about how she would react. He had thought long and hard about what to buy her in the weeks leading up to Christmas. In fact, her present was the only one he had bought before his shopping adventure with Taylor.

He had been nervous about giving her the necklace because he was afraid she might not want something as a reminder of the baby, but upon seeing her reaction, he felt a great sense of relief. He knew how much of a trial the pregnancy had been for her, and despite her decision to give the baby up for adoption, Zac could clearly see how much Julie loved her baby. After all, she had spent many nights talking about her worries and trying to decide which family would be the right one for her baby as well as trying to decide whether she wanted to remain in contact with the parents or stay out of the picture.

"This is really nice," Julie said as she pulled away and looked back down at the necklace. "This probably cost a fortune, Zac."

Zac shrugged. "You're worth all the money in the world."

Julie blushed. "Thank you, this is ... just ... really nice and thoughtful," she said with tears in her eyes.

"Don't cry," Zac said. "Or I'll take it back."

"You will not," she said, sticking her tongue out at him as she wiped away her tears. "Anyway, thanks again."

"You're very welcome," Zac said. "Now we should probably get to bed. Like mom said, Zoe will have us all up at the crack of dawn."

"Okay, goodnight," Julie said as she leaned in and gave him a gentle kiss on the lips.

"Sleep tight," Zac smiled as he headed back for his own room.

Julie watched him leave before carefully closing the box in her hand and placing it on her dresser. She quickly changed into some pajamas before crawling into bed and snuggling deep into the covers with one hand resting on her swollen belly and a soft smile on her face.

The next morning just as Diana had predicted, Zoe was the first one up, and she quickly made sure everyone else in the house was up as well. They gathered in the living room to open their presents, and once the living room was littered with discarded wrapping paper and a mass of new gifts, the family headed for the kitchen for a small breakfast.

The rest of the day was spent enjoying their new gifts until Isaac and Abbie arrived at the house around mid-afternoon and a late lunch followed soon after. Overall, the mood in the house was pleasant and lazy.

Zac and Julie cuddled on the couch and watched Christmas movies with the rest of the family. As she snuggled closer to his chest, she fingered her new necklace lightly and smiled. Noticing her actions, Zac pulled her a little closer and smiled as they settled their attention on the television.

However, as amazing as Christmas day was, Julie's biggest surprise came a few days later. With Christmas break in session, Julie had taken quite kindly to sleeping late into the morning. A few days after Christmas and a good night's sleep, Julie woke and made her way down to the kitchen for a late breakfast.

After collecting a bowl of fruit loops and a glass of orange juice, Julie made her way into the living room to watch cartoons with Zoe. She had spotted Diana in the den on her way to the kitchen and figured she was probably going through the bills. Julie had come to discover that this was something Diana liked to do when the house was quiet. However, the revelation that the house was, in fact, quiet made Julie curious.

She figured that Zac was probably still fast asleep. Sometimes if he hadn't emerged from his room by noon, Diana would send her up to get him. Of course she really couldn't blame him for taking advantage of the opportunity to sleep in as she was guilty of the same thing, and Zac had been working every evening since Christmas until midnight or later.

Julie had been surprised to hear Zac muttering complaints about being 18, child labor laws, and being worked to the bone. She had even thought she heard him mutter something about being happy to return to school. That was something Julie couldn't even fathom hearing Zac say, so she almost wondered if she'd imagined it.

However, when Zac wasn't working late hours and sleeping until noon, he was by her side hanging out. Jessica had complained that she was beginning to wonder if they were attached at the hip, as she couldn't get a minute alone with Julie to just have some girl time, so the night before while Zac was off at work, Julie and Jessica spent the evening watching chick flicks and talking about "girly things."

Jessica couldn't fully blame Zac for her lack of time with Julie though. She had been seeing Neil on a regular basis, which kept the two girls from spending as much time together, but the evening before had been a "guy free, girls only" night, which they both fully enjoyed.

As Julie finished up her cereal, she wondered where Jessica was. She wasn't usually a late sleeper. Julie had no idea where Jessica found the energy, but somehow she always managed to be out of bed by eight thirty. Julie shrugged it off as she made her way back into the kitchen to wash her dirty dishes.

