Broken Wings

Part Fifty-Six - Role reversal

Chapter Fifty Six

The dogs were more devastated, that was all that Aaron could think as he let them climb onto his lap, each seeking solace in the warmth of his body. He couldn't quite believe how devastated he was at Kitty's death. They'd spoken about it a lot on his last few visits, and he knew that having him and the dogs are her side was all that she wanted. Maybe it was the distance her family stayed at, maybe it was the distance in his own...he hadn't spoken to his mother in weeks.

But as he closed his eyes, settled back on the sofa, he knew it was more than that, he had started to open his heart to Julia. He couldn't deny it any longer, she was under his skin, in his breath, his dreams. He wanted more with her than he had with any other woman, and whilst it scared him, it almost excited him, it was time for his life to change. But she had talked again, about going home, and that had nearly broken him. As he sat holding Kitty's hand, he was sensing that he was about to lose not just her, but his other good friend too, Julia.

He'd offered to help her stay, told her that she was welcome in his home, in his life, and he'd even tapped Tom up for some immigration advice.

But she was going home. No thoughts of staying.

So he'd pushed her away. Instead of telling her, he'd wrapped up his heart and pushed her away, vulnerable, emotional Julia. What the fuck was he doing?

He glanced at his phone, he should call her back. But suddenly he was exhausted. So he slumped onto his side on the sofa, then waited as the dogs rearranged themselves, Coco on his shoulder, Cliffy tucked against his belly, and closed his eyes.

Lips woke him, soft, familiar champagne tasting lips. Groggy, he struggled to open his eyes, and wondered for a long moment if this was a dream, again. But when his eyelids finally did part, he met the bright, searching eyes that he'd come to love.

"Jules? What are you doing here?"

She smiled. She was squatting down so that their eyes were level, "running is my thing. Couldn't let you get away with that."

He smiled, "you did good today?"

She scowled, "so they say, but I'm not here to talk about that."

"Don't want to talk."

She gave a funny little shrug, then said, "fair. Squeeze up then?"

Julia had already moved Cliffy, and as he pushed deeper on to the sofa, she slid on next to him, pulling a throw over them, and with his arms around her, her legs around him, he found deep and peaceful sleep.

Julia woke to the smell of bacon, her very favourite breakfast item. Rolling onto her back, she realised she was still dressed, and on the sofa. The lounge clock said it was seven am, she left at eight most days.

Groaning, she closed her eyes for a moment, then thought back to the previous night. There was no way that she wasn't going to be there for Aaron in his darkest time, he'd done so much for her, but it wasn't even that fact, it was impulsive, she WANTED to be there for him, she needed to be. And even though he'd said very little, she knew that lying with him, holding each other....it had been what he needed too.

Slipping to her feet, she padded across the lounge to the open plan kitchen/diner, and he looked up from his place at the cooker.

"Sleep OK?"

She nodded, "for a sofa too small to accommodate us, I did great."

He grinned, "me too. Thanks."