She then made her way back upstairs to shower and get dressed for the day. Afterwards, she popped her head into Zac's room, expecting to find his sleeping form, but instead she was greeted with an empty, slightly messy room - he had cleaned it up some for Taylor's stay, but that didn't last long. As soon as Taylor left to return to the dorms for a few days, Zac's room had quickly began to return to its state of disarray. She frowned and walked through Zac's room, out into the hallway, and into Jessica and Avery's room.

Jessica was nowhere in sight. Instead her bed was neatly made and it looked as if she had been gone for a quite some time. Avery, on the other hand, was burrowed deep in her blankets, but lifted her head with a grunt when she heard Julie enter the room.

"Where's Jess?" Julie asked.

"No idea ..." Avery muttered before letting her head drop back down onto her pillow. Julie suppressed a laugh as she heard Avery say in her sleep, "Keep your eyes on the prize. The future is ours."

Julie raised an eyebrow and briefly wondered what kind of inspirational dream the middle Hanson daughter was having, but she decided not to bother the girl any longer. Instead she made her way back downstairs to the den to ask Diana if she knew the whereabouts of her third and fourth children.

But when she reached the den, Diana was gone, so Julie dropped into the wing-backed chair in the corner and took a moment to rest. "All of this waddling is not cool," she said, rubbing her belly. All of her walking around seemed to have awoken the baby and caused him to begin to kick and move around.

After catching her breath, Julie went into the living room, where Zoe was still watching cartoons. "Hey, Zoe, where's your mom?" Julie asked.

"In the kitchen, I think," she replied without taking her eyes off the television screen. Julie smiled at the blonde-haired child and made her way into the kitchen. Mackenzie had gone to stay the night with a friend the night before, so Julie knew Zoe was taking full advantage of having the television all to herself.

Julie found Diana in the kitchen, looking through the refrigerator and taking out old dishes. This was a sign to Julie that Diana was making plans to visit the grocery store sometime soon.

"Hey, Diana, do you know where Zac and Jessica are?" she asked.

Diana jumped and clutched at her heart. "Julie, don't sneak up on me like that!" she scolded.

Julie's cheeks turned pink and she quickly apologized before waiting for Diana to answer her question.

"Neil came by this morning and he, Jess, and Zac decided to go out for breakfast," Diana replied.

"Oh ... when did they leave?" Julie asked, frowning. She felt a little hurt that they hadn't bothered to ask them to join her.

"It was close to eight," Diana replied. "They should be back anytime. I believe Neil has to be at work by eleven."

"Oh, okay," Julie said, glancing at the clock. It was going on ten thirty. She knew it didn't take two and half hours to eat breakfast, but she decided not to say anything. If Diana wasn't concerned, she supposed she didn't need to be concerned either.

Instead of joining Zoe in the living room once again, she bypassed the living room and went back up to her room. She picked up the new book she had checked out from the school library before the break and stretched out on her bed to read, but she couldn't get into the book. Her mind was reeling, wondering why Jessica and Zac hadn't asked her to come along with them and Neil.

She reasoned that they probably didn't want to wake her, but still she couldn't help but feel a little left out. She threw her book to the side and rolled over to her side and curled up and she rested her head against her pillow. She knew she was just overreacting, but tears formed in the corners of her eyes. She quickly wiped them away and closed her eyes, willing herself to fall back to sleep. She thought a short nap might help to tide her seemingly out of control emotions, and after only a few minutes, she slipped into a light sleep only to be awoken when she heard the front door slam shut.

She sat up quickly - so quickly that her head seemed to spin from the movement for a moment. She thought for a second she was going to be sick, but she closed her eyes and took a deep breath before opening her eyes and standing up slowly. She straightened her clothes and smoothed her hair down before she crossed the room and exited her room and made what felt like the hundredth trip that morning down the stairs.

When Julie reached the last step, she looked around with a frown. She could hear voices down the hallway and figured they had made their way into the kitchen. Julie wasn't surprised. Even after just eating a meal, Zac and Neil seemed to be bottomless pits. She decided she wouldn't be the least bit surprised to walk into the kitchen to find them stuffing their faces.

However, when Julie entered the kitchen, she was very surprised. She stopped at the kitchen door and her jaw dropped and her eyes grew wide. She stood there a moment before a huge smile broke out across her face. "ISABEL!" she screeched, plowing through everyone else in the kitchen to embrace her best friend.

Isabel laughed as Julie wrapped her arms around her and clung to her like a small child to its favorite blanket.

"Hey, Jules," Isabel laughed even though she feared she might be smothered to death by her friend's embrace.

"What are you doing here?" Julie asked, finally pulling away to look Isabel over. She held onto her hands though, fearing that if she let go of her, she might disappear. Holding onto her was the only way to make sure she was really there. Disbelief was written all over Julie's face and her eyes were already glistening with unshed tears of joy.

"Well, these two," Isabel said, motioning toward Jessica and Zac, before she continued speaking. "had this brilliant plan to surprise you. Naturally, I couldn't say no to something like this, so I talked my parents and Zac and Jess talked to theirs and here I am," she concluded with a huge grin. "MERRY CHRISTMAS!"

"Oh my god, this is unbelievable," Julie cried, pulling Isabel into another hug before she grabbed onto Jessica and Zac and gave them both a hug and thanked them, and then she embraced Diana and quickly thanked her as well.

Once the initial shock wore off, Julie ushered Isabel upstairs to her room to put her things away. Jessica and Zac kindly left after helping bring Isabel's bags up, so that Julie and Isabel could have some time alone.

"I can't believe you're really here," Julie said. "I've missed you so much!"

"I've missed you too," Isabel smiled. "And look at you," she said, reaching out and patting her swollen belly. "You weren't even showing the last time I saw you, and now ..."

"Now I'm huge," Julie finished, smiling softly.

"I wouldn't say huge," Isabel replied. "I think your belly is cute," she smiled.

Julie rolled her eyes. "You would, wouldn't you?" she commented as she wrapped her fingers around the stone pendant.

"Ooh, where did you get that huge rock around your neck?" Isabel asked with wide eyes.

"Zac bought it for me for Christmas," Julie smiled. "Isn't it beautiful?"

"Yes, can I have your boyfriend?" Isabel laughed.

"Not a chance in hell. He's mine," Julie replied.

"Yeah, well, I suppose it wouldn't work out too well since he's hopelessly in love with you anyway," Isabel sighed.

"Oh shut up!" Julie blushed.

"Seriously though, Zac seems like a great guy," Isabel commented.

"So, how did him and Jess get in contact with you?" Julie asked curiously.

"Jessica called me the first time to run the idea by me. She said that Zac took you out, so that she could call and try to make some of the plans. And once we both heard answers from our parents on the idea of me coming to visit, Zac called and made all of the arrangements," Isabel explained. "Do you know how many times I almost slipped up and told you I'd be seeing you soon? It was so hard to keep this from you!"

"But this was an amazing surprise. I'm just so happy you're here," Julie said.

"Me too," Isabel sighed as she fell back against the bed.

"How was your flight?"

"Exhausting," she replied. "I left home at midnight and got to the airport at ten or so."

"Why did you leave at midnight?" Julie asked.

"So that I would be here this morning, silly," Isabel replied, stifling a yawn.

"Oh, poor, Izzy," Julie laughed. "Why don't you take a nap?"

"I don't want to sleep," she yawned. "I want to see you."

"I know, but you're here until when?"

"January third," Isabel yawned.

"So, see - we'll have plenty of time to see each other, and it will be even more fun when you're actually awake, so sleep! I have two people to go praise again for this huge surprise anyway."

"Fine," Isabel sighed. "Just don't let me sleep the whole day away."

"Don't worry. I won't," Julie said as she stood. She crossed the room to her door and glanced over her shoulder and watched as Isabel curled up on her side on the bed. Julie was sure she was probably already asleep since she looked thoroughly exhausted. She slipped out of the room and quietly shut the door before she went to find Zac and Jessica.

While Isabel was resting up, Julie hung out with Zac and Jessica until Isabel woke up. They then decided to go out for a late lunch, and Isabel got the grand tour of Tulsa. Afterwards, they stopped by Starbucks not only so Jessica could see Neil once again, but also so that Isabel could meet him as well since he had to leave for work before her plane arrived.

When they arrived back home that evening, Julie and Isabel headed up to Julie's room. Once again Zac and Jessica gave them some time to hang out alone. Zac and Jessica had quickly taken to Isabel and enjoyed hanging around with her, but they both knew that she was really there to see Julie, so they didn't mind backing off so they could catch up.

"Neil and Jess are so cute together," Isabel commented as she kicked off her shoes and slid onto Julie's bed.

"Aren't they?" Julie laughed as she slipped her shoes off and wiggles her toes before sitting on the bed. "And I think Zac's finally starting to lighten up about it. At first I think he was kind of freaked and didn't know what to think, but I think it's actually brought Zac and Jess closer together."

"Are you sure you're not the one who did that?" Isabel asked.

"I might have had a smidge to do with it, but I think this Neil and Jess thing has been an all-around good thing," Julie replied.

"And what about this Zac and Julie thing?" Isabel grinned. "You two are adorable together too."

Julie rolled her eyes and blushed. "Hush, you're embarrassing me."

"Good!" Isabel replied. "Seriously though, it's nice to see that he's taking care of you and keeping you happy."

"Yeah ..." Julie sighed dreamily as she leaned back against her pillow. "So, what about you? Did you ever go after that new guy at work?"

"Oh, let's not even talk about that," Isabel huffed.

"Why? What happened?"

"That bitch Trisha got to him first," Isabel growled. "She fucked him in the bushes behind the building. I don't think I can top that - not that I'd want to after he's been with her nasty ass - but that crush is official gone."

"Ew, why would anyone sleep with her?" Julie said, scrunching up her nose. "She was so nasty. I think she's slept with every guy at the high school - teachers includes."

"Oh, well," Isabel shrugged. "It just wasn't meant to be, I suppose."

"So, what else is new on the homestead? What's the latest in the rumor mill?"

"Oh, god, let me think," Isabel replied. "Cameron - or Cami as she wants to be called now - and Ben broke up a couple of weeks ago after Ben caught Cami making out with Kelly Jenson."

"What?" Julie asked as her eyes grew wide. "I didn't know they swung that way."

"Well, neither did Ben, and he shockingly he wasn't too into it. Of course, after seeing Kelly, I can understand why," Isabel commented.

"Well, that's true. She is pretty skanky ... " Julie agreed. "But wasn't she dating Ethan Carroll?"

"Yeah, she was, but Ethan broke up with her for Elizabeth Anderson," Isabel explained. "But then Elizabeth dumped Ethan like a week later."

"Why? Ethan is hot," Julie replied.

"I know, right?" Isabel nodded.

"So, why did she dump him?" Julie asked again when Isabel didn't answer.

"Well," Isabel began rolling her eyes. "She went to a party at Kimberley Gillis' house and she hooked up with Hadrian, and she's been seeing him ever since," she concluded, biting her lip and eyeing Julie carefully.

Julie rolled her eyes. "So I take he's been playing the field all year?" she asked after a moment.

"Jules, I'm sorry," Isabel said. "I shouldn't have said anything."

"Why are you apologizing?" Julie asked, nearly laughing. "Like I really care what or who he's doing? After what he said to me, I don't give a shit about him anymore, Izzy. He's a jerk, and I don't know what I ever saw in him. I'm just glad he's not my problem anymore."

"Really?" Isabel asked, raising an eyebrow.

Julie grew serious. "Yes, really," she answered. "I'm in a relationship with an amazing guy - someone who has stood by my side and helped me when he didn't have to. Hadrian was an asshole. The second I told him that I was pregnant, he turned on me and made me feel like less than dirt. And I'm sure he's been running all over town, spreading rumors about me sleeping around and getting knocked up by some other guy. And that's fine. He can tell people whatever he wants. He's no concern to me anymore. I know the truth."

"I'm really glad to hear that, Jules," Isabel said. "I always thought you were too good for him."

"Too bad I didn't listen," Julie muttered, rubbing her belly.

Previous | Index | Next